Hanging bed: types, options for mounting to the ceiling, shapes, design, ideas for the street

Hello, dear readers! A DIY hanging bed will give you an incredible feeling of relaxation and sleep. It is completely wrong to think that it is dangerous or somehow unstable. The main thing here is to do everything correctly and reliably.

Previously, such structures could most often be found in a garden at a dacha or in the backyard of a private house. But sleeping outside all year round is not an option. Therefore, the hanging beds were moved indoors. Now they are actively making them in the apartment.

No one is stopping you from making something like this. You can use ready-made drawings and diagrams, or you can do everything from scratch with your own hands.

Pros and cons of suspended structures

Like any other furniture attributes, these hanging models have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages and disadvantages

As a rule, most people associate hanging models with outdoor recreation: a hammock stretched between trees sweetly beckons to lie down on it to lie quietly under the sound of grass and a quiet wind. This is where the use of hanging beds came from. It is recommended to fix the bed using reliable and durable fastenings, because the safety of the vacationer depends on this.

Today, manufacturers offer a large number of different models, among which every user can find an option to their liking. Before you go to choose a hanging bed in the store, you should familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of the products. To begin with, it is worth highlighting a number of advantages:

1. Weightlessness – this design has no legs, which creates a feeling of weightlessness and comfort. The bed seems to float above the floor surface, swaying slightly. If you close your eyes, you can imagine that this is a boat, smoothly carrying a person to the unknown distances of calm and relaxation;
2. Airiness – the model suspended above the floor allows light to penetrate into every corner of the room. This helps to visually increase the space, especially if other objects do not block the natural access of sunlight from the window;
3. Possibility of floor decoration – when the floor covering is left open, the owners have endless design possibilities. Here you can lay mosaic tiles, as well as beautifully lay parquet;
4. Harmony - beautiful and strong beds with a flat headboard look elegant and luxurious, even if they are made in a simple classic style.

There are not as many disadvantages to these models as advantages. Among them, the complexity of installation is highlighted: every nuance must be taken into account when installing the structure. The need for frequent floor cleaning is also noted; dust particles from textiles settle under it. Some consumers highlight the swaying of the structure as a disadvantage of the product.

Types of hanging beds

There are several options for fixing structures on a suspension:

• Wall. Due to the fact that this floating model has a hidden fastening, it is possible to create a certain effect of levitation in the air, which looks truly mesmerizing.
• Ceiling. The most commonly used type of fastening, reminiscent of a garden swing. Anchor loops are mounted directly into the ceiling or into beams if placement is intended in the attic.
• Combined. It is the most reliable and safe type of fixation, which, thanks to both ceiling and wall fastening, ensures maximum structural strength.

The photo shows the bedroom interior and a hanging bed with a combined type of fastening.

When choosing a fastener, the static and dynamic load of the suspended product is taken into account; for example, for installing children's beds, the most suitable option would be a combined type of fixation, when one side of the bed frame is adjacent to the wall, and the other is attached with holders to the ceiling.

Placement nuances

Designers very elegantly fit a ceiling-mounted bed into the interior. But in addition to aesthetic aspects, technical ones must also be taken into account.

When mounting to the ceiling, check whether the ceiling can withstand the required weight. It is especially important to carry out correct calculations in old and panel apartment buildings if there is a residential floor on top: furniture and appliances are already pressing on the slab in the neighbors’ apartment, and the load is also created by the residents themselves. Therefore, it is much safer to use other types of sleeping arrangements.

They check the height to the ceiling, based on the height of those living in the apartment. The distance under the frame must be such that the person below can move safely. At least 70 cm is left from the mattress to the upper ceiling. In low rooms, a wardrobe or desk is placed under the bed.

You should also pay attention to lighting. It should be soft so that it does not blind your eyes. The most convenient devices are those with a directional light source.

When using drop-down beds, the following rules apply:

• the optimal distance from floor to ceiling is 2.25–3.25 m;
• there should be no obstacles on the way of movement;
• insufficiently strong walls are strengthened;
• the permissible difference in floor level between the legs is about 4 cm, to the lifting column - 6 cm.

The installation location is selected based on the configuration of the room. So, in square rooms it is most convenient to place such an object in the corner. In a narrow and oblong space, use the area between the opposing long walls. In a loft, such furniture is even installed in the center.

Sometimes a hanging bed looks too massive. Then auxiliary lighting is placed above it, which visually adds space. Lamps or a diode strip from below create a levitation effect.

With suspended and suspended ceilings made of plasterboard, there is empty space between the finishing and the base. For models that rest on this structural part of the room, fastening is carried out through decorative cladding to the rough ceiling.

Options for attaching a bed to the ceiling

Fastening the sleeping place on suspensions primarily depends on the type of ceiling.

