DIY podium bed 500 step-by-step photos + drawings with dimensions

DIY podium bed with drawers

If you like minimalist design and want to make your own podium bed , then you have come to the right place. In this article, we have collected a dozen step-by-step instructions from which you can choose the appropriate option for your home project. There are bed frames in different sizes, from single children's podium beds that are ideal for a child's bedroom to large podium beds with storage drawers . The simplicity of the design combined with natural wood and straight lines is a great addition to any bedroom. Look at all the examples, master classes and step-by-step photos with drawings on how to make a podium bed - perhaps it’s time to update your bedroom interior.

Podium in the apartment: options

Let's consider several common options for placing a podium, depending on the size of the living space and the purpose of the room.

Podium in a studio apartment: zoning and optimization

The most typical solution for giving the studio individuality and clear zoning of space is a raised floor in the kitchen work area. This achieves several goals: hiding pipes, separating the kitchen from the dining room. The zoning effect can be enhanced by using floor tiles in the kitchen, which have an advantage in terms of sanitation and protect the space under the podium from flooding and the development of fungus.

Another method of zoning a studio is also possible. Erecting a podium in the living area of ​​the studio, near the window, provides much more advantages. On the podium you can arrange a work area or a relaxation area, and hide roll-out beds under it. Thus, in the studio you can place two full-sized beds or a large double bed, which otherwise would not fit in a small area.

Few people think of raising the floor in the part of the hallway where the wardrobe is installed. Meanwhile, this allows you to optimize its space. Deep drawers at the bottom of the wardrobe are certainly more convenient than mezzanines. This technique is interesting for any small “two-room” and “one-room” apartments.

Optimization of a small living space

Arranging a decorative podium in a small apartment is not optimal - it is wiser to use the podium not only as an expressive design element. You can use the space underneath for pull-out furniture or as a storage area, for example, for out-of-season or oversized items. Thus, by raising the floor in any area, if the ceiling height allows, you can get an additional storage system - an alternative to a bulky closet.

A podium can transform an apartment, and in a children’s room the options for its use are simply limitless - this is the upper deck of a ship for boys, a stage (with a microphone!) for girls, and a secluded bedroom hidden behind a light curtain.

Large apartment: you can afford a lot

When the podium is built in a spacious apartment, where there is no shortage of space, it can play a purely decorative role. A podium can be used to highlight a significant area in the apartment - an island kitchen, for example, or a well-equipped workplace. In the bedroom, a podium will emphasize the importance of a luxurious bed, and the “pedestal” can be round in shape, just like the bed itself. Sometimes this structure is mounted in the center of the room - it all depends on the design.

Soft podium

Among the unusual, but increasingly popular solutions is a soft podium, quite spacious and, as a rule, including storage systems. It is often used as a sleeping place for late guests, then bed linen is stored in the drawers. At other times, it is a spacious sofa on which you can sit at ease, watch TV, or read. If there are children in the house, this will be their favorite place to play.

Let's start with the bed

Before you make a podium with a pull-out bed in your apartment or house, you need to decide on the sleeping place itself.

There is a solution with two options:

• Make your own bed
  . Difficult option. Without proper experience, assembling a convenient design is problematic. But some manage successfully;
• Buy to order
  . You can give the manufacturer the dimensions, select a model, and also ask for your own changes to the design. It turns out not so expensive. But the quality is higher and the appearance is better.

I'll say one more thing. Beds should be taken with a low base. The frame should be light but strong.

The whole point of modifying a factory bed will be to install wheels on the legs. Preferably gel or silicone. This way the ride will be soft and also silent.

The podium structure itself can be made to fit the size of the bed. If the mattress is flush with the sides of the bed, there will be no need to make any panel to disguise the sleeping area under the podium.

Always leave a small gap where the bed rolls out.

This will ensure air circulation. I do not recommend hermetically hiding the structure under the podium.

How to do it yourself?

Some useful tips:

Decide on the design of the podium. The monolithic design option is the most labor-intensive and time-consuming to create. For a metal frame, experience with welding tools is required. Therefore, the best option is wood. Create a sketch of the future design. Carefully describing all sizes and proportions. Use dowels and self-tapping screws to secure the structure. When positioning the flooring on which the mattress will be placed, it is necessary to add allowances of 5 cm on each side. OSB and plywood materials are used to cover the frame. As decoration, you can use a variety of materials, such as laminate, parquet, linoleum, carpet

It is important to remember that the material must match the color scheme of the flooring.

For more detailed instructions on how to make a podium bed with your own hands, see the following video.

Decoration

Covering a pull-out podium bed with laminate

The podium bed is ready. We manufactured the frame and main parts, carried out assembly and finishing. Now there is an opportunity to dream up and decorate the resulting product.

