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We’re downsizing from a large five-bedroom house into a small 2–3 bedroom apartment, so every bit of space counts. I’m obsessed with clever space-saving ideas and love the concept of a raised bed, loft bed, or platform bed with built-in storage underneath.
I’ve attached a couple of photos for inspiration — this is the kind of setup I’d like to create in my daughter’s room. The apartment has solid double-brick walls, so I’m planning to use those for extra stability.
My question: what Bunnings product(s) would you recommend for a project like this?
Would you build a frame from timber or hack together storage cabinets as the base?
Hello @bronthebuilder
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about building a custom sleeping platform.
Great minds think alike, I immediately thought of the Kaboodle cabinetry as a base for the bed. The only thing that I would change in the setup is to use a timber base frame instead of the plastic legs. For the narrow cabinetry on the right side, I would suggest using wall cabinetry. But if you wish to have it deeper, then standard base cabinets will work as well. Generally speaking, both options are open to you as you can build the platform from scratch and use the entire deep space of the platform as both storage and wardrobe.
Even the space behind the ladder can be used. The ladder can be modified as a lift up cover revealing a cabinet behind the stairs. It technically depends on how much effort you wish to apply to this project or if you only wish to use the front of the sleeping platform. The other side of the room can be used for the study desk and a small library.
Let me call on our experienced members @AlanM52, @Nailbag and @lifestylebymari for their recommendations.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
What a great set up, my granddaughter's would love this!
I feel to utilise the full space under the bed, ready made cabinets may be too shallow, perhaps a frame made out of structural pine, 70x35, with plywood partitions separating each "locker" (I think 7-9mm should do). To access the full depth, heavy duty drawer runners could be used.
Don't forget to add some ventilation underneath the mattress, on solid plywood, mattresses can accumulate mold etc, either use a hole saw to add ventilation to the ply or add interlocking mats from Bunnings for an easier option.
I hope you show us how you go, I'd love to see it.
Shelley
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Great tip from @twocutekelpies there @bronthebuilder. Mattresses on solid surfaces go mouldy underneath very quickly.
Mitchell
