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How To: Make a Captain's Bed on the Cheap

2007_04_19_hack.jpg
This is a small space DIY that's clever, easy, and cheap. AT:SF reader Killorn wrote to us and told us how she turned an IKEA LACK shelf into under-bed storage.
 
 

She says: I could not find a suitable storage bed in my budget that fit in the 64" x 88" alcove in my tiny apartment (450 sq. ft.), so I decided to build a plywood stage around a rolling LACK shelf to give the bed the appearance of a built-in.

Captains_before.jpg
before
Captains_after1.jpg
after

Killorn continues: GREAT for additional storage, I just pull the LACK shelf out to access seasonal clothes, larger office supplies, resource books, even my vacuum!

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2007_04_19_sideview.jpg

Total cost including LACK shelf: $130

Thanks, Killorn!

(Re-edited from 04.19.07 - CB)

Tags

How To..., beds & mattresses, shelving & storage, DIY, bedroom, captain's bed, LACK

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Comments (24)

Um, that's awesome. I really love the little front and side view graphics!

posted by Shannon in SF on 2007-04-19 16:38:37
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I agree with Shannon -- this is super cool. And I didn't initially realize that the shelving unit is on castors. Even better!

Makes me wonder what other brilliant things Killorn has come up with for the rest of the apartment ...

posted by anh-minh on 2007-04-19 16:56:16
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Love this but the mirror over the bed made me cringe. I hope at the very least you're using earthquake safe picture hangers.

posted by Li on 2007-04-19 17:16:10
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Another vote for totally cool.

posted by arin on 2007-04-19 19:19:10
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I agree that it looks a little dangerous in there. But very very nice solution with the lack shelving, and a great job with the visual descriptions!

posted by Sea on 2007-04-19 19:28:17
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The mirror is wonderful.

posted by erinorea on 2007-04-19 22:43:40
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I absolutely love that ruffled bedspread! Where did you find it?

posted by pignolia on 2007-04-23 22:43:39
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The comforter cover is DKNY "Pure Snow" - Picked it up on eBay for $25!

posted by killorn on 2007-04-24 02:05:24
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Very smart use of the lack. I was planning on doing a simular thing myself! I think it looks great- and I like the mirror!

posted by robj98168 on 2007-08-31 22:10:19
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Killorn - I love this design. What size bed is that?

posted by cancan on 2007-09-06 14:43:27
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I love this! You really just used plywood?! I want to make something similar. How high off the ground is your bed and what did you use to hold it together?

posted by jmedavis on 2007-09-18 05:38:29
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i'm in love with this 'cos it solves so many problems in one. it meets and surpasses the marks on storage, efficiency, attractiveness, and luxury. it's a sumptuous bed and a super use of the bookshelf and i can't get over how great it looks framed by the curtains! is that bedspread from UO?

posted by SD913 on 2007-09-18 23:38:49
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nevermind i see it's a dkny bedspread, but recently i saw a very similar spread and i think it was from UO. i'd like to know the size of the mattress too. looks like a full to me, which is what i plan on using in my b/r.

posted by SD913 on 2007-09-18 23:41:46
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I love the look of this, and it makes excellent use of an alcove! My only concern would be warping. Plywood tends to warp with time (sometimes only a few months) and it could become bad for your back. I'd love to try this with my antique mahogany headboard, which came with my grandmother's wedding set, sans bed frame. Right now it's just propped behind the bed, against the wall, and I think this would be a great solution for me! If I did it, I would add an addition support beam at the midpoint, under the mattress board. Thanks for the great idea!

posted by ami_l on 2008-05-10 15:15:21
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clever

posted by cityofparis on 2008-05-10 21:13:26
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That mirror may make other people cringe, but I am in love with it!! Where did you get it??

posted by azaleasmoke on 2008-05-11 13:39:19
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super cool, I love it all...esp the mirror!

posted by hanako66 on 2008-08-29 19:54:35
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this is awesome!!!



P.S. I was caught off guard by the "cringe" comment also, but she means for safety reasons not style.

posted by joss on 2008-08-29 20:46:36
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i live in ohio never gave the mirror a thought. it is a fabulous on a small budget as far as i am concerned!

posted by sunnyshelle on 2008-08-29 21:38:18
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This may possibly be the most comfy, most inviting captain's bed ever.

posted by Seaside on 2008-08-29 21:59:20
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I've always wanted a bed in an alcove with curtains like that.

That would be the best place to read, ever!

posted by Valerie on 2008-08-30 07:17:36
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wow

i'm totally doing that

posted by parisienish on 2008-08-30 11:21:52
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I love this bed - I wish I had a similar alcove to create something like this.

Re: Mirror - If it's gonna fall off the wall, it would slide straight down the wall between the mattress and the wall - I wouldn't worry about it.

posted by bepsf on 2008-08-31 12:44:05
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Please help me find a similar duvet cover or quilt! Ever since the first time this bed was posted, I have SCOURED eBay for DKNY "pure snow". Nothing!! Then I found a similar quilt on Brocade Home and was waiting for the price to come down...and they closed!!

posted by Doogle on 2008-09-02 11:52:40
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