Lifting (folding) bed

It is not at all easy to equip an apartment or a house so that it is comfortable and beautiful. We often face the need to use non-standard solutions. Usually it is necessary to "trick" in small rooms. The most difficult thing is to equip a full-fledged sleeping place. And good rest is one of the components of beauty and health. There is still a way out. This is a folding bed. This furniture is also called lifting, transformer, built-in, built-in, etc.

Design features

Beds with lifting mattresses, which are tucked into a closet, into a wall or have the appearance of a shelf, can be of two types: vertical and horizontal. Horizontal are single or one-and-a-half. They do not take up the entire height of the cabinet and the upper shelves can be used for storage. Such models are good for children and adolescents, as an option for guests.

Difference between horizontal (right) and vertical (left) folding beds

Vertical folding beds can be of any width - from 90 to 210 cm, but require high ceilings. Consider for yourself: the comfortable length of the mattress is 200-220 cm, plus space on the frame, on the cabinet frame. In total, the ceiling height for a 200 cm mattress should certainly be at least 220 cm, and even more for longer ones.

Also keep in mind that a folding or lifting bed is attached to the wall. In this case, the bearing capacity of the wall must be sufficient to withstand the considerable loads that occur while the mattress is being lowered or raised. Such actions will have to be repeated often, so that the wall must be reliable (plasterboard partitions not suitable, as well as walls made of aerated concrete).

The folding bed can be single, one and a half, double. The mattress can be foam or spring. There are three types of mechanisms used: springs, pneumatic lifts, and remote controlled electric drives.

Advantages and disadvantages

When deciding whether or not to buy a folding bed, you need to weigh the pros and cons well. At first glance, this idea is very attractive: a full bed is always good, and if it also saves space, as they say in advertisements, then it's just great. But is space really being saved? It depends on how you look at it.

You can't put anything in the place "under the bed"

On the one hand, the structure was raised, the place is free. So, it seems, and it is saved. But, on the other hand, you won't put anything here. Is that some kind of movable furniture, which each time will need to be moved to the side. This is not encouraging and they only go for this in case of an acute lack of space. In this case, the free space can be occupied by a folding / folding table (it is possible - built into another closet), organizing a workplace while the bed is not needed.

The second use of this space: in a small children's room. The bed has been raised, and you can play in the freed space. Folding beds are also good if the living room needs to be turned into a guest bedroom. Although, this is an expensive option - clamshells are much cheaper. But, it's up to you. In other cases, you can simply be glad that the bed does not interfere with walking around the room.

A folding bed-wardrobe-table can be in the student's room

There is one more thing. The good thing about stationary beds is that you can always sit down or lie down on them. A lift bed does not provide this option. It is good if there is a sofa or sofa, as a last resort - an armchair. If not, if you wanted to sit down or lie down, lay it out.Although, there are models - a sofa bed-wardrobe, which are devoid of this disadvantage. We will talk about them below.

Where is it better to order and what to look for

Like most other furniture, a built-in folding bed can be ordered from a private owner or from a factory, in a furniture workshop. In this case, it is best to order where the production of such furniture is not one-off, but put on stream. The fact is that for each order you need to select your own mechanism. If it is not chosen correctly, the bed will either be difficult to lift, or it may rise spontaneously. Both options bring little joy, but the latter is much worse, as it can lead to injury.

Shelves are optional, but allow for more space utilization

When choosing a manufacturer or buying a ready-made version, ask about the furniture warranty. It is normal if the furniture itself is given a warranty period of at least 1.5 years and for the mechanism - at least 5 years. Also inspect the locking system in the closed position, try how easily the mechanism works.

If you choose a lift bed built into a wardrobe, pay attention to the appearance of the furniture when closed. After all, during the day she will stand in this form and she should look good. Also see that the bed frame is not much larger than the mattress. A bed with a 10 cm frame protruding beyond the mattress is very uncomfortable and threatens with permanent bruises.

Folding bed: types and features

The desire to sleep on a good bed is understandable and logical - only a comfortable sleep allows you to quickly recuperate. But it is far from always possible to put a regular bed. Not only are our apartments not very large, but there are often not enough rooms in them. So we have to make the premises multifunctional (combine living room or an office with a bedroom) or occupy two or more children in one room. So you have to look for a solution. One of them is a folding bed or a transforming bed. There are different types of them, so that a solution can be found for any occasion.

