A podium for a mattress instead of a bed: in the bedroom and nursery (30 ideas, 6 drawings)

Building a podium is a controversial decision for a nursery. On the one hand, the presence of an elevation in a room opens up wide possibilities for organizing space. On the other hand, such a design is considered unsafe for an active baby, as it can cause injuries.

If you decide to design a children's room with a podium, try to make it as safe and functional as possible. How to put this into practice? This will be discussed below.

Step-by-step instructions on how to make a podium bed

Before starting the construction of a sleeping place, you need to take all the necessary measurements and draw a sketch drawing, taking into account all the measurements.
The bed and storage boxes should slide without difficulty even on a covered floor

It is necessary to calculate what load the podium surface will withstand, because the selection of the material from which the structure will be made depends on this indicator.

Required materials and tools

To make a bed you will need:

Materials

• timber for constructing a frame;
• boards for external parts and planks;
• boards for making boxes;
• plywood;
• MDF or OSB sheets for the internal parts of the bed.

Tools

• metal inner and outer corners;
• fasteners;
• pencil and construction tape;
• hacksaw;
• screwdriver and drill.

Preparatory stage

At the preparatory stage, you need to free the flooring from the baseboards in order to bring the support as close as possible to the wall. Then you will need to make markings.

Podium frame (assembly features)

Intermediate logs will add rigidity to the structure.

The supports are placed at a distance of 45 - 50 cm from each other; if the load is impressive, then the distance is reduced. Long guides are attached to the walls with vertical posts, and fastened together with short bars at a distance of 40 cm.

to increase strength, the frame above the berth is made of double bars.

To make the frame strong, it is recommended to lay intermediate logs

Bed frame

The frame of the retractable bed is assembled from the flooring and sides. For the manufacture of these parts, MDF or OSB boards are used. Everyone chooses the height of the sides independently, but the recommended parameter is at least 15 cm. This way the mattress will not fall.

In the center of the frame, you need to strengthen the support crossbars, to which wooden slats or flexible slats are nailed. The mattress will be placed here.

The size of the mattress cover is equal to the size of the mattress plus 5 - 7 cm on each side

The side boards and the front facade are attached to the base. Do not forget that when retracted, the facade acts as part of the podium and therefore its height should not exceed the distance between the upper edge of the podium and the floor.

Consider the size of the wheels that will be attached to the bottom of the frame

Podium covering

After the frames are mounted, you can begin cladding. Cut the finishing material into pieces of the required size and screw them to the frames with self-tapping screws.

Final stage

After the assembly is completed, it is necessary to cover the structure with any floor covering, the main thing is that the surface does not become slippery, since it is still an elevation.

Wooden structural elements must be coated with mold and mildew repellents

For this purpose, the most suitable are carpet and laminate. Finishing materials can be the same color as the covering in the entire room, or they can be completely different and be a bright spot for zoning the room.

What is important to know when installing a podium

There are several requirements:

• the concrete structure is durable, but it is purchased only for a private house and placed on the ground floor;
• to increase the safety of the podium, it cannot be placed in the central part of the room or a passageway;
• if the bed must hide communications behind itself, then free access to them must be provided;
• You should not get carried away with massive products and install them on a wooden base - weighted versions can cause damage to partitions;
• You can’t save on material - the service life depends on the strength;
• when choosing a place, select an area where a regular bed looks logical;
• When purchasing, you must not forget that children grow quickly and the size of the podium is selected for the future - a durable structure is difficult to disassemble.

If the ceilings in the apartment are low, the height of the product is calculated so that the owner can stand on it at full height. Do not forget about sound insulation - moving along the top part can provoke a booming sound.

Assembly diagram

Types of structures by organization

What height should a bed be?
There are many models of raised flooring with a bed. All of them are divided into three main types:

• Traditional.
• Improved.
• Retractable.

Creates more space

The choice of a specific type of structure should take into account:

• visual image;
• financial opportunities;
• room style;
• the need to install additional work and sleeping places;
• room parameters (ceiling height, area, regular or irregular shape, arches, ceiling beams).

There is no clear opinion about the podium bed even among designers. Many are confident in the advisability of such an organization only for very large premises. But not everything in this matter is clear. It is possible to install it even in a modest-sized apartment with a not very favorable layout.

