Bed with Lift Mechanism

Especially for women, who as we all know always have too much to wear and nowhere to put it. The largest section of the wardrobe is usually located under the hanger rail, but placing bedding and blankets there is not the best option. At minimum, this could result in wrinkled clothes at the bottom. Therefore, the best solution is to store items inside the bed itself, and the ideal type of furniture for this purpose is a bed with a lift mechanism.

Photo 1 — Bed with a lift base from Italian manufacturer Tiffany by Bodema Medio

Advantages of Lift Beds

There are several advantages to lift beds:

Firstly, such a bed allows the most efficient use of bedroom space, avoiding clutter from additional furniture or attempts to fit things into small wardrobes;
Secondly, such a bed is more practical compared to a regular bed without built-in storage space under the mattress, where trash and dust constantly accumulate, which you end up breathing;
Thirdly, a lift base for the bed allows you to use all space from the frame to the floor for storage. This makes the storage capacity of a lift bed higher than that of beds with sliding drawers.

Photo 2 — Transformation of Hoff bed with a lift mechanism Amelie and forged headboard

The main factors to consider when choosing a lift bed include material, frame type and the lift mechanism itself.

Material

Just like any other type of bed, lift beds are best chosen from solid wood. It's not only because natural materials promote healthy sleep and overall well-being. The frame for the mattress or the wooden mattress is attached to the bed base on only one side. When using a lift mechanism, these attachment points experience significant pressure – they must withstand considerable weight. If the bed is made of particle board, these attachment points are more vulnerable. Solid wood is a more reliable material.

If you plan to store frequently used items in the bed's storage compartment and the lift mechanism is expected to be used quite actively, you should choose a bed with a sturdy wooden or metal frame.

Photo 3 — Wooden Dilight bed with a lift mechanism, manufactured in Ukraine

Frame Type

Regarding the combination of mattress and frame, which can be an orthopedic lift bed, there are two options:

separate frame and mattress;
frame mattress.

In the first case, this is a wooden or metal base with wooden slats that may differ in thickness and spacing. The mattress is chosen separately according to the specificities of the frame and personal preferences.

In the second case, this is a single-sided mattress that already includes a rigid frame. It is usually made of wood, and the supporting platform on which the spring block lies can be in the form of a natural wood frame or a plywood or slatted grid.

A frame mattress is a specific type of mattresses used only in lift beds, or can be used as a standalone sleeping surface installed on the floor or platform.

Photo 4 — Lugano bed with a lift mechanism on gas dampers and a frame mattress

Lift Mechanism

The lift mechanism is attached to the side rails of the bed and the mattress base. It comes in two main types, differing by price, quality and operation:

spiral springs;
gas lifts.

Lift mechanisms of the first type may consist of a metal frame and various numbers of spiral springs. They perform their function well but wear out quickly and may require replacement.

Gas dampers cost more than spring mechanisms, but they are more reliable and require almost no effort to lift heavy frames and mattresses.

Assembly of the lift mechanism can be done independently. Furniture hardware and transformation mechanism stores provide simple instructions for this purpose.

Photo 5 — Italian single bed for teenagers Tommy, equipped with a lift mechanism

The most popular sizes of lift beds are 140x200 and 160x200 centimeters. Equally popular are single beds in this design.

The design of various types of such beds unifies the presence of a closed box under the mattress base and the absence of a footboard. Otherwise, the design can be completely individual. The most popular options are fully wooden beds and beds with a soft headboard and soft box upholstery.

Besides the above-mentioned beds, furniture with a lift base includes such transformers as wardrobes-beds, the classic example of which is the lift bed "Sonata" produced by the St. Petersburg company of the same name. However, wardrobes-beds deserve a separate article.

Photo 6 — Bed with a lift base and fabric upholstery in floral motifs by Tyler from Roy Bosh