Want to build a bed and make it look like its floating in the air? You can by building this bed yourself and adding a string of LED rope lights to the bottom. The wood for this project will cost around $300 dollars depending on where you purchase it from. The time it will take you to build this will be from 2 to 4 days. This woodworking project can be for a twin, full, queen, or king bed. The dimensions of this bed will vary depending on your mattress size. The top frame portion of the bed will be the dimensions of your mattress. The bottom frame portion will be 1ft shorter on the sides and front to hide the bottom frame from view and give the look of a “floating” bed. See below for the step by step pictures.
MATERIALS USED FOR THE FLOATING LED BED:
Bottom Bed Frame Constructed From: 2×8 Wood
Top Bed Frame Constructed From: 2×4 Wood / Plywood Sheets / 1×6 Wood
Headboard Constructed From: 1×6 and 2×6 Wood
LED Rope Lighting: 1 = 24′ LED Light Rope
Wood Stain: 1 Can of Cherry Wood Stain
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LED Bedroom Light Kit: Designed For Your Bed & Headboard.
Here are the top and bottom bed frames stacked on top of each other to show placement.
Holes were drilled and the LED rope lighting was snaked through the top bed frame for the floating effect.
The plywood and 1×6 wood were then attached on the top bed frame for the mattress to sit on.
Once the plywood and outer frame pieces of wood were attached, the lighting was tested.
The headboard was assembled and then attached to the rest of the bed.
(Closeup of the headboard)
After the bed was fully assembled, it was sanded and prepped for wood stain.
The bed frame and headboard were stained with a cherry colored wood stain and given time to dry.
(Closeup of the bed frame after staining)
In a dark room the floating lights were tested again to assure everything was in place and working properly.
The bed was moved into the bedroom with mattress on top to see the final product.
As you can see in the pictures the bed really does look like it is floating in the air.
Lights off in the room and bottom floating LED lights on. Looks Great.
Instead of purchasing a string of LED rope lights, you can purchase an LED Light Kit For Your Bedroom.
Written by Keith Schneerer
Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com
Keith has spent 30+ years repairing machines, starting as a military mechanic and later maintaining food processing equipment before moving into appliance repair. He founded RemoveAndReplace.com to share field-tested repair advice.
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Nick,
Use either 1/2 or 3/4 inch thick plywood. Use a thicker plywood for a stronger frame.
-RR
One more thing.. How thick were the plywood sheets you used? -Nick
Hi Nick,
A “Full” mattress is 54”x 75” (inches). You will obviously have to make the bed frame bigger than the actual mattress size. We would recommend making the frame only a few inches wider (on the sides, front, back) without having too much of the wood frame hanging off the sides. If there is excessive width to the frame, it will just be something you hit your knees on constantly. Build the top portion of the frame first (where the mattress will be sitting). Next construct the bottom portion. When you build the bottom portion be careful with how wide and how long you make it. Remember, it needs to be the proper size to support the bed when someone is sleeping or sitting on the very edge of the bed (so it does not tip over). At the same time you don’t want it to be to wide because it will not have the appearance of “floating”.
-RR
Hi, my name is Nick and I am going to attempt to build this bed frame with a full size mattress. Is there any way you could help me by getting some of the dimensions for this project? Thanks.
Just a suggestion… If you were to wrap the lower bed support with mirror tiles or some el’ cheapo wall mirrors, it would add to the floating effect as the floor covering would be reflected. Basic magic trick stuff.
Would probably increase the light effect as well.
Ed,
We do not have actual “blueprints” but here is a video that will help you to build a California King bed frame from scratch for about $150 dollars.
-RR
Can I have actual blue prints or specs of actual design so I can build one too the specifications of a cali king bed?