How to Build a DIY Bed Lift on a Frame for Storage

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Here's how I installed my own DIY lift storage bed in our compact narrowboat with little floor space. There are no free plans needed - just a bed frame to mount and the gas struts!

Includes how to install a bed lift video to follow along.

While planning a bedroom makeover, we couldn't get easy access to the lots of storage space under our narrowboat bed. It's a little bit like a small apartment with a small room but on water.

The mattress weight was bad enough. Then trying to hold it up was a juggling act while reaching into the storage area.

So we thought it was a good idea to install some metal struts with gas pistons in our small bedroom. And I'll show you some tips and tricks along the way for your own ottoman bed.

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✔️ Why You'll Love This Project
⚒️Tools and Material Notes
📋 Step by Step Instructions
🔨Tool Substitutions
⚖️ Project Variations
🧽 Care and Maintenance
💡Pro Tips
❓ FAQ
➕ More Bedroom Projects
💬 Comments

✔️ Why You'll Love This Project

Here are just a handful of reasons why we think you'll find creating your own built-in storage is a great addition to your home!

No fancy hardware needed
Great way to reduce heavy lifting
Creates much needed extra storage
Ideal for toy storage in kids' rooms
No need to replace your existing bed
Helps hide clutter for a very clean look
Much cheaper than store-bought beds
Perfect solution for a tiny house or small space
You can make use of what you have for less money
Suitable for a single, double, king bed or, queen size storage bed

⚒️Tools and Material Notes

You can refer to my shorter printable guide in the how-to card at the bottom of this post. However, I recommend reading the entire post for more detailed tips, tricks, and step-by-step tutorial with images.

Please note that as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links.

Combi drill - this is essential to drill pilot holes to prevent splitting wood before screwing the lifting mechanism to your bed frame

Wood screws - use good quality screws, and ensure they are stainless steel if your bedroom is damp to prevent them from rusting

Nuts and bolts - these are M6 size, which is vital for strength when mounting the top storage bed platform to the top of the mechanism and through any metal plates if using.

Drill bits for pilot holes and bolts - don't skip this. Use a slightly thinner drill bit than the screw you use to prevent wood splitting. And use the same size as the bolt you use (or one size bigger for ease)

Pneumatic storage bed lift mechanism (x 2) - buy the right size per the weight/size of your mattress. We bought 2 heavy duty 1200NM gas springs for our 4ft double mattress

Hand saw - if needed to make a basic bed frame. I used a hand saw, and later a jigsaw to trim wood in our very tight spot

Heavy duty metal plates - this is neccessary hardware if joining 2 plywood sheets or more, but it is vital you use nuts and bolts

📋 Step by Step Instructions

1. For the first step, you'll need to ensure you have a bed frame.

Or drill and screw a support piece below the top of your frame for your lift to mount to.

2. Next, hold the mechanism's top in line with the top of your frame.

Then drill and screw the bottom section to the sides.

Repeat for the other side.

3. Now place the top on top. (I got inside my DIY storage bed and used a torch!)

Then drilled bolt holes through the top and threaded nuts and bolts on.

Repeat again for the other side.

4. Note, if you're using smaller pieces of wood like me, you'll want to now join them together with heavy duty metal joining plates.

5. Screw on the gas struts.

Note, unlike the photo, the thinner section of the strut should be facing upwards.

Repeat for both sides.

6. If you haven't done it already, push the top down (easier said than done without a mattress) and add any more metal plates.

Important tip: it's very difficult to push the top down without the weight of the mattress on top.

🔨Tool Substitutions

Depending on what you have, here are some other tools you can use:

Hand saw - you can use a mitre saw instead to cut framing pieces
Jigsaw - if you need to trim any sheet material, a circular saw offers more accuracy
Combi drill - you can use a manual drill, but it's a lot more effort

⚖️ Project Variations

Here are some different ways you can enhance and truly personalise this project to make the perfect bed:

Add drawer fronts to your frame if preferred
Add the struts on the thinner section of the bed
Drill a hole in the sheet material to add a pully handle
You can turn the under the bed storage into a daytime home office

🧽 Care and Maintenance

Don't oil or WD-40 your gas struts as they can fail
Check your gas struts each time you use them they are unsafe when they fail - especially for a child's bed storage
If your bedroom gets damp, you might want to drill vent holes in the sheet material

💡Pro Tips

Only use pocket screws when using a pocket hole jig
Always pre-drill holes your screw holes slightly smaller to prevent splitting wood
Mount the top of the bed to the mechanisms with nuts and bolts for strength - screws are likely to rip out
Nut and bolt sheet material together with heavy duty metal plates if needed
You can separate bunk beds and create 2 lots of clever storage solutions

❓ FAQ

Can I make my own bed base?

Yes, you can easily make a diy platform bed with 2-inch wide wood, drill pocket holes with a Kreg jig, and screw together with wood glue and pocket hole screws. Then use a plywood sheet for a mattress platform.

Why can't I press my bed down?

You may struggle to push your bed down alone without the weight of your mattress evenly distributing the pressure.

➕ More Bedroom Projects

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