Contacts

DIY podium drawings. How to make a podium bed with your own hands, instructions from the best specialists. Height and dimensions of the elevation

Today it has become fashionable to arrange a podium in the apartment. This is done not only for aesthetics and zoning purposes. The main reason often lies in insufficient quantities square meters and trying to place a lot of things and functional areas in a very limited space. In this sense, the podium in the apartment became a real salvation. The elevation allows you to hide the bed, drawers and shelves, hide communications and more. We've collected a ton interesting ideas arrangement of the podium in the house.

No. 1. What functions are assigned to the podium?

The rapidly growing popularity of podiums is explained by the versatility of this design. Elevation in the apartment can be used for such purposes:

  • masking communications, if this cannot be done using other methods. Often podiums are built in and, allowing you to hide water and sewer lines. Looking ahead, we note that in this case it is imperative to provide free access to communications;
  • space zoning, because the height difference allows you to clearly separate one functional area from another. Relevant for and;
  • rational use of existing space. The podium allows you to divide part of the room space into tiers, and each tier can be used for its own purpose. You can place any furniture or furniture on a hill, and the space under the podium can be used to store a lot of things. With proper planning of the storage area, you can replace a good half of the massive one with just one podium, which means there will be more space in the room. Often the space under the pedestal is used to install a retractable one;

  • space correction. The podium allows you to visually correct the geometry. To do this, it is enough to organize an elevation near a short wall, the contour of which will have a round or curved shape;
  • podium - instead of furniture. If you put a mattress on it, you get a cozy full-size bed. We have already mentioned the possibility of organizing a spacious room under the podium.

One podium can combine several of the above functions, which is especially appreciated by owners of small apartments. For example, a podium can separate work area With desk from the living room, and hide a sleeping place inside, which does not fit in some studio apartments.

No. 2. Where is the best place to place the podium?

A podium is a convenient and useful thing if the apartment owners have thought about its placement. Let us note right away ready-made podiums are not sold in stores– they are assembled in an apartment or house, taking into account all the requirements put forward, so there is no need to adapt – everything is in our hands.

What is important to consider when choosing a location for the podium?

  1. If the podium is used to disguise communications, then its location is determined by the location of the pipes.
  2. If the hill plays the role of a bed, then it will be located where it is most appropriate to place the bed.

  3. It is not worth organizing a podium in the center of the room or in a walk-through place, as the risk of injury increases, and it will be inconvenient to constantly walk around the structure.
  4. In a pencil case room, the podium is not placed along a long wall. It is better to organize the elevation near a short wall and thus divide the room into two squares. In rooms of the correct shape, the podium can be arranged in the corner, making it in the shape of a square, rectangle or semicircle.
  5. When looking for the optimal place for a podium in an apartment, pay attention to, and others architectural features, which can become part of the pedestal or serve as its frame.
  6. The height of the podium, depending on its purpose, ranges from 15 to 50 cm, but it is necessary to take into account the height of the room. It is important that a person, standing on the podium, can straighten up to his full height.

Designers recommend not placing excessively massive pieces of furniture on the podium. Everything that stands at a height automatically attracts the attention of the person who enters - these are features of human perception. If large, heavy things are placed at a height, the apartment will look overloaded.

No. 3. What disadvantages of the podium should you know about?

There are few disadvantages to podiums, but they still exist, and you need to know about them. Most of the disadvantages are consequences of an ill-conceived location of the pedestal or poor quality of its construction.

The owner of the podium may encounter the following disadvantages:


No. 4. Ideas for arranging a podium in an apartment

The podium suggests a lot of scenarios for its use. Some of them are aimed at, others at the most efficient use of space.

