What options are available for timber beds, criteria for their selection

Icer August 3, 2018Specialization: master in the construction of plasterboard structures, finishing work and laying floor coverings. Installation of door and window units, finishing of facades, installation of electrical, plumbing and heating - I can give detailed advice on all types of work.

In modern conditions, you can find any bed ready-made. But if you make the structure yourself, you will get furniture of the right size and be sure of its strength and durability. In the review, we will analyze the features of homemade beds and describe in detail all the stages of the assembly process; all you have to do is repeat them in the correct sequence.

Making your own bed is much easier than you think.

Rules for choosing wood species

The modern building materials market offers a rich variety of raw materials for furniture production. When entering a wood warehouse, a person is often lost: what material would be most preferable for making a bed? The same thing happens in the showroom, when the seller describes in beautiful words all the advantages of the models. To figure out which wood is better, you need to pay attention to the rules for choosing it.

Wood must have certain characteristics and properties: increased strength, resistance to insect damage, a small amount of adhesive layer.

The type of wood that has the most durable characteristics is sapwood. It has a large number of annual rings, so it is considered the most reliable. This type is not processed using machines, while other types of timber can be processed as follows: the most stable outer layer is cut off from them. The table below shows brief characteristics of different types of timber, as well as their relevance in the manufacture of beds.

Having decided to make a bed from timber with your own hands, pay attention to oak, ash and cedar. These breeds will be the most suitable for working with a processing machine.

Conclusion

Now you know how to assemble a simple and reliable bed on your own. The video will help you understand some of the nuances even better, and if you have questions, write them in the comments.

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August 3, 2022

Wood, Timber, Furniture

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Popular types of products

The appearance of timber products is always solid. Not every user decides to use this piece of furniture in the bedroom, however, by choosing such a product, an individual and original interior is formed around it. Today, there are several types of beds made from these lumber. To fully study each model, it is worthwhile to look at them in more detail.

• standard bed - the height of such a product is from 50 to 60 cm, this model is considered the most common today. The design feature is as follows: the massive legs of the product are installed separately - they are cut from an oblong beam in the required dimensions. A frame is made - 4 beams are fastened together, each corner part of the bed is additionally strengthened. For the headboard, a board made of the appropriate type of wood is used or the same timber is used. The basis is made up of lamellas or weaving of a special durable material similar to car belts. The finished bed is stylish and creative at the same time;
• podium bed - the peculiarity of this model is the minimum of work: the podium for the mattress is a series of beams laid and fixed together. To create additional decorativeness, the podium is often covered with laminate panels. The back and headboard are the same laminate panels; sometimes a board to match the product is used. The mattress is not placed exactly along the perimeter of the furniture - it is installed with a large distance from the edges - approximately 20 cm on each side, except for the headboard. The originality of this bed is that the sleeping place is as close to the floor as possible. This creates a feeling of grounding and comfort;
• high model - the sleeping place of this product is at a height of 80 cm. Often, such beds are made from a large number of bars with your own hands, as they have non-standard sizes. This model provides additional comfort and protects owners from drafts and possible blowing. Options with carved elements on the legs, as well as in the headboard area, look especially beautiful. By the way, it also has a great height. The placement of such models can often be found in houses with oriental design, since, according to historical data, eastern peoples loved products of this type.

Before you make a bed from timber yourself, you should decide on the height and shape of the product. It is necessary to select only the option and model that will most organically fit into the existing interior. The size of the bed should not be bulky if the bedroom has few square meters.

How to do it yourself?

A bed made of timber in the interior can be homemade. In order to build it, no special woodworking skills are required.

For work you will need the following materials:

• timber with a section of 100x100 cm - 2.6 lm;
• timber with a section of 50x50 cm - 2.6 lm;
• edged board 25x75 cm – 20 pcs. 2 p.m. each;
• edged board 100x50 cm – 6 pcs. 6 p.m. each;
• edged board 25x150 cm – 4 pcs. 2.6 m each;
• edged board 25x250 cm – 1 pc. 2 m and 2 pcs. 2.6 m each;
• edged board 25x100 cm - 2.6 lm;
• wooden shield 60x240 cm;
• fastenings

All boards must be planed.