Covering the podium bed with wood to match the floor covering

Decor that is not provided for in advance in the plan can be done using fabric, carpet, LED strip, etc. So the podium can be covered with carpet, securing it with baseboards; decorate the headboard of the bed with fabric; We glue an LED strip around the perimeter of the podium or drawers or drape it with fabric. Anyone can use such simple decorating techniques; they vary in all directions and techniques that you know. You can use paper or thread, paint, varnish and other materials to achieve the desired look of the bed.

Ready-made podium bed, made by yourself

Things are different with more complex decor. This could be built-in LED lighting or musical equipment, finishing the podium with figured marble beams, etc. Such innovations require planning. They must be displayed in the design project, as they require additional design modifications. With careful planning, you can realize any idea that comes to mind.

A huge podium along the entire studio room for a mattress and work area

Posting rules

Despite its dimensions, the sleeping place on the podium is a great space saver. The installation options are chosen by the future user, based on the designers’ recommendations regarding the location of the furniture. The podium can be placed in the middle of the room, near the wall or in a small niche. This furniture is found not only in the master bedroom or studio apartment, it is often used in children's rooms and on balconies.

Accommodation requirements:

• Zoning must be done carefully. If you plan to use the bed on a permanent basis, choose the most suitable place in the room for its placement.
• Furniture should be installed away from heating radiators so as not to impede air circulation.
• Dimensions are selected individually. The podium is always created to order, taking into account the parameters of the room in which the structure is planned to be installed.
• If utility lines run under the bed in the podium, you will have to install a hatch. Otherwise, the lid is made of a solid slab.
• You can refuse the accompanying furniture. In a small house it is impossible to install a bed, a wardrobe and a bedside table at the same time. The functions of the listed types of furniture will be taken over by the podium.
• If the drawers are pulled out, there should be enough free space in front of them.

A functional bed on a podium will be an ideal solution for rooms with a non-standard layout. Refusal to use furniture sets will “unload” such premises. You can also install raised bunk beds in children's rooms. Kids will use the built-in drawers to store toys, clothes and bedding.

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Small apartment: do you really need a podium?

Is it possible to make a podium in a small apartment? Installing flooring with a modest area requires a balanced approach.

Khrushchev apartments have low ceilings and small rooms. Because of this, a limitation is imposed not only on the area of ​​the podium, but also on its height. To prevent the room from seeming even smaller and the ceilings lower, it should be low.

In small apartments it is better to make the podium low

If a low podium does not solve the problems with arranging a sleeping area and the multifunctional use of the flooring itself, then it is better to abandon the idea. This also applies to rooms in which there is an excess of furniture.

Even a small apartment can look very modern with a multifunctional interior. In this case, pieces of furniture combine several functions, move, change position and purpose.

Drawers and shelves for books at the ends will be a good way out. To save space, cabinets and drawers can be located not only under the podium panel, but also on the sides.

Storage boxes are a great space saver

The presence of a sloping ceiling is not in itself a contraindication to installing a podium.

Should I order it or make it myself?

Models with a podium will definitely attract the attention of everyone entering the room

Therefore, it is important to make all the design reliably, highly durable and beautiful.

You can make a simple traditional podium without retractable or opening structures with your own hands if you have tools, high-quality materials and minimal experience in performing this type of work. In this case, the required amount of material must be clearly calculated, drawings must be made and calculations made.

Having no experience in work, it is better to trust the specialists

If there are neither appropriate qualifications for such work, nor sufficient free time, the work can be entrusted to professionals. This also applies to complex systems with opening doors, pull-out drawers and roll-out mechanisms.

We add details

Assembling drawers for the bed

In our case, additional parts are drawers. This is a very practical and easy-to-use option. You can also make drawers with hinged doors or shelves. However, we recommend using drawers.

Attaching drawer guides

Having made measurements, you can order the finished product and just insert it into the frame. But we suggest making the boxes yourself. Moreover, it will not take much time and effort. It should be noted that the width of the box should be 2.5 cm less than the box in which it will be located. In accordance with this, we proceed to the manufacture of boxes. We will need a sheet of plywood for the bottom, 3 chipboards for the side walls. We fasten these parts with glue. We take another particle board and attach a handle to it, after which we attach this board to the rest of the box. The box is ready.

Using the scheme described above, make the remaining drawers, the number of which is provided by the existing niches.

We install the second part of the guides on the dividing partitions

To install the drawers you will need several guides. They consist of two parts: the first (two guides) is attached on both sides of the box, and the second (also 2 guides) is attached to the frame. This is done using screws, which usually come complete with guides and screwdrivers.

We install the drawers in their places in the bed niche

What types of podium beds are there?

