A podium for a mattress instead of a bed: in the bedroom and nursery (30 ideas, 6 drawings)

bed podium photo

The podium bed is gaining popularity as a good solution for the interior. Many people prefer to make a podium bed with their own hands rather than buying or ordering from specialists. The podium helps to save space, allowing you to organize it more competently. In our article you will find projects of varying complexity. Some are quite accessible to beginners, while others require some experience in carpentry. Things are stored in drawers built into the podium without taking up the area of ​​the room. The article offers drawings of a podium bed with dimensions , photographs of projects that you can do with your own hands. We have selected several options for a podium bed : with a pull-out bed and with a mattress on top of the platform, for a small room and for a bedroom. All you have to do is browse the galleries, select the project you are interested in and go to the source website for more detailed information.

Step-by-step instructions on how to make a podium bed

Before starting the construction of a sleeping place, you need to take all the necessary measurements and draw a sketch drawing, taking into account all the measurements.
The bed and storage boxes should slide without difficulty even on a covered floor

It is necessary to calculate what load the podium surface will withstand, because the selection of the material from which the structure will be made depends on this indicator.

Required materials and tools

To make a bed you will need:

Materials

• timber for constructing a frame;
• boards for external parts and planks;
• boards for making boxes;
• plywood;
• MDF or OSB sheets for the internal parts of the bed.

Tools

• metal inner and outer corners;
• fasteners;
• pencil and construction tape;
• hacksaw;
• screwdriver and drill.

Preparatory stage

At the preparatory stage, you need to free the flooring from the baseboards in order to bring the support as close as possible to the wall. Then you will need to make markings.

Podium frame (assembly features)

Intermediate logs will add rigidity to the structure.

The supports are placed at a distance of 45 - 50 cm from each other; if the load is impressive, then the distance is reduced. Long guides are attached to the walls with vertical posts, and fastened together with short bars at a distance of 40 cm.

to increase strength, the frame above the berth is made of double bars.

To make the frame strong, it is recommended to lay intermediate logs

Bed frame

The frame of the retractable bed is assembled from the flooring and sides. For the manufacture of these parts, MDF or OSB boards are used. Everyone chooses the height of the sides independently, but the recommended parameter is at least 15 cm. This way the mattress will not fall.

In the center of the frame, you need to strengthen the support crossbars, to which wooden slats or flexible slats are nailed. The mattress will be placed here.

The size of the mattress cover is equal to the size of the mattress plus 5 - 7 cm on each side

The side boards and the front facade are attached to the base. Do not forget that when retracted, the facade acts as part of the podium and therefore its height should not exceed the distance between the upper edge of the podium and the floor.

Consider the size of the wheels that will be attached to the bottom of the frame

Podium covering

After the frames are mounted, you can begin cladding. Cut the finishing material into pieces of the required size and screw them to the frames with self-tapping screws.

Final stage

After the assembly is completed, it is necessary to cover the structure with any floor covering, the main thing is that the surface does not become slippery, since it is still an elevation.

Wooden structural elements must be coated with mold and mildew repellents

For this purpose, the most suitable are carpet and laminate. Finishing materials can be the same color as the covering in the entire room, or they can be completely different and be a bright spot for zoning the room.

Calculation

Immediately after the location of the future podium has been chosen, precise measurements are taken and drawings are drawn on which you need to indicate the dimensions of the finished product, where it is attached to the wall, and the dimensions of the retractable elements. If the elevation is planned to be made with boxes, between them you need to specify supporting intermediate walls, which will simultaneously serve as reinforcement of the entire structure. In addition, retractable mechanisms will be attached to them.

In accordance with the measurements obtained, you need to draw diagrams; the dimensions must be specified accurately, taking into account the width of the boards. It is necessary to mark on the drawing the places of fastenings and the location of the beams and plank covering.

It is most advisable to use 10x5 cm planks to assemble the frame, placing them with the narrow side up. To create the flooring, you can take a floorboard with a tongue-and-groove notch, a sheet of plywood or laminated chipboard (MDF), at least 18 mm thick.

