How to make a bed from pallets? We'll tell you step by step!
The popularity of furniture made from pallets does not decrease not only in Russia, but also in the world. Their advantages include not only ease of integration into interiors decorated in different styles, but also low cost and the ability to do it yourself at home.
Wooden construction pallets are especially well used to create a base or platform for a mattress. How to make a bed from pallets? What materials and tools will be needed? What is the price of a pallet bed? How to make such a piece of furniture acquire character? We present a step-by-step guide.
DIY pallet bed - Master class
In order to make the simplest version of a bed from pallets, you will need:
- three pallets of the same size, you can take 120 X 80 centimeters
- self-tapping screws
- nails
- drill
- screwdriver
- sandpaper
- wood primer
- varnish or paint
- hammer
- tassels
- roller
First you need to clean the pallets from dirt and dust. To do this, you can use a broom or brush and a damp cloth.
If you work with pallets in the country, you can wash the pallets with a hose that is used for watering plants.
To make it easier to work, you need to take identical pallets in good condition, but if you don’t have them, you will have to work hard to make the bed look neat.
Once the pallets are dry, you can sand them. Sandpaper is suitable for this, but if you have a special grinding machine or a special brush for a drill, you can use these tools - it will be faster.
Wooden boards must be treated carefully so that the bed does not leave splinters in the skin of those who sleep on it. After this, you need to walk over the surface of the pallets again with a damp cloth.
The next step is to coat the pallets with a special primer for wood. It will help the paint or varnish to lay down in an even layer.
You can apply the primer with a brush, but if you want to finish the job faster, it is better to use a small roller. Then you need to put the pallets aside until the primer is completely dry.
After this, you can proceed to applying paint or varnish. First you need to cover the pallets with one layer, and after it dries, you can apply another one.
To make the color of the bed frame more saturated, you can cover the pallets with a third coat of paint.
When the pallets acquire the desired color and the paint has dried, you can fasten them together. You need to connect along the long side.
You can first make holes with a drill, and then screw in the screws and hammer in the nails. Also, on the reverse side, the bed frame can be reinforced with wooden boards.
After this, all that remains is to place the mattress on the frame of pallets. If desired, it can be secured with special rubber bands.
Using this principle, you can make a large double bed from six or eight square pallets. You can also make a high frame; for this, the pallets must be stacked in two or three rows.
A do-it-yourself pallet bed can be complemented with a backrest, drawers, wheels and even lighting.
DIY pallet bed with headboard
A do-it-yourself pallet bed can be complemented with a headboard. It can also be made from pallets. You can simply install two pallets at the base of the bed, or you can use separate boards to create a headboard.
To do this, you need to disassemble the pallets, remove the nails, treat the boards with sandpaper, coat them with primer and apply a layer of paint or varnish. Then the boards need to be secured at the base of the bed vertically or horizontally.
Bed made of pallets in the interior: types, features and advantages
Beds, walls and tables made of pallets fit perfectly into a minimalist design. This furniture is also suitable for rustic and cottage style. Weather-resistant pallets can be used in the manufacture of outdoor furniture. Owners of themed restaurants are also not averse to acquiring tables and chairs made from pallets.
A bed on a frame made of pallets will be a unique addition to the bedroom interior. You can create it yourself by first studying the furniture assembly procedure. A pallet bed has a rather rough frame, so it is not suitable for installation in a classic interior. Painted or varnished pallets are recommended for making furniture in a modern style.
Types of beds made from Euro pallets:
- With a headboard, for the manufacture of which pallets or separate boards are used. In children's beds, small protective bumpers are installed instead of a headboard.
- For children, you can build a bunk or regular bed. It is recommended to use the space between the pallets for storing bed linen and children's toys. Over time, the sleeping area can be increased by adding another pallet.
- Furniture with lighting is suitable for a studio apartment and bedroom in a modern style. The trays have holes that are ideal for placing LED strips and cords (duralight).
- With a mattress box, beds were made, consisting of one row of pallets. At the furniture design stage, you will have to take into account the dimensions of the mattress. On average, two to four pallets are enough to create a box.
In its simplest form, a Euro pallet bed resembles a podium on which a mattress is placed. The presence of a headboard, a box and lighting significantly complicates the process of assembling furniture.
Bed installation method:
On wheels. Suitable for compact beds that are planned to be constantly moved. Furniture casters are selected taking into account future load. It is worth adding from 100 to 150 kg to the total weight of the frame and mattress. On legs
An excellent choice for users who pay special attention to the cleanliness of the room. The legs are made from boards obtained after disassembling the pallets
The frame rises slightly, creating free space under the bed. On the floor. The traditional way of placing furniture from a pallet. The podium is installed directly on the floor.
