DIY round podium. DIY podium bed: an excellent solution for a children's room. Step-by-step instructions: preparing the material

Installing a podium is a good technique for a room of any size and purpose. With its help, they hide a spacious place for storing things or sleeping, zone them, raise part of the room to another level, making a compositional accent.

Purpose of the podium

Rest zone

So that the elevation does not become a source of danger or an obstacle on the way around the house, thoughtful technical solutions are needed.

The podium will suit any style of room; two levels are appropriate in modern design with an abundance of glass, plastic and chrome parts. or a living room designed in oriental style can generally get by with just a podium: no need for sofas, armchairs, stools.

The bed is a high mattress on a podium; the role of sofas is played by wide, long steps with pillows laid on them. Pillows will soften the harsh environment of a two-level structure.

In a large bathroom, the podium hides communications and delimits the toilet and bathroom areas.

In the studio apartment, a high podium with steps opens onto a separate plane with a study area and a computer desk. The same project can be implemented by separating the study space from the play space. In the depths of the podium, things are stored or a retractable place to sleep is waiting in the wings.

Accommodation options

If the appearance of the podium is dictated by technical necessity, it is placed in places where pipes, wires, and air ducts are located.

Having the intention to decorate the room unusual design, when placing the elevation, they are guided by the following rules:

• it will be inconvenient to walk around the podium rising in the center of the room or in passage areas;
• the configuration of the room sometimes determines the position of the podium: the presence of columns, niches, alcoves, ;



• It is better to divide a rectangular elongated room with a podium, making it visually wider; in a square room, a corner elevation of a rectangular, square or round shape will look good;
• if there is a sleeping place on the podium or a pullout from it, then place it where a simple bed would look logical;



• The easiest way is to fit a podium into a studio apartment, where it will serve as a zoning function, and in a room with a complex configuration, where the location of the elevation will be suggested by the existing structural projections.

Materials for manufacturing

Requirements that should be met for the material for making the podium:

• lightness is important to create a structure that does not overly load the floors;
• reliability - to withstand the weight of furniture and moving people;
• noiselessness - the material should not make creaks or knocks during loads.








You can sheathe the front part of the podium:

• laminate using a special substrate;
• solid wood;
• ceramic tiles;
• linoleum;
• carpet



The choice of top depends on the design of the room and the load-bearing capacity of the frame.

• timber 30x40 mm;
• timber 50x50 mm;
• plywood 10 mm;
• plywood 20 mm;
• fasteners - self-tapping screws, anchors, dowel-nails, simple and reinforced mounting angles 50 mm.



Podium design for a children's room

The beams of the supporting walls are vertically attached to the walls of the room with anchors. The strength of the structure depends on the width of the step between the supports: the smaller it is, the greater the load the podium will withstand. A distance of 40 cm is considered optimal. By laying horizontal beams on the racks, the upper part of the frame is assembled. Using nails or self-tapping screws, the beams are connected to each other, maintaining a right angle. For additional strength, use a metal corner.

Podium bed – quite simple design. If you have experience working with wood and metal profiles, then building it yourself is a completely feasible idea. Well, designing and decorating yourself is almost always more interesting than copying a finished project. Moreover, the main interested party – the child – can be involved in this responsible activity.

There are no fundamental differences between the podiums in the children's and adult bedrooms. This is a frame made of timber or steel profile, covered with wood or fiberboards. However, in a nursery, the option with pull-out beds is implemented more often: firstly, free space is important here, while adult bedroom they like to clutter things up with furniture. And, secondly, the child’s height allows the structure to be made quite tall.

DIY podium bed in the nursery (photo)

Another difference: a podium bed often means its classic “Japanese” version, that is, a 15 cm high platform on which a stationary double bed is installed. In a nursery, this option is useless and unprofitable, since it does not save space. Here the podium is a structure in which you can hide a bed or large drawers. This is especially true in.

Bed over the podium

Options for a nursery are almost always more difficult for two reasons: firstly, it is necessary to free up as much space as possible from furniture, and secondly, the small stature of a child allows transformers to be successfully and variably used. As a result, the podium often turns into a real construction set.