From the tool:

• a circular saw;
• square;
• roulette;
• pencil;
• Miter saw;
• hammer;
• sandpaper of different abrasive fractions;
• drill-driver;
• rubber mallet;
• clamps;
• socket wrench with heads.

Manufacturing technology:

• The bed frame is assembled first, since it will not be visible. Blemishes on it will also not be visible to your eyes. Here you can master the art of working with wood.
• Initially, you need to determine the height of the legs and add the height of the side panels, cut the resulting parameter from a 100x100 cm beam. A total of 4 such beams should be sawn off. Next, at the height of the leg, the mount for the side strips is screwed on. This is best done with screws. This type of fastening will be more reliable.
• Next, we determine the width of the bed. Here you need to cut two boards 50x100 cm, equal to the width of the mattress. In this case, it is worth adding 3 cm of length so that the bedding can be easily placed on the base and removed. We also add 3 cm to the length of the mattress and cut two more boards 50x100 cm. We screw all four boards to the fastenings that are installed on the legs.

• If you are building a double bed, then it is worth making a longitudinal beam in the middle of the bed so that the mattress does not fall through and the base does not crack.
• Next, the base of the bed itself is made. For this, boards 25x75 cm are used. They are packed at a distance of about 5 cm from each other. This is done so that the mattress is well ventilated, and the base provides additional shock absorption when changing body position during sleep.

What style does it suit?

As a rule, the most suitable style for beds made of beams is Scandinavian. It was the ancient northerners who honorably placed wood in a leading position among other materials for home improvement. A luxurious and massive timber bed will fit perfectly into a northern-style bedroom. Do not forget about additional accessories: it is better to decorate bed linen in light or blue colors. Above the bed itself, you can hang a large metal chandelier with characteristic chains - let the lamps have a warm light.

For the Scandinavian style, there is no need to fill the entire bedroom with colorful objects. You need to know when to stop, otherwise the bedroom will turn from a northern abode into a cold and unsightly place to relax.

Here are some of the most suitable styles for placing a bed in the bedroom:

• country;
• eclecticism;
• classicism;
• loft.

A bed made of timber in a country style is a combination of warm and cozy shades in furniture design. Country loves plaid, so it’s better to choose this color for a bedspread or blanket. You can decorate a bedroom in a rustic style in a country house or in a spacious apartment, where there is room for details and little things. The headboard of the bed can be carved or solid; in the foot part it is appropriate to use country stylistic features - massive supports and rings.

Eclecticism is another suitable style for installing a beam bed. Its main characteristics are massiveness and abundance of textiles. To fully comply with eclecticism, you need to lay a blanket or bedspread in soothing pastel colors. It is also important to scatter pillows over the surface of the sleeping area. Such a bed is designed exquisitely: instead of supports, it can serve as silhouettes of trees with crowns carved from wood.

Classicism is always strict forms and restraint. A bed in this style will have a high back, and the height from the floor to the mattress will be at least 70 cm. Classicism is characterized by geometric patterns, so the head of the furniture can have a relief surface of squares or triangles. The color of the bed is brown, more like a black shade. Oak timber is most often used for production.

If you plan to make your own bed from timber, it is better to make the product drawings in the loft style. This style is an industrial version of bedroom design. Among the brick walls, a bed made of beams will look appropriate. Other furniture also needs to be selected in this direction: let the chest of drawers be made in rough outlines with dark edging around the edges.

Peculiarities

A bed made of timber has its own characteristics:

1. For such a bed it is worth choosing a larger room. Otherwise, a too massive bed will visually make a small bedroom even smaller.
2. Natural material is environmentally friendly. It does not cause allergies, does not attract dust, and does not interfere with free breathing in the room.
3. You can make such a stock yourself without having any special skill in woodworking.