First of all, it should be mentioned that the podium bed is an independent segment of cabinet furniture. It is strikingly different from all other pieces of furniture. The product is based on a special frame (usually made of wooden logs), on the basis of which the podium is built. There are practically no typical podiums. The very essence of the product lies in its adaptation to a specific room, taking into account the designer’s suggestions and the customer’s wishes.

Podium beds are conventionally divided into two main types.

With a berth located directly on the podium. This option allows you to equip additional drawers and niches for storing things inside the frame.

With a sleeping place located inside the podium and retractable from under the frame at night. The hill itself (platform) is used as a place for children's games, arranging a study, or in some other way. An interesting option for apartments with limited space. This podium has a rather complex design.

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

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

• masking communications if this cannot be done using other techniques. Often podiums are built in kitchens and bathrooms, allowing you to hide water and sewer pipes. Looking ahead, we note that in this case it is imperative to provide free access to communications;
• zoning of space, because the height difference allows you to clearly separate one functional area from another. Relevant for studio apartments and living rooms combined with kitchens;
• 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. On a hill you can place any furniture, set up an office or living room, 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 a massive wardrobe 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 pull-out bed;
• space correction. The podium allows you to visually correct the geometry of long narrow rooms. 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 dressing 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 be used to separate a work area with a desk from the living room, and hide a sleeping area inside, which does not fit in some studio apartments.

Practical and effective examples of placement in the interior

There are several possible options for placing a podium bed in a small room. You should take into account the size of the room, ceiling height and other features

It is important that the design fits perfectly into the overall design and does not create the impression of bulkiness. As a general rule, it is recommended to use an installation location away from the center of the room

Depending on this, the overall impression may change, which should be taken into account when planning.

Most often, such a podium bed is equipped with shelves, drawers or voluminous niches, allowing you to avoid purchasing an additional wardrobe or chest of drawers.

In the bedroom

There are many possible options for placing a bed in a bedroom. Among the most common solutions are the following:

• In the center. This solution is allowed only in cases where the area of ​​the room is large. This allows you to visually expand the space even more. In small rooms, this option only clutters up the space.
• Equipment for a window sill under the podium. One of the beneficial solutions that allows you to place a bed under a large window. There are many different installation placement options.
• Installation of a bed on the second floor of the podium. This allows you to save free space for equipment in the work area or rest area.

In addition to the fact that a podium bed becomes an excellent decoration for any interior, due to proper placement it can zone the space and improve its ergonomics.

Note! Podium beds are distinguished by their universal use. They look great in a variety of interiors and styles.

The main thing is to choose the optimal combination.

Placement near a window

One of the most common options for small bedrooms or living rooms. Allows you to visually expand the space of the room due to the incoming natural light.

When constructing a bed on a podium next to a window opening, it is possible to significantly save usable space, and also by raising the bed, organize good natural lighting.

Features of placement in a small room

In small rooms with low ceilings, it is not recommended to install podium beds. If you still want to use this solution, you need to choose low podium designs. You can also integrate lighting into the lower part to create a weightless effect.

In a small and narrow room, a podium bed with wide drawers can be placed from wall to wall across the entire width of the room.

In the children's room

The design should be selected with special attention, since the safety of the child depends on it. You need to take care of the original installation design

It is also important to pay attention to the strength and reliability of all fasteners. The right choice will help you organize the space in your children's room as much as possible.

In the photo there is a children's room with a podium bed with two sleeping places.

What is special about podium beds and how to apply them in the interior

Bed on a high podium for an unusual stylish interior design

The main advantage is its special structure, which allows it to be used multifunctionally. Modern developers offer a wide selection with various mechanisms and functions, including pull-out beds. The main feature is the ability to save space and store items.

White furniture for a teenage girl's bedroom with a podium bed

The freed up space can be used at your discretion, this is especially appreciated in small apartments and small rooms. The selected podium bed for your apartment will become not only a place for comfortable rest and sleep, but also an original accent and highlight in the interior.

Built-in guest bed for small living room

Types of structures by organization

There are many models of raised decking 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

Kinds

The main advantages of podium beds, options for the best designs
Depending on its purpose, a podium in the interior can be functional, technical or decorative. These are 3 main types, each of which solves a specific problem. The table will help you get an idea of ​​the classification.

Universal designs are becoming increasingly common. They combine all the advantages and capabilities of their “competitors”. But whatever role the podium plays, it inevitably attracts attention. It simply obliges him to be beautiful. Thanks to ultra-modern and traditional finishing materials, you can create an elevation in any style: from intricately elegant baroque to rough loft. Details of each species are given below.