Built-in bed in wardrobe

The size of a bed for a lifting bed built into a wardrobe can be anything - from a single bed to a full double bed (euros). There may be two separate beds. The main thing is that there is a place where the cabinet furniture can be installed and secured (do not forget about the need for a rigid and reliable fixation).

Two separate berths

There are several ways to make this furniture look attractive. After all, a bed built into the wardrobe should look attractive not only when unfolded, but also when folded. The first way: the bed is hidden in the closet, behind the doors. By the type of execution, the doors can be ordinary hinged or compartment type. Both options are not ideal.

A bed built into a wardrobe with hinged doors in the lowered state turns out to be almost half closed. Not everyone likes this, and it's not very convenient.

The headboard is covered with open doors ... uncomfortable

The second option is a bed built into a wardrobe. Here the situation is better - the headboard is only 30-40 cm in the closet, which practically does not interfere. But there is another drawback: adjacent sections of the cabinet are blocked by the pushed back door. That is, while the bed is thrown back, the cabinet cannot be used.

Only cabinets with triple doors are devoid of this drawback. Three doors, rolling on three rails. All of them can be "driven" into one of the parts. The other two are open. In the case of a built-in folding bed, this is possible only for narrow models. After all, the width of adjacent sections should be slightly wider. That is, the closet itself should be slightly longer than three times the width of the bed. With a bed width of 120 cm, this is 380 cm and no less. Such a wardrobe cannot be installed everywhere, but if the bed is even wider ...

The doors are pushed back and block access to the cabinet

The third option is the most common. The back of the bed is trimmed to resemble the wardrobes next to it. The problem here is the legs.They are difficult to hide. Sometimes they stick out like the antennae of bees, which looks unattractive.

Legs stick out….

Some firms make such legs in the form of visors that protrude from the cabinet. Someone is ready to put up with such a disadvantage, someone categorically does not suit this.

Solid leg looks more attractive, but not perfect

There is also an option with shelf legs. It is much nicer, but also more expensive, since these are additional mechanisms and stops.

Shelf or decoration leg

Sofa bed wardrobe

The problem with daytime rest is solved if the folding bed in the "daytime" state has a sofa at the foot. This option is really convenient. And during the day there is a place to rest, and at night you have a full bed.

Sofa bed wardrobe - these models are more comfortable

The disadvantage of this option is the high price. A wardrobe bed starts at $ 500, and with a sofa at the bottom, prices start at about $ 700. But it is worth saying that only double models are made in this form, and they are not cheap and just like a folding bed.

Horizontal models (bed-curbstone)

A folding bed with a single or one and a half berths can be made in the form of a curbstone. They are also called horizontal lift models, since the mattress is attached to the furniture frame for the long side, in relation to the wall it is located along the horizon. Hence the "horizontal" rise.

Folding bed in the form of a curbstone - horizontal lifting mechanism

These models are slightly cheaper, as the mechanism requires less lift. And not only due to a smaller berth, but also due to a smaller shoulder of strength.

Horizontal lifting beds can also be built into the closet

A horizontal folding bed can also be built into the wardrobe, or it can be in the form of a free-standing cabinet. When installing such furniture, it must also be securely fixed, but there are two ways: to the wall or to the floor. Floor anchoring is also possible due to lower loads. In this case, you can put the bed-cabinet with its end to the wall and use it as a room divider.

Bunk bed in the closet

There are also bunk beds. They are good for children's rooms with two or more children. The upper tier cannot be used differently, and the lower one can also be folded as a table.

Interesting solutions (photo)

Whether you need a folding bed or not, it's up to you. Basically, you have to choose between folding sofas and lifting beds. Having studied the reviews, we can say that people of the old school prefer more familiar sofas. After all, you can sit and lie on them, and some models are quite comfortable today, they can be made from orthopedic mattresses (if it is important) and older people are easier and more familiar with them.

Young people are more likely to lean towards built-in beds. They are more progressive and give more freedom when creating interiors. Below are photos that can give you a boost in understanding what kind of folding bed you want.

The bed can be built into a furniture wall with a corner wardrobe

Loft-style decoration

Mini wall with lifting bed / table for nursery

This option looks just like a wardrobe.

Modern wall option

More concise execution, and a fixed table is not superfluous in a small room

The side view, of course, is not impressive ... but what you will not go for a good bed

The idea of ​​lighting and shelves is good. But it is necessary in advance wire up

The bed-cabinet can serve as a division of the room into zones