Be sure to consider the style of the room

The frame version has a relatively simple organization. It uses metal, wood or a combination of several materials.

The average height of the podium in an ordinary apartment is from 0.25 to 0.55 m. If you need to organize storage systems, then the height should be about half a meter.

Often the podium has a rectangular shape. But this requirement is not considered mandatory. The round, semicircular shape also looks no less interesting.

It is basically rectangular in shape

The podium usually has a completely flat top floor. But perhaps even a wide mattress can be placed in the recess below the sides. This will make it possible to use the protruding planes as bedside tables and additional shelves.

Traditional podium

This type is the simplest to implement. It looks like a rigid frame made of wood with a covering of wear-resistant material and a mattress on top. The height of the flooring is usually about half a meter.

The casing is made from the following materials:

• linoleum;
• skin;
• wood;
• carpet, etc.

Traditional podium option

One of the easiest ways to decorate the outside of the podium is to paint it in several layers. The right shade will create a harmonious space in the room, where each element has its place.

Improved version

This type of bed is similar to the previous one, but with added functionality. The podium has retractable storage chambers for things: for bed linen, clothes, etc.

The decorative and originality of the structure is combined with practicality of use. Storage systems in the form of drawers can be combined with open shelves for books, souvenirs, frequently used small items, and blankets. A system of entire segments with different appearances is welcome.

The option is supplemented with functionality

Retractable mechanism

A bed with a pull-out system is a comfortable sleeping place that can be pushed under the podium. The roll-out device allows you to use the resulting free podium for organizing a workplace or storing things.

In withdrawable systems, it is necessary to pay attention to the quietness of the drawout. To do this, the wheels must have a high-quality rubber coating that does not scratch the floor and makes it possible to move the bed out and in quietly

Plastic wheels are not suitable. If used frequently, they may leave marks on the floor. In addition, plastic has a short service life and quickly becomes unusable.

Pay attention to the quietness of the withdrawable mechanism

Types of such beds

Podium beds vary in:

• frame material - wood or metal;
• shape - rectangular, square, semicircular, asymmetrical;
• dimensions - average width - 80-120 cm, length - 185-220 cm;
• height - usually 40-75 cm;
• functionality - the presence of additional sections for storage, folding tabletops, etc.

For creative, creative people who welcome everything new and unusual in design, this is a great opportunity to add some zest to a familiar interior.

The main thing is to take care of the reliability of the retractable mechanism and the strength of the frame, since regular everyday use requires greater wear resistance.

Types of structures

According to their design features, podiums with a bed are distinguished:

• strictly functional - their base allows you to hide defects in the designed space and communications. Usually has several storage drawers;
• decorative - decorate the room, create the necessary accent, zone the space;
• combined options - combine both types.

In order to roll out the bed, there must be free space.

The following types of structures are also distinguished:

• with a monolithic podium - the “box” itself is made in one piece, it is strong, durable, looks solid, has a lot of weight, and is suitable for installation in a private home;
• with a frame base - traditional frame construction. Here the bed is placed on top of the podium. This bed decorates the interior; it is lower than other models, usually does not have storage systems, but is complemented by bedside shelves and a luxurious headboard;
• combined (multifunctional) - this structure contains a spacious storage system, many shelves, drawers, niches, which allows you to replace an entire chest of drawers or cabinet. The storage compartments are camouflaged and are made from several sides. The platform here is high and voluminous - there are steps for it;
• retractable – functional, practical, this is the best option for cramped rooms. The sleeping place hides in the podium and extends on rollers. A work or play area or another full-fledged bed is placed on top;
• mobile – is a platform with storage systems. At night they put a mattress and bedding on it, during the day they clean it, using the space for other purposes;
• balcony type - placed in the space of an insulated balcony, loggia. It is smaller in size than a room bed and has storage systems;
• round - looks impressive, luxurious, but is only suitable for a spacious square-shaped room. The bed will become the “semantic center” of the room; it is usually placed in the center, in a niche or in a corner, complemented by a soft headboard and several shelves;
• with built-in lighting - an original idea for decorating a podium, creating the effect of a bed “floating” in the air. An LED strip is mounted along the platform cover, under its steps, and multiple storage sections are placed inside.

