Materials: 2 EXPEDIT shelf units 5x1, 1x Sultan Lade 90cm, 3 purple SKUBB boxes, non-slip under carpet material
Description: I saw quite a few double bed hacks using Expedit units here, but no single bed (90cm wide), so I thought I should submit my hack for this.
To start with, put the two units on the floor next to each other, making them 90cm wide - leaving an approx. 12cm gap in the middle. Cut some non-slip under-carpet material and place it onto the units so the slatted base won't slip around too much.
Place the Sultan Lade slatted bed base on top. You need to cut one slat off the end since it's meant for a 200cm bed and the Expedit base is only 185cm, and secure the top and bottom slat with 4 screws each. I also put 4 screws in a couple of other slats, but the screws don't hold too well because the sides of the Expedit units are hollow inside (the two end bits are not) - might work putting raw plugs in though. Finish by sticking felt pads over each screw head (unless you use screws that end up flush with the wood) to protect your mattress.
Finally, put your mattress on top and enjoy storing all your sh*t under the bed as you see fit. I did this using a 3-pack of purple SKUBB boxes.
Alternatively, if you have stuff that you don't need access to often, you could store everything at the back of the bed, and make the Expedit unit at the front of the bed into 5 separate cubby holes or beds for cats. ;)
~ Barbarella a.k.a. The Mad Cat Lady, Lanzarote
That is a very short bed.
ReplyDeleteI was just looking up dimensions because I've been thinking of doing this myself. The standard size of a twin mattress is 75", and these expedit shelves are 72 7/8". I'm betting the 2 1/8" overhang is probably not noticed too much. I'd love to hear opinions on that from anyone who's made this bed!
DeleteThe 'standard' size of a twin (aka single) mattress varies by region. In the UK and Northern Europe it's 200 cm (king-length), but in Southern Europe you can get both 190 cm and 200 cm mattresses. I'd think a 15 cm overhang is a bit too much, but 5 cm is probably no biggie.
DeleteAh yes, missed the Lanzarote mention at the bottom. We sloppy giant from the north oversee these things...
DeleteHi. Maker of the bed here.
DeleteAh see, I didn´t buy an IKEA mattress because that would have been too long. I bought a standard 90x190cm mattress from somewhere else so the 5cm difference of the 185cm length of the Expedit shelves is not noticeable at all...
why would you want to do this? It actually gives less storage by making the other side impossible to access without removing the bed from the wall.
ReplyDeleteThe concept is the bed itself. There is no obligation to put it against the wall in this fashion. Although, you do raise a proper consideration if that is what you intend to do.
DeleteIt is not impossible to reach the other side - remember, this bed is only 90cm wide. However, the stuff I am storing at the far end of the bed is stuff I don´t need access to very often...
Deletelike seasonal items you want outta sight and mind 90% of the year... swimsuit, mini x-mas tree, gift wrap, etc. could go in the back. it's like having an attic under your bed.
DeleteExactly! :)
DeleteActually, I'm betting you can access the stuff in the further away area-- you just have to reach through the first bookshelf. I think it's very clean. And, as far as the length of a twin bed versus the length of an expedit, the difference is 3". That's easily doable with an insert or something at the foot or end of the bed. We're not talking about a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, well done. To the naysayers -- if you don't like it, then don't make this hack. And maybe ask a question before you assume the hack isn't functional...
Thanks. ;)
DeleteIt´s actually just 2" (5cm) of overhang and if you position the mattress with 1" (2.5cm) at one end and 1" at the other end, it really is not noticeable at all. It works just fine...
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ReplyDeleteEasy and nice. Connect 2 boxes together and you can use all space under bed even without moving it away from the wall.
ReplyDeleteWhat a genius idea! Thanks. ;)
DeleteI'm wondering if this could be done adding a spine to attach the slats to that would take up the 12cm(approx 4.5in) gap so you don't need to screw into the EXPEDIT shelves?
ReplyDeleteWould the friction of the non slip carpet mat be enough to keep the slats in place, with the "Spine" to keep the slats aligned between the bed? Maybe cut the removed slat to width, cut in half and screw it to the top and bottom 3 slats to keep stuff aligned?
I want to reuse the bookshelves when my kids leave.
Thoughts?
Ah, I had exactly the same idea when I first designed all this on paper! :)
DeleteBut then I thought it´s not really necessary and simply more work on the whole thing that I can avoid. But yes, that´s another option of course.
was wondering does the bed move around alot since it has no sides?
ReplyDeleteDo you mean the mattress? If that´s what you mean, *no* it doesn´t move around much because of its weight, plus the weight of a person on top of it during the night. However, it is nice and easy to move it when you want to change the sheets or turn over the mattress....
DeleteBy looking at the above information it really looks easy to build something like this but it sure requires basic skills, if you are not that type of person you can buy cheap beds from garage sales.
ReplyDeleteHi Patrick, I don´t think it needs basic skills at all. All it takes it putting it all together. And a bit of imagination. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou could actually leave out the step of securing the slat base with screws because the weight of the mattress (and the person on it) will hold this in place anyway. However, it will just give it extra support, it´s not necessary though.