Materials: KURA BED, MDF
Description: All you need is an Ikea Kura bed, turned on its upside, so the mattress is at the lowest point.
Cut the mdf to the right length (for the front side), mark a halfway point and this is where the point of the roof is.
Cut with a jigsaw or circular saw and place behind the bars of the bed and secure with screws.
Do the same to the rear side of the bed and secure to the bars of the bed. You won't need one for the end of the bed as it's already enclosed. Leave the other one open as you will need to fit the mattress in!
Secure all sides of the bed with corner brackets for extra security and sturdiness!
For the roof, you need to measure 2 pieces of wood that slightly overlap the sides and with small nails secure into the sides of the mdf. Once secure use small screws around the edges, do this for both sides.
Inside the bed, you need 2 angled flat brackets to connect to 2 parts of the roof together.
Once you have the main unit, you need a jigsaw to cut windows and doors.
Use thin bits of wood to create some definition on window frames and other parts!
And it's as easy a that!
~ Emily Howard, Essex, UK
is there enough breathing air in there ?
ReplyDeleteSeems like it would be hard to change the sheets.
ReplyDeleteMmmm I agree on the sheets. Air breathing might be an adult perception (to which I agree) but i'm sure the kid is delighted.
DeleteMaybe an opening on the 'roof' to have more light could be a nice finishing touch.
Jerry, Belgium
I love it!:).
ReplyDeleteMe, too. :)
Deletethis is awesome..from the looks of the pic..i *think* the roof does open,which seems to make sense to change out the sheets and what not..i wonder is it fully dark in there or is there some small dim lighting? either which this is amazing and a really nice hack!!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! I'm sure it's lovely and dark (and quiet) in there! And being that it's not air tight, I'm sure "breathing air" isn't an issue.. I'd happily make one for myself - then maybe I'd get some peace and quiet when I nap on a lazy sunday afternoon!
ReplyDeleteI think it's cute and I'm sure your child loves it but I cannot help but draw parallels between this enclosure and an animal crate. What's worse is that it's a much more solid enclosure. I hope you keep an eye on the bedding for residual moisture or mildewing as it really doesn't look like a lot of airflow is getting in there.
ReplyDeleteThis is charming and cute but the mom in me thinks about the off-gassing from the MDF. I don't think i'd want my kid sleeping in there because of that and the potential for some serious mildew due to decreased air circulation.
ReplyDeleteIt's a super cute play-house, and your daughter is very lucky... But I agree with a lot of the commenters that it's not for me. Too hard to change the sheets, turn the mattress, sit with a sick kid, read a bedtime story. But the same is true of a lot of top bunks. So if it works for your family it's a really fun bed.
ReplyDeleteI think the mildew and gas concerns are unnecessary unless you have a particularly damp house or a habitual bed wetter.
GREAT HACK Emily!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteFor those who missed it, the bed is not totally enclosed, just the front and top. If you like, make the windows or door bigger. Put the bed on moving disks - solves the concern for air, moisture and mattress flip or sheet change. Since the back is open, it can sit near an air vent AND have lighting - even shelves inside for that matter. If MDF gas is truly a concern, simply use another material.
Nice job! SOOOOOOO many ideas on decorating the out and inside for boy or girl. Thank you!