• Low elevation is the easiest for self-execution solution. The box is small in height - 20 cm is enough for boxes, occupying about a third of the room. In a nursery, the podium plays the role of a sleeping area rather than a base for a mattress. Here you can place a mattress with a bed, or you can install a full-fledged low crib with a bedside table or a couple of shelves for bedtime toys and household items.
• Middle level - the podium occupies a corner or, again, about a third of the children's room, but due to its high height it looks like a chest of drawers - with three levels of drawers and a free section for sports equipment, for example. The choice between a bed and a mattress is determined by the height of the child and the height of the ceiling. In any case, steps are needed here, and handrails and guardrails are required for children.

An example of a bed over a podium with your own hands (photo)

• Transformer is an option for schoolchildren. In addition to retractable drawers, a folding or retractable tabletop, or even a roll-out table with a cabinet, is mounted; there are open shelves for a system unit and books. This structure is more complex, but it also solves the problem of furnishing for a long time.

Bed under the podium

The requirements for the elevation parameters in this case are more stringent, but in general the design remains the same.

The minimum height of the podium is the sum of the height of the bed (base plus rollers), the mattress – 8–16 cm depending on the model, the bed – at least 5 cm, and 10–20 cm for free extension. Together this will be about 50 cm, and, as a rule, higher. It is not recommended to do the following: either the structure will be difficult to roll out, or you will have to remove the mattress and bed and store them separately during the day, which is inconvenient.

• You can install one or two beds next to each other, or install them on top of each other - the height of the podium will be at least 1.2 m. If the ceiling height is high, this option is possible.
• A do-it-yourself retractable podium bed can look like a box, that is, when retracted, its headboard covers the space of the box. Another option is possible: the low bed simply slides under the high podium. Moreover, it is used regular bed, but for the sake of preserving the floor covering, it is advisable to cover its legs with rubber or equip it with furniture casters.

If desired and experience is available, the design can be made curved.

Bed under the podium, examples of the master’s work (photo)

DIY podium bed
Podium bed in a nautical style
Children's room with podium bed

Selection and calculation of material

The materials used are the same for any podium, but the dimensional parameters of the timber or cladding depend on the area and load.

• Suitable for frames in most cases wooden beam cross section 30*30 mm. It is advisable to install a 50*50 mm beam as the base.

If we are talking about a high podium, where it is planned to install both drawers and a bed, it is recommended to use metallic profile. It is also worth considering the weight load created by the structure.

• If you plan to install drawers, then it is necessary to form compartments inside the elevation. To do this you will need boards 16 mm thick.
• Plywood, fiberboard, chipboard or wooden boards. The thickness of plywood or chipboard is 12–15 mm, boards are 10 mm.
• You will need fastenings - dowels, wood screws, metal corners, wing nuts. The amount of material depends on the size of the podium and the expected load.
• The distance between the vertical supports of the frame ranges from 60 to 100 cm, and varies quite widely depending on the size of the box or beds. The height of the structure is determined arbitrarily.
• For a drawer and a podium under a bed, made by yourself, of course, you need different amounts of material. It also matters how many parts are purchased in finished form, and how much is expected to be done independently. It is recommended to buy for a pull-out bed slatted bottom, rather than making a solid plywood bottom.

The calculation must be made according to the finished drawing. A sketch that adheres to scale will not allow you to make a mistake or miss any detail.

Drawing of a podium with a pull-out bed with a large sleeping area

Tools

For the construction you will need ordinary tool for woodworking.

• A drill and a screwdriver are the most necessary ones; without them, high-quality fastening cannot be achieved.
• Hacksaw or jigsaw - for cutting boards and timber. If the frame is made from a profile, then a hacksaw is needed.
• Hex keys and fasteners - depending on the material.
• If you plan to process the boards yourself, you will need carpentry tools.