Zoning

Decorative podiums serve not only to decorate a room, but also to visually divide it into functional zones. They are also used to change the proportions of rooms, creating visual effects. For example, they help to “push apart” walls, “raise” ceilings, visually enlarging the entire space or its individual sections

Using a decorative platform, they focus attention on an interesting subject, or, on the contrary, distract attention from a problem area

The height of the decorative podium can be insignificant - only a few centimeters. This option is suitable for rooms with low ceilings.

Otherwise, you may feel like the ceiling is hanging too low, which will lead to discomfort. If the configuration of the room allows, you can build a half-meter platform, which can become the main piece of furniture and at the same time emphasize the unusually high ceilings.

For storing things

Podiums are an excellent alternative to wardrobes and mezzanines. Forming an airtight space inside, they are ideal for storing clothes, pastel accessories and other things. The standard locations for functional platforms are:

• living rooms;
• bedrooms;
• children's;
• kitchens;
• balconies.

A classic example of functionality is the podium bed. Using it in a small Khrushchev-era apartment, you simultaneously get a spacious closet, a comfortable work desk and a spacious sleeping area. At the same time, a significant part of the apartment remains free, the effect of clutter and clutter disappears. Using the platform as a storage area for household items is a noticeable increase in usable space. Another option is to place the main interior area on a raised surface, for example, install a TV with speakers on top. The internal space is carefully filled with household items, and cables are laid there.

A way to hide communications

When creating decorative and functional podiums in the interior, they are usually guided only by desire. Whereas the arrangement of technical podiums in many cases is the only way to hide objects that spoil the interior.

Under the elevations it is especially convenient to hide various technological elements, including electrical wires and pipes. This is an excellent option for old houses, where communication systems stand out especially sharply against the general background and can ruin even the most stylish interior.

Moreover, creating a podium will cost much less than a radical reconstruction of the premises with the replacement of unsightly water supply and sewerage units. The usual places for installing camouflage platforms are kitchens and bathrooms, through which several pipes pass. The need to hide cables can arise in any room. Therefore, the technical podium, even despite its mundane purpose, must also be aesthetic. This will allow it to simultaneously perform a decorative function: to give the room a modern look and individuality.

Shapes and sizes

Products with a podium can have different shapes. This will allow them to fit into rooms of different sizes. The bed can be:

• rectangular;
• square;
• round;
• semicircular.

A square bed will look good in a long, elongated room. It will adjust the space and make the room more proportional. If we talk about a square, the size 160 by 180 can also be classified as a similar shape.

The round model is optimal for rooms with a large area, for example, for studio apartments

Such a bed will always become an accent that attracts the attention of everyone who enters the room.

The semicircular product is more compact and can be placed against the wall. Such models look very original, but are most often designed for one person. A double semicircular model will take up too much space.

Whatever shape the bed with a podium has, it will save on furniture. Purchasing such a bed will allow you to avoid buying a bookcase, wardrobe, chest of drawers for linen, or a shelving unit - depending on the configuration of the bed.

When choosing the shape and model of a bed, you should pay attention to some parameters

The material from which the product is made, namely its strength and environmental safety. Weight of the structure. Ideally, the bed should easily support the weight of 2 adults. Podium height. A person, standing at its highest point, should not rest his head on the ceiling (or on the second tier, if provided for by the design). The number of people who will sleep on the bed, as well as their ages. For a child or an elderly person, it is better to choose low models; for adults, the podium can be anything. The amount of free space available in the room. The shape of the bed depends on this

It is equally important to consider the place in which the product will be installed. It is not recommended to place wooden models close to a radiator or near a window if it is not insulated enough. If the bed is equipped with niches, the podium should not be higher than 0.4 m. If the height of the podium is more than 0.4 m, then you need to climb onto the bed using steps.

Use Cases

The podium can perform several functions at once. In addition to its aesthetic purpose, it will help divide the apartment into zones or hide wires and pipes.

Room zoning

Kitchen area. One option is to delimit a studio apartment or kitchen-living room into a kitchen area and a place to relax. The elevated area can accommodate a cooking workstation and a dining area. This will create the impression of two isolated rooms without overloading the space of the apartment.

Dining room (dining room). A small elevation in the dining area will create a cozy and private atmosphere in the room.

Sleeping area. The podium will highlight the sleeping area and can serve as additional storage space using drawers.

The work area in the apartment can be highlighted using a podium; it is recommended to place it near the window.

Gaming. In the play area for kids you can place a sports corner, a place for drawing or a soft corner with toys. Roll-out drawers can be built into the podium in which things and toys will be stored. In a teenager’s playroom, it is enough to place a table with a computer and a comfortable chair.

Podium bed

The platform for the bed replaces the frame; a mattress is placed on it and drawers can be recessed into the side parts, in which it is convenient to store a change of bed linen. A podium bed looks impressive in the interior of an apartment, and is more economical than a full bed. The base can be beautifully decorated creatively, for example, assembled from several bleached beams.