On chains

It is considered a fairly strong fastening related to the floating ligament. Due to the slightly rough appearance of the chains, they are most often used only in certain style solutions.

The photo shows a hanging single bed on metal chains in a teenager’s room.

On the ropes

Ropes or ropes are attached to the ceiling using powerful anchors. Also, sometimes for even greater strength, the nodes under the base are lubricated with varnish.

The photo shows a fusion style bedroom with a hanging bed equipped with ropes.

On metal cables or hooks

The most durable and reliable option for corner fixation, capable of withstanding the considerable weight of the sleeping structure and the people resting on it.

The photo shows a hanging bed attached to metal cables in a loft-style bedroom.

We do it ourselves

If independent creativity is close to you and you are ready to make a hanging bed, then we will try to help you with constructive advice. First of all, you should find out how much load the ceiling can withstand. You can consult with specialists about this.

Children will be delighted with such an unusual sleeping place

Now let's try to make a hanging bed with our own hands, and let it be a rectangular model. For work you will need: the base of the product - a strong and large board or canvas assembled from several boards (chipboard cannot be used), paint, sandpaper or a sanding machine, metal hooks, an electric drill.

The most suitable place to relax for a hammock couch is a veranda or terrace

We start by calculating the length of the rope. The calculation formula looks like this: the length from the ceiling to the level at which the bed is located is multiplied by two, then by four, adding four meters for the nodes. Visually it looks like this: (2m x 2 x 4) + 4m = 20 m. This is the total length of the rope.

Do-it-yourself hovering bed - economical, beautiful, convenient

Cut the rope into four equal pieces. Fold it in half - these will be the slings on which you will hang the bed. We clean the boards, sand, prime and paint. We get our sleeping place, on which you will place the mattress.

Sleeping place made of natural wood - environmentally friendly and safe products

Then we make holes for the rope in the corners of the base. We measure the diameter of the rope and, stepping back from the edge no less than 15 cm, make holes for it in the boards at all four corners using a drill with a crown.

We attach four hooks to the ceiling. They can be fixed to a wooden frame nailed to the ceiling or made into separate fastenings for hook-bolts.

The hammock bed has a custom design in an eclectic style

We pass the pieces of rope folded in half with the cut ends into the holes and tie them with a knot. To prevent the knot from unraveling, it is necessary to coat it with wood glue.

Once all four slings are secured to the base, we begin hanging the bed. Here you will need an assistant. Throw a loop of rope onto the hook and you're done. All that remains is to put the mattress on and make the bed.

It's a fantastic feeling to lie on a gently rocking bed.

Important! For children and elderly family members, a hanging bed must be equipped with sides and a soft headboard.

You can spend time comfortably and comfortably on a hanging sofa

Bed shapes

Popular types of forms of hanging models.

Round

It requires particularly thoughtful placement, for example, round structures are recommended to be used in the design of terraces, spacious rooms or loggias in a country house. This product can be fixed in the form of one or several ceiling points.

Rectangular or square

The rectangular design is the most traditional shape of a bed, which fits perfectly with any style solution and does not cause planning difficulties. The square one, unlike the previous model, takes up much more space and therefore is not always suitable for an ordinary apartment.

Two-level

Beds located one above the other, using the same fastening, will be the most convenient and at the same time unusual option for a room with two children.

Unusual shape

In addition to the usual ones, there are a huge number of informal and non-trivial solutions, for example, a hanging hammock bed, a ball bed, a nest, a swinging cocoon looks quite original, and products in the form of a real ship or boat will delight any boy. An unusual bed on slings is often used for the recreation area; an elegant figured model, decorated with a canopy, would be appropriate to place in a girl’s room.

The photo shows an unusual hanging hammock bed in the interior of a city apartment.

Which option is better to choose for a one-room apartment?

For one-room apartments, furniture with an elevator mechanism is universal - the bedroom turns into a living room and vice versa in seconds. A lifting bed is suitable for adults, children, and people with health problems.

But BedUp and LiftBed load the ceiling, floor and wall. Therefore, if doubts arise regarding the reliability of building elements, such furniture is not used. It should be borne in mind that when lowered, the beds are quite bulky and take up a lot of space. In addition, under them you can only place a low soft corner, a coffee table or a folding table, which will have to be removed during sleep.

If the choice fell on products with an elevator lifting mechanism, experts recommend designs equipped with two lifts built into the bed frame - they are lightweight. But the main disadvantage of such models is the very high price; many are simply not able to afford such luxury.

With high ceilings in a room where active adults live, a hanging mezzanine bed is convenient. It will cost less than the previous option. In this case, the space below will be fully used. Shelves, play complexes, a desk with shelves, a wardrobe or other objects are placed here.