How to make a podium bed with your own hands step by step

Characteristics and description of the dolphin children's bed

Any project starts with a photo idea. The feasibility of which correlates with the existing free space in the apartment for installation and the desired functionality.

Step-by-step instructions for making a podium bed with your own hands will look like this:

1. The free space for installation is measured. Sleeping places are selected for it. Mattresses of standard sizes are cheaper - therefore, whenever possible, the structure is designed for specific dimensions.
2. After the position of the berths has been determined, a diagram of the supporting structure with the necessary partitions and rigidity supports is developed. Storage spaces are planned between them - shelves and drawers.
3. Based on the design diagram of the bed-podium, the type of material is determined (timber, plywood or OSB sheathing, orthopedic grilles, chipboard). Next, an accurate, scaled drawing of the bed-podium is developed based on the size and thickness of the material, preferably using special software.
4. When planning the internal filling of the podium bed with your own hands, try to avoid the formation of “dead” zones. There are many solutions with tilting and lifting mechanisms, don't just focus on drawers.
5. Next, based on the drawing, the detailing (list of parts) is calculated, and an estimate is drawn up for the purchase of fittings, fasteners, materials and necessary components.
6. If you plan to make a podium bed with your own hands from chipboard, then it is better to order ready-cut parts with PVC edges edging the visible sides. Timber and plywood for built-in models will have to be “cut” yourself, which means you will additionally need a jigsaw, a grinder, sandpaper, and possibly a router. As well as paint and varnish consumables for finishing coating, tools for their application.
7. To assemble a podium bed with your own hands, you will need a drill (perforator), a screwdriver with a set of 5.8 mm drills/bits and others (you can read more here), as well as other hand tools.
8. First, the base of the bed and separately the pull-out elements and shelving structures are drilled and assembled. Then the mechanisms and other fittings are attached, and the internal contents are installed.

Since the product itself is quite heavy and is often built in from wall to wall, a lot will have to be filed and adjusted to fit right in the apartment. It would be a good idea to enlist the help of an assistant.

Podium: development stages

An ideal children's room with a podium and pull-out beds can be built with your own hands, therefore, preparation is needed for such a procedure.

Product item	Tools	Material
Podium frame	Screwdriver, chainsaw, hacksaw, impact drill	Wooden boards, metal profile
Upper part of the structure	fasteners	Carpet or other more aesthetic material
steps	Screwdriver, hammer, fasteners, screws.	Wood is used, along with an anti-slip coating.
Facing	Glue, screws, screwdriver	The facing material is used as corners, fabric stickers that hide joints, corners and other dangerous places.

Adults need to provide a children's bedroom with a similar design with the most necessary accessories; the interior will be completed with the presence of curtains and other textile elements.

It will also be easier for you to form your vision of space.

Location options

If the podium bed is designed near a window, the best option is a podium with drawers at the bottom. This placement saves space and adds natural light as the bed rises higher. It is better to remove the radiator from the window, and instead build a special convector into the floor. Thus, the bedroom is divided into two parts, which look great, being in the same color and style. For finishing, you can use environmentally friendly materials made from natural wood or laminate. To visually increase the space, you can decorate the walls with mirror panels or stick photo wallpaper with a beautiful landscape on them.

If the room has a niche or alcove, this is an ideal place to install a classic podium, because in this case there is no need to construct a pull-out bed. It can be simply installed in a niche, additionally equipped with modest necessary interior items, depending on the wishes of the owner. The standard dimensions of the alcove are 2.40 x 2.50 m, which allows you to place a double bed with drawers below.

There are many ways to place a podium on a balcony or loggia, despite the limited space. If the width of the balcony allows, you can put a place to relax on a classic podium. The disadvantage of a cold floor can be compensated for by integrating the popular “warm floor” heating system into the podium. An excellent “two-in-one” method is to place structures along the entire length of the loggia in the form of several wide and durable wooden boxes in which homemade supplies will be stored. In warm weather or if the balcony is properly insulated, place a mattress on top of the drawers - and the sleeping place is ready.

There is a great opportunity not only to build a large podium, but also to install an additional heating system in the room, installing it inside the structure, which will serve both technically and functionally at the same time.