Storage space

The big advantage of installing a podium in an apartment is the opportunity to get additional storage space while saving space.

Depending on the height of the platform, the drawers can be retractable or hinged. A drawer can fit into a niche of almost any height; hinged drawers are more convenient to install at a high level.

The photo shows a bedroom with a multi-tiered podium, each of which has storage space.

Sofa podium

A stylish interior solution for decorating a living room in an apartment. The podium for the sofa is a raised platform on which the pillows are placed. The space inside the platform can also be put to good use.

Place to rest

The podium can become a real lounge area in the apartment. This can be a cozy place for reading, on which there are several pillows and a lamp with warm light, or it can become a full-fledged place for drinking tea in the form of a comfortable chair and an elegant coffee table.

Podium for flowers

The base for flowers creates the impression of a real winter garden in a city apartment. Multi-tiered podiums are suitable for low potted flowers. Full-length tall plants will look spectacular on a solid platform in a bright room.

The photo shows a modern living room in white. The base podium for flowers has straight, clear lines.

A way to hide communications

In modern life it is impossible to avoid a large number of wires in the apartment; a podium is an excellent and aesthetic option to hide them. The collapsible design allows you to easily access them if necessary.

The photo shows a high-tech apartment with a sitting area near the window. The podium serves as a stand for equipment and hides communications and wires.

Types of structures

Depending on the design features, podiums also come in several types. This is determined by the purpose of the design and the principle of organization.

Decorative

This type of podium is designed to separate functional areas

Decorative design attracts attention and creates a fashionable accent in the room

Technical

In addition to an interesting design and unusualness, a bed with a podium can serve a very practical role. The main task of such an organization is to hide communication lines. Additionally, the space can be used to store things.

Very convenient and practical

Combined

With this type, the bed is rolled out during sleep and pushed under the flooring the rest of the time. This saves a lot of space. Other types: with a folding mattress or the presence of convenient drawers.

We make a frame

Assembling the frame of the podium in the corner of the room

After the preparatory stage, we begin work. It all starts with the basics. And our work begins with constructing a podium, which will become the basis for the bed and drawers.

Attach the frame to the horizontal posts

We start by placing the podium. To do this, in accordance with the measurements, draw the height of the fixed beams on the walls, and then check the marks using a building level so that the resulting podium is level. Then we take the prepared wooden beams and fasten them to the floor and walls with anchors horizontally. Then you need to attach the beams vertically to them, additionally attaching them to the wall. The distance between the logs should be no more than 40 cm for structural strength. We also attach wooden beams to the vertical beams on top, duplicating the bottom layer. It turns out to be a kind of box. This is the frame of the podium. Now you need to determine the location of the mattress on it.

Depending on the location of the mattress, attach three bars to the base of the podium to secure the slats. One should pass strictly in the middle of the proposed mattress, the other two along the right and left edges. Then stuff the slats onto special beams - this will be our sleeping place. It is also necessary to attach several boards to the base around the perimeter of the mattress to secure the mattress. Along the edge of the frame we attach a slab of plywood or chipboard (depending on the rest of the material for the bed) to the wall and base, which will form the future headboard.

We fix the sides to the finished base of the podium bed

Now you can proceed to the manufacture and fastening of additional parts.

Advantages of a podium bed

A podium in a bedroom, nursery, living room or studio apartment is a controversial solution that does not apply to every layout.

The advantages of the organization include:

• ease of installation, which can be done even with your own hands, but with professional skills;
• warm and comfortable sleeping place;
• visually the design expands the space and saves area;
• using free space under the flooring;
• organization of space zoning;
• updating the design with an unusual accent in the design.

This bed saves space

Advice The greatest effect and variety of options have podium beds, organized in spacious rooms with high ceilings.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pull-out bed podium saves space

The undoubted advantage is versatility and space saving. Another advantage is the simplicity of a seemingly complex design. It is not difficult to assemble, so by ordering a podium bed, you can assemble it without outside help, or do it yourself. Hence, we have a relatively low cost of this furniture, especially if you make it yourself.

The disadvantages include the fact that the podium truncates the room in height. Therefore, installing such a bed in a low, small apartment would be impractical.

Construction and materials

By design, podiums are divided into monolithic and frame.

Monolithic podiums in an apartment, as a rule, consist of a layer of concrete 10-15 cm high. Standard interfloor ceilings are not designed for such additional load, therefore such podiums are prohibited for independent construction. It may be possible to coordinate the redevelopment with a lighter construction of a monolithic podium - made of foam concrete or gypsum blocks.

