I would go all white but keep those handles - at least in the photo they are awesome! You could always do some sort of design or stencil on the top to add interest. Good luck and great find!

i would go for a glossy white on the outside, and maybe the cane(?) on the inside could go gold? i like the current hardware!

Paint it white or black, keep the cool handles and replace the mesh inserts with some great fabric. I can see something Asian inspired with this design.

I agree that the handles are really nice and think you can do something with this. I would paint the body one color and the door panels another. You could also change the panels out for something you like better.

That is such a cool piece, never seen anything like it before! I think lacquer would be the best finish for this as it would hide the imperfections and provide a lasting finish.

What an interesting and unique piece. I hope you can save it. I would do what others have suggested, which is to paint the whole thing a glossy white and keep the handles. Grab a can of Brasso and get those handles clean and shiny. I would cover the insets with fabric.

What is the colour scheme in the room you'll put in?
I'd be tempted to paint it white and then the panels in the front a lovely bright colour to make it pop.

I also agree wih roslynholcomb, it has an Asian look to it.

I would replace the doors completely - you could easily make some out of a nice wood laminate or even Parisian doors cut down. I'd paint the rest- clean it well, prime with an ultra adhesive primer and paint.

I think you are lucky to have such a find! I am insanely jealous!

I'd probably paint it black and put fabric over the cane. Not sure what the rest of your house looks like though.

this kind of ugly piece is exiting because you have many possibilities. Depending on your style I would suggest, for the top : DIY cement or resine. for the rest : spray paint or wallpaper with a coat of vernish.

This piece has so much potential! I would paint it a dark matte color, maybe midnight blue. Spray paint the cane gold/bronze, and leave the original handles in place (shine them up, of course). Then I would get a stencil, I'm thinking circles of some sort like chain mail(?) and stencil that on top the blue in a shiny gold. Art Deco-ish...or something totally different like glossy white paint, hot pink fabric in place of the mesh, and silver handles.

Agree w/replacing the 'cane' with fabric and yes, keep those handles.

I would paint it.... The color would depend on the colors already in the room, though white is always a good bet. I would then remove the cane from the doors (do the panels come off?) and replace it with some decorative paper or fabric. Is that white piece a headboard? If it it, you cold cover it in the same fabric, and maybe window treatments as well.

Ok, I'm a function first person. Consider, please, whether this steel bar and spring frame can possibly suport any guest's back properly for a comfortable (or even reasonable not-uncomfortable) night's sleep. It can't, and won't, no matter what sort of mattress you find to put on it. Put this piece of torture back in the garbage where it belongs. Your guests will thank you.

You can TOTALLY salvage this! Based on several laminate painting tutorials I've read, sanding the crap out it will help with the durability of the finish. For you it will also help even out the existing beat-up finish. If you don't already have one, invest in a palm sander (they're cheap, plus you'll thank me later). Use a GOOD primer (I believe Zinser Cover Stain is the top recommendation for cover laminate). I would also suggest cutting down some thin (1/4"-1/8") sheets of wood (or MDF) to cover the caning... or some funky paintable wallpaper if you want to make it a bit more mod.

Color and sheen choices are totally dependent on your apartment's style and color scheme. Personally, I'd lacquer that puppy up in a fun color (I just fell in love with some amazing navy blue lacquered dressers from CB2) and top it with a granite or quartz-composite top (or even corian to save a little $$) and use it as a mini-bar when you don't have overnight guests.

Good luck! I hope to see it as a before and after here when you're done!

I like the idea of these things, but in reality the bed is just as bad as any fold-out couch. Ditch if for an air mattress or futon -- the cabinet could be repurposed as a bar or media center or other storage, but if you are not passionate about restoring it, why bother?

I love this thing! I agree that the hardware is amazing and should stay. Give the piece a bit of a sanding with some fine grit paper and a couple good coats of paint. White could be nice, but it's such a neat piece of , why not make it pop by painting it something bright? What ever colour you choose to paint it, you could also take out those "screens" in the door and spruce them up with a contrasting coat of paint, or with a printed fabric.

Id give it a bright white paint job, remove the cane and replace it with some pretty grey and white patterned fabric/wallpaper? it is savable! Im not a fan of the handles but to each their own, not hard to switch out either way.

This definitely has an Asian influence to its design, I'd play that up, again, keep the hardware, assuming it IS brass, if so, clean them up and reinstall.

As for the cane, replace that with something else, or leave it and I'd then, assuming your home's decor will work with it, I'd paint it a super glossy bright red, perhaps in lacquer, paint the cane a gloss black and with the brass handles, you'll have a stunning piece.

That said, the frame for the mattress may be shot so keep that in mind when using as a guest bed.

Otherwise, it's a neat piece, that's for sure.

This is a no-brainer to spruce up the cabinet. The question is, will anyone ever get a good night's sleep on it? Are you going to invest in a mattress (I assume you have burned the original, if it came with one) to find out? I agree with Frank that there is no point fixing this up and taking up space in your home for it if it is not going to be more comfortable than an air mattress.

