On holidays, close or distant family members are gathering together and every time extra beds are needed, so for someone who is really into handcraft and woodwork it’s easy to learn how to build a trundle bed, rather than purchase one from a furniture store.

First of all, for someone who is fond of woodwork, this is a good way to start making pieces of furniture that can be successfully used at home. Besides, it is always advised to start with something easy to make, and a trundle bed is exactly what you need for a successful beginning. The materials are easy to find in any hardware store, or simply lying around your house, in the barn or garage, waiting to be put to good use.

Then, there is of course the financial aspect that should not be neglected. It is cheaper to “produce” your own spare bed than purchase it from a store. Besides, it is always the advantage of having a piece of furniture made exactly by measure, and that fits perfectly under the main bed.

What matters the most in the case of trundle beds is to be practical rather than heavy decorated, and paying for some useless additions that supposedly make it look nicer doesn’t make any sense. For all these reason, it is certainly worth to learn by yourself how to build a trundle bed.

Things to Consider Before You Start

Although it is quite a simple operation, it requires a few preparations and there are a few things you should keep in mind.

• Measurements – They are probably the most important part not only of the pre-construction process, but of any other do it yourself project that implies woodworking. They must be made very carefully, so that the trundle bed fit perfectly under the main bed once it’s finished. For this, the mattress, the material used for the frame and, last but not least, the space under the main bed has to be measured. Always keep in mind that the success of the entire operation depends on how accurate your measurements are.

• Plan - It is always good to have a well established work plan, if you are interested in how to make a trundle bed or other piece of furniture by yourself. You can choose a book which describes various methods of construction, or you can design your own project and set the work stages in the desired order. The best way is for you to adopt a combination of the two, especially if you have in mind a more special project, such as a pop-up trundle bed or a twin trundle bed.

• Costs - Make a list with what you need, then look and see if you have some of the things around the house. Look for information on where you can purchase the rest of the materials for acceptable prices. Do the same for the tools, and buy or borrow the ones that cannot be found in your toolbox. The last thing you have to do, and which is a part of the process is to draw the line and make an estimation of the total costs. It will help you a great deal to form an image on the financial aspects involved.

Step by Step

1. Gather the materials – They should be easy to find, since, in essence you need very simple things. The mattress is the most important, because it is directly connected to the size of the frame. A memory foam mattress is the best for this purpose, but you can settle for an inflatable mattress if you don’t have the money. Besides, it is easy to fold and store when it is no longer needed. For the frame itself, you need four standard 2×4 lumber boards, a hammer, nails and plywood for the bottom. To move the bed easier, wheels can be added.

1. Build the frame - For someone with a little experience in woodworking, this is the easiest part of it. All you have to do is nail the four lumber boards in the shape of a rectangular box, and then stick the plywood to the bottom using glue. However, you must trim the edges of the boards nicely, so that they can fit perfectly.

1. Attach the wheels - If you choose to do this, then the additional height should also be considered. Thus, it is better to decide from the beginning whether you want wheels or not.

1. Paint the frame. It is always great to find a color that matches the one of the main bed, for a more pleasant aspect.

After all the work with the frame is done, all you have to do is to place the mattress. The satisfaction of seeing the job done is always more than enough to repay the efforts you made while learning how to build a trundle bed alone.

When searching for a good trundle bed, you have to keep an eye open for a few aspects. Of course, not everyone looks at the same thing when they are thinking of buying one. But what you are about to read might clear up some foggy aspects for you. So, if you are about to go shopping, read further to get an idea of what conditions such a bed should satisfy.

1. Design.  Trundle beds come in many sizes and in a lot of different designs. For example, a queen-sized trundle bed might not fit well in a small room, esthetically speaking. The opposite is also true; a large bedroom might disagree with a bed that is more suitable for a child’s room. After settling on an appropriate size, you should look at what the bed is made of. It could be made out of wood entirely or feature extensive metal works, or both. Naturally, upholstery is also present. Personal taste is the supreme judge in that regard, but think about durability and ease of cleaning, besides how good a trundle bed looks like.
2. How often will the trundle be used? If you wish to purchase one or more trundle beds which will see intensive use, go for a pop-up model, which offers good support and also looks better when the trundle is in use. Otherwise, a bed with a pull-out drawer would suffice. Use the drawer for storage, and when the time comes just fit it with a mattress and you get an extra comfy bed with minimum effort.
3. Cost. Unlike popular belief, if something is very expensive, it does not mean it is automatically the best of the best. A resistant, comfortable, high utility and attractive looking trundle bed does not have to bleed your bank account dry. Usually, a fine compromise between those aspects can be found in the mid-price range for such beds. A suggestion: for maximum saved space and people accommodation check out trundle bunk beds. Note that they will be a bit more pricy, but worth the investment.
4. Such beds are good for those with health problems. Trundle beds are a true alternative for those who have back issues. Naturally, you should look for appropriate mattresses and a bed to support it. Check with the seller before you buy anything. Better yet, pay your physician a visit first, if you happen to find yourself in the undesirable position of having spine problems.
5. Research. This part is fundamental to your well being, both physically and financially. Check the Internet for reviews, as many as you can find, if you plan on buying something online. Go from shop to shop and ask the sellers everything that crosses you mind in order to squeeze as most info as you can. Also, carefully look at the warranty and at the company’s history.

Keep in mind these 5 simple tips and choosing a good trundle bed will be a lot easier.

You are neither the first, nor the last person having guests sleeping over and being worried about the lack of space and resources, but there is a simple solution to your problem – the trundle bed.

What are trundle beds?

They are a set of two beds out of which one is smaller and can be rolled under the other one, occupying the same space during the day, but offering a double sleeping capacity for the night.

How is a trundle bed different from others?