Decoration and design

When making a bed yourself, the finishing boundaries expand significantly. If you choose a finished product in a salon, then the opportunities to bring your own design are reduced. Timber has a great advantage - it can be finished using different techniques and types of work. To choose a decor method, it is recommended to consider several popular bed design methods:

• painting - acrylic pigments are used for work - they are most suitable for decorating the back and foot of the product. Drawings can be made in accordance with the chosen interior design style. For example, for the Nordic style, painting the bed in a cool blue shade will be relevant. To decorate a bed in a country style, it is better to choose an orange or peach color of the product - it will remind you of sunny summer, bringing warmth to the bedroom. For classic furniture decoration, you should choose a brown, sand or lemon shade. They are considered universal and will fit into any classic interior;
• decoupage - this technique was invented by the French - today it is widely used for decorating and restoring outdated pieces of furniture. It can also be used to decorate a new beam bed. Depending on the style direction, a finished picture is selected. It is cut out, thinned and glued to the surface of the bed;
• Stenciling is another easy-to-use technique - using stencils. Thanks to the wide variety of patterns, everyone can choose a pattern to their liking. For a classic design, you can take curls - they will add romance and mystery to a rough bed made of timber. For the Scandinavian style, you can apply rune stencils to the head of the bed - they will not only complement the interior, but also protect the owners and their sleep;
• upholstery - it’s not worth completely upholstering a massive beam bed. It is advantageous to decorate only part of the frame with fabric, for example in those sides where the blanket does not cover the perimeter.

A bed made of timber is reliable and stable furniture that will bring comfort to the bedroom. You can make it yourself or purchase a finished product. Original furniture will diversify the interior and add a creative touch to it.

Step-by-step making of a bed from timber

In order to make a bed yourself you will need to go through several steps. First, a drawing of the future model is created, then all components are manufactured. The third step involves assembling and installing the finished structure. But, and only after, if the desire arises, the finished structure can be decorated with a variety of decor.

Making a drawing of the bed

The project can be put on paper if you have the appropriate skills. And in the absence of such, you can use a computer program, which today is more than abundant in the public domain on the pages of the World Wide Web. Well, if you don’t have time to create a drawing, then you can order its production from a professional, or purchase a ready-made version of the drawing, and thereby reduce time costs. You can also use the proposed drawing.

Important! The drawing should be of the highest quality, because during the manufacturing process you will constantly use it in order to avoid mistakes. And if it is unfinished, then it is unlikely that you will be able to assemble a high-quality bed.

We manufacture components

At the first stage we make the frame. For this purpose, we take a 10 by 10 cm beam and cut out the blanks, and then connect them using self-tapping screws.

After assembling the frame, you will need to make an additional spacer in its central part, and then proceed to cutting out identical legs. There can be either 4 or 6 pieces. Everything will depend on your preferences.

And already at the last stage we make the back of the future product, after which you can proceed directly to its assembly.

Bed assembly

In order to assemble the bed you do not need to put in excessive effort. First you will need to attach the manufactured frame to the legs and headboard, as well as the backrest located in the leg area. Then you will need to cut out or purchase ready-made lamellas and place them as a base. At the end of this procedure, you can throw the mattress on the bed and enjoy a comfortable rest on a self-made structure.

Bed installation

Installing the bed does not require any experience or knowledge. It can be placed in any room. But in addition to the above, when making and installing it yourself, you will need to pay special attention to its decoration. This can be done with the help of auxiliary materials and decorative elements, which will be discussed below.

Photo

Finishing

• We cut two boards of a length equal to the width of the bed, including the side slats and two boards of a size corresponding to the length of the frame. To do this, we use boards with a cross-section of 25x200 cm. We glue the trim using wood glue. Make sure that the top of the board coincides with the top of the leg block. Secure with clamps while the glue dries.
• Now the top side of the bed is being made. To do this, you will need a board with a width corresponding to the width of the leg beams plus the thickness of the finishing board. Four boards are sawn to the required width and length. Bevels are made from the edges at an angle of 45 degrees.
• The bed frame, in order to prevent the top trim from breaking when you sit down on the bed, must be reinforced with stiffening ribs. To do this, we saw off pieces equal to the height of the side panels from a beam with a cross-section of 50x50 cm; the size is taken from the base of the bed. You need to make 20 of these bars. They are attached with self-tapping screws to the base.