Here are some ideas for organizing the podium space:

  • podium bed- the most common solution. The sleeping area can be organized in a niche or in an open space - in any case, the podium will allow you to visually separate it from other areas in the apartment. The height of the bed podium is 20-50 cm; when calculating, also take into account the height of the mattress. When settling in sleeping place at such an elevation, you can save on buying a full-fledged bed - you only need a good mattress. The space under the bed can be used for storage. If there is space left around the perimeter of the podium, it can be used as;

  • podium-chest. In the drawers on rollers, which are hidden under the podium, you can store a lot of things. For this purpose, you can also use the steps of the podium. If the hill has a decent height, then its base can be decorated with niches for storing books and souvenirs. LED lighting will serve as decoration. Podium storage can be supplemented with conventional storage located around the perimeter of the pedestal;

  • secret podium. The entire space under the podium can be occupied by a secret bed, which, if necessary, can be pulled out using guides and rollers. For studio apartments with an area of ​​20-25 sq.m., where arranging a full-fledged sleeping place seems like something out of science fiction, this is an excellent option. The main thing is to leave enough space to pull out the bed. Another inverse option is to make something like a cellar. If the podium is set up as a play area for children, then a recess can be made in the floor for storing toys. After active games, it will be enough to quickly put everything in a makeshift cellar, close the lid, and order;

  • correction and zoning. A podium is necessary not only for long narrow rooms. In a room combined with a living room, for example, the height difference can be used to highlight an area where you need to take off your shoes.

The podium becomes indispensable in studio apartments and especially if there are children in the family. In this case, the elevation can become a miniature children's room: on the upper tier there is everything that is needed for study and entertainment, the lower tier - a pull-out bed, steps - for storing things.

However, a podium is necessary not only for miniature spaces - in large living rooms and bedrooms it allows you to clearly highlight individual zones and make the room much more comfortable.

Finishing The space of the podium is often performed in the same way as in the rest of the room. If the task is to further highlight this area, then you can use a different floor or wall covering, but you should not forget about harmony and color combinations.

An interesting solution in the design of the podium is the use LED backlight along the contour. In this case, you can get a real scene in an ordinary apartment.

No. 5. Types of podiums and material of manufacture

According to the constructive solution, podiums can be divided into:

  • monolithic;
  • frame.

Monolithic make from . Strong and reliable designs come out, only for apartment building the weight of such a podium is prohibitively high. You can lighten the construction by using or, but this is an option for private houses. To fill the podium, formwork of the required shape is used.

Frame podiums – best solution for ordinary apartments. The frame is made of wooden beams or metal; plywood, chipboard or OSB are used for cladding. Sheet materials can be laid in two layers to increase the strength of the structure.

No. 6. Do-it-yourself podium in an apartment: principle of work + video

In order for the podium to be strong and reliable, all the roll-out mechanisms in it to function normally and not warp, the construction process should be approached with full responsibility. It is better to entrust everything to a professional contractor, but if you have basic construction skills, desire and self-confidence, then you can try to do everything yourself.

The optimal podium design for an apartment is frame. The principle of work on its creation is as follows:

  • preparation of a drawing that will reflect the dimensions and shape of the podium, the location of the frame joists, the dimensions of the drawers and other details. Do not forget to take into account the thickness of the bars and sheathing material;

  • Use a laser or construction level to mark the level of the future podium on the walls. The outline of the podium is applied to the floor. The result largely depends on the correct execution of this stage of work;
  • marks on the wall can also be made in the places where the frame bars are attached. For the construction of the frame, 50*50 mm beams are suitable if the load is expected to be no more than 200 kg/m2. For higher loads, use 75*75 mm timber;
  • the lower bars are attached to wooden floor with self-tapping screws, for concrete – with quick-installation dowels. Naturally, before starting work it is better to remove flooring, but some experts say that this is not necessary at all. Many people do without lower bars, installing vertical ones at once in increments of 40 cm. Vertical bars can be attached to the floor or load-bearing walls;
  • When the lower horizontal bars are installed, vertical supports are placed in the corners, which are subsequently connected by the upper horizontal bars. Verticality is carefully controlled. You can now install additional vertical supports if you have not installed them before. All bars are connected at right angles, fixed with self-tapping screws or
  • if there are no drawers inside, then it is better to fill the space under the podium or, which will serve as;
  • if the podium is supposed to be illuminated, then it is better to install the wiring at this stage;
  • The frame is covered with 20 mm plywood sheets, chipboard, OSB, gypsum fiber boards or ordinary boards. The material is secured to the frame with self-tapping screws or nails; it is advisable to leave expansion joints of 2-3 mm in case the material expands when absorbing moisture. If the internal space of the podium will be used, then it is also sheathed at this stage, and before the front cladding;

  • if the end of the podium should be curved, then flexible material is used to cover it. Thin plywood and metal profiles are suitable.

