My Bed, it's Floating

[stuphoto]

My bed is not actually floating, but I built it with the illusion in mind.


Here is the building process

The basic frame built on a box


With 1x4 slats 2 1/2" apart rather than a box spring.


I honestly built it 2" higher than my original plan so I could have a nice storage place underneath.


I actually built it in 3 main sections so it can easily dismantle and fit with the base box in my Audi wagon. Plus the 2 platform sections on my roofrack.
This was partly done because the staircase going into my suite has a sharp corner.

As you can see I still have to finish the base.
Since my goal was to make it look like a Modern Antique, I will find some antique looking black fabric. Then wrap it in that.
Oh those mood lights underneath are just from a $ store.
I bought them out but need 3 more.

[dirtybiker]

Dang, nice work BUT !

The 70 to 72 Chev/GMC and the ...not sure J20 ? 4 by, are more interesting to me.

[stuphoto]

Not my trucks but I know the owner

[Bsuds]

I did something similar with our waterbed frame when we switched to a mattress. A king waterbed is a different size compared to a regular king mattress.

The only thing I wish I had done different is made the foot of the bed about 6" deeper so I don't hit it with my toes. It looks like yours is the same in the first picture as it comes right to the end of the mattress. You may end up regretting that.

Other than that it looks good.

[alanjh595]

This design also looks like it would be a great "stubbed toe" preventer.

I was also thinking about doing the same, but as far as I got was purchasing the blue rope light.

[stuphoto]

The base is set in 17.5 inches from both ends, and 13.5 inches from the sides.
Since my feet are small I doubt I will ever stub a toe.


Shaq might, but then again he would need a California King or bigger bed

[oneh2obabe]

^^^Shaq would need a bigger bed ... California King is 7' long and Shaq stands 7' 1".

[Even Steven]

Can you make lights go disco during ...umh...Barry White time?

[Bsuds]

The base is set in 17.5 inches from both ends, and 13.5 inches from the sides.
Since my feet are small I doubt I will ever stub a toe.

In the first picture it look like the base is even with the end of the mattress. Is that your old frame?

[stuphoto]

Yes, the Illusion Works
Here is a photo from under the end

I think that the dark outer frame helps with the effects Bsuds.
I once had a bed with a simular outer frame, and they can bash your shins for the first couple days. Then you just automatically start using it as a step without even thinking of it.

And yes those lights have a Disco mode Steven,
Not as programable as I would like but for $4 each they are pretty good.

[stuphoto]

I just pulled back the mattress and removed a couple slats for a better view.

The base corner.

That is 5/8" ply so the bed should last me my lifetime.


The slats are velcroed on.

It seems like everyone either screws them on or leaves them completely loose. I figure this way they won't move on me, and yet I can remove them easily.

Every 8' 1x4 made 1 1/2 slats. So I had very little wasted wood.

The few scraps went to a friend with a wood stove.

My expected budget was $200 however it honestly cost me almost double that.
As a result I am thinking I may make a good finance Minister
However some of that was buying some tools that I needed anyway like Router bits.
Plus enough screws for 2 beds, and enough stain for 4 beds.
So it probably wasn't that much over budget.

[TylerM4]

Looks like a nice solid build!

Is the bed tippy at all if you put all your weight on 1 edge?

[Boosted632]

Was this a covid project or do you really have that much free time on your hands

[stuphoto]

Thank you Tyler,
Very good question. I was wondering the same thing until i finished it.
Without the mattress I could just tip it with my 175 lbs right on the end.
With the mattress its absolutely solid.
I was ready to add weight if needed.
2 people at the end at once would tip it. Probably not 2 people on the side with the shorter overhang.
Next time I would build it those 2" lower and build the base out 2" further.

Unexpected question Boosted,
With several answers.
I am an artist, so I hate ugly or ordinary things. So I wouldn't settle for an ugly bed frame with box spring.
Plus I hate particle board, so you know I won't buy 99% of the junk out now.
As mentioned earlier I have a sharp corner going into my place, so I can't fit a1 piece frame into my pad.
Plus you are sort of right. It did give me something to do.
However with that in mind I have no shortage of projects.

On a side note, I sourced the lumber through 3 stores picking the finest for the section.
The best lumber I found was milled from West Kelowna's very own Gorman Mill.
Very little warping, and in general just nice clean lumber.
Nice work people

[Queen K]

Was this a covid project or do you really have that much free time on your hands

With modern convienances we all have free time on our hands. Or do you churn your own butter?