In the children's room

When arranging a children's room, you should, first of all, zoning the room: the child should always have a place to sleep, play and do school homework. Both retractable and classic options can be equally suitable for equipping a children's room. The good thing about a pull-out bed is that there is more space in the room; moreover, when using this option, it is very easy to place the necessary areas in the nursery: the sleeping place itself pulls out, and at the top of the podium there is a study area in the form of a table, chair and several bookshelves. During the daytime, the bed can easily be removed inside the podium, and the child has an ideal space for games.

The option with built-in beds is very convenient if there are two children in the family. Sleeping places in the form of vertical roll-out beds are symmetrically located to the left and right of the podium, the steps are in the middle, and a kind of room with a work area is equipped at the top. During the day, the beds are removed inside, and thus there is enough space for two in the room.

Another good way to arrange a children's room is to place a bed there on a high podium with many drawers where the child can put anything: from toys to school supplies. The room will be provided with both order and sufficient space for games. If the choice is to create a high podium, you can also install a small built-in table with a retractable mechanism, which will be both practical and very convenient.

Color design

You shouldn’t be attached only to the color pink and make the room marshmallow-sweet. Any light colors (beige, baked milk, light yellow, soft lilac, sky blue) will suit various design styles. These colors create a simple design for a children's room, the accent in which can be a bed or an unusual window design with curtains. A brighter range of shades is used to embody certain ideas.

• red – causing aggression;
• blue – depressive;
• black, white - oppressive;
• yellow, orange – exciting;
• green, blue - calming.

Podium bed: types, functions, distinctive features

This podium bed will decorate any apartment

Podium beds are gaining more and more popularity today, which is easy to explain: firstly, it is an opportunity to show your originality and style, and secondly, it is a significant saving in living space, so necessary in small apartments.

Such beds are divided into two types:

• With a sleeping place on the podium and compartments for things in a niche under the mattress. The most common option due to ease of installation and functionality.
• With pull-out mattress. Used in apartments with ceilings higher than 3 meters. A work area or rest area is created above the bed.

From the above, the distinctive features of this type of sleeping structure emerge: it is enviable functionality, the ability to combine not only a closet and a place to sleep, but also other parts of the apartment (for example, a window sill). Can an ordinary bed boast this? Unlikely.

The podium bed is also easy to assemble, unloads other closets and makes the apartment look new. Built-in drawers help keep things at hand and at the same time free up space around you: you can put not only bedding in them, but also toys (if we are talking about a crib) or household little things, the location of which will be easy to remember.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Functionality and space saving: the advantage of technical models of podium beds is that the drawers contain boxes, bed linen and clothes that do not fit in the closet.
• Relative cheapness of the product.
• Installation of such a bed is very simple and does not take much time.
• Aesthetically beautiful appearance with proper finishing.

The disadvantage of one and the other type is that they cut the room in height. Living in an apartment with a small area and ceilings of 2.5 meters, it is not advisable to install such a structure. It will not free up space, but will visually reduce the space.

A teenager’s opinion and expert advice

When starting to renovate a room, it is better for parents to forget about their ideas and start by preparing for a conversation with their daughter. It’s worth introducing her to some styles and trends in design, which can be roughly divided into two types:

• romantic and glamorous;

• modern and more restrained.

The discussion of the future nursery will be more constructive if we jointly select photographs that reflect the main advantages and disadvantages of various styles, collect information about modern and classic trends in design, and sketch out several schematic drawings of a possible interior. Then you won’t have to be dissuaded for long from red curtains with purple and orange lambrequins or ruffles in a Provence style room.

The recommendations of builders, designers and psychologists agree when it comes to arranging a teenager’s room:

• dividing space into zones;
• selection of color palette and lighting;
• selection of interior taking into account the girl’s individual preferences;
• use only environmentally friendly materials.

