Holiday Home Series: DIY Trundle Bed


Welcome to The Yellow Cape Cod Holiday Home Series.




Today, I would like to share a project that I completed in my boys' room.  I included it in my Holiday Home Series because it's a great solution for a home that accommodates holiday guests.  It's a simple alternative to permanantly devoting an entire room in your home to occasional guests.


After reading a news article about a tragic bunk bed accident,  I couldn't sleep until the bunk beds in my boys room were dismantled.

(Before)

When I put the beds side by side, there wasn't enough space for them to (wrestle) play.  Then it hit me...under not over.  I came up with a plan to discretely store one bed under the other, like a trundle bed.

(After)

My little one was not happy when he caught me taking down his bed.  He came around when I  explained the plan for a "secret hide-a-bed".  It became a covert operation.

The Tutorial:
After dismantling the bunk beds I assembled one bed with the two headboards.  I pushed it up against the wall like a day bed.  Then I created a rolling platform for the other mattress so it could be rolled in and out from underneath the bed.

Here is what I used to make the platform:

Plywood $10
5 Casters $5 each
Screws $2
Rug Grip Pad $10
Twin sized mattress 

Here is how I made it:

I measured the space under the bed to make sure the assembled platform would fit under the bed frame. 


I asked the Home Depot Guy to cut a sheet of plywood to size.


Using my power drill, I screwed 5 casters into the bottom of the plywood.


I gave the plywood a coat of primer and white paint.


 Then, I placed a rubber rug grip on top of the platform to keep the mattress from sliding around.


After making the bed with clean sheets, I placed the quilt over the sheets letting it touch the floor to completely cover the platform.  This eliminated the need for a bed skirt.  


This rolling platform hide-a-bed can be used under any bed that does not have floor supports.  Most twin and full (double) beds would be able to accomodate this project.



The total cost of this project = $27.
{Correction...the total cost of this project is $47.  Thank you, anonymous, for bringing the error to my attention.  Silly me}.



Thanks for visiting.
To view the entire Holiday Home Series, please click here.
For information on my affordable online design services, please click here.


**This project tutorial is solely based on my experience and circumstances.  If you are going to try this at home, please conduct your own independent research on the process, tools and products used to decide if it's right for you and your circumstances. Please always use caution with power tools and chemicals and follow all recommended safety precautions.   If you are unsure of the quality or safety of your final product, please contact a professional for a safety inspection before use.  This bed is not intended for use with small children.



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61 comments:

  1. Such a great idea!!! Quick question...do you use the lower mattress everyday? Does it become a hassle to pull it out and also to make it everyday? Thanks!!!

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    Replies
    1. we use our trundle every day and it's no hassle-actually easier! but we also have a set of bunkbeds and the trundle is obviously under a bed...

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  2. It looks just great! Really, so much better than a bunk bed (I've read stories too - and they're not good) and what a great series too!

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  3. What a great idea! That's why we comin' back to you...you're full of them!

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  4. Greatness. Lookw wonderful too. Is that pup a prop or do you own a Bichon! Our favorite of all breeds.

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  5. We've been meaning to do this for the longest time for guest space - inspiring! Maybe it's time for a trip to Lowes for supplies!

    Also, love the new look of the blog! (I've been a long-time lurker.)

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  6. Can I just tell you how much I absolutely love this idea! With my boys getting older and more sleep overs in our future I have thought about buying a trundle bed for them but this is even better! Thank you for sharing! I love it and this is my next project!

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  7. I love this idea, and it looks so great!!! I know trundle beds can cost a fortune, and yours looks better than some i've seen in catalogs!! Awesome!!!

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  8. What a clever idea! My daughter needs a trundle bed for when she has friends sleep over. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Sarah you are FULL of great ideas. My little guy had twin beds in his room in our last house, but not enough room in his new room so the second bed is in our basement. Meanwhile my daughter has a trundle that is used constantly. I keep thinking about buying a trundle frame but this is a MUCH better solution! THANK YOU once again!