Typically, a frame structure is erected to raise the floor level. The frame is made of wooden blocks or metal profiles. Logs should be provided every 40 cm. For flooring, plywood with a thickness of 20 mm is usually used.

If the interior space of the podium is not intended to be used in any way, it should be filled with sound-absorbing material, for example, polyurethane foam - otherwise the empty cavity will amplify all the sounds in the apartment, and they will disturb the neighbors below. In the case when drawers are built into the podium, or a bed is pushed under it, the resonance effect will not appear so strongly.

The finishing covering of the podium can be as varied as a regular floor covering:

• parquet,
• laminate,
• tile,
• wooden floor slats,
• linoleum,
• carpet covering.

The soft podium is upholstered with foam rubber and any textile suitable for the design - from cotton to brocade and velvet.

Often the finishing of the podium differs from the floor covering of the apartment in order to further emphasize the isolation of this area.

For a podium higher than 15 cm, steps will be required; it is important to provide them with an anti-slip pad. Built-in lighting of the steps will make them safer and create a sublime holiday atmosphere

Sometimes the edge of the podium is limited by low railings.

Podium in the apartment

Materials for production

Interesting options for TV walls for the living room

Requirements that should be met for the material for making the podium:

• lightness is important to create a structure that does not overly load the floors;
• reliability - to withstand the weight of furniture and moving people;
• noiselessness - the material should not make creaks or knocks during loads.

Photo: timber podium frameExperts recommend the following materials for podium construction:

1. A frame made of metal or wood with plywood attached to it.
2. A monolithic podium made of expanded clay concrete will be durable. But such a heavy structure can only be done in a private house on top of a concrete screed.

Sleeping frame

Podium on logs. A 10x10 cm beam is laid on the brick support posts. Plywood is laid on top of it. Filling the voids with mineral wool or construction foam will help eliminate the booming sound when walking on the raised surface. The construction of foam blocks is lighter than concrete and has sufficient strength. Installation of large blocks is carried out quickly. The hygroscopic material absorbs moisture and requires sufficient waterproofing.

You can sheathe the front part of the podium:

• laminate using a special substrate;
• solid wood;
• ceramic tiles;
• linoleum;
• carpet

The choice of top depends on the design of the room and the load-bearing capacity of the frame.

Advantages

Like any other furniture, the podium bed has many advantages over its analogues:

• Dividing one room into functional zones. Thanks to such furniture, it is quite possible to make, for example, a work area and a bedroom out of one room. The podium highlights the sleeping area as a separate area and helps to visually divide the space.
• High functionality. A bed with drawers can combine several functions at the same time, being both a comfortable sleeping place and an area for storing things. Often, such furniture has pull-out chests of drawers and even entire closets where you can store bed linen, clothes or mattresses. In addition, the podium bed is a creative design solution, adding originality to the room and saving space.
• Orthopedic function. As a rule, a podium bed is a rather rigid sleeping place, which has a positive effect on maintaining correct posture and spinal health.
• Natural materials. Typically, environmentally friendly materials, such as wood, are used to create such furniture.

Advantages of the model

Built-in high bed with drawer steps and mirrored wardrobe

Thanks to the design solution, the interior of the apartment can change beyond recognition if such a model is installed. The advantages include the following points.

1. Separate zoning
   . A home divided into conventional zones will look more interesting and unusual due to the open space that is formed due to the absence of boundary contours. An installed podium bed will highlight visual restrictions in the interior in a natural way.
2. A practical approach
   . The installed product will not only add newness to the interior of the apartment, but will also help to carry out several functions at the same time, such as storing objects, a retractable base, and the podium can hide various communications (pipes, electrical sockets). In addition, building a podium is not difficult; it is enough to have ready-made structural parts and connecting them together will not be difficult.
3. Square footage
   . Another advantage of the installation, which allows you to significantly save space for receiving guests or playing for a child. The use of the podium in the design of a children's room, as well as living and sleeping areas, will be especially relevant.
4. Visual effect
   . A room in which a pull-out bed is installed takes on a sophisticated look and a certain mood.

Embedding a bed into a podium is a great way to hide it in the living room interior

Styles

The functional and aesthetic components of the product are very important. But the combination of the bed with the rest of the interior items and its style are no less important. You need to choose a model that will fit well into the environment and become a harmonious part of it.

The classic style presupposes a strict, but not devoid of decorative elements, appearance of the bed. An excellent solution would be to choose expensive fabric for upholstery. You can cover both the frame and the head of the bed. The number of decorations should not be large, but a certain amount - tassels on the bedspread, exquisite drawer handles, etc. - is acceptable. Most often, however, niches, drawers and shelves in classic models are disguised.