If there are elements that will be pulled out, the structure is reinforced with partitions made of boards. The boxes are made 50-60 cm wide (as wide as the width of the podium allows). To make the walls, plywood is used. The bottom is sewn up with a fiberboard sheet.

Types of structures by organization

What height should a bed be?
There are many models of raised flooring with a bed. All of them are divided into three main types:

• Traditional.
• Improved.
• Retractable.

Creates more space

The choice of a specific type of structure should take into account:

• visual image;
• financial opportunities;
• room style;
• the need to install additional work and sleeping places;
• room parameters (ceiling height, area, regular or irregular shape, arches, ceiling beams).

There is no clear opinion about the podium bed even among designers. Many are confident in the advisability of such an organization only for very large premises. But not everything in this matter is clear. It is possible to install it even in a modest-sized apartment with a not very favorable layout.

Be sure to consider the style of the room

The frame version has a relatively simple organization. It uses metal, wood or a combination of several materials.

The average height of the podium in an ordinary apartment is from 0.25 to 0.55 m. If you need to organize storage systems, then the height should be about half a meter.

Often the podium has a rectangular shape. But this requirement is not considered mandatory. The round, semicircular shape also looks no less interesting.

It is basically rectangular in shape

The podium usually has a completely flat top floor. But perhaps even a wide mattress can be placed in the recess below the sides. This will make it possible to use the protruding planes as bedside tables and additional shelves.

Traditional podium

This type is the simplest to implement. It looks like a rigid frame made of wood with a covering of wear-resistant material and a mattress on top. The height of the flooring is usually about half a meter.

The casing is made from the following materials:

• linoleum;
• skin;
• wood;
• carpet, etc.

Traditional podium option

One of the easiest ways to decorate the outside of the podium is to paint it in several layers. The right shade will create a harmonious space in the room, where each element has its place.

Improved version

This type of bed is similar to the previous one, but with added functionality. The podium has retractable storage chambers for things: for bed linen, clothes, etc.

The decorative and originality of the structure is combined with practicality of use. Storage systems in the form of drawers can be combined with open shelves for books, souvenirs, frequently used small items, and blankets. A system of entire segments with different appearances is welcome.

The option is supplemented with functionality

Retractable mechanism

A bed with a pull-out system is a comfortable sleeping place that can be pushed under the podium. The roll-out device allows you to use the resulting free podium for organizing a workplace or storing things.

In withdrawable systems, it is necessary to pay attention to the quietness of the drawout. To do this, the wheels must have a high-quality rubber coating that does not scratch the floor and makes it possible to move the bed out and in quietly

Plastic wheels are not suitable. If used frequently, they may leave marks on the floor. In addition, plastic has a short service life and quickly becomes unusable.

Pay attention to the quietness of the withdrawable mechanism

How to make a podium bed with your own hands step by step

Characteristics and description of the dolphin children's bed

Any project starts with a photo idea. The feasibility of which correlates with the existing free space in the apartment for installation and the desired functionality.

Step-by-step instructions for making a podium bed with your own hands will look like this:

1. The free space for installation is measured. Sleeping places are selected for it. Mattresses of standard sizes are cheaper - therefore, whenever possible, the structure is designed for specific dimensions.
2. After the position of the berths has been determined, a diagram of the supporting structure with the necessary partitions and rigidity supports is developed. Storage spaces are planned between them - shelves and drawers.
3. Based on the design diagram of the bed-podium, the type of material is determined (timber, plywood or OSB sheathing, orthopedic grilles, chipboard). Next, an accurate, scaled drawing of the bed-podium is developed based on the size and thickness of the material, preferably using special software.
4. When planning the internal filling of the podium bed with your own hands, try to avoid the formation of “dead” zones. There are many solutions with tilting and lifting mechanisms, don't just focus on drawers.
5. Next, based on the drawing, the detailing (list of parts) is calculated, and an estimate is drawn up for the purchase of fittings, fasteners, materials and necessary components.
6. If you plan to make a podium bed with your own hands from chipboard, then it is better to order ready-cut parts with PVC edges edging the visible sides. Timber and plywood for built-in models will have to be “cut” yourself, which means you will additionally need a jigsaw, a grinder, sandpaper, and possibly a router. As well as paint and varnish consumables for finishing coating, tools for their application.
7. To assemble a podium bed with your own hands, you will need a drill (perforator), a screwdriver with a set of 5.8 mm drills/bits and others (you can read more here), as well as other hand tools.
8. First, the base of the bed and separately the pull-out elements and shelving structures are drilled and assembled. Then the mechanisms and other fittings are attached, and the internal contents are installed.