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  10. Fabulous tutorial! I've always wanted one of these for my son's room but never thought to try it myself... doh!! Gorgeous photography and what a sweet pup. :)

    Thanks for your nice comment over on Roadside Roadkill!

    Donna

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  11. Brilliant!! This is so cute, and I've always loved trundle beds - who would have thought such an inexpensive DIY version was out there! Love his room too, btw. The stripes are just darling.

    Jenny
    www.evolutionofstyleblog.blogspot.com

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  12. So clever. I'm just loving your home and I am definitely planning on using your crown molding trick that I've seen around the blog world and on Kate's B.O.T.B.

    Oh, and I see you're just like me and don't allow pets on the furniture! Ha!

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  13. My three boys ages 1, 4 and 6 share a room and whil e wedo have bunk bedsin there, the youngest (20 months) sleeps on a matress on the floor because he figuresout how to climb out of the baby bed and play pen, its a chore to shove that mattress under the bunk beds (there isnt room for 2 beds let alone 3 beds so I think im going to show this to my husband and ifhe can put it on wheels to make it 10 times easier then you are a God send! thanks so much for sharing!

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  14. love it. thank you!

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  15. Great idea - and the best part? No mess under the bed to clean up.

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  16. This is so super cute! How did you get the main bed high enough to fit a mattress underneath? LOVE your blog!

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  17. This is brilliant! Thanks for sharing.

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  18. Obviously by all my comments you can tell that I am your newest follower!! Love all your stuff! Your boys room is awesome...I love your striping on the walls! I need to copy now!! =)

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  19. Wow, got lost on your blog this morning exploring all of your beautiful pictures and posts! I am your newest follower! I would love to always have you share your posts at my weekly parties!! ha! http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com

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  20. this is an amazing tutorial thank you SO much! You just saved us $500! we just moved into a house and a girls' room is a bit smaller than their current room, and they want their bunk beds to be seperated on top of that! I started pricing trundle beds but this is the perfect solution. thank you so much!!!

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  21. So what about putting drawer pulls on the sides to make it easier to pull out? That's a great idea you had!! :D
    Suzanne

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  22. I love your trundle bed idea and want to do this in my son's room. But I also love the bedding. If you don't mind my asking, where did you get the navy blue coverlets??

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  23. Nice solution to the problem and your trundle bed idea will fit your children through all the years of sleepovers too. Good job!

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  24. That is so great. We were looking into buying that type of bed they want tons for them. This is such a simple great project, thanks.

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  25. This is such a clever idea. Simple yet so practical (and thrifty!)!

    (The whole room is fantastic, btw).

    I would be thrilled if you would link this up at Feature Friday Free-for-All

    http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/2012/01/feature-friday-free-for-all-1.html

    P.S. I'm your newest follower. : )

    ~Abbie (www.fivedaysfiveways.com)

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  26. Hi! Followed a trail from TipJunkie! This is a great idea. I've been wanting to do trundle beds in my kids's rooms but not wanting to pay for it one. Thanks for this tutorial!

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  27. I have got to know the colors of your paint. I am having my first boy, after 3 girls, and I love how you painted this room. So cute! Please share!

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  28. LOVE! Where did you find that super head and footboard? They are perfect for what I am wanting.

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  29. I love it that is a great Idea

    greetings from Germany

    MamaMauzi

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  30. Perfeito!
    Compartilhei esta ideia no Facebook
    Obrigada!

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  31. Great idea!! & So simple.
    I'd LOVE to know the colors you used to paint the walls?
    I'm getting ready to paint my sons room (He's 3) and I want it to be something that he wont grow out of in 3 years, like the sail boat theme of his nursery, and I just LOVE these colors you used!

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  32. Can you please tell us how you are liking this? Your boys use this every night, correct? I need to do the exact same thing and I'm wondering how practical it is for everyday use. Does it ruin the carpet, do they move the trundle all around the floor? Any issues you've stumbled onto? Thank you in advance!