Manufacturing technology

1. At the first stage, a sketch is developed. It is necessary to establish the dimensions of the room and the parameters of the proposed podium, then depict them on the drawing in accordance with the scale. Calculating the shape, load and material is much easier than estimating by eye.
2. Mark the floor for the future foundation. Not only the outline is noted, but also the placement of vertical supports and crossbars under the boxes. If the podium is adjacent to the wall, then the plinth is dismantled in this area: it will be installed here wooden base frame.
3. The podium and the pull-out bed or drawer are assembled separately from each other. The simplest bed design is a lounger on casters with a solid or slatted bottom. A headboard is not required in principle, but for the sake of the aesthetics of the entire structure, it is usually installed. This option is the simplest and most convenient.
4. A beam with a cross-section of 50*50 mm is secured along the contour, fastening with self-tapping screws up to 16 mm.
5. Vertical supports with a cross section of 30*30 mm are installed on the frame: the height is equal to the height of the podium minus the double thickness of the timber. Fasteners – metal corners. If the supports come into contact with the wall, they are additionally secured with dowels.
6. Install the top trim on the supports and cross beams. If the podium area is large, then it is worth securing the longitudinal ones, and strengthening the joining points with additional vertical supports.
7. If the installation of boxes is intended, then the sections for them include fastening the boards between the supports. In its finished form, the structure under the drawer looks like a cavity made of two wooden sides, on which the guides are fixed. If the box is on casters, then guides are not needed.
8. The frame is sheathed with plywood or chipboard: the slabs are cut to the size of the frame cells and secured to the beams.

Laminated chipboard does not require any further finishing. In other cases, painting, sanding, or varnishing may be necessary. Carpet is often installed in a nursery because it is soft and warm.

How to make a podium bed with your own hands (video):

Models and drawings of do-it-yourself podium beds

Most do-it-yourself models have a simple design. This is due to the unavailability of a variety of modern technologies for home use.

Podium bed for the nursery

For example, in a curved podium, the cladding slats must be curved accordingly. It is extremely difficult to do this at home. Therefore, when building a podium for a bed with your own hands, they make do with a simpler option: cut out a curved element from chipboard or plywood and install it on supports. The space underneath can be equipped as a niche for books.

• Ready-made diagrams and drawings of do-it-yourself podium beds can be found on construction and repair sites. In most cases, in addition to dimensions, the drawings contain information about the materials used. It is possible and necessary to apply them in practice, but with one caveat: finished project designed for specific sizes. If the parameters change, then only proportionally, taking into account the appearance of additional supports and beams.
• If the design suits you, but the dimensional parameters are different, you will have to recalculate it yourself. Each such project is made taking into account a certain load, which cannot be exceeded.

DIY podium bed with drawers (photo)

As a rule, home craftsmen accompany their work on making podium beds with their own hands not only with descriptions, but also with photos of each stage and almost every fastening. This is very helpful information for a beginner, which is worth using.

At self-production podium beds, the most difficult part is the bed or drawer. If you can handle it, then building a podium will definitely not cause any difficulties.

A podium bed in an apartment allows you to economically organize space and creates maximum comfort. In other words, this is a sleeping place that is located on a hill. This design combines convenience with functionality. All types and placement options are discussed in more detail later in the article.

Advantages of a podium bed

The beginning of such an organization sleeping place laid down Japanese traditions that received a new interpretation. The designs of the models that are presented are varied. They differ in the size of structures, types, and materials.

Types of structures by organization

There are many models of raised decking with a bed. All of them are divided into three main types:

• Traditional.
• Improved.
• Retractable.

The choice of a specific type of structure should take into account:

There is no clear opinion about the podium bed even among designers. Many are confident in the advisability of such an organization only for very large premises. But not everything in this matter is clear. It is possible to install it even in a modest-sized apartment with a not very favorable layout.

The frame version has a relatively simple organization. It uses metal, wood or a combination of several materials.

The average height of the podium in an ordinary apartment is from 0.25 to 0.55 m. If you need to organize storage systems, then the height should be about half a meter.

Often the podium has a rectangular shape. But this requirement is not considered mandatory. The round, semicircular shape also looks no less interesting.

The podium usually has a completely flat top floor. But perhaps even a wide mattress can be placed in the recess below the sides. This will make it possible to use the protruding planes as bedside tables and additional shelves.

Traditional podium

This type is the simplest to implement. It looks like a rigid frame made of wood with a covering of wear-resistant material and a mattress on top. The height of the flooring is usually about half a meter.

The casing is made from the following materials:

One of the most simple ways decoration of the outer part of the podium - painting in several layers. The right shade will create a harmonious space in the room, where each element has its place.