It is better to choose children's models in soothing colors. The single folding model can be equipped with a lifting mechanism and can be converted into a double bed when unfolded. You should choose natural materials for both the podium and the mattress. The latter must be rigid, orthopedic - to form correct posture. Modern manufacturers offer a lot of environmentally friendly solutions.

Podium materials

If we talk about beds with monolithic foundations, then for their manufacture you need:

• wooden boards - formwork is made from them, it is better to choose the least knotty material - pine, spruce, larch;
• concrete - it is poured inside the formwork;
• the frame, it is also made from wooden beams or laminated chipboard, some craftsmen manage to make an excellent frame from pallets - literally, from improvised means, pallets are used instead of timber;
• the bed itself - mattress and other components.

In the area where the bed is planned to be installed, formwork is placed and concrete is poured there. Flooring is laid on top of the finished base. Next, the frame is installed, after which the bed is placed on the frame. This is a very strong and durable, but, unfortunately, absolutely not mobile and extremely massive structure.

In a pull-out bed, in addition to the traditional frame, rollers are used, with the help of which the mattress is rolled out from the podium. The mattress in this model is thinner and folds. The easiest way to assemble a podium is from chipboard, laminated chipboard, ready-made wooden blocks and furniture panels. When assembling, you should take into account the weight that the frame must support. The maximum permissible weight for the frame is from 450 to 700 kg per square meter. m.

Choosing material for the bed

Today, many people make a podium bed with their own hands. On the one hand, the task is not easy. It is necessary to carry out a huge number of calculations to determine the optimal height of the structure. On the other hand, when you independently design a podium bed for your apartment, you can take into account your own wishes and make a design that will suit you.

It is important not only to correctly design the structure of the bed, but also to select high-quality material for its manufacture. The sleeping place should be made only from environmentally friendly materials, so for such a bed it is ideal to use the following materials:

• chipboard;
• MDF;
• natural wood.

A bed made of plywood will cost the least, but it will not last long, because chipboard is afraid of moisture and has low wear resistance. Under strong mechanical stress, plywood may break or become deformed. In addition, plywood has an unpresentable appearance, and if you make a structure from it, you will have to select a beautiful material for covering the bed.

MDF is a more expensive material. It is stronger than plywood and looks more aesthetically pleasing. Unlike plywood, this material is available in different styles and colors, so you can choose the best MDF option for any interior.

The most reliable and expensive material is natural wood. It is very durable, but the main thing is that it has a unique texture. Natural wood is actively used in many modern interiors today. It's easy to be on trend. You can make such a podium from textured boards and cover them only with varnish or primer. You can screw Scandinavian-style handles onto the drawers, and a modern art object will be ready.

No. 3. Bed material

High-quality bed material is the key to the durability of the product. There may be several options:

solid wood is the most preferred material. Such beds have maximum durability and strength, they are environmentally friendly and safe. The most durable frames will be those made of oak, ash and beech, but you can find a good option in a more affordable category;

The metal also shows record durability, has a high service life and is durable. Welded and forged beds are made from metal. The second option, naturally, looks more sophisticated and elegant and today, by the way, is at the peak of popularity;

a bed made of MDF will cost less, but in many ways it is inferior to wood and metal. Such products look good and do not cause harm to health, but their service life before the first breakdown is somewhat lower than that of their wooden counterparts

In terms of price/quality ratio, this is the most attractive option on the market, which is why such beds are very popular;

beds made of fiberboard and chipboard are the cheapest, do not last long, quickly begin to creak, and then completely fall apart. Buying a bed made of chipboard is a necessary measure when the budget is very limited, but even in this case it is necessary to look at safety certificates and pay attention to the level of formaldehyde emissions (in residential premises you can use products of levels E0 and E1).

MDF, chipboard and fiberboard can be laminated and repeat the pattern of any type of wood or stone, they can be painted or veneered, so in appearance such beds look very attractive. Manufacturers often use fabric, leather and eco-leather upholstery

Make sure that the fabric is dense and wear-resistant.

Today it is fashionable to use wooden pallets all the time.

They are used to make not only country furniture and cozy sofas with tables for summer areas of cafes. Several of these drawers can serve as an excellent base for a bed in a city apartment. Such a solution will fit, however, not into any interior.

What do kitchen professionals make from?

The most common material for the kitchen is chipboard. It is used both in inexpensive kitchens and in more expensive options. Now an improved version of chipboard is popular in Europe: it is more durable and resistant to moisture. This effect is achieved by the fact that they contain more glue and paraffin, which makes this material so durable. The highest quality materials are produced by the Lamatry and Egger factories: you can be confident in the quality of the chipboard material they produce.

Chipboard is an inexpensive material that can be used to create a designer kitchen option

Laminated chipboard is not the only material from which a kitchen can be made.