Since the product itself is quite heavy and is often built in from wall to wall, a lot will have to be filed and adjusted to fit right in the apartment. It would be a good idea to enlist the help of an assistant.

Required materials and tools

To make a simple podium bed with your own hands you will need:

• A standard set of tools for cutting, preparing and fastening wood materials (hacksaw, screwdriver, drill, tape measure, level).
• Solid timber with a cross section of 50*50 or 50*100 mm, used to assemble the frame.
• Well-dried durable lumber: plywood for the bottoms of boxes 10 mm thick, chipboard or MDF boards from 16 mm, OSB-3, boards with a thickness from 22 mm.
• A set of fasteners and accessories, including anchors for fixing the frame in the walls, wooden dowels, confirmations with a length of up to 70 mm, self-tapping screws with a cross-section of 4.5 mm, metal corners to strengthen the structure, guides for drawers or a pull-out bed, handles, rollers or wheels.
• Wood glue for coating joint areas or reinforcing fasteners.

Materials for finishing or decoration: carpet, foam rubber, textiles, thin floor coverings, laminated wood boards or laminated wood for facades, varnishes, paints, stains, LED strip.

Taking into account its close location to the floor and constant loads, it is recommended that the bed podium be made from materials with high strength.

Deviation from the specified parameters of slab materials to a lesser extent is not allowed. If possible, the sides or base of the bed are cut from sheets with a thickness of 19 mm or assembled from dry boards.

When working with laminated materials or planning to install a backrest with a soft headboard, additionally prepare a construction hair dryer, tapes, and a furniture stapler with staples.

Location options

If the podium bed is designed near a window, the best option is a podium with drawers at the bottom. This placement saves space and adds natural light as the bed rises higher. It is better to remove the radiator from the window, and instead build a special convector into the floor. Thus, the bedroom is divided into two parts, which look great, being in the same color and style. For finishing, you can use environmentally friendly materials made from natural wood or laminate. To visually increase the space, you can decorate the walls with mirror panels or stick photo wallpaper with a beautiful landscape on them.

If the room has a niche or alcove, this is an ideal place to install a classic podium, because in this case there is no need to construct a pull-out bed. It can be simply installed in a niche, additionally equipped with modest necessary interior items, depending on the wishes of the owner. The standard dimensions of the alcove are 2.40 x 2.50 m, which allows you to place a double bed with drawers below.

There are many ways to place a podium on a balcony or loggia, despite the limited space. If the width of the balcony allows, you can put a place to relax on a classic podium. The disadvantage of a cold floor can be compensated for by integrating the popular “warm floor” heating system into the podium. An excellent “two-in-one” method is to place structures along the entire length of the loggia in the form of several wide and durable wooden boxes in which homemade supplies will be stored. In warm weather or if the balcony is properly insulated, place a mattress on top of the drawers - and the sleeping place is ready.

There is a great opportunity not only to build a large podium, but also to install an additional heating system in the room, installing it inside the structure, which will serve both technically and functionally at the same time.

In the children's room

When arranging a children's room, you should, first of all, zoning the room: the child should always have a place to sleep, play and do school homework. Both retractable and classic options can be equally suitable for equipping a children's room. The good thing about a pull-out bed is that there is more space in the room; moreover, when using this option, it is very easy to place the necessary areas in the nursery: the sleeping place itself pulls out, and at the top of the podium there is a study area in the form of a table, chair and several bookshelves. During the daytime, the bed can easily be removed inside the podium, and the child has an ideal space for games.

The option with built-in beds is very convenient if there are two children in the family. Sleeping places in the form of vertical roll-out beds are symmetrically located to the left and right of the podium, the steps are in the middle, and a kind of room with a work area is equipped at the top. During the day, the beds are removed inside, and thus there is enough space for two in the room.