Improved version

This type of bed is similar to the previous one, but with added functionality. The podium has retractable storage chambers for things: for bed linen, clothes, etc.

The decorative and originality of the structure is combined with practicality of use. Storage systems in the form of drawers can be combined with open shelves for books, souvenirs, frequently used small items, and blankets. A system of entire segments having different appearance.

Retractable mechanism

A bed with a pull-out system is a comfortable sleeping place that can be pushed under the podium. The roll-out device allows you to use the resulting free podium for organizing a workplace or storing things.

In withdrawable systems, it is necessary to pay attention to the quietness of the drawout. To do this, the wheels must have a high-quality rubber coating that does not scratch the floor and makes it possible to move the bed out and in quietly.

Plastic wheels are not suitable. If used frequently, they may leave marks on the floor. In addition, plastic has a short service life and quickly becomes unusable.

Types of structures

Depending on the design features, podiums also come in several types. This is determined by the purpose of the design and the principle of organization.

Decorative

This type of podium is designed to separate functional zones. Decorative design attracts attention and creates a fashionable accent in the room.

Technical

Except interesting design and unusualness, a bed with a podium can serve a very practical role. The main task of such an organization is to hide communication lines. Additionally, the space can be used to store things.

Combined

With this type, the bed is rolled out during sleep and pushed under the flooring the rest of the time. This saves a lot of space. Other types: with a folding mattress or the presence of convenient drawers.

Material: what to pay attention to?

The material affects not only the appearance of the structure, but also its strength. Cast concrete as a frame is considered the most reliable and solid.

This type of bed is sometimes chosen by very heavy people.

The concrete structure, due to its high strength, can support any human weight. At the same time, the mattress placed on top creates the necessary comfort and convenience. But most often preference is given to natural wood or metal.

The advantages of using concrete are its resistance to moisture and can withstand even significant loads. Wooden frame, like metal, is lightweight. The facade part is usually made of plywood.

To emphasize the originality of the composition, the bed can be made unusual shape. For example, in the form of a semicircle.

The selection of finishes is limited by the style of the room and financial capabilities. Looks very impressive natural wood, treated with stain. Originality and comfort are combined in the finishing with carpet or fur.

Round podium: an unusual solution

A podium in the shape of a circle is a current design technique. But is it always possible to implement it? Round bed in this case, it has a diameter of up to 250 cm. Plus, there is room for passage.

Does your apartment allow you to install such parameters? If the room is large, it can be mounted in the center.

If the area is medium, then the bed will have to be installed near one of the walls. And if the room is too small, the bed may not even fit at all.

Equipment: what to choose?

Podium beds, even if they belong to the same type, can have many differences and features.

TO important points The following parameters can be selected:

• logs;
• the presence of headrests and armrests;
• selection of material for the supporting structure;
• finishing material;
• canopy;
• presence of mechanical devices;
• the need to design steps.

If the podium will not be used as a place to store things, then you can choose a monolithic structure. In this case, the external design should take into account the design of the room.

A canopy with a free-standing podium bed looks good only in those rooms where the ceiling height is significant. For low rooms, it is better to separate the sleeping area using a curtain or curtain.

Advice

When the podium height is 0.3 m or more, it is necessary to provide a step for ease of ascent.

Room style: do you need to stick to it?

Each design style imposes certain requirements:

• The nautical style can be maintained indoors by organizing a podium mounted into the wall, using appropriate accessories and a blue and white color scheme.
• Eco-friendly style is emphasized wooden models floorings protruding beyond the bed. At the same time, highlighting the texture of the wood is welcome.
• Minimalism is located towards simple forms and the absence of eye-catching accessories. The height of the deck should be about 0.2 m or less.
• In a small room, free space should be economical. At the same time, the presence of drawers makes storing things easier.
• The tall structure allows you to well divide the space and highlight zones.
• In a country-style interior, it is desirable that the wooden surfaces of the podium match the rest of the furniture in color, texture, and processing technique.
• The distinctly rough processing of the wood adds style to the room. This option is good for decoration country houses and dachas.
• In the Art Deco style, the accent of the interior will be a white podium bed with drawers.
• Eclecticism requires bold decisions. The color “electric” is especially effective in this regard.