The final touch is finishing. As a floor covering for the podium, you can choose any material, except for self-leveling floors. Don't forget about lighting. Illumination along the contour of the podium is not only an interesting design solution, but also a safety measure.

Even in ancient Roman architecture, podiums were used in the arrangement of homes and public places. Today, with the help of the podium, many designers are improving the proportions of space, and also dividing the room into zones for greater functionality. The podium resembles a step, which, as a rule, has a height of no more than 25 cm. Of course, if necessary, the structure can be higher, but in this case it is multi-tiered with a wide platform at the top. The podium can act as a decoration, while also performing practical functions. In this article we will talk about how to properly organize space using a podium, what materials it is made from, how to properly place this structure, in addition, we will talk about the features of making a frame podium bed.

The meaning of the podium in the interior

Using the podium, you can adjust, expand the usable area, place communications, and zone the room. It can be used as a piece of furniture and an additional source of lighting. Now let's talk about each meaning of the podium separately.

Zoning of space. According to the characteristics of human perception, those objects that are raised higher attract attention more than those that are lower. The part of the room that is located on the podium stands out, making the necessary accent in the interior of the room. Any functional area will look quite appropriate on the podium, be it a children's room or a bedroom, an office, a kitchen or a dining room.

The use of a podium is especially important in one-room apartments and studio apartments. After all, they are multifunctional premises.

Correction of room proportions. The podium visually changes the perception of space. This result can only be achieved with proper installation. You can expand a narrow room with a round podium. The angularity of a square room is perfectly shaded by a corner podium.


Placement of communications. On a podium made according to frame technology You can easily hide communication systems, wiring cables and wiring of video and audio equipment. If you make a podium in the bathroom, then pipes and other elements of utilities will be hidden under it.

Expanding the usable area of ​​the room. It is possible to provide drawers in the design in which things can be stored. This is a very significant detail in small apartments.

Podium as an additional source of lighting. At the end of the podium you can mount decorative lamps or LED strip corresponding color. The style of the interior will be successfully emphasized with the help of lighting fixtures. Additional lighting will be provided in the recreation area or guest part of the room.

A podium serving as furniture. Podiums often serve as a cozy bed or sofa. To do this, they are upholstered with foam rubber and draped with fabric. Thus, an ordinary bed can be replaced with a beautiful multi-level design. The berth can be pulled out from a special niche in the structure or placed on top of the podium. If you make a bed in a niche, then top part The podium can be further used as desired. For example, as an office, home theater, living room or children's room.

Where to install correctly

Make a podium not possible everywhere. When choosing a place for it, it is important to take into account some features of a particular room, and the structure itself. The ceiling height in the room in which the podium will be made must be at least 2.75 m. Otherwise, the podium will look ridiculous, visually reducing the space.

The location of the structure in the center is unacceptable. Firstly, it will be very inconvenient to walk around such a bulky podium. Secondly, it will be more reminiscent of a platform for theatrical performances, which is why its original purpose will be lost. The structure cannot be built in a walk-through area.

The choice of a suitable location for the podium is in many cases determined by the configuration of the room. Its boundaries can be defined by arches, niches and partitions. In a narrow rectangular room, a podium the width of the wall looks great.

If the structure is made as a sleeping place or for storing things, then it must be installed in the place where a cabinet or bed would fit. Rounded podiums give the room coziness and comfort. However, such structures are more difficult to furnish.

Construction type

The podiums are made from wooden frame or monolithic concrete. By the way, the frame is sheathed with one of the types of flooring material. Each type of design has its own undeniable advantages and disadvantages.

Monolithic podium. Concrete is poured into pre-made formwork, which will exactly repeat the shape of the finished podium. Then its surface is leveled using a screed. Then the floor covering is laid. It can be parquet, tiles, carpet, linoleum, laminate, etc. The monolithic podium is incredibly reliable and durable. It does not rot, does not absorb moisture and can withstand heavy loads. Its main drawback is its weight, because even a not very tall structure creates a colossal load on the ceiling. A monolithic podium can only be made in private houses; in apartments it will most likely damage the interfloor ceiling.