Another good way to arrange a children's room is to place a bed there on a high podium with many drawers where the child can put anything: from toys to school supplies. The room will be provided with both order and sufficient space for games. If the choice is to create a high podium, you can also install a small built-in table with a retractable mechanism, which will be both practical and very convenient.

Podium bed: types, functions, distinctive features

This podium bed will decorate any apartment

Podium beds are gaining more and more popularity today, which is easy to explain: firstly, it is an opportunity to show your originality and style, and secondly, it is a significant saving in living space, so necessary in small apartments.

Such beds are divided into two types:

• With a sleeping place on the podium and compartments for things in a niche under the mattress. The most common option due to ease of installation and functionality.
• With pull-out mattress. Used in apartments with ceilings higher than 3 meters. A work area or rest area is created above the bed.

From the above, the distinctive features of this type of sleeping structure emerge: it is enviable functionality, the ability to combine not only a closet and a place to sleep, but also other parts of the apartment (for example, a window sill). Can an ordinary bed boast this? Unlikely.

The podium bed is also easy to assemble, unloads other closets and makes the apartment look new. Built-in drawers help keep things at hand and at the same time free up space around you: you can put not only bedding in them, but also toys (if we are talking about a crib) or household little things, the location of which will be easy to remember.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Functionality and space saving: the advantage of technical models of podium beds is that the drawers contain boxes, bed linen and clothes that do not fit in the closet.
• Relative cheapness of the product.
• Installation of such a bed is very simple and does not take much time.
• Aesthetically beautiful appearance with proper finishing.

The disadvantage of one and the other type is that they cut the room in height. Living in an apartment with a small area and ceilings of 2.5 meters, it is not advisable to install such a structure. It will not free up space, but will visually reduce the space.

Decoration

Neither OSB boards nor plywood have an attractive appearance. Therefore, you should not skip the decorating stage. Keep in mind that a podium under a bed, which will be used as a place of work, rest or entertainment, requires compliance with safety rules.

The floor should not be slippery, which means choosing appropriate materials

Particular attention is paid to the steps. Carpet or laminate is perfect

These are, of course, not residual options; the owner of the apartment has the right to independently decide how to decorate the elevation he has erected. It could be:

• ceramic tile;
• linoleum;
• parquet;
• wooden plank.

Do-it-yourself podium bed: step-by-step instructions

First of all, you need to choose the place where the podium will be located, make sure that the berth will move out normally, and take into account the diagram to make markings on the floor:

1. Along the perimeter of the structure, fix the racks of beams vertically to the floor, fasten them on four sides using metal corners. The size of the racks must be less than the expected height of the pedestal; this space is required for the timber when making the frame.
2. The beams, which form the top of the frame, are fixed to the racks using metal corners. It is necessary to check that the racks are perpendicular to the floor level, their upper part is horizontal and all parts are securely fastened to each other.
3. Markings are made for the internal drawers, the beams that form their frames are fixed to the bottom of the racks, and lintels are placed on them. Jumpers are not installed all the time, but it is advisable to use them, since they additionally strengthen the structure.
4. If the mattress is located on top of the pedestal, and it will be used exclusively for night rest, you can choose laminated fiberboard for the lining. If the upper part is made of lamellas, then the side parts must extend a few centimeters beyond the horizontal surface, thus forming sides that will fix the mattress. In this case, a small gap is required between the sides and the wall. If the surface of the pedestal is solid and made of fiberboard, then it can be larger than the dimensions of the mattress, in which case the sides are not required. A high panel is often installed at the headboard, which forms the backrest; on the side it can extend beyond the overall dimensions of the structure.
5. For a pedestal that will be subject to increased load, fiberboard is not suitable. Therefore, for retractable elements, cladding is most often made of OSB, and a laminate is laid on top or carpet is used. The plywood is attached to the frame with self-tapping screws, the carpet is fixed with a construction stapler. If a laminate is chosen for the final cladding, then a substrate must be laid between the coating and the base. To further secure and disguise the connections, PVC corners are usually glued around the perimeter.
6. The bed itself is usually made in the form of a box into which a mattress is inserted. The simplest option is to buy a ready-made structure of slats for the mattress, nail the sides and secure the rollers.
7. The bottom can also be made solid. If the dimensions of the podium are quite large, then drawers are installed on the sides of the bed, which are assembled from plywood. It is necessary to clearly measure the angle of the elements that are connected with a square to avoid distortions.
8. The runners are fixed to the sides of the box walls, and the rails are fixed to the frame jumpers. The main thing is to secure the rails and guides at the same height. The boxes must be inserted into their places, make sure that they can move freely, then be removed and numbered. The size of the runners should not be more than 70 cm; if you make the drawer deeper, it will be difficult to pull it out completely.
9. After making the sliding parts, they begin cladding. As a rule, the same material is used for this as for cladding the entire structure, but you can experiment with colors. The front panels must almost completely cover all parts of the frame, without going beyond it. There must be a small gap between the panels of adjacent drawers so that these elements do not catch on each other.