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    Replies
    1. Trimble,
      Yes, my boys use it every night. It has worked out wonderfully. No complaints. The caster wheels do leave a very small indentation in the carpet from the weight of my little guy but, you hardly notice it. It's a huge trade off for the peace of mind I have knowing they are safe.
      Best,
      Sarah

      Delete
  33. OMGosh!!! I am in the process of renovating my kids bedrooms and he has a bunk bed that I waned to get rid of, but guess what!!! I'm gonna make this!!! Thanks a bunch!!!!! You Rock!

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  34. Awesome. Just a couple of questions:

    How thick is the plywood?
    What size are the castors?
    Is it easy to pull out?

    Thanks!!!

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  35. We made a trundle for my then two-year-old last year for a crib mattress. Check it out...http://theclawsonclan.blogspot.com/2011/01/handyman-came-to-visit.html
    I think we will need to upgrade to a twin soon for our little guy, thanks for the tutorial!

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  36. I have a cousin who died on a bunkbed many years ago and they still scare me. I have tried to figure out what to do instead of bunk beds for my boys. I am going to do this right a way. I told my husband about it and he loves it. Real quick question is does the bedding stay in place when you slide the bed under and also where did you get bedding that doesn't hang down so far. My boys have twin bedding and it still hangs past the matress.

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  37. So cute! I love the quilts. Can you tell me where you got them?

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  38. I did this and it came out great but the carpet I think is the problem-it doesnt roll easily.
    Any help appreciated, saxel95@aol.com
    Thanks,SA

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sara, I would try different casters. Some roll more easily than others. If your carpet is really thick, it may not be easy to roll regardless. Different casters may still be worth a try. Best, Sarah

      Delete
  39. $27? If you bought 5 casters at $5 each,you're at $25 right there :)

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  40. Ha! You are so right, I can't believe no one else has noticed that error. Thanks for pointing it out. I will correct the post to show the total cost $47. Whoops!
    ~Sarah

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  41. I had this same idea, but I was going to spend $80+ on a "roll a way" frame, why not make it myself with plywwo dans casters. Great!

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  42. I love the idea, but until I get some more of their stuff tamed down, one of them would never be able to get their bed out to sleep in!

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  43. This is an amazingly simple idea. I LOVE IT. My love of my life (now my husband who found me 30 yrs after we met) and I have 888 - 8 of each - kids, grands & brothers and God willing we will retire on our favorite island. You can imagine the guests we will have & I think I will make several of these. BTW - you use particle board, not plywood in your pics - any reason? In our termite/wood lice, tropical area we would have to use treated ply. And, due to the fact we already have a brass daybed trundle that is always knicking our legs by its sharp corners - I think I will round the corners a bit. Thank you so much for your inspiring blog. I have pinned you.

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  44. love this idea. thinking i would take some sail cloth or heavy weave and lightly upholster the bottom board to take some of the corner off it. A little batting and spray adhesive, a few staples.

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  45. How did you do the screws wouldn't they be poking the mattress?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous, Your screws should not be longer than the thickness of the board:) Thanks for reading. Best, Sarah

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  46. I love the quilts. Where did you get those????

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  47. So easy - thanks! Wanted to get rid of the bunk beds here for years! Great way to do this inexpensively! Project done in one Sunday!

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  48. Love this! How much clearance did you gave under your bed? I'm looking at purchasing an antique wood bed for my daughter that I will refinish. The clearance is 8" -- wondering if that's enough to make a trundle?
    Thanks,
    Shannon

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    Replies
    1. I was wondering the same, how tall is our space under bed?

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  49. What talent..Thanks for sharing,I would like to add a handle in the middle to pull out easily too,This is awesome !Thanks again..

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  50. Thank you, we were just talking about what a waste of $300 a trundle would be, but we wanted one for my daughter. This is perfect!!

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    1. Why do you need one roller in the middle? wouldn't 4 rollers work?

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  51. Thank you for such simple yet thorough, step-by-step instructions with accompanying pictures,....just perfect for people like me.

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  52. Has anyone ever tried this with furniture sliders instead of wheels? Thx!!

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    Replies
    1. they would prob move around though when you are trying to sleep? I would imagine the castors are locking? good idea in theory though to reduce the height.

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