Agree with babyfishmouth. That looks like the most uncomfortable thing to sleep on. Also, whovever sleeps on it has to sleep with his/her head in the cabinet. IF i was able to sleep, that would give me some bad bad nightmares.

That said, you might be able to get rid of the icky metal frame and use the "box" to store a rolled up foam or futon mattress...? If so, I'd figure out what the minimum interior dimensions you need are, and then look for a better mattress to roll up inside it.

Your question doesn't say what colors and style are going on in the room where you want to put this thing, so I would say, do something that fits with/enhances/contrasts with that.

It definately has possibilities. I can see it in a high gloss color, heritage red by Benjamin Moore, a trendy deep emerald, or a fabulous yellow for example, something high end designer. If you don't like the cane, you could insert mirrors or decorative metal screening from the hardware store. It is also a prime candidate for stenciling.

Love it. I would wallpaper it.

OK, first, on the issue of comfort. This assembly (without the cabinet) looks like what we called a hide-a-bed when I was a kid, and I slept on one for years in our summer cottage and was perfectly fine. (It's not your bed at home, but when you are a short-term guest, is that really essential? Especially when you don't have to pay hotel rates for something nicer?)

One idea nobody has mentioned (at least that I noticed) is real wood veneer. I found some self-adhesive veneer online when we were selling our old house and I really wanted to upgrade some builder grade (ugly) laminate vanities. (At least they had flat door panels!)

It works a lot like contact paper, but it is real wood, so more expensive. It has very serious self-stick adhesive, so you cut bigger than the surface in question, then trim down with a sharp utility knife, sand the edges, and then stain and polyurethane (or whatever) as any real wood product. I got oak and it handled easily (I was careful) and looked fabulous.

So, while painting sounds fine, too, that would be an alternative to consider. (Might cost ~$100 or a bit more for the materials.)

I also agree that the hardware is special and should be kept. (If you happen to hate it, please pass it on to someone who doesn't -- that sort of style is hard to find!

I like the caning, but if you don't, then beautiful fabric that works with your room would be an alternative. (You might want to make a sofa pillow or two to tie it together.)

This looks like a cool solution for a small space. Good luck!

Replace the doors and add a new layer of real-wood laminate to the shell.

For a more Asian look, a coat of high gloss black covered by high gloss red, then distressed will give it a nice effect (I don't really know how to distress, but I'm certain there are hundreds of guides).

If you want the piece to blend into a room (and not necessarily stand out), I would suggest painting the piece the same color as your trim and replacing the caning with radiator grill. Basically, it'll look like an enclosed radiator (blending especially well if you have radiant heat).

For a more modern pop, consider white and replacing/covering the caning with wood veneer. For a wood on white effect.

Oops, by radiator grill, I mean aluminum sheet metal, which you can easily acquire at HD or Lowe's. Some of them are fairly pretty, e.g.,

http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202525460?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051&N=5yc1vZc27v&R=202525460#.URUq_aXC1VI

which could work fairly well with an "Asian" theme.

I'm torn on this - on the one hand, it has potential, on the other, I have to agree with those who say it's not going to be comfortable.

I'm assuming, based on the photo, that the bed folds at least in half, but more likely into thirds, so any mattress that goes on this needs to be flexible enough to fold, thin enough to fit in the cabinet and sturdy enough to support whatever weight guest you plan to put on it. Plus not develop permanent thin spots at the fold points. That's a tall order.

For a smaller person, or a child, such a bed can be fine for short visits. For anyone old enough to have a few aches and pains, or someone who is a bit heavier, this could be torture.

You don't say why you are looking for a hide-a-bed, whether it's for occasional guests, a visiting child, or a long-term solution to needing more sleeping space. In either case, before spending time, effort and money on restoration - consider your reasons for the bed, the investment you'd need to find a suitable mattress for this thing and all of your other options.

If, in the end, this cabinet bed is the right solution (and you can find the right mattress), then I'd go one of two ways... either go with the Asian influence many have mentioned, or take it Mid Century Modern.

The mesh looks to be in good shape, and it can work with either style. I'd keep it. Sand down the scratches, use a filler if you need to, then prime the piece really, really well before painting to coordinate with whatever room it will be in. (gloss black, or a deep red are appealing to me, but that's my style)

If the hardware is as nice as the image shows - by all means, clean it up and keep it!

And by the way, when you do have a guest sleeping on it, nothing says that their head must go in the cabinet - you could simply make the bed the other way, so it's their feet in the cabinet end. And the top is a perfect space for guests to place their suitcase, or to hold a tray with a water carafe - sort of a built in nightstand.

Great piece with so much potential. I agree with paint and new fabric in the panels.
You can use a twin airbed instead of a regular mattress. They can be supremely comfortable and are easy to store and deploy. Cover the springs with a paint tarp canvas or similar canvas fabric tied with tabs to the frame to protect the airbed from punctures. Airbeds need a thick or fleece blanket under the sheet or they stay cold (which is actually great on hot summer nights!). This would work well for occasional use or for younger guests.