The structure is ready, next you need to put the mattress in its place and insert all the drawers.

There are many options for assembling podium beds. Whether to install this structure in the bedroom or not is up to each person to decide individually. We must not forget that in large rooms the podium will look stylish and elegant, but in a small Khrushchev it will visually make the room smaller.

Start of assembly

The base of the bed is made of three blocks; the back and sides must be connected at right angles. The central block is the middle of the bed, two parts on the sides will fill the boxes, which will move using roller wheels along the slats. We fasten the headboard of the bed and the side blocks with bolts. We choose nuts to taste, wing nuts or regular ones. The use of a bolted connection allows you to assemble or disassemble the product in any situation. Side panels and cross members can also be made collapsible.

We make holes in the blocks using a drill, insert pins and assemble the blocks. We coat all contacting sides of the blocks with glue, compress them with clamps and leave until the element is completely dry. The shortest central part rests on four square struts. In the two top panels we make recesses according to the size of the transverse rail passing through them.

Beautiful design solutions in the interior

For a small and narrow bedroom, the best option would be a podium bed, which has wide drawers and a couple of steps. The bed is installed on top of the podium (classic option), which provides it with cozy natural light during the day, and at the top you can leave space for a bedside lamp, a floor lamp and several shelves for books.

In a one-room apartment, the type of podium structure will directly depend on the size of the room. If the area is large, you can set aside a part of the room for a sleeping place, which is usually fenced off with a high cabinet or rack with built-in drawers and shelves. The sleeping place is arranged using a regular wide mattress in the upper part, and below you can arrange a compact workplace in the form of a table with drawers. Thus, the podium becomes multifunctional, and a person can do different things while in the same place.

In a “Khrushchev” apartment it is also quite possible to build a simple podium structure, taking into account the peculiarities of the layout of such an apartment. Small area and low ceilings are not an obstacle for those who want to arrange a compact and comfortable sleeping place, but all this must be taken into account when planning the size.

What is the model?

Externally, podium beds differ from ordinary ones in that they have a raised area above the floor, which is called a podium. The design consists of a huge flat box, as well as a niche for a mattress. Before you start making it, you should study all its subtleties, namely, that podium beds come in several types:

1. Designs where the berth is located above the podium. This provides an opportunity to get free storage space.
2. In the second place, the berth is retractable and, when assembled, is hidden under the podium. Most often this type is used in small apartments.

Step-by-step description of making a podium bed with drawers and a sleeping place on top

Making a podium bed with drawers with your own hands is also easy.

Step 1. Selecting material. In our example – 50x100 mm timber and sheet plywood.

The first thing you need to do is choose the material.

Step 2. Tool. See the list from the previous section. We won't need wheels, but we will need guides for the drawers (don't forget to take them into account when calculating the dimensions).

Step 3. Making the frame. For convenience, you can make it in two halves, which will make transportation easier. Or a larger one if you don’t plan to move it anywhere.

The frame can be made of two parts.

Step 4. Installation of drawers. After assembly, we attach the guides to the internal elements of the frame and to the retractable structures themselves.

The crucial moment is the installation of bed drawers.

Step 5. Sheathing with plywood.