• Next, the top boards are glued and secured with clamps.
• After the glue has dried, it is necessary to plaster all joints. To do this, you need to use a special grout, which is intended for plastering wooden structures. After the solution has dried, you need to go over the entire bed with sandpaper to polish out any uneven areas.
• Using a long-haired brush, we sweep away all the debris from the bed and move on to painting.
• For this, stain is used. You can choose any color, it depends on the interior of your bedroom. If you want to get a bed of a rich dark color, you should apply several layers of coating. Then the bed should be varnished. You can use both matte and glossy finishes.
• It is better to hang the headboard directly to the wall. This will make the bed design more reliable. To do this, hidden fasteners are installed on the back, with the help of which the headboard is mounted on the wall.

Place in the interior

A podium bed made of wooden blocks is an excellent option for a bed in a modern style.

A bed made of round timber will fit perfectly into the Country style of a log cabin.

A bed made of laminated timber with an original shape will be an ideal option for a bedroom in the Art Nouveau style.

For the high-tech style, a bed made of wooden beams is also appropriate, especially if it has unusual geometric shapes.

In the children's room there is also a place for a bed made of timber, especially considering the environmental friendliness of this material.

Double

These bed models are very comfortable and spacious; it will be as comfortable as possible to rest on them. Double beds made of beams are modern, practical and environmentally friendly.

Models equipped with a backrest are considered especially comfortable. It can have carved elements and figures that will become an additional decor for the bedroom interior, as well as soft upholstery. Most often it is made of polyurethane foam.

A double bed made of timber will look great in any modern interior.

Necessary materials

To create such products you will need to purchase the following materials:

• bars - the cross-section of the bars should be 5×10 or 5×15 cm;
• board for the side: the width of the board should be in the range from 30 to 35 cm, and the thickness should be more than 2 cm;
• for lamellas - bars 3x5 cm;
• fastenings - ordinary metal corners are perfect;
• a sheet of plywood to create the back;
• screws, glue and various finishing materials.

Reviews

Those who have made their own beds from timber are eager to share their impressions. Many say that this is an ideal option for a summer residence. With minimal expenses you can get an excellent sleeping place, and the bed looks good. Some install such a sleeping place even in apartments, trying to create an eco-friendly interior at home. Another advantage is the simplicity of its construction, which any novice carpenter can handle.

Those who purchased ready-made timber beds are also mostly satisfied with their choice. This is due not only to their design, but also to the natural materials used in their manufacture.

Furniture made from wooden beams has been at the peak of popularity for many years. It is distinguished by high quality, durability, environmental friendliness and a very interesting design. Wooden beams are also very popular in the manufacture of beds; they are very durable bedroom furniture.

You can easily choose a suitable timber bed in one of the many stores, but if you wish, you can make this product yourself.

You can build a structure with your own hands from glued, profiled, rounded or planed timber.

Single

Small single beds are most often purchased for children and teenagers. For them, the bed is usually not only a place to sleep, but also a relaxation area where they can listen to music, watch movies, and read books.

A bed made of wooden beams will be an excellent option for a children's room. It fully complies with all the most important requirements for such products: strength, comfort and absolute safety of materials for the health of the child. Another advantage of models made from beams: this material is quite warm, which means that it will not let the cold in from the walls and other surfaces of the room. It is also worth noting that the product can be supplemented with a special protective side made of wood.

There is a wide range of single beds available in a variety of colors. Together with your child, you can choose the shade of wood that he or she likes and that will harmoniously fit into the interior of the children's room.

Attics

The loft bed is a two-tier structure. Both tiers can be equipped as sleeping places. However, there are models in which the first tier has a comfortable workplace (a desk with drawers, a closet or chest of drawers), and the second has a comfortable bed.

Loft beds made of timber are very popular among consumers because they are distinguished by high quality, reliability, compactness and functionality, as well as a stylish appearance.

Podiums

This option is the easiest to make yourself. A homemade bed-podium made from beams looks very modern and stylish. It can be installed both in a large and a small bedroom - this option is universal. The most important thing is to plan the situation correctly. If the room is very small, a sleeping place can be equipped under the podium, and on it you can organize a relaxation area or a study.