Advice

Emphasized texture wooden surfaces must be combined with careful processing.

Accommodation options

Depending on the location of the podium, it is sometimes necessary to make changes to existing interior, heating organization and furniture arrangement.

Near the window

A podium installed near the window will add light to the sleeping area. A podium with drawers is well suited for this type of installation.

To prevent the heating radiator from being completely covered by the podium, it is advisable to move it or organize a “warm floor”. To create a cozy sleeping place, it is better to use carpet as upholstery, which is easy to clean. Or natural wood.

Advice

To ensure that the podium does not visually conceal the space, you can use light shades, spectacular photo wallpaper or mirror surfaces.

In a niche or alcove

If there is a niche in the room, then it can become good place for mounting the podium. This project allows you to organize a sleeping place on top. Beds with a roll-out mechanism are less preferable.

A fairly large alcove, with parameters ranging from 250x250 cm, allows you to install a full-fledged sleeping place for two people. This design is usually equipped with drawers in which you can put bed linen, extra blankets and other things.

The alcove provides good zoning of the room space, which can be further enhanced by the use of curtains. In this case, the arrangement of good local lighting becomes not just desirable, but mandatory.

On the loggia

If there is a lack of heat in the room, it is advisable to immediately consider a built-in heating system.

In the bedroom

The sleeping place can be not only stationary, but also mobile. In the first case, it is logical to put a good orthopedic mattress on the podium. If the place to sleep is temporary, then during the day it will have to be removed by rolling up the mattress and putting it in a closet or under a podium.

A stationary place allows you to make it comfortable: use a high-quality orthopedic mattress, take the surface of the flooring protruding from the sides as a bedside table. A mobile seat requires a thinner mattress. In this case, it will have to be rolled up every morning, freeing up space for other purposes.

In order for the podium with a bed to fit into the interior as organically as possible, the free area of ​​the room must be taken into account. This point is especially important for small apartments, in which everyone square meter on account.

If for a little one room will suit Only a compact model, then for a large bedroom you can choose any option.

The placement of furniture also imposes restrictions on the selected type of podium. It is important that only quality materials. An important point when arranging a podium bed is the presence of a good orthopedic mattress.

In a studio apartment

fashion trend recent years, especially in a youth, bohemian environment - studio apartments. The overall sufficiently large space allows you to show a creative approach when arranging furniture, designing a sleeping area and highlighting zones.

A podium for such housing is a common solution, which is chosen for many reasons. Zoning occupies one of the leading positions. The sleeping place stands out purely visually, creating the necessary conditions for relax.

For young families, a podium bed allows you to implement a modern approach to interior design. At the same time, the design will be quite budget-friendly.

Such a sleeping area can be organically combined with the minimalism of the interior, fashion accessories and innovative wall decoration.

In the living room

This design fits well into most interiors. In this case, attention is paid to the type and color of the upholstery material, as well as to provide pillows with decorative covers.

Children's room

The child's room combines several functional areas. A small room area should not be an obstacle to this. The podium bed fully meets the requirements of zoning and saving free space.

All necessary areas must be maintained for children:

• gaming;
• bedroom;
• educational

Pull-out sleeper

For a schoolchild, you can consider a model with a pull-out bed. In this case, the podium can be used as a training area. During the day, the bed can be completely retracted, freeing up space for games.

This technique with pull-out beds has proven itself well in the design of nurseries in which two children live. At the same time, the space will not be cluttered with an abundance of furniture and at the same time will not lose functionality and neatness.

In addition to the bed, there may be roll-out drawers and shelves at the ends under the podium. This addition will help you conveniently arrange your child’s things, children’s books and toys.

Children like roll-out systems; they encourage them to tidy up their toys and make their beds.

Two podiums in the room

If two children live in a room, and the area allows you to experiment with design solutions, you can install two podiums on opposite walls. The upper part of each of them will serve as a workplace, and the bed will slide into the lower part. This way, each child will have their own separate territory.

Another interpretation of the division of space is the organization of sleeping places at the top of the podium flooring. And mounting a retractable desktop at the bottom.

The division of the room area will allow each of the children to show more individuality, and will help to avoid many conflicts between children.