But the most practical and versatile option for small-sized apartments such as Khrushchev-era apartments would be a loft bed. The cost of such furniture is low, and under the bed you can place a desk, sofa or wardrobe. The space will be fully utilized and used rationally. In addition, attic-type furniture is suitable even for low ceilings.

For children over 5 years old, a loft bed is simply an ideal option. The child will be happy to climb to the second floor, and below you can make a play area or put a school desk.

Children's beds, as a rule, have a rectangular shape, which fits comfortably into a standard interior and does not take up much space.

Recommendations for selection

To choose a truly high-quality product that will fit particularly harmoniously into the surrounding space, consider the following tips:

• First of all, when selecting a sleeping bed, take into account the age category.
• It is advisable to choose beds and hangings made from natural materials.
• This design should be as harmoniously combined with the surrounding environment as possible.
• Only durable and high-quality fasteners and other parts should be used.
• When choosing a mattress for this rather heavy model, you need to take into account that it is high, dense and at the same time light.

Frequently asked questions about design

1. How can you minimize the cost of the finished product? It turns out that this is quite an expensive pleasure.

You are absolutely right. A raised bed often costs more than a fixed bed or sofa.

A wardrobe bed is a technologically complex product, so attempts to minimize cost will very soon run into the need to lose quality. And taking into account the features of this particular product, the design can turn out to be traumatic with all the ensuing consequences.

For example, for us, assembly work was one of the large components in the final cost. At the same time, the difference in the cost of an Italian and Russian set of mechanisms of 1-2-3 thousand does not affect the final cost much.

Such a bed should not only be easy to use, but also SAFE, and this can be guaranteed by high-quality materials and installation, which means that such a product, by definition, will not be cheap.

2. Good day. I read that you need to firmly attach the wardrobe-bed box to the wall. Tell me how you attach it, how many attachment points should there be?

This is the idea. When the bed is opened, a force is generated that tends to drop the cabinet towards the base. There are three ways to avoid the cabinet falling.

1. Attach to the wall. Simple common sense dictates that it is better to place the fasteners as high as possible on the sidewalls. That is, it turns out that the bed is attached on both sides at the highest possible points. The sufficiency of fastening is checked subjectively. The assembler, holding the cabinet, tries to drop it on himself. The cabinet should not move even minimally.

2. The bed is part of a large furniture “wall”. The weight of the (very large) assembled furniture (the wall consists of cabinets pulled together) is sufficient insurance against falling.

3. The most successful option. The wardrobe-bed is assembled “by surprise” between the floor and the ceiling. Such a cabinet simply “doesn’t know how to fall.” Usually there is still a gap of 2-3 cm to the ceiling - two or three slats can be driven in there to wedge the cabinet.

Returning to wall mounting, metal corners are usually used.

They can be of different sizes, based on the convenience of the location. We usually attach it to the wall with wood grouse. The minimum diameter of a capercaillie is 6 mm; sometimes you have to drill out a corner. The wall, accordingly, must be load-bearing. The counter part of the corner is attached to the side of the cabinet with a furniture screw.

3. Is it possible to fix the bed in any position so that the child can control it independently? Are any other devices needed, such as upper position limiting latches, etc. for making your own bed using your mechanisms?

“Fixing the bed in any position” is not the task of the mechanism. The mechanism helps raise the bed and softens the lowering. The situation with the “freezing” of the bed depends on the balance of the weight of the base and the power of the mechanism. If there is not enough power, the bed will “fall” and it will be difficult to lift it; if there is too much power, the bed will tend to “close.” We find the balance by adjusting with a special adjusting bolt and removing the “extra” springs.

A selection of photos in the interior of the apartment

For children's hanging beds, they mainly choose a combined type of fixation, which is the safest for the child, does not swing and can withstand significant loads. In a bedroom for adults, this hanging model will not only become a central furniture element, but will also create a romantic atmosphere, especially if it is complemented by lighting. There are also many design solutions for newborn babies, for example, these can be hanging rocking cradles, made like a wicker basket, wooden, fabric or knitted cradle.

The photo shows a white hanging bed with lighting in the design of a modern bedroom.

In addition, for transforming a small room, kitchen-living room or studio apartment, suspended transforming models, in the form of a folding, lifting or retractable design in a ceiling niche, are perfect.

Characteristics

The most obvious advantage of such a bed is the ability to optimize free space, which can be a salvation for owners of small apartments. The freed space below, under the bed, can be decorated in an original way - additional lighting will add coziness and romantic charm to your bedroom. And, of course, it makes cleaning the flooring much easier.

Creating a hanging bed with your own hands is quite a difficult task. The disadvantages include installation difficulties. If you get tired of it and want to return to the traditional version, you will need to eliminate the holes remaining in the ceiling. It will also not be possible to move the structure to another place.

