DIY pallet bed

Handmade furniture is of particular value to its owners. After all, the soul is put into it, it is made for individual reasons, completely corresponding to the ideas of the owner. One of the most important pieces of furniture in the house is the bed, and in the bedroom it is, in general, the main thing. But often its price in the store is not affordable. And this is another reason to make it yourself. One option is a bed made of pallets, when simple wooden boxes are taken as the basis. This may be hard to believe, but making such a bed is not that difficult. The main thing is to be consistent and listen to the recommendations given in this article.

DIY pallet bed - design features

Pallets also have another name in common people - pallets. They are used for transporting large cargo in warehouses and utility rooms.

Conventionally, this type of material can be divided into 2 types:

• European.
• Standard.

Euro pallets have dimensions of 800 mm x 1200 mm, and “domestic” pallets have dimensions of 1000 mm x 1200 mm.

Preparing to create a structure

It is first necessary to create a drawing on which the location of the future furniture and calculations of dimensions will be marked; this must be done with a small margin.

Before assembling the frame, you need to make sure you have the following tools:

• self-tapping screws;
• hammer;
• roller/brush;
• sandpaper;
• primer, varnish or paint as a coating.

Pallets are distinguished by the presence of legs, which can be removed if desired. But it’s better to leave them, as the bed will take on a more believable appearance and, moreover, it will be much easier to clean underneath it. The legs of the pallets are not high, however, the distance to the floor is quite enough to make cleaning easier. The preparation also includes a mandatory inspection of the material. There should be no protruding nails on the pallets, and the surface should be smooth. If it is not, it is better to sand it using special milling cutters or manually with sandpaper. The second option requires more energy and time. And of course, the pallets must be clean. After all, the bed plays an important role in terms of hygiene.

How many pallets will you need?

The most important thing is the number of pallets that will be used in the construction of furniture. It depends on how large the future bed is planned, which can be:

• double;
• single;
• one and a half sleeper;
• two-tier;
• children's room

If the calculations are made correctly, the bed will be comfortable and convenient for sleeping. To create a double bed, you need to focus on the dimensions of 190 * 160 cm. Single bed - the parameters are divided in half and are 190 * 80 cm.

It is also worth taking into account the individual indicators and preferences of a particular person. They will depend on his height, age, and usual position during sleep.For example, some people like to sleep with their knees bent, while others, on the contrary, prefer to spend their time sleeping spread out, and a standard place is not enough for them to fall asleep normally. Therefore, for proper rest, you need to measure your dimensions first of all according to your height.

REFERENCE. A bed made of pallets is a budget option for a sleeping place for a young family.

The second indicator in the calculations should be the location of the future piece of furniture. If the apartment is small (for example, a studio apartment), it often has one room that acts as both a bedroom and a living area. Often in such apartments or hotels there is no zoning at all. Then one room should contain the minimum necessary furniture. Often the bed is simply replaced by folding sofas. However, creative furniture made from pallets will be an excellent alternative that is practical and original at the same time.

REFERENCE. An excellent option for a summer or hunting lodge.

The purpose of the bed is the next important point in its manufacture. Often it is not only a sleeping place for one person, but also part of the rest for the whole family, and sometimes an area for working with a laptop. For these purposes, the bed must be stable, so it is better to remove the legs. Low specimens require a pallet height of 300 mm. Tall objects have a height of 90 cm. Age is an integral indicator when making a bed. For example, a child needs to make a small copy, an elderly person may need more space to relax.

For a single bed, pallets measuring 120 by 100 cm are suitable; to create a double bed, 4 pallets of this size are suitable.

Creation technology

The process of making a bed from pallets is not complicated. The thing is that the base, that is, the pallets themselves already have a convenient, strong and rectangular shape. So, in order to build a bed, in fact, you just need to connect them together, like puzzles.

REFERENCE: This type of sleeping place can be created with niches for things.

Assembling the base

The design of the pallets is quite simple. They consist of wooden planks connected into a single whole. The boxes must be the same size and height. It is best to fasten them together with self-tapping screws. Although wood glue promises a strong bond between materials, it is still better to prefer self-screwing nails for greater reliability.

Pallets should be well primed. Any high-density white paint will work for this. Thanks to this stage, microcracks are filled, the surface becomes smoother and more uniform. However, the final coating should be a varnish, which will finally give the surface uniformity and make it safe. It will be impossible to get hurt on such a bed, get a splinter in, or be injured in any other way. When the pallets are connected to each other, the bed is installed in its designated place. A mattress (better if it is dense), bedding, and a blanket are placed on it.

REFERENCE. It is also possible to create a bedding area for a pet.

Making legs

Often many pallets have a solid bottom, but some already come with legs. In order to make them yourself, you need to decide on the height of the future bed, as well as its overall dimensions. The smaller it is, the correspondingly smaller the legs should be. These parts are also cut out of wood.They must be stable and not slip on the floor, because this guarantees safety. You shouldn’t make them too high; 5–10 cm from the floor will be enough. Sometimes more may be required. But the main thing is that they can withstand the total weight of the bed. If it is double, then higher stands will be needed. It is better to limit yourself to four legs located around the perimeter. They are also fastened with self-tapping screws.

Headboard

The upper base of the bed - the headboard - is the calling card of this type of furniture. It will protect against impacts and give the bed completeness and decorativeness. Make it located against the wall. To create it you will need 2 pallets. They are mounted vertically at the base of the bed and secured to the frame using self-tapping screws. It is better to additionally secure them with metal plates.

You can also make a horizontal version by turning the pallets over. Then the headboard will be lower. Sometimes it serves as a stand for toys and other things, or for installing night lights.

Additional pallets can also be placed nearby or attached to the base. They can act as bedside tables or shelves. You can also decorate the “back” with soft upholstery. This bed will look more comfortable.

Making the backlight

The illuminated bed looks very nice, look at the photo. Lighting can be either at the head of the bed or at the bottom. LED lamps are mounted on pallets. Particular attention will need to be paid to safety, as this is the case with wiring. There should be a socket or adapter near the bed for convenient inclusion of lighting or backlighting. Here you should focus on lighting preferences. Some people like it to be a lot, and the lamps provide brightness.Some people, on the contrary, strive for dim lighting in small quantities, which sets the mood for relaxation and creates a more intimate atmosphere.

You can place two standard lamps on the sides of the bed at the head of the bed. But also a great option would be to pass the lighting through the trays below.

Decoration options

When making a bed from pallets yourself, the author’s imagination is not limited to standard sizes and additions to furniture, the main thing is to do everything step by step. You can experiment with style and design, turning it into a real example of design art, a combination of practicality and beauty in the interior.

REFERENCE. With a little effort and imagination, you can create a summer hammock for relaxing in the fresh air.

One option would be to additionally attach the wheels to the bottom. This way, the bed can be moved, changing its annoying location in the room. But it’s better to do this if the living space allows it.

You can also build steps along the edges or completely under the base, which will add originality to the furniture product. A good option would be to provide drawers or shelves for storing things at the bottom of the bed.

Of course, blankets, pillows, bedspreads, and toys are used as external decorative elements, depending on the interior style and taste preferences.