Frame wooden or metal podium. The design is lightweight, so it does not load the floor. This type is ideal for apartments. It is easy to install a frame podium with your own hands, which makes it possible to manufacture multi-stage structures without much effort. To improve the reliability and strength of the frame, its proper rigidity should be ensured. For this purpose, intermediate logs are installed in the structure.

Frame podiums can be built both in houses and apartments. The main thing is to choose the right source material for the frame and finishing of the finished structure.

If indoors high humidity, then the base is made of a metal profile and sheathed with tiles or wood-polymer composite. In rooms with normal humidity levels, the frame is made of wooden beams. The base is sheathed with multilayer plywood or OSB. If laminated veneer lumber is used as a log, it must first be treated with special antifungal impregnations and fire protection agents.

Simple bed

It is important for every city resident to have their own corner where they can fully relax and unwind. This is due to the inexorably growing rhythm of life. A comfortable bed is often the main assistant for a healthy rest. If you live in a small apartment, then don't think that you won't have to sleep on a double bed. Previously, in small apartments the only solution was to purchase a book-bed, but today this position is far from the only one. Today's technologies and innovations make it possible to achieve maximum comfort even in small spaces. Now podium beds are replacing book beds more and more often.

There are two types of podium beds. One of them is to build a podium and lay a double mattress on it. So, you can also place spacious drawers under the bed for storing things, for example, bed linen, a spare blanket with pillows, toys for children, etc. The second type of podium is a platform and a retractable bed. On the site there can be an office, a playroom or even a kitchen. Thus, it is very easy to optimize the space, because the bed will not disturb anyone during the day.

So, in order to build a simple podium in an apartment with drawers, you should first develop a sketch, determine the number of drawers, and decide on the type of finish of the frame. Then you should collect the necessary tools:

  1. Tape measure, pencil and long ruler.
  2. Hammer.
  3. Self-tapping screws and dowels.
  4. Drill.
  5. Screwdriver.
  6. Jigsaw.
  7. Screwdriver.
  8. A construction stapler will come in handy if carpet is used to finish the podium.

Materials and fittings are selected depending on wishes. Now it is necessary to mark out the space for the future location of the podium bed. The process is very similar to laying a wooden floor on joists, with the only difference being that on the surface of the podium there is final stage there will be a mattress.

The most economical option for a podium bed would be a design consisting of installed stable legs, a rectangular wooden frame with a rolled chipboard sheet. Ultimately, a purchased mattress is placed on such a structure. This type of bed can be assembled in just a day!

So, the chipboard needs to be secured not only to the legs, but to the perimeter made of boards. In accordance with the markings, the timber is attached to the screws. Such a simple frame will become the basis for mounting the legs.

A podium bed with drawers is more expensive and more difficult to make. The process consists of fastening the timber around the perimeter of the structure and then installing the boards. To correctly calculate the size of the podium, it is necessary to take into account the size of the room in which it is installed. The frame should be 5 cm higher than in the case of installing a simple podium without drawers. The thickness of the board used should be 22 mm. It will be needed for the construction of the outer panels of the podium, as well as the transverse strip, which is installed in the center of the structure. In the production of internal parts of the blocks, chipboard with a thickness of 19 mm is used. The supporting frame is constructed from the inside of the block. Initially, you should install load-bearing bars measuring 47x27 mm - they are installed horizontally, and then the support bars. To distribute the load on the support bars evenly, one of them is installed in the center, and two are placed at the edges. The bars are fastened using screws.

To make drawers, you should purchase the required amount of boards with a thickness of 16 mm. The parts should be prepared first and then assembled. The bottom is made using plywood having a thickness of 10 mm.

As for the sizes of the boxes, they should be calculated taking into account the internal space of the podium.

A special glue is used to connect the parts. Using clamps, tighten the structure until the glue dries completely.

Pull-out bed

To make a retractable bed, you must first think through the retractable system, because it must withstand heavy loads. To do this, you should purchase guides and rollers. The frame is made without any special snags, one might say traditionally. The biggest problem in installing a pull-out bed.

The podium, however, like the floor in the entire room, must be level. This is due to the fact that furniture will be installed on it, and you will have to walk on the structure. The height of the structure is first measured on the walls. Using a level (ideally a laser level, but a regular one will do) draw a straight line along the walls in contact with the podium, which should correspond to the dimensions and height of the finished structure.