On average, it takes from two to sixteen pallets to make a bed, which you can independently lay in several rows. From pallets you can make a compact semi-size or single bed. The principle of creating a comfortable double bed is based on fastening the frame elements, so you will have to choose pallets of the same size. The design features of such products make it possible to produce furniture for children's rooms.
The disadvantages of furniture made from pallets include a rather rough appearance. Lovers of exquisite beds with carved headboards and detailed decor are unlikely to appreciate the aesthetic properties of such furniture. A bed made from pallets looks great in a bedroom interior if you first take care of selecting accompanying decorative elements
Particular attention will have to be paid to the style of bed linen
Advantages of pallet beds:
- Cheapness. The demand for pallets has increased significantly, but prices have remained the same. Making a bed from Euro pallets with your own hands will cost several times less than purchasing furniture from a store. You can also use used products to create frames.
- High speed and ease of assembly. A bedroom furniture set can be made in a few hours. To work with pallets, no qualifications are required, just the ability to use a hammer and a hacksaw is enough.
- Wear resistance. Pallets are designed for transporting heavy building materials (bricks, packaged bulk mixtures, blocks), so the frame made from them can withstand enormous loads.
- Ecological cleanliness. Natural wood is used in the production of pallets.
- Design flexibility. Pallet frames can be repainted and modified, although wooden furniture looks stunning without additional finishing.
Furniture made from Euro pallets is stable, strong and durable. It fits perfectly into the functional design of the premises. The absence of harmful dyes and toxic materials allows the use of such furniture in an eco-style interior.
Step-by-step instruction
- Connect the plugs with duralight and insert all the contacts deep into the channels through which the wiring runs.
- Place a special cap on the free end of the glowing cord.
- Attach an electrical cable to each of two pieces of duralight (185 cm each).
- Test how the strips work by connecting them to the network.
- Fasten the duralight around the perimeter of the bed frame, maintaining a distance of about 25 cm.
- Secure the cord in the fastenings.
- Check how the backlight works by connecting duralight strips to the network.
- Replace the mattress.
Multi-story bed option
Many people who want to make their own bed from solid wood and pallets choose drawings of a single-story product. At the same time, nothing prevents you from creating a “multi-story” bed, which will be complemented by convenient shelves for placing books and other useful things.
Installation on wheels
A practical and original option is to install a bed made of pallets on wheels. With their help, you can easily move the sleeping place within the room. Please note that the weight of the bed is quite large, so look for powerful wheels that can withstand high loads.
Surface treatment
In order to extend the life of the bed and give it a finished look, the product can be coated with varnish or paint. It is better to apply the compositions in two or three layers. You can choose any color scheme taking into account the surrounding interior.
Some people choose the natural color of the wood rather than painting the pallets. Remember that only completely new pallets should not be washed or painted, since you do not know what goods were transported on the pallets. Perhaps in the future the organic matter contained in the wood will begin to decompose and smell unpleasant. To avoid this, the wood should be treated with disinfectants.
Now you know how to assemble a bed from pallets with your own hands, so you can go get pallets and stock up on the necessary tools. Choose the best option, come up with a unique design and get to work.
You can get ideas for beds made from pallets from the video below:
The simplest option
Construction wooden pallets are an excellent material for making a bed. After all, a ready-made bed frame in a store is quite expensive, and its aesthetic component, as a rule, leaves much to be desired.
Pallets are always left after finishing work in large quantities, since materials are delivered to them from construction supermarkets. In addition, beds made from pallets, with the right approach to design, can become one of the main design elements of a room.
The simplest option is to put together several pallets and carefully secure them together. All you have to do is buy a mattress of the right size and a spacious, comfortable bed is ready.
Depending on your needs, you can make a single or double bed. In addition, using certain lumber, it is easy to make an exquisite headboard and footboard so that your design takes on a finished look.
The simplest design of pallets
Choosing a mattress
The final stage is choosing a mattress. The quality of rest and the well-being of the sleeper depend on it. Experts recommend purchasing orthopedic products; they adapt to the curves of the body, ensuring healthy sleep and maximum comfort.
Main selection rules:
- For young people, mattresses that do not contain springs are recommended. The filling should be hard, the best composition is coconut fibers. Persons over 25 years of age should select products with an independent spring unit.
- The weight of the sleeper should also be taken into account. People of standard constitution can sleep on a mattress with soft springs. The category of people weighing more than 60 kg needs mattresses with spring elements of medium hardness (marked F2). Obese people should give preference to designs with the stiffest springs possible (according to the marking this is F3).
- The material used for upholstery should be of natural origin; linen and cotton fabrics are suitable. There should be perforations on the sides of the mattress in the form of a fine mesh. Through it the product will “breathe” and dry.
A bed made of pallets is an interesting and bright solution for creative people who are bored with standard furniture. It’s not difficult to make, and the time spent will pay off in spades: it will help you save money and get a good quality item.