A necessary stage in the manufacture of a podium bed is plywood covering.

Step 6. Finishing, decoration. After assembling the podium, sand the outer surfaces with fine-grain sandpaper. Cover with a protective compound, stain.

The finished bed must be sanded and decorated.

You can use floor finishing for decoration.

Create a drawing

Drawings of the podium bed are drawn up based on exact measurements of the room and the planned dimensions of the mattress. Small rooms are simply covered with a podium into parts with different heights; in other cases, the length of the bed (as well as the dimensions of the drawer with the sleeping bed) is adjusted to the mattress. The width of the furniture varies from 1.2 to 1.5 m for children’s models, 1.7–1.9 m for double models. The height of models with drawers of any type varies between 40–70 cm.

Deviations in the smaller direction are not recommended; in the larger direction, they are permissible when installing the bed in a room with high ceilings and strengthening the strength of the frame.

Detailed sketches of beds are made on paper or electronically, using online editors or furniture design programs. If you have no experience, you should use ready-made drawings, scrupulously observing the specified indents and gaps

It is also very important to purchase materials of a given thickness

If it is necessary to change the length or width of the frame, the dimensions of the retractable elements and external facades are simultaneously adjusted. The intervals between adjacent boxes and the specified gaps must remain unchanged. In particular, the width of the drawer placed under the bed in any case should be 2.5 cm less than the box itself, and the minimum permissible distance from the bottom to the floor is 1 cm.

Frame covering

For cladding you can use:

• plywood;
• MDF;
• OSB.

Fiberboard will not be suitable in this case, since this material is sensitive to moisture, which can cause it to deform, which will lead to curvature of the entire structure. The most economical option is plywood, but it has chips, irregularities and voids. MDF and OSB boards do not have such defects, but their cost is higher. For the structure itself, the sheathing material is not so important.

It is better to work with an assistant, although you can cope with this task yourself. It will take 1-3 days to produce.

Sheathing elements should be cut and attached according to the markings.

Important! It is necessary to provide a technological gap between the sheets of 2 mm. In its absence, there is a high chance that the wood will warp, causing the structure to undergo noticeable deformation

The podium should be soundproofed to minimize the booming sound from the empty space inside the structure when walking on it. In addition, manipulation will provide thermal insulation. Any soundproofing material, such as cork, foam or mineral wool, is suitable for this. They need to cover the entire internal surface, leaving space for niches and drawers.

For models with drawers, a height of 35–40 cm is suitable. This is the optimal parameter for rooms with a standard ceiling height of 2700 mm.

We attach the drawers:

1. Cut the workpieces. Each drawer requires a pair of sidewalls with a height equal to the dimensions of the elevation, front and back walls. The width of the latter should be equal to a third of the width of the entire structure, excluding the dimensions of a pair of transverse beams.
2. Connect the blanks with metal corners. The bottom should be covered with a fiberboard sheet.
3. Mark the location for attaching the handles in the middle of the front wall. Next, you need to drill holes and install the appropriate fittings.
4. Equip the drawers with a mechanism on bearings. To do this, one of its parts is screwed close to the upper edge of the side walls. The guides are already installed on the frame.

The minimum length and width of the podium depend on the dimensions of the mattress. In this case, an allowance of 5 mm is added to its dimensions on each side.

Note! The retractable mechanism must be positioned strictly horizontally, which will ensure its durable and easy operation.

Design Features

Depending on the type of frame, there are two manufacturing technologies: a bed on a podium with drawers or with a pull-out mattress. In both cases, they use available building materials and tools that are in the arsenal of every owner. This means that you can make them yourself. At the same time, the products differ fundamentally not only in installation technology, but also in purpose. Let's take a closer look at them.

With a sleeping place in a niche

The product is a hollow structure that rises 40-70 cm above the main floor level. In the lower part there is a large cupboard. At night they sleep on it, during the day they hide it in a niche. The upper plane above the pull-out bed is actually a raised floor. It is usually used to organize:

• recreation areas;
• work or study space;
• children's playroom

This allows you to create a “hidden” bedroom in any room without compromising its space. If the shape of the room is elongated, you further zone it and add functionality.