1. Plastic. Quite inexpensive material, suitable for the average budget.
2. Artificial or natural stone. This option is suitable for people who are really willing to spend a large amount of money and want to make their kitchen truly chic. Artificial stone is cheaper than its natural alternative, and even surpasses natural material in quality. For Provence style or many classic design styles, this material will be an excellent option.
3. Natural wood. This material is also suitable for expensive kitchens: it is coated with various mixtures and varnishes to make the material durable. Wood itself is a fragile material, it can easily be damaged and cracks may appear. To avoid this problem, various companies use their own methods to strengthen the tree.

Not only the quality of the kitchen, but also the atmosphere depends on the choice of material

It is important to approach this issue as seriously as possible and not make spontaneous decisions

No. 11. What else to consider when choosing a bed?

In pursuit of a large, spacious bed, do not forget that space in the bedroom is limited, and in addition to the bed, it is often necessary to place a wardrobe or chest of drawers, and leave a free passage to the sleeping area and the window.

On sale you can find beds of very original design. For example, in the form of a boat, a nest, there are even swing beds, but when trying to add variety to your home interior, do not forget that the bed, first of all, should be comfortable.

As for bed manufacturers, you can pay attention to Dream Line (beds made of solid ash and beech), Olimp, Horizont, Fratelli Barri (expensive designer Italian beds), as well as more affordable products from SMK, Vasko, Triya and Lonax. Finally, we note that it is better to buy a bed, like a mattress, only after a personal inspection and short testing: an uncomfortable product will reveal itself almost immediately

Finally, we note that it is better to buy a bed, like a mattress, only after a personal inspection and short testing: an uncomfortable product will give itself away almost immediately.

The article was written for the site remstroiblog.ru.

What you need to pay attention to when choosing a podium bed

When choosing a podium bed in a small bedroom, there are many subtleties to consider. Possible interior solutions and style design of the room depend on this.

Thanks to the construction of a frame podium, it is possible to organize a spacious storage system.

It is recommended to pay attention to the following nuances:

Material. You should choose environmentally friendly materials for the construction. A common solution is natural wood or wood panels. The latter option is lighter, so it allows you to create a compact and reliable design. If necessary, it can be disassembled. Modular installations made of steel are used less often, since steel cools, which is bad at low or too high air temperatures. Weight. The design should be compact and lightweight. At the same time, it must withstand the weight of at least two adults. There are special assembly requirements. Consideration should be given to how to assemble the structure with maximum efficiency. Height

It is important to choose the correct elevation height. When a person stands on the podium, he should not rest his head on the ceiling

Otherwise, it is better to abandon the installation, choosing a more practical and comfortable solution for everyday use. Niches. If you plan to build in drawers and other retractable structures, the lower part should remain at least forty centimeters in height. Steps. If the height of the podium exceeds forty centimeters, it is better to additionally install steps for convenience.

Considering these simple subtleties, you can easily choose the appropriate option for decorating any room. This will significantly save space and use it for other purposes.

Equipment: what to choose?

Podium beds, even if they belong to the same type, can have many differences and features.

Important points include choosing the following parameters:

• logs;
• the presence of headrests and armrests;
• selection of material for the supporting structure;
• finishing material;
• canopy;
• presence of mechanical devices;
• the need to design steps.

When choosing, consider a number of parameters

If the podium will not be used as a place to store things, then you can choose a monolithic structure. In this case, the external design should take into account the design of the room.

A canopy with a free-standing podium bed looks good only in those rooms where the ceiling height is significant. For low rooms, it is better to separate the sleeping area using a curtain or curtain.

Advice When the height of the podium is 0.3 m or more, it is necessary to provide a step for ease of ascent.

For convenience, we make a step

Frame materials

Podiums can be made of cast concrete or a wooden frame lined with sheet material. In the first case, concrete is poured into a pre-installed frame, which follows the shape of the future podium. After the concrete has hardened, its surface is leveled with a screed, then the floor covering is laid. This could be tiles, parquet, laminate, carpet, linoleum, etc.

The concrete podium is very durable and reliable, it does not lose moisture, does not rot and can withstand heavy loads.

The podium based on a wooden (metal frame) is very light, practically does not load the floors and is suitable for apartments in urban high-rise buildings. The front platform of the podium is made of flexible plywood, metal profiles, MDF panels, PVC plinths. The finishing of the podium can be done using various materials: carpet, laminate, parquet, linoleum, cork, ceramic tile.

You can't do without it

List of required materials and tools:

• dry timber 50*100 or 50*50;
• plywood, chipboard 10-12 mm thick;
• finishing materials at the final stage;
• fittings for sliding parts;
• screws, corners, glue - everything for wood;
• hammer drill, drill, screwdriver, grinder;
• marking tools (laser level, pencil, tape measure, etc.)