Do-it-yourself podium bed: step-by-step instructions

First of all, you need to choose the place where the podium will be located, make sure that the berth will move out normally, and take into account the diagram to make markings on the floor:

1. Along the perimeter of the structure, fix the racks of beams vertically to the floor, fasten them on four sides using metal corners. The size of the racks must be less than the expected height of the pedestal; this space is required for the timber when making the frame.
2. The beams, which form the top of the frame, are fixed to the racks using metal corners. It is necessary to check that the racks are perpendicular to the floor level, their upper part is horizontal and all parts are securely fastened to each other.
3. Markings are made for the internal drawers, the beams that form their frames are fixed to the bottom of the racks, and lintels are placed on them. Jumpers are not installed all the time, but it is advisable to use them, since they additionally strengthen the structure.
4. If the mattress is located on top of the pedestal, and it will be used exclusively for night rest, you can choose laminated fiberboard for the lining. If the upper part is made of lamellas, then the side parts must extend a few centimeters beyond the horizontal surface, thus forming sides that will fix the mattress. In this case, a small gap is required between the sides and the wall. If the surface of the pedestal is solid and made of fiberboard, then it can be larger than the dimensions of the mattress, in which case the sides are not required. A high panel is often installed at the headboard, which forms the backrest; on the side it can extend beyond the overall dimensions of the structure.
5. For a pedestal that will be subject to increased load, fiberboard is not suitable. Therefore, for retractable elements, cladding is most often made of OSB, and a laminate is laid on top or carpet is used. The plywood is attached to the frame with self-tapping screws, the carpet is fixed with a construction stapler. If a laminate is chosen for the final cladding, then a substrate must be laid between the coating and the base. To further secure and disguise the connections, PVC corners are usually glued around the perimeter.
6. The bed itself is usually made in the form of a box into which a mattress is inserted. The simplest option is to buy a ready-made structure of slats for the mattress, nail the sides and secure the rollers.
7. The bottom can also be made solid. If the dimensions of the podium are quite large, then drawers are installed on the sides of the bed, which are assembled from plywood. It is necessary to clearly measure the angle of the elements that are connected with a square to avoid distortions.
8. The runners are fixed to the sides of the box walls, and the rails are fixed to the frame jumpers. The main thing is to secure the rails and guides at the same height. The boxes must be inserted into their places, make sure that they can move freely, then be removed and numbered. The size of the runners should not be more than 70 cm; if you make the drawer deeper, it will be difficult to pull it out completely.
9. After making the sliding parts, they begin cladding. As a rule, the same material is used for this as for cladding the entire structure, but you can experiment with colors. The front panels must almost completely cover all parts of the frame, without going beyond it. There must be a small gap between the panels of adjacent drawers so that these elements do not catch on each other.

The structure is ready, next you need to put the mattress in its place and insert all the drawers.

There are many options for assembling podium beds. Whether to install this structure in the bedroom or not is up to each person to decide individually. We must not forget that in large rooms the podium will look stylish and elegant, but in a small Khrushchev it will visually make the room smaller.

Types of single bed designs

A single bed is a versatile and compact sleeping option. They are usually used in small spaces or children's rooms. Its main advantage is that it does not take up much space. Plus, the bed may have a lifting mechanism or drawers that will allow you to use the space under it for things.

There are also transformable beds. Such structures can be folded, which also frees up space in the room. There are a great many types of single beds. For example, cribs. They are selected primarily based on the child’s age.

If he is just getting used to sleeping alone, then it is better to pay attention to low cribs with sides on the sides

A bed with a side will look interesting in the room.

Such models are made of wood so that the baby does not get injured on metal slats or corners. For older children, you can already consider options without sides. It is better to stick to the same wooden design, since even older children are very active and love to play in their room, and a metal product will be more dangerous.

Metal beds are quite dangerous.

There are the following types of single beds for adults:

1. Standard version with headboard.
2. Sofa-Ottoman is a low bed that can be supplemented with armrests or a backrest.
3. Transformer is a multifunctional model that combines a bed with a table or wardrobe).
4. Retractable. It is placed on a podium and installed only in rooms with high ceilings.
5. Folding. Fixed in the wall.

Today there are many types of beds.

Each type is selected taking into account the size of the room and the style of the room. The standard version or Ottoman can be placed almost anywhere, but the folding version is ideal for narrow but long rooms

If we consider the style of the room, then the type of bed can be any, but its design or decoration needs to be given special attention

Beautiful design solutions in the interior

For a small and narrow bedroom, the best option would be a podium bed, which has wide drawers and a couple of steps. The bed is installed on top of the podium (classic option), which provides it with cozy natural light during the day, and at the top you can leave space for a bedside lamp, a floor lamp and several shelves for books.