Design ideas for outdoor beds in the country

Hanging products, complemented by a back and sides, form a comfortable sofa swing, which is perfect for decorating a veranda or loggia on a personal plot.

The photo shows a summer veranda at the dacha with a hanging wooden sofa bed.

In a gazebo in the garden, a lightweight rattan structure made in eco-design will look ideal; this decor can be supplemented with a mosquito net, which will provide the opportunity to relax and sleep in a bed outside, fully enjoying the views of the surrounding nature.

Other options

There are other solutions for making a hanging bed. Some can be done with your own hands; others will have to be installed by a carpenter.

Bed on cables

This solution deserves attention; it is suitable for rooms with the appropriate height. You can implement the idea yourself. You should choose strong hooks, install them correctly in the ceiling, and periodically check the reliability of the fastenings.

Bed in the ceiling

Professional furniture companies offer real miracles hidden in the ceiling in the form of cabinets and entire wall blocks. You can create a specific set for the design style of a given apartment.

The solution will optically enlarge the room. The wall near the bed, visible after it is folded, should be decorated in light colors, preferably white; a good solution is to use a mirror. An additional trick that optically enlarges the space is the same color of furniture, walls, and floors. A space filled with monochrome color seems more spacious.

Wardrobe under the bed

An idea to save space is to arrange a bed on a low cabinet, making full use of the cubic capacity of the room. This popular solution for children's rooms is also used in one-room apartments for adults.

The lifting mechanism allows you to open a whole wardrobe, which many ladies dream of.

Interesting ideas with photos

Conclusion

The rising price per square meter of housing forces owners to take care of every centimeter of investment. A comfortable, spacious bed is a real space eater. How to enlarge a room without losing comfortable sleep? A bed under the ceiling is a solution that can significantly save space.

The space above our heads usually remains unformed and unused. In the fight for lost meters, an interesting solution is to successfully send the sleeping place upstairs. The bed mechanism is fixed and installed on special rails. You should leave it in the evening and raise it in the morning to a height that does not interfere with free movement below. Another convenient solution for rooms with high ceilings is a mezzanine-attic. There are many options for ready-made solutions from furniture manufacturers.

Examples of design in various styles

The appearance of the suspended structure also depends on a certain style direction. For example, in light Provence they often use a sleeping place suspended on white wooden beams; in an industrial loft, rectangular beds are used, decorated with pillows and secured with strong cables or metal fastenings.

The photo shows a hanging bed on thin ropes in a loft-style bedroom.

Models on ropes look especially harmonious in a nautical style, and beds on a wrought-iron suspension will be an unusual and non-trivial solution for an oriental interior. For rustic country, the most appropriate models are those with a frame made of timber with massive beams or ropes as fastenings. Products on chains will fit perfectly into an eclectic style design.

Backlighting and its nuances

To diversify the interior a little, you can not only install a floating bed, but also equip it with lighting. To do this, several types of lighting are used:

1. Chandeliers - these light sources will be appropriate in round-type hanging beds: they are located in the center of the point mounting. In this case, the chandelier illuminates only the structure itself, without affecting the room. To feel comfortable, it is better to choose warm light from lamps;
2. Lamps above the bed in the bedroom - pendant lamps look great if they match the style of the product. They can be placed on the sides of the headboard; they will be especially relevant when the structure is wall-mounted;
3. Bottom lighting - with the help of such decorative lighting they decorate the interior in modern styles: techno, minimalism, hi-tech. The LED lighting itself is located along the lower edge of the bed frame - it becomes visible even from under the bed linen.

Modern designs of hanging beds amaze with their originality and individuality. Every year, designers come up with new shapes and silhouettes, so they can please even the most demanding consumer. To decorate a children's room, it is better to use a combined type of fastening, and for the bedroom you can choose a ceiling or wall option.

Useful tips

A few recommendations for creating a hanging bed will help you quickly understand the technology and do everything reliably and efficiently:

• When choosing a rope for hanging a bed, you need to take into account the number and weight of vacationers.
• If you are making a hanging structure for a children's room, then children will probably swing and jump on it. That is why cables and fastenings must be very strong to withstand heavy loads.
• Be careful when calculating the length of the ropes - the bed you assemble should hang perfectly evenly.
• To attach the structure to the ceiling, select the most powerful hooks and bolts.
• A bed intended for children or elderly people must have a back and sides. They can be made of plastic or horizontal pillows can be sewn to the bed.

Manufacturing materials

These types of beds are made mainly from natural solid wood.

Less often there are beds on sale that in appearance resemble wood, but in fact are very far from it. These are structures made of chipboard and MDF.

They are more affordable, but structures made from natural wood are more durable and environmentally friendly. Sometimes floating structures with a metal frame are found on sale.

The structure hangs in the air, so the interior design is weightless