Q: Can I make a king size IKEA MANDAL bed?

I would need some help, advice or opinion on the possibility and realisation of my idea.

I really like the MANDAL bed but unfortunately they don’t come in king size (180×200).

MANDAL single bed with storage | IKEA.com

So my idea is to join two single MANDAL beds together.

I don’t have a lot of experience in woodwork but the idea was to simply use some kind of metal plates (image below) to screw the tops of beds together (the tops of beds are flat). I thought about three or four plates.

Another option would be to screw the back panels of the bed together. The drawers open only from one side. (Might be better as the metal plates on top might tear the mattress?)

What kind of screws (if they are even the right thing to use) are adequate for this kind of joint?

Has anyone done anything similar or has an idea if this would work or how to do it better?

Advice is needed and much appreciated!

Thanks a lot,

Ana

***

Hi Ana

You’re on the right track.

I’ll definitely go with option 2 of bolting it from back of one bed to the other to make a king size MANDAL bed. It will be a neater finish compared to the brackets which will also work.

Any kind of wood screws will work.

Here’s how I would join the two MANDAL into one king size bed

First, use 2 – 3 clamps to hold the two beds together tightly.

Measure the thickness of the two side panels (combined as the centre panel). Get screws that are slightly shorter, so that they won’t poke through the other side.

Mark where you want to attach the screws. I’d suggest all along the side panels in a zigzag formation, screwed in from left and right side of the centre merged panel.

Blue dots — screwed in from bed on the left to right.

Yellow dots – screwed in from bed on the right to left.

Get it?

You’ll get a stronger hold when the screws come in from both sides. Use as many screws as you think necessary for a firm hold.

Then, use a drill to make pilot holes. Drill from Bed 1 through to the Bed 2 but not breaking the surface of Bed 2. (As a guide, use a masking tape to mark the depth to drill on the bit.) Repeat on the other side.

Use a screwdriver to secure the screws into the pilot holes you’ve just made.

It should be pretty straightforward as all the sides are flat.

Good luck on the hack and look forward to seeing it all done.

Happy hacking,

Jules

The post Q: Can I make a king size IKEA MANDAL bed? appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

Comments

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...

Martin Cooper

Search This Blog