Assembling a bed with a lifting mechanism: step-by-step instructions on what you will need

What you will need

Before you begin installation work, you should prepare the necessary equipment. To assemble the bed you will need a set of tools and additional materials.

Tools

The standard configuration of the bed includes various fasteners, to work with which you will need screwdrivers, ring wrenches and a screwdriver with a set of attachments. Since modern types of bedroom furniture often use Euroscrews with a hidden head and internal hexagon, it is also worth preparing keys for confirmation.

In addition to the basic tools, during installation work you may need a tape measure and a building level.

Materials

The assembly kit consists of fixing elements, body parts, lifting mechanism, mattress and decorative components. Before starting installation, it is worth checking the availability of all materials and laying them out at the work site.

Instructions

To properly assemble a bed with a lifting mechanism, you must read the instructions. As a rule, installation instructions are included with the bed. Having previously studied the manual, you will be able to get a general idea of the work ahead and calculate your capabilities. If necessary, assistants can be hired for further assembly.

Reply to the post “What is the difference between the IKEA instructions and the domestic ones?”

I furiously upvote. But, in the case of our producers, there are also additional quests included. A real case - happiness in the family, I am assembling a crib. The usual one is something like this:

And there are instructions for it and a list of two dozen components (fasteners). Something like this:

I’m assembling, the design is obvious, I’m sitting, looking at the instructions so that I can track the screws of different lengths and scatter them throughout the product in the correct order. And I understand that some kind of bullshit is turning out. I checked it 4 times, twisted it for 2 hours, took it apart/assembled, but it didn’t work. And then there’s the stupid design of the pendulum, when the crib hangs out + some springs and stoppers. It turned out that the manufacturer had lost the numbering in the middle of the list and “screw #7” is absolutely not this screw and it doesn’t really matter whether it’s a washer, a bolt, number 8 or 4.

After all, a popular network probably sells these beds in the thousands, there are people at the factory who develop these instructions, layout designers, those who order copies, accept them. And such a ridiculous mistake cost 2 hours of my life. If you add up the lost hours of all the young fathers, it will probably turn out that the mistake “killed” several people. How I got burned that time.

Procedure

Precise adherence to the procedure is the basis for proper installation. By following these steps step by step, you will be able to avoid common mistakes that can lead to damage to the product and shorten its service life.

Preparation and assembly of MDF parts

A large number of bed parts are made of MDF. When starting installation, all elements are freed from the packaging film and inspected for damage. If at least one element has defects, replacement is required. A damaged bed frame will not be secure. The parts are laid out at the installation site so that the side with holes for fasteners is on top.

Fasteners are screwed to all parts and connected to each other according to the instructions.

Installation of box and base

The main parts of the bed are the box and the base. First, the perimeter of the structure is assembled, which consists of three walls and a head back. To do this you need:

connect the walls and the head back to each other using fixing elements;
a base is placed on the constructed frame, which is usually made using wood and a metal frame;
To securely fix all components, tighten the screws with a screwdriver.

In some types of beds, longitudinal strength elements may be provided. In particular, solid longitudinal ties, brackets and corners, fixed to the structure with screws, are common. This feature is important to take into account during the work process.

Installing Corner Ties

The purpose of corner ties is to impart reliability to the assembled structure. The screed consists of several elements:

a corner in the form of a metal plate bent in the central part at a right angle;
bolts for fixing the plate to the frame;
threaded bushings.

To connect the two walls of the bed with a corner tie, the plate is placed on the inside at their junction. Then the bushings are inserted and the bolts are tightened first on one wall, and then the connections are aligned and the fasteners are fixed on the adjacent wall. If desired, it is possible to replace the standard model of corner tie with a modern version, for example, confirmat or minifix, which are distinguished by more compact dimensions.

How to install the lifting mechanism

When installing the lifting structure and determining its sides, it is important to avoid mistakes, as this will lead to improper functioning of the mechanism. The installation process requires the following steps:

Secure the furniture frame to the lifting mechanism. It is recommended to use screws for this. Before final fixation of the fasteners, it is necessary to level the gaps between the base and the frame.
Determine the appropriate level of force to operate the mechanism. As a rule, this information is indicated in the attached documentation.
Install the structure into the lifting mechanism with the cylinder facing up, using nuts with a locking ring and fluoroplastic washers.
Tighten the fixing nuts to the limit, then loosen the fastening slightly, leaving minimal play. After this, you should check the functioning of the lifting mechanism by lowering and raising the structure several times.