Upper berth

Another option is to place the sleeping place on top in the children's room. In this case, the lower part of the podium can be used not only for storing clothes and toys, but also for a pull-out table.

Drawers can be used not only while the child is small, but also later. Little kids will be happy to put toys in them, and older children will put clothes and shoes in them.

How to make the podium not boring?

Depending on the age, gender and temperament of the child, various techniques for decorating the podium should be used to give him individual characteristics. When installing the structure, it is advisable to listen to the child’s opinion and wishes.

What to look for when ordering?

When you get excited about the idea of ​​organizing a bed-podium, it is important to follow these requirements:

• Its appearance must be combined with the existing or planned interior.
• The sleeping place should be comfortable for sleeping, suitable in length and width for the person for whom it is intended.
• If a roll-out system is installed, the depth of the podium should allow the bed to fit completely under the podium.
• A high podium requires comfortable steps and lighting that allows you to climb comfortably.
• The sleeping place must be able to withstand the weight of people.
• The height of the podium should allow an adult to stand on it without resting his head on the ceiling.
• Materials must be environmentally friendly.

Advice

Steps can be used to advantage by organizing storage systems in them in the form of drawers.

Accessories

The choice of accessories depends on the chosen style. Let's look at some of them.

Bed linen and bedspreads

The colors of bed linen and bedspreads create a certain mood. The color can match the podium or contrast.

There are many reasons why you should make a podium bed with your own hands. Making it will cost much less than buying it ready-made. You can take into account the dimensions and features of the room layout, choosing the optimal configuration of the podium, make a bed of non-standard dimensions, and cover it to your taste. First you need to decide on the design, find ready-made drawings, changing the dimensions if necessary, or make a sketch and drawing yourself. Then purchase everything you need - boards, timber, chipboard, fasteners, elements of the retractable mechanism. Assembly can be done directly in the room where the bed will be located.

Types of podium beds

A podium is an elevation; there are many options for constructing a podium bed, but in general they come down to 2 types of design:

1. the sleeping place is arranged on top of the podium (bed on the podium);
2. the sleeping place is hidden inside the podium, under it (pull-out bed).

The first option will look advantageous in a fairly spacious bedroom with high ceilings. If the ceilings are low, the height of the podium should not exceed 20 cm. The simplest option– a frame covered with chipboard on 4 sides; you can make a continuous covering on top or lay the mattress on slats. Usually for more rational use spaces inside the podium are located drawers, replacing a chest of drawers. You can also make built-in shelves, a bedside table with hinged lid at the head, there are many options, but the implementation of such solutions is more difficult.

Owners usually decide to make a pull-out bed small rooms. True, such a room should have enough space for both a podium and a pull-out bed. A single pull-out podium bed will be a good replacement for a traditional sofa; you can install a work desk on the podium or use this space for other purposes. The frame and sheathing must be strong enough to withstand the load. Do-it-yourself double pull-out bed – good decision for a narrow long room, the podium can be directly adjacent to the walls. If the podium is high enough, you will have to make steps.

Interesting option– a bed located on a high podium and being a continuation of the window sill. In this case, you will have to abandon the traditional location of the heating radiator.

Required materials and tools

To make a bed on the podium, you will need:

• timber with a minimum cross-section of 50x50 for the frame;
• plywood with a minimum thickness of 12 mm or chipboard, OSB for rough cladding;
• For finishing you can use laminated chipboard, veneered plywood;
• if drawers are made, you will need plywood to make their bottoms and walls, material for the front panels (usually laminated chipboard), and guides;
• accessories for drawers;
• galvanized corners, wood screws, dowel-nails;
• saw, better than grinder m wood disc, screwdriver, hammer drill;
• level, ruler, square, pencil, tape measure.

If you are making a podium with a pull-out bed, you need to use a beam of larger cross-section. You will also need a large sheet of thick plywood for the bottom of a pull-out bed or a ready-made slatted bottom, pieces of plywood for the walls, and a retractable mechanism (special wheels). As a finishing cladding, you can use the same material that covers the floor. It is recommended to start designing and creating a podium bed with the selection and purchase of a mattress. Based on its dimensions, the size of the bed will be determined.

