For my final project, I am planning on building a minimal bedframe that is easy to take apart and fold up for moving. My inspiration for this is the fact that over the past 4 years I have gone through 4 bedframes. Each time I move I have bought one from Ikea that is nice looking and within my price range, but then when I go to move it is not easy to take apart and fit in a car so I end up having to sell it. When I moved to Boulder I bought a bedframe on Amazon that is made to be folded up. It serves a function, but I have already received comments that it is ugly. I would like to design and build a bedframe that is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to move.
amazon.com
Below are some images I have used for inspiration:
https://www.bauhaus.info/moebelsysteme/massiv-blox-holzbalken/p/22301196?continueUrl=/suche/produkte%3Fq%3Dmassiv%2Bblox
http://furnituresafes.com/fabriquer-lit/fabriquer-lit-on-decoration-d-interieur-moderne-un-lit-sur-idees-5312×2988/
https://www.1001pallets.com/2016/05/best-of-beds-from-recycled-wood-pallets/
http://www.sheknows.com/home-and-gardening/articles/1080880/amazing-ways-to-recycle-wooden-pallets/amp
This is my current design idea:
It is a frame made out of stained wood (the stain undecided yet). It would break up into 5 pieces that are attached by dowel pins for easy construction/deconstruction. There will be the front and back supports with will be the interface with the ground, the side supports, and then the headboard. I would like to put door hinges on these parts so that they can fold in half to take up less space in a car since I have a smaller car. The side supports will be milled out and there will be removable slats running across the bed to hold up the mattress. The idea isn’t entirely fleshed out, and this is more of my concept for how to make it foldable.
My constraints for this project are:
- cost
- aesthetic
- manufacturing
- size
- time
Cost is my biggest constraint. I am worried about the price of wood adding up quickly and this project getting beyond my budget before I can get it where I want it.
For the aesthetic, I am planning on a minimalist, Bauhaus style look. I like the look of Bauhaus style furniture, and I think the minimalist aesthetic and entire movement fits well with the concept of a movable bedframe and having to use less stuff within a lifetime.
I haven’t done a lot of woodworking, so the manufacturing of this will be an exciting challenge and an opportunity to learn new skills. Figuring out the proper techniques to use and how to go about making my idea a reality will be interesting.
I am also a little worried about the size of this project making it difficult to work on using the tools and shops on campus. Having to bring big pieces of wood back and forth may be difficult. Since my goal is to make the frame come apart into manageable parts, I think as long as I’m only working on one section at a time it shouldn’t be too bad.
Time is another constraint common to a lot of people. With other classes and busy shops on campus, I need to make sure that my project is realistic given the time constraint.
I also want to look into extending the aesthetic beyond minimalist and Baushaus, and adding something to make it more unique. One idea I’m playing around with is building LEDs into the frame; most likely in the headboard. Some inspiration images for this are shown below:
https://www.artofit.org/image-gallery/734438651709894858/9-jolting-cool-tips-furniture-makeover-diy-furniture-restoration-projects-scandinavian-furniture-chic-street-furniture-public-spaces-black-victorian-furniture/
http://www.sheknows.com/home-and-gardening/articles/1080880/amazing-ways-to-recycle-wooden-pallets/amp
14 Comments. Leave new
Nice post
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Hi Joshua,
I really like your project idea. Not only will it be aesthetically appealing but it will also serve a very useful function if done properly. Like some of the other comments, I think that using a lighter color wood will create a better overall outcome.
I really like this project idea Josh! For the past 3 years, I have used a bed frame that folds up and it has been a life saver, so I’m sure you’ll get a lot of use out of the project. I also really like the minimalistic aesthetic and think it fits well in almost any bedroom. I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
I like the challenge you are taking on of building something so big. I also like the idea of using pallets. I really like the aesthetic of objects that re-purpose pallets. I would definitely suggest taking a class on woodworking if you are not totally comfortable with it at the moment. Hope it all goes well!
Very nice. Good idea to improve the aesthetic of your existing bedframe while keeping it portable. I think you could use the laser cutter to cut the headboard with the lights.
Also, I should mention, I am very willing to help with fabricating the wood, whatever you choose.
I really love your idea to implement Bauhaus style into your project. For the head board, LED light strips is a cool technology to decorate the bed frame.
Wow! that’s awesome huge cool project! I suggest you to take the wood workshop in Fleming, it’s really good. You may want use door hinges because they’re stronger.
Josh, what other aesthetics are you choosing to use besides minimalistic? Can you add a different aesthetic to this bedframe? I have built a bed frame before and easy to move/cheap is going to be challenging. Screwing my bed together has been a pain every single time I move. Maybe look into a different attachment method! Best of luck, and I look forward to seeing this!
I like how you chose this project to solve problems in life. At the end of the class you not only have something with unique style but also very useful. I suggest start simple to make sure the basics can be done within limited time. If everything goes well then you can think about adding LEDs and other aesthetic features.
I love your idea that’s driving your project, it sounds like its a personal project that you would put in effort in to make it serve your life. Minimal aesthetic is really nice especially when moving many times, it could easily match any room decor. I would encourage you to work with the light woodwork design because that would upgrade the entire project to the next level. I think that cost is the most difficult constraint that you would have to work with. Nice idea!
I really like the palette idea, I think it would be cool to see the a large palette function as a bed frame. I think the headboard would be a good place to incorporate an aesthetic. Looking forward to seeing the final product!
The inspiration behind this project is funny but the final product you make could be of use. I agree bed frames are hard to move or they are ugly if they are the foldable type. I think you should definitely try to incorporate LEDs into the project