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

Intro: 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 https://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.

STEP 2: Assemble Each Side Table

Assemble each of the 12 tables for the queen bed by attaching the four legs to the table top with the help of the four screws supplied. The screw is pointed at both ends and there are markings on the underside of the table top and each leg showing where each screw goes in. You don't even need a screw driver as the leg itself acts as one. Assembling each table took me less than 15 minutes.

STEP 3: Arrange the Side Tables Side-By-Side

Arrange the twelve tables side-by-side - three on one side, four on the other Each table is 21.625" x 21.625" so the final dimension of your platform bed will be 86.5" x 64.875" - which is slightly bigger than a standard queen size mattress of 80" x 60" but once the bed sheets and covers are on the mattress, I haven't found it to be a problem.

I thought I might need to duct tape or otherwise tie the legs together but haven't needed to do it - the tables are totally staying in place on their own.

That's it - you now have your off-the-shelf platform bed for around $100 that you can take apart, move (even up and down flights of stairs) and put back together all by yourself at any time - no messing around with tape measures, hacksaws, drills, clamps and hammers in the garage for hours on end, no sweat and grime at all.

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

Comments

[paulaceder]

I have an eastern king bed (78" X 80") of organic latex making it very heavy. Conventional wood bed frames did not do the job. So I bought 16 Lack side tables from Ikea on sale @ $4.99 each and followed the instructions provided above.

The tables were simple to assemble as already noted, as you just turn the legs into the top with the screws provided. I am delighted at the sturdiness and stability of the platform and given the height of the Lack tables, if you wanted to use the space under the bed for storage it would be no problem at all.

This is an excellent, easy and cost-effective fix to the old mattress-on-the-floor problem. If you have an 18" mattress, which is pretty standard these days, your assembled bed will be a little higher than is typical, but I find it luxurious and I really like having to climb into bed at night.

Don't anticipate any issues with this installation and I highly recommend it as an attractive and cheap fix for your platform bed challenge.

Good luck!

[sbansban]

Thanks so much Paula. It makes me so very happy to know that I have been able to help anyone at all - I only started out intending to solve my own little problem and then when it turned out well, thought of sharing it publicly just in case someone benefited from it. Thanks to these forums, all of us internet users are now connected and empowered to help each other in so many small ways!

[paulaceder]

Have had the bed almost a year now and it is holding up beautifully. No issues with the tables getting creaky or moving around-just as sturdy as when I first created it.

Thanks again for the excellent idea!

Paula

[paulaceder]

Will keep you posted on how well it lasts-thanks again sbansban.

[urgemore]

@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!

[claudg1950]

So "my new wife and I destroyed a bed frame"? What are you here for? To learn or to brag? :-)

[urgemore]

:)

I guess I should follow up with some 1-year-later update. The platform remains solid, but it turns out that the tables aren't great for sitting on. Over time, the handy bench area shows wear where the legs want to push up through the top laminate. No such thing has happened under the mattress.

I'd recommend maybe setting a flat board or plexi cover on top of any exposed tabletop that you might sit or stand on.

[sbansban]

@urge - I have been sleeping on the tables (with my 9-sleeping bag mattress on top) for 2.5 years now and don't have a single issue with the tables. I have been using them as bed frame only though - not individually as tables or for sitting on.

[qawsedeswa]

Thanks for this great and cheap idea. I intend to use this platform with a folding mattress as an alternative to floor sleeping. The Ikea website states 25kg as the maximum load of each Lack table. How feasible would it be to use it as a living platform for sitting, reading etc, possibly with a laptop tray? Would i need to spread my weight across at least three tables to ensure it doesn't collapse under my weight?

[im_sejun]

do you think it would be ok - as in stable enough - to buy 4 lack tables and put them under each corner of the mattress? My mattress has wood framing under them(difficult to explain why).

[sbansban]

I doubt it. The middle portion of your mattress will probably cave in.

[kathynv]

Thank you for the amazing idea! I'm sure I could add another row of tables to accommodate our King bed, even if there is a slight border of tables, it should look nice. I am curious about your sleeping bag/mattress. I can buy an inexpensive Queen mattress online for well under $100, which is less expensive than two decent adult sized sleeping bags. However, it also seems to be a priority that you be able to move in your small car without assistance. If so, the sleeping bag probably works well. Thank you again.

[kyuliawan]

Has anyone used this to create a stage or a riser? Would it support a 100-200 pound person walking, running, and maybe jumping on top of it? As a solo musician, places I play at (bars, private parties, etc) often don't have a stage, which I feel helps make the performance feel more legit and "real". Being able to break down 10-12 lack tables and set them up would be a real space (and money!) saver for a portable stage setup!

[sbansban]

That would be pushing it IMHO. The insides of these are hollow - I found out after one broke after 5 years or so. If used just a few times, standing for a while or walking might work, but jumping on them, even once, would be going too far - and in any case, you would not want to risk any serious injuries. I would strongly advise against using them as a stage.

[paulaceder]

Just to confirm folks, this Ikea lack table platform bed is the best!

After several years I can definitely state there are no drawbacks to it at all and knowing that you could easily move your platform bed, if you had to, is a great comfort.

Thanks again for the wonderful idea, sbansban.

[paulaceder]

Just to let you know my platform bed is now in year three and despite my very heavy mattress it is help up beautifully. No shaking, creaking or weakness at all- a great cheap fix as I've said earlier and one I appreciate having learned about very much.

Thanks again!

Paula

[patty_a_gogo]

I know other people have asked this question regarding total weight load and stresses on the tables re vigorous activity but I would like to hear from people who are over 200 pounds and have experienced said activity.

Any crashes, embarrassments, injuries?

[patty_a_gogo]

I know other people have asked this question regarding total weight load and stresses on the tables re vigorous activity but I would like to hear from people who are over 200 pounds and have experienced said activity.

Any crashes, embarrassments, injuries?

[sbansban]

Update May 2014: The top of one side table gave way about a month back - but for me, no biggie. It has served me for four years and the replacement cost is only $8.

[stillonaroll]

Ok the side table platform is GENIUS. But the sleeping bags as a mattress? That is just awful. You can buy a futon mattress that rolls up or an air mattress that deflates. Both would be quite cheap and probably considerably more comfortable