To make the frame, as in the cases described above, timber is used. The support bars are attached either to the floor or to the wall. This depends on the size of the podium, as well as the presence of niches. A design that has small size, as a rule, they are attached vertically to the wall with anchors.

The strength of the structure directly depends on the distance between the posts; the standard step is 40 cm.

Now you can assemble the upper part of the frame. To do this, horizontal bars are laid on the racks, which are connected to each other at an angle of 90°. The connection nodes can be fixed with metal corners. This is especially important when constructing a large podium.

The inner surface, in cases where it is not used for niches, should be filled with foam plastic or mineral wool. These materials will serve as good sound insulation. This will reduce the booming sound created when walking by the empty interior space. Examples of these processes can be seen in the photo.

The sheathing of the frame must be durable, so sheet material of appropriate quality is used for this purpose. These can be gypsum fiber boards, boards, OSB or USB, plywood sheets. Sheets of sheathing material are secured with nails or self-tapping screws. To prevent surface deformation when the cladding material swells, be sure to leave expansion joints 2–3 mm wide.

In cases where the internal space is used, the frame should also be sheathed on the inside. If there are no internal niches, then the end of the podium should also be sheathed.

As for finishing, it is carried out using a wide variety of floor materials. This could be parquet, carpet, cork, laminate, linoleum, tiles, etc. The process of finishing the front part of the podium deserves special attention. It is sheathed in the same way as the top of the podium in cases where it has a smooth border. If it is wavy, then a flexible material that can be easily bent is used for cladding. It is recommended to use flexible plywood, PVC skirting boards, metal profiles made of aluminum or brass, and MDF panels.

The bed is made in the same way as a drawer, the main thing here is to maintain its exact size and correctly install the guides and rollers. The quality of these moving parts plays a key role, so saving on their purchase is extremely risky.

After the production of the podium has come to an end, you should walk along it. This is done to evaluate creaks and deflections. If there are defects, they must be eliminated.

In cases where production processes completed in the correct sequence, you can begin installing the furniture.

If you have questions on the topic, do not hesitate to ask them to the specialists working on the site. Perhaps you used some tips? Then share how the material presented helped you. In any case, your comments will benefit readers.

Video

Learn the podium construction process by watching the video:

Photo

Such a functional thing as a podium can find a place in almost any apartment. We talked about its functions and tasks in detail in the articles “” and “”, and mentioned it as good decision for the nursery, bedroom, kitchen and even an innumerable number of times.

Types of podiums

The podiums have different heights. At very low levels, a kitchen or bath is often placed for the convenience of hidden communications. This type of podium also serves to delimit functional areas in large rooms or studio apartments or to create a visual accent. The bed and drawers are hidden in higher podiums, and the rest of the furniture is placed on top; It also happens the other way around: the mattress is placed on a podium, and they only store something inside. The highest podiums are often found in the nursery: a whole closet can fit inside, and on the second floor you will get an excellent bedroom or study corner - a kind of replacement for a loft bed or purchased sets of children's furniture.




The podium does not have to be large in area: the compact version looks great by the window or on the balcony - with a mattress and pillows on top and useful storage containers inside. You can even apply your knowledge of podium construction to create a functional sofa or base with drawers for a bed.

Materials

The following requirements are imposed on materials for the podium: reliability (to withstand furniture and people), lightness (not to heavy load on the floors) and the absence of unpleasant sounds when walking along the catwalk.




The strongest podiums have a concrete base, but this solution is not suitable for apartments: the weight of the structure is simply enormous. Therefore, the frame of the podium in urban environments is made from the following materials:

  • Wooden beams. Sometimes they are supplemented with supporting pillars made of brick.
  • Metal profile. Withstands heavy loads, but is more expensive. Metal structure is still complemented by timber.
  • Foam blocks. Lighter than concrete and will provide high structural strength.

The podium is sheathed with plywood, and the chosen one is placed on top finishing material: Almost any floor covering from tile to carpet will do.

Preparation

First, decide on the type of podium, location and size. You will need a diagram that takes into account the dimensions and additional elements such as drawers or a pull-out bed. Without proper experience, it is difficult to draw a drawing yourself, so you can turn to professionals for advice or take a suitable one on the Internet and modify it a little. Here are a few as examples:



It is also necessary to approximately calculate the amount of material and purchase it. In the classic version, timber of 30x40 mm and 50x50 mm and plywood of 10 mm and 20 mm are suitable for a wooden podium. Plus you will need a set of carpentry tools and consumables:self-tapping screws, anchors, dowel-nails, simple and reinforced fastening corners.