Installation of the traverse

The traverse is a special element that performs the function of a screed. Using a traverse, the lower part of the bed frame is fixed. The element is placed along the structure parallel to the longitudinal tension parts. The use of a traverse helps strengthen the structure, ensures stability and durability, and also makes it possible to securely fasten small side elements that most often fail.

Installation of frame and mattress holders

Handles for controlling the lifting mechanism and a mattress limiter that are convenient for everyday use are mounted on the furniture frame. If the bottom of the bed consists of slats, the number of which varies between 15-25, then they are hammered into special holders. Each lamella is secured on both sides, so this step will take a lot of time. The process is completed by installing the bottom of the bed and tightening the cover.

Varieties

A lifting structure is most often used due to the lack of living space. This makes it easy to transform one piece of furniture into another.

Gas shock absorbers

They independently lift the bed and take on the load. The best solution for a teenager or woman.

The shock absorber consists of a cylinder filled with nitrogen under pressure

In addition, the system is equipped with a shock absorber and a piston. For normal operation of the shock absorber, it also includes metal plates, shafts and a lift on the gas system.

However, not everyone can afford it due to the high cost.

The elevator is the most convenient and adapted

Spring mechanism

A spring system is used to lift the bed. Thanks to it, a person will need to spend less effort to set the furniture in motion.

Heavy-duty springs wear out quickly and require replacement

Lifting mechanism on hinges

The bed is operated by conventional hinges. The bed has an acceptable cost, which is combined with a high degree of reliability.

Transformation is produced by the force that a person applies

Possible difficulties during work

Without practical experience in assembling furniture or making minor mistakes, you may encounter difficulties. The following installation difficulties are common:

Need to drill additional holes. Recesses for fasteners are required in many parts of the structure, and if third-party elements are used, then new holes must be made on the body, having previously made markings.
Gas lift installation. The process of installing the lifting mechanism is the most difficult step, so it is important to be careful and follow the exact sequence of actions.
Incorrect markings on the furniture frame. If you make a mistake in the markings, you will not be able to assemble the bed correctly, so you need to check the measurements several times.

Reply to the post “What is the difference between the IKEA instructions and the domestic ones?”

Hoff. Instructions for assembling a table with 16 positions look like this:

This is all

“instructions” - there is no text with a sequence of actions. Here's an explosion diagram for you, enjoy.

The four legs are different from each other - the holes for the dowels (wooden cylinders) on which the inclined struts are mounted are located at different distances from the ends. Moreover, the parts themselves are not marked in any way, and it’s easy to confuse them during assembly. To avoid confusion, you need a tape measure. And if you mix it up, the struts simply won’t fall into place.

Or this. How obvious is it that the tie (labeled “p” and “o”) should not connect all three parts, but only two? The horizontal bar in the foreground does not participate in the festival.

A separate issue is the quality of the wood (so-so), processing (everything needs to be sanded, otherwise you can plant a splinter) and sawing (the difference in the length of the tabletop boards is up to seven millimeters). There are even photos in the reviews, you can go and look.

How to choose the right one

When choosing a bed for the bedroom, it is recommended to take an integrated approach. To ensure that furniture meets all requirements, you should pay attention to a number of basic criteria.

Company manufacturer

The furniture market offers a wide range of beds from different manufacturers. It is better to give preference to well-known brands whose product quality has been tested in practice. Since the bed is purchased for a long time, you should not experiment with products from little-known manufacturers.

Color

When deciding on the decorative characteristics of a bed, you must first take into account individual preferences. It is also important that the color of the furniture fits harmoniously into the existing style.

Load

Depending on the person for whom the bed is intended, the load indicator is determined. For children with low body weight, beds that can withstand minor loads are suitable, while adults should choose among more durable structures,

Type of operation of a gas lift to a bed

There are direct action mechanisms, when lifting is carried out by compressing the retractable rod, and reverse mechanisms. The result of the operation of gas lifts is the same, so this parameter is not particularly important and depends on the manufacturer.