DIY Platform Bed Substitute - Out-Of-The-Box, Portable, Lightweight & Inexpensive

I wanted a portable, lightweight and inexpensive platform bed substitute that I could put together and take apart at will and whose individual pieces I could carry in my car when I move. I did find a few metal bed frames that seemed at least somewhat portable - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Smart-Base-Bed-Frame-Queen-King/10924588 for $109 for example, but found them too heavy and unwieldy. I didn't think they would fit in my car when moving, and in addition, I thought the steel edges would tear up my planned improvised mattress out of several sleeping bags. After a lot of research, I found a solution that is working great for me. The items are easily available in a standard, international chain (IKEA) and each individual piece weighs just 10 lb and measures (as packaged) 22" W x 2.125" H x 33.125" L. You need no tools to assemble it and the improvised platform bed costs (as of 05/26/10) just about $96.

Note: I am also using an improvised mattress made out of eight $9 sleeping bags inserted into a zippered vinyl mattress cover to go with this DIY platform bed for a complete, inexpensive, portable, lightweight bedding solution. Details are at  http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Mattress-Substitute-Portable-Inexpensive-L/

Step 1: Buy 12 "LACK" Side Tables from IKEA

For a queen bed, buy 12 "LACK" side tables from IKEA - http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20011413 ($7.99 each as of 05/26/10). Each individual piece weighs just 10 lbs and measures (as packaged) 22" W x 2.125" H x 33.125" L. Though made of particleboard and therefore extremely light, I was told each table can support the weight of one adult standing on it. I was able to load and fit all twelve packages into my subcompact car quite easily.

Comments

[urge]

@LowKeyEnergy's observation is inaccurate. My new wife and I destroyed a bed frame, so I replaced it with this and dropped our queen sized memory foam mattress on it. Now there's no bed wobble, no squeaking.

As a bonus, there's a nice "bench" worth of length left at the foot, for sitting while putting on shoes and such. It turned out very nice looking.

Thanks, @sbansban!

[whisperonthewind]

So how much weight could this support? And what about activity resistance? LowKeyEnergy had a good point. Not just sexual activity, but what about kids that run and jump onto the bed to be with mom/dad? That may not add a lot of weight, but sudden force in one area might affect it. Anyone?

[sbansban]

I was told by the sales person at IKEA that each of these side tables can support at least one adult standing on it. They never had a problem supporting my weight (around 180 lbs) and I am confident each table can support a much heavier person as well.

[roystonlodge]

This would also be a quick and easy way to create a platform for a model railway, or a big gaming table for miniature battles.

Would it be strong enough to use as a makeshift riser for someone giving a speech?

[sanewby]

if you did need extra tension for lateral force you could order the spare part tension rod that comes with the malm beds - those metal tension rods can be adjusted and hidden up nice and tidy but do give opposing resistance and strength,

[LowKeyEnergy]

this has no resistance to lateral shear force . if you try to have sex on it , the legs will break off .

[bigwhitebear18]

 Use zip-ties to keep the legs together. No need for messy duct tape and if you need to change it or move you can easily cut the ties.

[sbansban]

@bigwhitebear18: Thanks for the suggestion. However, I found that the tables stay together on their own - never needed duct tapes or anything else.

[bigwhitebear18]

 You could make it really interesting and buy one of each color.