If your design contains pull-out elements, you will need appropriate fittings or ready-made drawers/beds for podiums. The easiest way is to make a storage place with a hinged lid on top, but it will not be very convenient.




DIY bed podium: note

  • To make the podium level, before starting work, draw a level line on the wall.
  • Leave a gap of 2-3 mm between sheets of plywood: the material expands from changes in temperature and humidity.
  • The strength of the structure is added by reducing the step between the supports in the frame - the optimal distance is no more than 40 cm.
  • It is better to fill the voids in the podium with construction wool or foam to avoid the booming sound of footsteps and the creaking of the frame.
  • Materials for the podium in the wet area, especially foam blocks, additionally require serious waterproofing.



Master classes

These three videos show the construction of podiums that differ in design or materials. For example, in the latest video, a creative craftsman made a podium using kitchen cabinets from IKEA, which greatly simplified his work.

Quartblog Digest

All about neat and convenient storage of bedding at home: best places and the most useful life hacks.

In this collection we have collected for you examples of bedrooms and beds with podiums.

Interesting ways to visually separate the bed from the rest of the space.

In a small apartment with an area of ​​42.9 m², it was important for the designers of the Geometrium workshop to place all the functionality while maintaining space and airiness.

Podium beds are suitable for those who want to save bedroom space and take advantage of the new storage space.

Photos: howmeb.com, ik-architects.com, whoovie.com, pinterest.com, homester.com.ua, happymodern.ru

Let's start with the advantages and disadvantages of such an idea.

Podium in the bedroom: pros and cons

Any design or element of furniture has its positive and negative sides. I’ll start, of course, by listing the advantages that a podium in the bedroom has:

  • It is appropriate even in a small apartment, because with its help, free space is saved, and it also becomes possible to remove a closet or cabinet from the room;
  • the retractable design will become a spacious storage for linen, towels and other accessories;
  • You can build a podium for a bed with your own hands in any room, of course, if its square footage allows it.

I also highlighted some negative points:

  • Despite the fact that the podium is an unusual and attractive design solution, not everyone will like it. If one of the family members is tall, they may experience discomfort, since the space between the floor and ceiling is somewhat reduced;
  • the resulting space in the bed with a podium and drawers is not always used for storing things in full. The exception is narrow designs, which are more convenient.

It turns out that there are more advantages. Therefore, if you have an idea to get a podium for your bed, you need to implement it. For a spacious room, such a sleeping place will definitely become bright stylish element, and in a small room it will create additional conditions for maintaining order.

Note! In addition to the classic rectangular look, there is also a round podium. Such furniture looks very impressive, but is not suitable for every interior. In particular, for a small bedroom this is not the best option.

How to make a podium with your own hands

The bed comes with a pull-out or a sleeper on top. I will tell you how you can make different podiums with your own hands, about the technology for their manufacture, and also point out possible errors that may arise during the work process.

Necessary tools and preparatory work

Before you start creating a podium in the bedroom with your own hands, you should create a sketch with previously taken measurements. Consider the dimensions of the frame, the sleeping area itself, and the wheels. The bed should slide easily and unhindered, even when it is made.

Think in advance and take into account the presence of special drawers and the level of impact that will occur on the general surface. The consumables purchased will also depend on the latter characteristics.


Realistically evaluate your capabilities when recreating the sample you like. Your experience may be more applicable to sleeper models. Such a sketch is created by analogy with the diagram described above, only here you think over the appearance of the storage area.

After completing your drawing, prepare the necessary tools:

  • roulette;
  • pencil;
  • drill;
  • screwdriver;
  • hacksaw;
  • self-tapping screws;
  • dowels

How to make a podium with a pull-out bed

Podium with pull-out bed will be a piece of furniture located above the floor. It is installed on wheels, which will help make removing the bed smooth and easy. This not only saves space, but also, if necessary, visually improves an unsuccessfully elongated layout.

To briefly list the advantages of this option, they are versatility, lightness, relatively simple installation, and the ability to place the bed on a high podium.

