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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think I can make this house bed myself?

27 replies

Leilaniii · 08/07/2017 07:36

My DD would love a house bed like this. However, it is expensive and the lead times are 6 weeks and she needs a new bed now.

I found these plans online.

AIBU to think that I can go along to my local wood yard, have the wood cut to size, buy some tools, take them all home and do it all myself? Or am I deluded? I once laid laminate flooring albeit about 20 years ago, so I have done something similar, but I'm not generally handy.

OP posts:
KingJoffreysRestingCuntface · 08/07/2017 07:39

Of course you can. You can do anything!!

Where are you? If you're near me I'll help.

Fooshufflewickbannanapants · 08/07/2017 07:39

Totally do able!

Sushi123 · 08/07/2017 07:40

So is she just going to have her mattress on the floor?

FlamingoPrincess1212 · 08/07/2017 07:40

Yes you could make this.
You could also get a local odd job man to help you for about an hour and a half of their going rate.
It's fairly basic.

Original poster
Leilaniii · 08/07/2017 07:43

Oh, thanks everyone! Thanks for having faith in me Grin !

KingJoffreys, I'm not in the UK unfortunately. Otherwise I would definitely take you up on your offer Smile.

Sushi, no I think there are slats, so it's not directly on the floor.

OP posts:
Pengggwn · 08/07/2017 07:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cocklodger · 08/07/2017 07:44

Definitely doable Op. make sure you write up a plan first though, and calculate accurately what you'll need. I made a table not long ago and was back at Bunnings every 39 seconds because I'd forgotten something/bought the wrong thing/underestimated how much I'd need Grin

Laiste · 08/07/2017 07:46

Is the one to buy online including the base or is it just the frame over the top? Are you planning to make the whole bed or just the frame over the top?

With the timber, the tools, the fixings and the finishing i'd say buying it for £100 quid is cheaper. ($200 is about £100 isn't it? The 'Cubby' wooden version).

If you haven't got a hundred quid (I haven't either) then yeah, have a go and buy the bits you need gradually.

Squishedstrawberry4 · 08/07/2017 07:46

Give it a go!

Cocklodger · 08/07/2017 07:49

If OP uses pine and doesn't need to replace stuff because she's brought the wrong things like me it'll probably be cheaper (mind not by much). And certainly quicker.
I would however recommend buying pre stained/varnished wood OP as drying will be a while.

wellhonestly · 08/07/2017 07:49

You are brave! But I don't think laminate flooring and this kind of thing are in the same ball-park, sorry OP. Two suggestions:

  1. Price the wood first and work out if you could afford to lose that money if you completely make a mess of it. Do you have a nail-gun? Because I would hate to try this design without one.
  1. On the website, reading not too far between the lines, the wooden "house" design is not very robust - it looks to me like it could break if your daughter or a friend swings on it. (Kids do. My 2 DSs swung on the metal top strut of a 4-poster bed and bent it.)
Firstaidnovice · 08/07/2017 07:54

Do you have an IKEA where you are? It might be easier to hack something than create totally from scratch? DD has the Kura bed which is reversible, and could be hacked into something like this, I'm sure.
At the very least I'd suggest starting with a pre built bed base, and add the house frame yourself. I recently built my own alcove shelves, of which I'm inordinately proud Grin but it took me about six weeks, and I consider myself reasonably competent, so my main advice is don't underestimate how long it might take! And as pp has said, you'll be back at the DIY store several times picking up different sized screws. I now understand why the carpenter wanted to charge so much for what seemed like a basic job!

Firstaidnovice · 08/07/2017 07:58

Here's an image of the hacked IKEA bed that looks a bit similar? And basically isn't much extra work. Apologies if you don't have IKEA

to think I can make this house bed myself?
Original poster
Leilaniii · 08/07/2017 08:00

Nooooo!!!! I have just sold that bed! It didn't occur to me to customise it. Damn.

OP posts:
665TheNeighbourOfTheBeast · 08/07/2017 08:02

You could, you would need some relatively expensive tools though of you don't own then already, the timber yard won't miter the wood for you so you'll need a miter and saw, also a power drill..
But...
Looking at both the commercial one and the plans, what you have the are some very long lengths of timber held in place with a ltd number of screws,
The plans seem to involve screwing into the end of the long timbers to hold them upright and secure which is a very very weak join
I think the whole top of this will split away from the base under even minor pressure and kids, even the most careful, will do this..
I don't think this is what you wanted to hear, but it's going to be an expensive and frustrating job for that to happen to straight away.

BigGreenOlives · 08/07/2017 08:05

I'd be really worried about the stability of the bed in the photo, I can imagine someone thinking it was like monkey bars & it all collapsing. Usually a guest child.

Coulddowithanap · 08/07/2017 08:05

You can do this Smile

Use screws not nails (using drill with screw attachment and not hand screw driver or it will take forever lol)

overmydeadbody · 08/07/2017 08:06

Go for it! That looks quite simple.

I have built a few things following plans online, including DS's bed, a bench and window seats with storage.

Just take your time, plan well, measure twice, or three or four times!

Anyone can do anything if they put their minds to it!

PanannyPanoo · 08/07/2017 08:06

I just had a quick look and there is a stockist on eBay selling them for£135. You may find cheaper options close by to you.
Whilst you could make it yourself I don't think you will save much money wise. timber and fixings aren't cheap. stockists will have bought in bulk
you will need a drill, mitre joint guide. saw etc etc. So could end up spending more than you think with a slightly wonky end product. what bed is she in at the moment? if you could adapt a traditional wooden frame or divan and just add the roof part I think it would be more feasible.

Badbadtromance · 08/07/2017 08:09

You can do it! Post a picture so we can see yours

overmydeadbody · 08/07/2017 08:10

Do you have any tools already? The plans day to need a mitre saw and kreg jig? (My normal saw can do mitre cuts and Americans live a kreg jig, but if you know what you're doing you can adapt it)

PanannyPanoo · 08/07/2017 08:10

ah cross posted with lots of others what with starting a post then getting disturbed with breakfast making, bottom wiping joys ! such a shame you have sold her existing bed. maybe you could buy a similar second hand one. is it actually sold and no longer in your house? if still waiting to be collected maybe stop the sale.

OhDearToby · 08/07/2017 08:14

First thing I thought of was the ikea kura bed. We have one and it could definitely be made into something like this and it would be 100 times easier and sturdier. Can you get yours back?!

NapQueen · 08/07/2017 08:16

Why sell a bed when you need a bed?

WellThisIsShit · 08/07/2017 08:17

It's more of a fancy way to drape cloth vs something to be played with.

I would worry about the weak joints / thin pieces of wood, and children playing with it vs decorative purposes only.