Skip to main content

Full size bed frame with storage hack — no tools required!

We hacked IKEA KALLAX units into a full size bed frame with storage to save space and money. Since we already had the KALLAX units, we wanted to use them up.

The bed is the perfect height for sleep and everything, with plenty of storage.

KALLAX full size bed frame with storage - ikea hack

Related: This is how I made a waterbed frame from KALLAX units


The KALLAX shelves are easily accessible from all sides and you can reach the space in the middle from the sides or from the top for larger items.

Reaching inside from the top is a bit of a drag (you have to lift the mattress and some/all of the plywood sheets) so we only use it for long-term storage/seasonal items.

 IKEA items used:
Optional:
Other materials and tools:

Full size bed frame with storage assembly

Step 0: Assemble the KALLAX units.

KALLAX units

Step 1: Position the KALLAX units in a U-shape, with the opening towards the wall where you want your head to be. Any floor surface is fine, but a rug or carpet will make it less likely to slide around.

Non slip mat

Step 2: Cut up the non slip rug pads to fit on top of the units where the plywood will go, and place them there.

Plywood

Underbed storage space

Plywood
Plywood

Step 3: Add the plywood sheets on top.

KALLAX full size bed frame with storage - ikea hack

Step 4: Cover with a bedsheet to keep clean, and put the mattress on top.

Other useful information:

You can use a single plywood sheet instead of three separate ones (we had to have it cut so it could fit in our car). Alternatively, you can also use a mattress frame/bed slats or whatever you like to sleep on.

KALLAX full size bed frame with storage - ikea hack
How long and how much did it cost? 

Initial assembly took about half hour. Total cost of the 3 KALLAX units, plywood, and rug pads is around $200.

What do you like most about the hack? 

Simplicity and effectiveness, easy to assemble and disassemble (good for moving).

What was the hardest part about this hack? 

Carrying the KALLAX units and plywood sheets up the stairs.

What to pay special attention to? 

Non slip rug pads keep the plywood secure on the KALLAX base.

KALLAX full size bed frame with storage - ikea hack
Looking back, would you have done it differently? 

Use a better quality or treated plywood.

And that’s it. A very simple hack for a full size bed frame with storage.

~ by Ilya and Sarah

The post Full size bed frame with storage hack — no tools required! appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hackers Help: How to attach headboard to ESPEVÄR mattress base?

I’m trying to figure out if a headboard can be attached to an Espevar Mattress Base , and how to accomplish that. I’m looking at a standard metal headboard (because I just prefer the look of curved metal to what IKEA offers) and am not interested in a slat base with just a mattress on top, and a wall mounted headboard is not an option due to renting. Thanks for any help! ~ Amy *** Hi Amy I’ve not seen the ESPEVÄR in person but I believe it is possible to attach a headboard to it. From the website, the ESPEVÄR looks like a regular wooden slatted mattress base under a bed base slipover. As to how to attach it, that will depend on the fittings on the metal headboard. So you will just need to get the right hardware to secure the metal headboard to the wooden frame. And make some small openings on the slipcover to let the fixtures to go through. Jules Photo: IKEA.com Try these free-standing headboards for size A lime green and white headboard that takes centerstage in the r...

Kitchen renovation reveal: Rhombus wall steals the show

It’s been a while since I did a home tour. If you’ve missed the previous reveals, you can catch up with my Master Bathroom remodel and Guest Bathroom reveal . Today, let’s focus on my kitchen renovation. Hands down, this is the most used room in my home. I spend crazy amounts of time in here, even when I’m not cooking. Just off to the side of the kitchen I converted an awkward space into a reading nook . In the mornings, I sit and read or pray and meditate, before it gets too warm. And on the other side, there’s a work-in-progress plant wall / indoor garden which also takes up a lot of my time. So, all in all, lots of traffic in here, and that’s not even counting cooking and eating time. The kitchen is definitely my favourite room, because the transformation is huge and I love how it turned out. Kitchen renovation: The before House 17 when I first got it, actually had 2 kitchens, which is a very common “Asian” home concept. First, the “dry kitchen”, which is where you make simp...

IKEA sofa with genius armrest storage

Bet you never knew your sofa armrests were prime storage space. Ok, so the guys at IKEA are the masters of hidden / secret storage everywhere. In fact, one of the things I most loved about the  ESKILSTUNA sofa series was the undercover storage on the chaise lounge, but… what? More than 80 liters of storage space wasted on the armrests? NO WAY! I really don’t understand how they didn’t take that opportunity with several different armrest modules. Mobile chargers, cup / can holders, foldable tables, refrigerators… there’s SO MUCH space in there. I can’t stop thinking on different options! For myself, I went for two designs. First, a “full space” design on the (right) side of the chaise lounge. (The cavity fits two foldable chairs). Second, on the left armrest — a flip open section for “mobile charger / remote control storage / etc.”. Below that, a full-depth pull-out drawer, tall enough to store A4 sized magazines. This is the final result: Full space design, rig...