Podium layout with a pull-out bed

Work should begin by removing the baseboards, since the support should be as close to the wall as possible. Then we start marking. The location of the supports will directly depend on the expected load on the podium. The larger it is, the smaller the distance between them. The initial guideline is 40-45 cm.

The next step in working on the pull-out bed from the podium is laying the guides with fixation using self-tapping screws. A distance of no more than 50 cm is allowed. Next, the vertical supports will be connected using shorter elements. To increase the strength characteristics of the span, a double beam is laid at the base of the frame.

The retractable element with the flooring has sides, the average height of which is about 15 cm. This will be enough to securely fix the mattress. The standard frame of the future bed will look like this:

When making the flooring, you should add 5 cm to each side. The timber will be used to make the frame for this part of the bed. In places where elements will be connected, I recommend using soundproofing material, which will save you from extraneous sounds during operation. In the central part of the frame, plate structures will later be screwed to the attached crossbars, like a base for a mattress.

When the base is ready, start fixing the sides. Next comes the turn of the front part, which will be the front part when the bed is hidden. The rollers are screwed to the finished frame.

To make the structure complete, it is sheathed with durable sheet material. It can be plywood or OSB of your choice.

The sheets are cut out according to the created drawing and attached with self-tapping screws to the podium frame. The closed frame does not need to be sheathed on the inside.

If the system includes drawers, they must be installed before the sheathing.

The final finishing, which carries an aesthetic load, is carried out using the most various materials. For example, it could be carpet, laminate, linoleum.

Ready-made podium with retractable bed

How to make a podium bed with a berth on top

If you want to organize a spacious storage system, this model will make your intentions come true. A self-made bed with a podium can be placed in any part of the room, but it is better to give preference to non-accessible places in the back of the bedroom. As a result, you can significantly unload your closet or chest of drawers, or abandon them altogether, choosing stylish shelves as an alternative.

Just like in the first option, we start work with design. We plan and mark the dimensions and all the necessary zones on the structure.


This design consists of 3 blocks. The side part is attached to the back and has a right angle. The central element divides the sleeping area in half and serves as a guide in the manufacture of storage systems.

If you plan to have a mobile collapsible structure at your disposal, you can attach the headboard block using ordinary bolts.

The basis of the blocks is timber. Holes are drilled for the fasteners, and glue is used to securely fix the joints. After assembling the structure, secure it with special clamps and wait until it dries completely.

The central element is attached to the spacer elements. As a result, space is created for the cross board, which is necessary when creating the bed frame. The bars are fixed along the entire podium using screws. To ensure good strength, the joints are also coated with an adhesive.

You should remember to strengthen the crossbars in the area of ​​the sliding elements and use special stops for this.


The base of the bed is assembled from slats or OSB. All you have to do is complete the design with sides of the required height.

I would also like to say something about the podium with drawers. Installation is carried out using boards and plywood. Make a recess in the bed walls for the plywood bottom. According to the height of the wheels, you will determine the locations for the grooves. The bottom drawers should not be too low. Have at least 1cm of material spare.

The basis for the runners will be bars, the cross-section of which is 1.3 by 1.3 cm.

You can sheathe the facade of the podium yourself with sanded plywood or made to individual measurements decorative material. A do-it-yourself podium like this under a bed will look extremely impressive.

DIY bed on the podium (video)

Watch the instructional video for a visual representation of how to make a podium bed with your own hands.

Bedroom interior with a podium bed

When decorating the interior, you should maintain a balance between all the constituent elements. Pay attention to this unusual solution, when the bed is separated from the main part of the bedroom using cabinet partitions. This will give a special coziness to the room.

The sleeping area, in addition to the bed itself, can be diversified by original bright lighting or a wall with a clear accent.

If you are a fan of a sophisticated interior, create additional zoning using a curtain or plasterboard wall.

The sleeping place on the podium is already original in itself, so any of your improvisations will be welcome.


A do-it-yourself podium bed is rightfully considered modern and original. design solution. With its help, you can significantly increase the functionality of the space used. And playback original design with lighting elements will make this piece of furniture your pride.

If you have any questions about the topic of the article or any additions, write in the comments below. We will definitely answer them.



Did you like the article? Share it