I'm looking to create a floating single bed in my daughter's small bedroom to maximize space. There's a box under her current bed, possibly covering stairs, which sticks out a meter and is about 60cm high. We're hesitant to remove it since we don't know what's underneath. The existing bed is supported by this box, but we want to raise it about a meter to make room underneath for desks and chairs. The bed will be secured against three solid walls and we want to integrate a wardrobe at one end. Given the small size of the room, I want to know if securing the frame to these three walls will provide enough support, or if I should add legs for extra stability. Also, what size and type of screws should I use? I've read that lag screws are good, but I'm unsure since I'm working with solid brick walls. Any advice would be appreciated!
2 Answers
For a floating bed supported on three walls, using structural screws is a must! Avoid deck screws or drywall screws as they lack the needed strength. I recommend checking out brands like GRK, which produce high-quality structural screws that are a bit pricier but worth it for safety.
For your floating bed on solid brick, I suggest using heavy-duty masonry anchors or sleeve anchors (aim for at least a 10mm diameter). You should space these anchors about every 400-500mm along your support beams. It’s important to drill into the brick, not the mortar. You could technically skip legs if secured properly, but adding at least two legs for extra support at the exposed corner is a smart idea. Also, consider making the legs adjustable to help with leveling later on!
Thanks for the detailed suggestions! The longest wall is 2360mm, but the bed frame will only be 1900mm long with a shelf taking up the last 460mm. I'm building a separate wardrobe underneath, so I plan to add leg supports there too. The frame will be 3ft (914mm) wide! Appreciate your help!