Almost everybody has something stuffed under the bed. It is a good place to put little-used items, especially those odd-shaped ones that don't seem to fit anywhere else. But it is also a difficult place to clean. Items stored under the bed get dusty, and pulling them out for cleaning is a dirty job. This is a good time to think about planning a bed that doubles as a storage unit. When it comes to building your own storage bed, you are only limited by your imagination. Does this Spark an idea?
Basic Construction
Typically, storage beds are built with plywood and lumber. Cover the top of the storage area of the bed with plywood in order to keep out dust, and add lumber cleats along the sides of the bed to support the top. For beds larger than twin size, use extra supports inside the "box" to support the larger size mattresses. These supports can run from side to side, between any drawers or cabinetry, and also serve as walls for the compartments underneath.
The sides can form a solid casework similar to any other cabinet; or, if you wish to use storage boxes on casters, strengthen the top rails that support the mattress and plywood top by spacing a series of legs for these "quasi-drawers" to fit between.
In addition to supporting the sides and adding style to the bed, a headboard and footboard can provide extra storage space as well.
Drawers
Drawers are the most common under-bed storage method, simply because they allow easy access without getting on your hands and knees. But the best drawer setup for your bed might not be what you expect.
While traditional cabinetry and drawer construction techniques can be used with great success for storing smaller items, there are size and weight restrictions on what can be stored this way. The hardware necessary to support large items can be bulky, and the added complexity can make your drawers less dependable.
An easy-to-use alternative to standard drawers is a box on four casters. A front panel, extending perhaps an inch beyond the top and sides of the box and tall enough to cover the gap where the casters are, gives the appearance of a traditional drawer. Leave a 1/2-inch gap between the bottom of this panel and the floor for ease of use. A standard drawer handle or two mounted on this panel completes the look.
These quasi-drawers can extend the full width of the bed, as long as there is room to pull them out and access the contents.
Cabinets
Storage spaces with cabinet doors are also popular choices for a storage bed. As a general rule, the depth of these compartments depend on how flexible the user is; the size of the storage space must be balanced against the ease of accessibility. Because of this, compartments with doors will often be only half the depth of the bed, sometimes less.
Don't forget that doors do not have to open from side to side. If top-hinged doors will work better for your situation (or the items you wish to store), feel free to use them. Do not forget to add hardware to support these doors in an open position while you access the bed's contents.
Lift Beds
Lift beds allow the entire top of the bed, mattress and all, to tilt up for access to the storage area. Lift beds require hydraulic lifts, which usually put them beyond the skill level (and price) of the do-it-yourselfer.
Headboards
Don't overlook storage possibilities in the headboard and footboard. The most common headboard storage is a built-in shelf where you can store frequently-used books and paraphernalia, such as flashlights and radios. You can also build them wider than the bed, to take the place of night tables.
Footboards
Footboards afford the most latitude in storage. Bookshelves, standard cabinets, storage chests and benches--all are possibilities. In some cases, a small desk or table might be incorporated.
Tags: access contents, doors will, from side, from side side, headboard footboard, Lift beds, most common