Skip to main content

Hackers Help: Make a storage bed frame from kitchen high cabinets?

My name is Lola and I’m about to start building my first IKEA hack! I’m a poor student (haha) and so I’d love if I can ask some questions before I start buying stuff. My plan is to build a storage bed frame using the IKEA METOD kitchen cabinets.

My room is 235cm wide.

I was going to use two METOD high cabinet frames sideways: one with 220cm in the back and one with 200cm in the front. I was going to also leave a gap of about 40cm in the middle so I could use the underbed storage space.

And then I was planning on buying a large piece of plywood 235cm wide to put on top of the cabinets. My big question is: there will be a 15cm gap in the back and a 35cm gap in the front. Do you think there’s a chance that the plywood will topple over if someone steps on top of the gap areas? I didn’t want to screw in down in case I decide do sell the Ikea furniture in the future…but if I have to, I will.

I can also install some sort of beam in the corner I suppose…

Anyway, looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks!!

~ by Lola

***

Hi Lola

Glad you are embarking on your first IKEA hack. I drew this based on your description. I hope I got you right.

Yes, I do think there is a chance the plywood would topple over if not screwed down to the cabinets. And it could also break if someone steps on the unsupported areas. As you mentioned, adding a beam (with a frame, like Project 2 below) in the corner would be a good start.

Here are a few similar hacks that may inspire you and spark a few ideas as you design your storage bed frame.

Make a storage bed frame from kitchen high cabinets

This hack uses the SEKTION wall cabinets (the US version of the METOD) and has storage under the bed too. A lot more extensive than your initial plan but it does provide ideas on how you can use kitchen cabinets as a storage bed frame.

Make a storage bed frame from kitchen high cabinets?

Another storage bed but this uses the old EXPEDIT. What I wanted to show you from this project was the use of the beams to reinforce the gap and support the plywood. The middle section of a bed actually takes the brunt of the weight of the person on top of it. I reckon you should consider adding the support beam to the gap in your storage bed frame design to prevent any middle-of-the-night-crash-accidents.

Make a storage bed frame from kitchen high cabinets

This last one uses the STUVA system, as an alternative to the METOD. Using the shorter STUVA frames (64cm) makes it a stronger base than the METOD high cabinet, laid on its side. If using the METOD high cabinet on its side, do understand that it only comes with one reinforced shelf (meaning screwed onto the frame). So make sure you add vertical support planks to prevent sagging.

Good luck on your hack.

Let us know how it goes.

Happy hacking

Jules

The post Hackers Help: Make a storage bed frame from kitchen high cabinets? appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

SKÅDIS: 5 ways to make the IKEA pegboard even better

IKEA introduced its own pegboard system, SKÅDIS, two years ago and I’d say it’s one of the best systems IKEA launched in recent years. I love how super customisable it is, with a growing range of accessories that help keep things organized. It works everywhere, in your wardrobe to bathroom . Probably anywhere you have a flat surface to hang it up. Photo: IKEA.com SKÅDIS pegboard system See it on IKEA.com But no matter how perfect a system, you can trust IKEA hackers to improve on the SKÅDIS. And they’ve settle these 5 issues you may have faced with the handy IKEA pegboard. Read on for their fixes. 5 IKEA SKÅDIS issues and fixes #1 Expensive hooks? You’ll need quite a number of hooks and accessories to fill up the SKÅDIS pegboard, and Kenyer was shocked at how quickly they all added up. So he figured he could make his own hooks to save cost. Photo: Kenyer Over at Instructables , he shows us how to twist copper wires into the SKÅDIS hook shape. It works s...

Hackers Help: How to remake cam lock holes?

I want to put a 78.5” wide PAX configuration in a 77” space for a kids room . My plan is to eliminate the drawer on the right unit, then cut the shelves and rails to be 1.5” narrower. My question is, how do people attach two laminated pressboard IKEA pieces after they’ve cut off the cam lock holes? Related: See more Hackers Help questions and answers . Are they using drills bits and/or tiny hole saws to remake the cam lock holes? Or screws drilled in from the outside with wood glue? The outside pieces won’t be visible in my completed setup so I could go either way. I’m curious what other people are doing, either I haven’t seen this detail in past hacks or I haven’t been paying attention. ~ by Jenny *** Hi Jenny The best and tidiest method is to use the cut-off portion as a template to reproduce the same cam lock holes in the correct positions. The right sized drill bits and a  Forstner bit should do the trick. A Forstner bit will drill a flat-bottomed hole (...

6 Clever & Easy IKEA FLISAT Table hacks for more Fun & Play

The IKEA FLISAT children’s table is quite a smart little thing. See those white covers? It’s a secret compartment. Open them up and you’ll fit 2 TROFAST storage tubs snug under the top of the table. Your child can reach in and get his or her LEGO bricks -– and then — most importantly, sweep everything down into the bin to clean up. Or at least that’s what we all hope the kiddo does! It’s also perfect for sensory play. Instagram is full of ideas on what to add to those tubs to maximise them. Think of filling them with rice, pasta or chickpeas, you name it, to develop fine motor skills. Read on to see how you can make the $50 table work harder for so much more fun. #1 Simple mod turns the IKEA FLISAT into a Play & Craft table Lauren has a very simple yet practical hack to turn the FLISAT children’s table into a play table with more storage and better organisation. Materials: Photo: IKEA.com FLISAT table with TROFAST tubs ONSKLIG change table containers Wood bracket ...