Before you do a thing, I suggest you throw a mattress on and try sleeping on it.

I predict you'll be sleeping on the floor before the night is through.

Wow. I think this is kinda great. I like the wood veneer idea mentioned above. I'm not sure how color-true the photo is, but if the color of the caning is on point, I would want to change that, too—maybe veneer the cabinet & spray the cane panels something glossy? I love the hardware. Love it. If you paint the cabinet, I'd Brasso it to a high shine, but if you veneer, I'd leave the patina.

And maybe I don't know my spare-bed stuff, but how is this likely to be any less comfortable than a sofa pull-out? Granted, no one writes paeans to the comfort of sofa pull-out beds, but unless you're the Princess with the Pea issue, you're going to be fine for a couple nights.

Seems like some of the scotches are quite deep and might not deal well with painting.

What about covering it with a cool vinyl or wallpaper? There is a table in the Ikea Hack section this week that was covered in snake skin.

Also, from a comfort level, you might want to get a couple of pieces of wood that fit together over the springs. Then you can put the mattress over those for more support. You can store those pieces in the back of your closet or behind the piece.

I wonder if the Ikea PS armchair bed mattress would work?

The Ikea PS in the sofa size is my all-time favorite folding guest bed. It is truly comfortable. The bentwood slats come out of the sofa after awhile, so I guess it is not the greatest product in the world, but it is inexpensive and gives a great night's sleep to whoever uses it. It is the frame more than the mattress that makes it work so well so not sure it will really translate to your find, but it is a possibility.

Wow, some really great suggestions here, thanks guys and gals! Sad news though - the hardware is not brass. I thought it was too, based on the pics, but once I saw it in person I realized it's just some sort of hard resin with a (scratched) brass finish. So new pulls are probably in order.
The space issue is that I have a two bedroom house - the spare room is 11.5' x 11.5', and it's my sewing / crafting room. So I don't have room for a real bed, or really any large furniture, as I like to keep the floor space open for larger projects. The bed will just be used by short-term guests, thankfully not a permanent sleeping space.
Lastly, the wall color is sort of a hot cocoa color, lots of gloss white trim and shelving, and one wall papered in this: https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/408909_10151336120330383_1867843045_n.jpg

I wonder if, to help make the bed more comfortable, you could stash away a piece of wood to lay under the mattress when it is in use.
Thank you for the info on your room and more details on the piece. Since you have hot cocoa brown walls and glossy white accents, I would paint the cabinet in glossy white and cover the cane inlays with a wallpaper that coordinates with the brown. And then use coordinating linens for the bed.

If its function and not the form of the cabinet per say that you're after; I would just take out the "working parts" and put it in a new cabinet. A cabinet with a nice countertop that you could use as project workspace.

I love the IDEA of it,but if your over 5'0 and 120 lbs forget sleeping on it.

the first thing I always do when painting furniture is to put at least one and hopefully up to three coats of a paint on product called... Gripper. Then, you can paint away to your hearts content and not worry about peeling, cracking or buckling. And, always remember, it is just paint!!!! You can always re-do it again later. Also, with the size of that pc. you can go to Home Depot and get the little containers of paint that you can have tinted at the checkout...they are less than $5...or even look for a mis-tint or oops paint. Good luck. Pam from tinkartist.blogspot.com I did some stuff on my blog with "gripper".

I think this piece would be phenomenal in white, and with the original hardware. However...I would not go with any type of gloss, it will highlight the imperfections on the surface. Personally, would not replace the caning with fabric...that's a little been there done that for such a unique piece! I would find two brass panels and pinhole punch them (a la early 1800's pie safe). That is just me though.

I think it's a great piece! Paint it and do something (or nothing) to the cane depending on your style. Definitely keep those handles.

Thanks for the additional info! By the way, I love the wallpaper!

OK, so if the pulls are icky, and considering the cocoa/gloss white/wall paper room, how about...

~ paint the cabinet gloss white (to match your trim) and cover the insets to match your wall paper. replace the pulls with something to match other hardware in the room (if the wall paper image is your room - matching the doorknobs would be great!) The goal would be to almost make it look built in.

~ I do love the idea of storing a piece of wood to slide under the mattress when in use - to save space, you could paint the wood to match your room and slide it behind a work bench (or even the cabinet itself). It would probably increase the comfort level of the bed immensely!

I agree with the glossy white. For the panel inserts maybe a mirror or if that wont work just put a piece of wood in and paint it white as well. Can't wait to see the "After" shot!

This is a cool find! Those handles are awesome.

First I'd like to say, great find! I am an interior designer and if this was my piece this is what I would do...

Paint the outside in a bold colour such as mustard yellow, electric blue, emerald green, or purple. Then cover the cane with wallpaper in an interesting print. Floral is always fun or a geometric pattern like ikat would look amazing! Lastly, I would change the hardware to a glass knob to add a bit of sparkle and to really update the piece!

Good luck and remember to go with what you love!
Josie from Downtown Design

Paint it a bold colour, I like the gold cane idea, clean up the handles, and add brass corners to give it a campaign chest look!