How can I securely attach a floating bed base to the wall in my daughter’s tiny room without using corner leg posts?
Asked by Mesaque Campos 
1 month ago
Last Updated: August 11, 2024
Hey everybody, so I’m about to move into a new house and my oldest daughter’s room is teeny tiny – like, seriously small. It’s probably around 3ft by 7ft, if that gives you an idea. Plus, there’s this massive storage cupboard taking up even more space that we’re planning to knock down and replace with built-in wardrobes.
Since the room is so cramped, I’m thinking of building a raised bed to free up some floor space for a desk and storage (she’s a hardcore gamer!). My main concern is how to securely attach the bed base to the wall without using corner posts. I’d prefer to have it floating, if possible. Any tips or suggestions on the best way to do this would be greatly appreciated!
I’m not a pro, but I think heavy duty brackets might be worth looking into. I’m planning to use them to mount a butcher block as a countertop, and they can support 125-200lbs per bracket. You can find them on Ironsupports.com. Just a suggestion if you want the bed to have a ‘floating’ look.
If it were up to me, I’d consider checking out loft beds with storage underneath. The ceiling height will play a factor though. Ikea offers a great option at https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/smastad-loft-bed-frame-desk-and-storage-white-50454041/. Best of luck with your project!
Make sure there is an egress window in the room before allowing her to sleep there. If not, it may not be safe.
Oh yeah, there is a window. It’s just a rough estimate, maybe it’s around 4×7. I don’t have the exact measurements I took during my visit to the property, but it’s really small, the room.
https://refreshliving.us/diy-loft-bed/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=grow.me&utm_campaign=grow_share_widget&clid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR28MBP6aDKSEMP6VH3vaLHq06AtwiUDvYQJfqCpX0NJic49SDkARyEgU_aem_ASn_RVlBZziVS5UxfXpi0jqLJEas3fZUVOxkLcLdMMsL4DP8LgNPHjSvxLi_RDeqwXB2bW6XdX50wIvF6MSFJdJ
Hey there! So, to make a floating bed frame without any leg posts, you’ll want to set up some strong wall-mounted brackets on both sides along the bed frame’s length. Make sure to anchor them to the wall studs with bolts or screws for a secure hold. It’s also a good idea to reinforce the bed frame with extra support and bracing to keep it stable. I’d recommend chatting with a professional for some expert guidance and definitely do some thorough safety testing before using it.
Have you thought about a Murphy bed for a space that tiny?
Yeah, that could potentially work if the Murphy bed includes those cool rotating shelves. However, it wouldn’t be suitable for a gamer’s workstation. The options for combining a Murphy bed with a computer setup are extremely costly and intricate.
Has never heard of that before.
Remember what mentioned about securing the dressers into the studs for better support. They should be able to hold the weight of the bed, your child, and any jumping around.
Awesome!
I’ll definitely be doing a ton of test jumps before letting my daughter sleep up there 🙈. Better me getting hurt than her, right? 🤣
What’s a French cleat?
Hmm, a 7-foot span from wall to wall with corbels at the outpost.
I agree, that’s what I was thinking as well.
I recently put one together for my kid – in a room that’s 5’x14′. It’s exactly like what you were talking about – no need for vertical support posts.
I secured 2 2x6s on the opposite walls to serve as the bed side rails, using long screws through the rails into the wall studs.
I also attached 1 2×4 in the same way for the head rail (making sure the bottom of the 2×4 is flush with the bottom of the 2x6s).
For the foot rail, I placed a 2×6 across the open space at the ends of the side rails.
Apart from the 2×4 head rail, I added 4 2x4s from side rail to side rail, evenly spaced, for the cross supports (bottom of the 2x4s flush with the bottom of the 2x6s), totaling 5 2x4s; the head rail counted as the first and the 5th butted up against the 2×6 foot rail.
I used Simpson brackets and structural screws to attach the 2x4s to the side rails.
On top of the 2x4s, I placed solid plywood sheets. (Using 2x6s for the rails and 2x4s for the cross supports allowed the plywood to sit inside the 2×6 frame, leaving an additional 1½” for the mattress to sit within the frame. For even more mattress support, you could consider using 2x8s, 2x10s, or even 2x12s for the side and end rails.)
I’ll make sure to take a photo when I get back home tonight…
3 feet by 7 feet – yup, that’s a closet.
That’s definitely a closet
Are you planning to remodel your home or just focusing on the bed in the room? Are you considering adding tile or redoing the floors?
Is doing a complete renovation of a worn-out old house
Ikea offers a variety of dressers that can fit under your bed! Have you seen any Ikea hacks?
Will the bed have walls on three sides? If yes, you can secure ledger boards on those sides using lag bolts anchored in studs. While 2x4s may work, opting for 2x6s is a safer bet. Utilize joist hangers, typically used in decks, to run a few 2x6s lengthwise for added support. Essentially, you’re constructing a box frame above the floor. This method is effective when supported by walls on three sides. If there are only two sides, additional leg posts will be necessary.
Yes, that’s correct.
Option 1: You can either run joists or a single joist across the area.
Option 2: Another way is to hang the structure from a wire.
There are two options for you to consider:
Option 1: Install joists or a joist across the space.
Option 2: Hang it from wire
Alright, grab a stud finder and a level to locate the studs. Then, construct a frame using 2×6 wood and secure it with 4″ lag bolts on each stud. After that, cut 2 pieces of 1×2 to the length of the bed and affix them to the inside walls about 3″ down evenly on both sides for the mattress support slats (Cut 1×2 every 6″ to width)… Finally, place the mattress on top and hit the hay 😴
Could it be that you’re getting her ready for a future in the navy? 🤔
I’m totally lost with that one 🤣
‘s Naval career essentially means a career in the Navy. The living quarters on Navy ships are… well… ‘cozy’.
One of my friends used to create lofts in her children’s rooms by attaching a board to the wall and placing a long, low dresser in front of the bed. She added storage under the bed and a secret tunnel behind the dresser for bins or a hidden play area for little ones.
I highly question if it’s actually 3 feet by 7 feet. Sounds more like the size of a standard door.
Here in Canada, we have minimum sizes for sleeping rooms at 10′ x 8′. There are also specific window size requirements and operational criteria. It’s all about fire safety and escape. Where are you located in the world? This is the World Wide Web after all.
I’m in the UK and this is just a rough estimate, haha! I can’t say for sure it’s the exact size, but it’s really small – just big enough for a single bed and a narrow walkway on the side.