In a one-room apartment, the type of podium structure will directly depend on the size of the room. If the area is large, you can set aside a part of the room for a sleeping place, which is usually fenced off with a high cabinet or rack with built-in drawers and shelves. The sleeping place is arranged using a regular wide mattress in the upper part, and below you can arrange a compact workplace in the form of a table with drawers. Thus, the podium becomes multifunctional, and a person can do different things while in the same place.

In a “Khrushchev” apartment it is also quite possible to build a simple podium structure, taking into account the peculiarities of the layout of such an apartment. Small area and low ceilings are not an obstacle for those who want to arrange a compact and comfortable sleeping place, but all this must be taken into account when planning the size.

Step-by-step description of making a podium bed with drawers and a sleeping place on top

Making a podium bed with drawers with your own hands is also easy.

Step 1. Selecting material. In our example – 50x100 mm timber and sheet plywood.

The first thing you need to do is choose the material.

Step 2. Tool. See the list from the previous section. We won't need wheels, but we will need guides for the drawers (don't forget to take them into account when calculating the dimensions).

Step 3. Making the frame. For convenience, you can make it in two halves, which will make transportation easier. Or a larger one if you don’t plan to move it anywhere.

The frame can be made of two parts.

Step 4. Installation of drawers. After assembly, we attach the guides to the internal elements of the frame and to the retractable structures themselves.

The crucial moment is the installation of bed drawers.

Step 5. Sheathing with plywood.

A necessary stage in the manufacture of a podium bed is plywood covering.

Step 6. Finishing, decoration. After assembling the podium, sand the outer surfaces with fine-grain sandpaper. Cover with a protective compound, stain.

The finished bed must be sanded and decorated.

You can use floor finishing for decoration.

Create a drawing

Drawings of the podium bed are drawn up based on exact measurements of the room and the planned dimensions of the mattress. Small rooms are simply covered with a podium into parts with different heights; in other cases, the length of the bed (as well as the dimensions of the drawer with the sleeping bed) is adjusted to the mattress. The width of the furniture varies from 1.2 to 1.5 m for children’s models, 1.7–1.9 m for double models. The height of models with drawers of any type varies between 40–70 cm.

Deviations in the smaller direction are not recommended; in the larger direction, they are permissible when installing the bed in a room with high ceilings and strengthening the strength of the frame.

Detailed sketches of beds are made on paper or electronically, using online editors or furniture design programs. If you have no experience, you should use ready-made drawings, scrupulously observing the specified indents and gaps

It is also very important to purchase materials of a given thickness

If it is necessary to change the length or width of the frame, the dimensions of the retractable elements and external facades are simultaneously adjusted. The intervals between adjacent boxes and the specified gaps must remain unchanged. In particular, the width of the drawer placed under the bed in any case should be 2.5 cm less than the box itself, and the minimum permissible distance from the bottom to the floor is 1 cm.

Design Features

Depending on the type of frame, there are two manufacturing technologies: a bed on a podium with drawers or with a pull-out mattress. In both cases, they use available building materials and tools that are in the arsenal of every owner. This means that you can make them yourself. At the same time, the products differ fundamentally not only in installation technology, but also in purpose. Let's take a closer look at them.

With a sleeping place in a niche

The product is a hollow structure that rises 40-70 cm above the main floor level. In the lower part there is a large cupboard. At night they sleep on it, during the day they hide it in a niche. The upper plane above the pull-out bed is actually a raised floor. It is usually used to organize:

• recreation areas;
• work or study space;
• children's playroom

This allows you to create a “hidden” bedroom in any room without compromising its space. If the shape of the room is elongated, you further zone it and add functionality.

Don't forget about the little things!

For any design, it is worth choosing some unusual and very modern detail that will emphasize the individuality of the owner and become a source of pride. This could be a non-standard shaped lamp, a Beverly sofa, poufs covered with intricate fabric, a podium with a soft carpet, a hanging chair, a window sill equipped with a bench, even a swing. It is very fashionable to have a mood board - these are boards on which all sorts of girly things are attached: photos, postcards, notes, glossy clippings. Well, what else can you think of? It’s worth going back to the beginning of the article: talk to your growing daughter and she’ll come up with...