Unlike bunk beds, for example, the smaller bed is stored directly under the upper bed, the latter remaining at the height of a regular bed. The rollers or casters of the small bed make it very easy to handle.

Types of trundle beds

Although this type of bed can come in a variety of sizes and present numerous particularities, there are two major categories, differentiated by the height of the trundle. Thus, you can have pull-out trundles and pop-up trundles.

In the case of the first category, the small bed, when pulled out, remains lower than the upper bed, at the same level as when rolled under.

The pop up trundle bed is usually based on a metallic foldable structure that allows the small bed to rise at the same level as the main bed. It is also known as trundle day bed, due to the fact that, being at the same level with the main bed, it can be used during the day as well, just like a regular bed, covered with beddings and pillows, without affecting the design of the room or becoming an obstacle

What can a trundle bed be made of?

Wood – Just imagine it with the edge copying a drawer, with beautiful sculptures or decorations, in the same color with the rest of the furniture or even the floor. Wood does have a way of warming up the atmosphere and making a place feel welcoming and comfortable.

Metal – There are a few people who would consider wood to be out of fashion, and in their case, metal could provide a more modern aspect to the overall room design, not to mention that metal structures last better over the years. To avoid the cold feeling metal inspires, it can easily be painted or upholstered in fabric.

Cast iron – It can be considered the perfect compromise between wood and metal, being more resistant and modern than wood, but not as cold and lifeless as metal. It is also easier to model, giving life to interesting shapes and models.

Why should you buy a trundle bed?

Why do you buy most of the things you spend your money on? Because you need them, they might become handy and you may even like them. Trundle beds are bought for the same reasons, and what is more important, they bring some quite important benefits to their owner, such as:

• Space – No matter how big a room or a house is, space is never enough and you know it. Of course, you can manage with everyday things, but what about the times when friends or relatives pop-up and decide to spend the night. Where are you going to find the space? Couches? Mattresses? Sleeping bags? They are either big, difficult to handle or uncomfortable, especially during the winter period, when sleeping on the floor could become a serious health risk.
• Time – How long would it take to find a mattress, set up a bed, move the couch around or just organize the rooms? With a trundle bed, all you need to do is roll out the small part and lay the sheets. A couple of seconds or a couple of minutes should be more than enough.
• Comfort – Have you tried sleeping on a mattress, in a sleeping bag, on the floor or on the living room couch? If you have, you know how hard your back takes the night, how easily you wake up at every single noise and how tired you feel in the morning. On a trundle bed, you sleep just like you would sleep on a normal bed. You wake up rested and ready to start a new day, and you just roll it back under the main bed and you forget it was ever there.
• Money – Let’s face it, as much as you would hate to admit, regular beds or couches are much more expensive, and mattresses or sleeping bags have a tendency of deteriorating when they are used too often to sleep on the floor. Instead of spending a fortune, worrying about storage or design, why not order a trundle bed and take advantage of what it has to offer for years to come?
• Design – Doesn’t it bother you when you enter the bedroom and you see mattresses or sleeping bags on the floor, the beddings all wrapped under them or the pillows wiping the parquetry? Have you seen how beautiful trundle beds look? How well they fit under the main bed and how exquisite their decorations may be? Choose your trundle bed carefully, and everyone will envy you for your fine taste in decorating your bedroom.
• Fun – Not for you, because you are probably over the age when slumber parties and sleeping over are a must, but for the kids. They need to spend time with their friends, and they need to enjoy every minute. Well, there is no doubt that everyone will find the trundle inviting and exciting at the same time, and they will fight over who gets to sleep on it too.
• Size – Trundle beds are available in so many sizes that it would be impossible not to find the size you need. Thus, you can buy a twin bed with trundle and have your guests feel like in a five star hotel, or you can make great use of kids trundle beds, if your children are the ones to receive guests.
• Versatility – did you know that a trundle bed can turn into a drawer or just a simple storage place if you’ll just remove the mattress? Yes, it can, and it can turn out quite handy. For example, it is a great place to keep the beddings, the things you no longer use but want to keep close or the off season wardrobe. Also, in order to accommodate a drawer under the trundle bed, you can use a thinner mattress. Of course, the comfort will not be the same, but you will have what you wanted.

How to choose the best trundle bed

A while ago, you would not have even had a choice. Could it be because homes used to be larger? Or perhaps people didn’t use to spend the night at friends? Who knows, but what is well known is that trundle beds were quite rare and only custom made.

Nowadays, you find all kind of models, from all kind of materials, and in so many sizes that you never know what to choose. If you are going to buy such a bed, you want to make sure you get the most out of it.

First of all, you have to find out the exact dimensions, to make sure the trundle bed will fit the room perfectly. You can easily calculate them based on the dimensions of the main bed.

Once you have the size, you need to think about the mechanism. Do you want rollers or caster? Should the trundle remain at its original height or should it pop up to the height of the main bed?

And finally, you need to decide on the material and the model. Will it be wood, metal or cast iron? Try to think in perspective and match the trundle bed color or material with the furniture or the parquetry, because you might change the color of the walls, the beddings, the curtains or the carpet and it would be a pity to ruin the harmony and elegance of the space.

By now, you should know exactly what you want and how you want it, so you can start hunting for the best deals. As far as producers or suppliers are concerned, it would be advisable to settle for someone with a solid reputation in the field, and for a product with a considerable warranty period, because the longer the warranty period, the higher the chances for your product to last long and give you no headaches.

As for the price, of course you have to avoid getting bankrupted by buying an unnecessarily expensive trundle bed, but since it is an investment you make for years to come, it would be a shame to buy something of a poor quality or looking really cheap just to save a couple of bucks.

Actually, the best way to choose is to follow your heart, and there is no doubt that when you find the right trundle bed, you will know it was made for you.