Sequence of work

First of all, you need to decide on the place where the podium will be located, make sure that the space allows you to pull out drawers or a bed, make markings on the floor and walls using drawings of the future bed.

If the podium will be built close to the walls, it is necessary to remove the plinth in these places so that it does not interfere with the work.

It is best, having decided on the dimensions, to order cutting and sawing of materials at the place of purchase, but you can do it yourself. When everything necessary is prepared, timber, plywood, chipboard are cut into pieces the right size, markings have been made, you can begin assembling the bed, performing a series of operations step by step.

1. Attach to the floor along the perimeter of the future podium vertical racks from scrap timber, fasten them on 4 sides using galvanized corners and dowel nails. The height of the racks should be less than the planned height of the podium by the thickness of the timber from which the frame will be made. The optimal distance between the posts is 40-45 cm (if a pull-out bed is being made, the distance between the posts in this place should be slightly larger than its width). Often the racks are attached not to the floor, but to a supporting frame made of timber; if it is not fixed, such a podium can be moved. If the bed is double, in the middle you need a partition made of boards or timber, supported by an additional row of posts.
2. Beams forming the top of the frame frame are laid on top of the racks and secured using angles and wood screws. You need to make sure that the racks are perpendicular to the floor, their top plane is strictly horizontal, the beams are laid perpendicular to them, and that all elements are firmly connected to each other.

An alternative to posts and beams is to assemble a solid frame of the required height from boards or several tiers of timber. Material consumption will increase, but the structure will be more durable. If a podium with retractable elements is being made, only the walls of the podium, parallel to the side walls of the drawers, can be made solid.

1. Markings are made for the retractable elements, strips (bars) forming their frames are attached to the bottom of the racks, and partitions are attached to them. Partitions between drawers are not always made, but it is better to install them; they serve as additional stiffening ribs.
2. If you plan to lay the mattress not on a solid covering, but on slats, you need to put boards on the frame.
3. The finished frame is sheathed.
4. Retractable elements are manufactured.

Podium covering technique

If the mattress will be placed on the podium from above, and it is intended only for sleeping, you can use laminated chipboard for covering. If the top of the podium consists of slats, side walls should protrude a couple of centimeters beyond the horizontal plane to form sides that secure the mattress. In this case, a minimum gap between it and the walls is sufficient. If the upper plane of the podium is solid and made of laminated chipboard or other attractive material, it can significantly exceed the size of the mattress; in this case, sides are not needed. The headboard often uses a higher panel that forms the backrest; on the sides it can extend beyond the podium.

For a podium subject to significant loads, laminated chipboard is not suitable. Therefore, for a pull-out bed, a rough sheathing is usually made of thick plywood or OSB, and carpet, laminate or other materials are attached to it on top. The plywood is fixed to the frame with self-tapping screws, the carpet can be attached to it using furniture stapler. If laminate is used as the finishing sheathing, a backing is laid between it and the plywood. Along the perimeter, adhesive-based PVC corners can be used to mask joints and provide additional fixation.

Pull-out elements

A pull-out bed is usually made in the form of a large box, inside which a mattress is placed. The simplest solution is to purchase furniture store ready slatted bottom for the mattress, fill the sides with plywood and attach the wheels.

The bottom may be solid. If the size of the podium allows, drawers can be made on the side (or on both sides) of the bed. The boxes are made of plywood; you need to use a square to check the right angle between adjacent elements, avoiding distortions.

The guide rails are attached to the side walls of the boxes, and the counter part – the rails – is attached to the frame partitions. It is important to mount the runners with the same offset from the front wall of the box, and the rails at the same height. To do this, you can use a piece of plywood of appropriate thickness as a spacer. The boxes need to be put in place, make sure they move freely, take them out and number them. The length of the guides does not exceed 60 cm; if you make a drawer of greater depth, it will not be possible to pull it out completely.

After assembling and “running in” the retractable elements, you can begin covering their front panels. Usually the same material is used for this as for lining the podium, but you can experiment with tones of the same range or contrasting colors. The front panels should almost completely cover the frame elements, but not protrude beyond it. There should be enough clearance between the panels of adjacent drawers so that they do not cling to each other.

The podium bed is ready, all that remains is to put the mattress in a box or on the podium and install the pull-out elements in place.