Does anyone remember a "bed-in-a-box" type of woodworking plan?

Question

I recall seeing a plan for a platform guest bed which all fit into a piece of furniture which was about 60” wide x 30” tall x 12” deep in a woodworking magazine about 20 years ago. I kept the idea in the back of my head in case there was ever a need for such a piece. My folks are moving from their 4-bedroom farm home they have occupied for the last 76 years to a 1-bedroom apartment but would like to have a place for occasional overnight guests. A sofa-sleeper wouldn’t fit into the room arrangement very well and they don’t want something as large as a murphy bed.

As I recall, the piece of furniture has a hinged base that pulls out and then pieces of plywood are placed across the base to hold a foam or air mattress.

I started to look in my collection of woodworking magazines to try to find the plan, but decided I might try here first rather than spend days looking through magazines. If anyone remembers such a plan and where I could find it, I’d really appreciate hearing from you.

Many thanks.
L/W

a1jim · Accepted Answer

Hi Lefty I had this saved in my shortcuts, https://www.livinggreenandfrugally.com/diy-bed-in-a-box-plans/

Vatech90 · Answer

I have this one as well. http://www.homegardendesignplan.com/2015/01/roll-out-bed-smart-bed-smart-furniture.html?m=1

Lightweightladylefty · Answer

This is actually a five-year old post from the Forums section. I think Martin must have moved it over here, but it doesn’t show all the previous answers to my question.

There were numerous good answers. Here are comments 3 through 11. (I couldn’t retrieve the first two comments.)
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Lightweightladylefty
5 years ago
David and nginear,

Thanks for your response. I did see this idea. The idea supposedly comes from Civil War reenactment or similar. The one I am looking for is much taller and narrower, and could be placed against a wall as a TV stand.

I received this idea (which is more similar to what I had remembered) from another forum.
https://pic.craftisian.com/o/bed-in-a-box_qgicuv.jpg

Thanks for sharing.
L/W
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a1jim
5 years ago
This may be the same as the others have links to
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/228074

woodworking classes, custom furniture maker
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Lightweightladylefty
5 years ago
Jim,
Yes, that is the same one others have shown which is not as tall as the one I was remembering. The available space requires something that would set closer to the wall and could be used for a television stand.

Thanks for your input.
L/W
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RobsCastle
5 years ago
L/W,
Hey I can remember sleeping in a drawer when I was a little smaller does that count!!

Regards Rob
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Lightweightladylefty
5 years ago
Rob,
I’d need a pretty big drawer these days!! ;-)
L/W
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Karson
1 year ago
I found a downloaded plan on my computer that might be the match for what you were asking for. I realize that I’m quite late to the discussion. But I’ll send it to you if you send me your email address.
It’s about 60 inches high 80 inches wide and 17 inches thick. It has a work table desk which could hold a tv.
It’s a woodworkers Journal 2007.
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Brian
1 year ago
Where is the mattress?

LWLL – perfect avatar for these times we’re living in now. :-)
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Lightweightladylefty
1 year ago
Brian,

I think that sections of foam can be cut and stored in the back portion (section by the wall) of the bed or an inflatable mattress can be used which takes virtually no storage space.

I never made the bed-in-a-box since I found an old camping cot frame to which I added removal slats and place my air mattress when I visit Dad. My last visit got nixed because of the present fiasco. Because of winter travel I haven’t visited since last fall and at 102, I’m not certain if there will be another time.
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Now: July 2021
I restructured a camping cot so I could use an air mattress on it when I visited without my husband since it fit into their second bathroom and turned it into a bedroom for me. Everyone else just rented a vacant apartment for the night at the retirement complex when they visited. My parents have both passed away now. Hence, I no longer have a need for such a plan.

Thanks for the input.

L/W

Q&A: Does anyone remember a "bed-in-a-box" type of woodworking plan?

Answers