How to assemble a storage bed

You’ve finally chosen a lovely new storage bed and a season of extreme comfort lies ahead (hello breakfast in bed!).

And, may we say, you’ve made a wonderful choice! Storage beds are a stylish yet practical addition to your bedroom, and allow you to tidy away spare bedding, shoes or your out-of-season wardrobe without the need for additional freestanding furniture. But, now that you’ve chosen your gorgeous new bed, how the heck do you go about putting it together?!

There’s no need to fret. We’ve done the tricky bit for you and written an easy-to-follow guide on how to assemble your brand new storage bed. Right, time to fetch your tool box and a cup of tea. On your marks, get set… let’s DIY!

The Sophia Upholstered 3 Drawer Storage Bed has glamour and practicality nailed.

How to assemble a storage bed in 13 easy steps

A dreamy night’s sleep is just a few hours away as it’s time to assemble your ultra-comfy new bed!

Once you’ve opened up the instruction manual and dusted off the tool box, there are a few things to think about before you get going with your bed build. Our storage beds require two people for assembly, so it’s important to grab a friend to help you out. Secondly, we recommend moving the delivery box and all of your tools into the room that the bed is intended for, and try to clear a good amount of space on the floor around you.

What will you need?

• A cross-head screwdriver
• A hammer
• 2x allen keys (provided)
• A helpful friend

Remember: The exact assembly method may vary according to the model of the headboard you have purchased, so always follow the instructions provided in the packaging. This particular set of instructions is for our Sophia Upholstered 3 Drawer Storage Bed and Ava Upholstered 3 Drawer Storage Bed.

1. Prepare your space

Now you’ve got everything into the correct room, make sure that you have enough space around you to complete your storage bed assembly. It may also be worth clearing off a surface so that you can spread out your tools and hardware.

2. Check you have everything you need

Ready to get started? It’s unboxing time! First, dig out your storage bed’s assembly instruction guide and carefully check that you have everything that’s listed on the parts and hardware list. Next, we recommend having a good read of the assembly instructions (twice over, maybe!) so that you’re completely familiar with the build process.

3. Assemble the headboard and footboard

First things first, locate your bed’s headboard and footboard and lay them down flat on the floor, with the front facing upwards. Next, track down the four legs and attach these to the headboard and footboard using the 50mm screws provided and your crosshead screwdriver.

4. Prepare the side rails

Next, locate the two side rails and, using your hammer, gently knock eight wooden dowels (four per side rail) into the prepared dowel holes, located on the inside edge of the rails.

Grab your four side rail supports and slot these into place over the dowels. Affix using 25mm screws and your crosshead screwdriver.

5. Attach the side rails to your headboard and footboard

Now your bed will really start to take shape. Carefully identify which of the side rails are intended for the left and right side of the bed and, using your DIY-partner to help you, prop up the headboard so it’s standing on its feet. Attach each side rail to the headboard by pushing down the bracket (located at the end of each side rail) over the bolts already inserted into the headboard.

Next, repeat the technique to attach the footboard to the other end of the side rails. Et voila – you have a basic bed frame!

6. Prepare the centre rail

Locate your bed’s centre rail and two support legs. Screw the two 35mm adjusters into the bottom of your two support legs. Then, attach the two support legs to the bed’s centre rail using the two 40mm JCBC screws and the provided allen key.

Next, slide the centre rail into the brackets located on the headboard and footboard.

7. Assemble the footboard drawer

Assemble the footboard drawer by tightening the two footboard side panels to the footboard front panel and the footboard back panel using 50mm screws and a crosshead screwdriver.

Turn the drawer over (so the top is facing down) and slide the footboard bottom panel into the prepared channels.

Locate the big and small bottom panel supports. Affix three of the bottom panel big supports and two of the bottom panel small supports to the footboard bottom panel (alternating between each size) using 32mm screws and a crosshead screwdriver.

Secure the footboard bottom panel using 24 power nails and a hammer.

8. Attach rollers to the footboard drawer

Grab six of the rollers and attach to the bottom panel big supports on the footboard bottom panel using 16mm screws and a crosshead screwdriver.

Your drawer should now be able to slide beautifully along the floor!

9. Assemble the side panel drawer

Your new storage bed also comes with two handy side rail drawers. Start with the first side rail drawer, and assemble by tightening the two side rail side panels to the side rail front panel and the side rail back panel using 50mm screws and a crosshead screwdriver.

As with the footboard drawer, turn the drawer over (so the top is facing down) and slide the side rail bottom panel into the prepared channels.

Next, affix two bottom panel big supports and one bottom panel small support to the side rail bottom panel (use the big supports at either end, and the small support in the middle) using 32mm screws and a crosshead screwdriver.

10. Attach rollers to the side panel drawer

Grab four more rollers and attach to the bottom panel big supports on the side rail bottom panel using 16mm screws and a crosshead screwdriver.

11. Repeat with the other side rail drawer

Repeat steps 8 and 9 to assemble the second side rail drawer and attach the rollers.

12. Assemble your brand new storage bed

You’re so nearly there! Lay your 13 slats across the bed frame and secure to the side rail support wood and centre rail using 35mm screws and a crosshead screwdriver.

Next, tighten up the bolts at the four inner corners of your bed frame using the allen key provided.

At this point, you could also attach metal stoppers to the side panels of each of your drawers before sliding them into place within your bed frame. This will prevent you from accidentally pulling out your drawers too far.

13. Step back and admire your handiwork

Phew, you’ve done it! Your stylish storage bed is ready to go. Give your DIY-helper a well-deserved high five, and get ready to dress your new bed to perfection.

How about a lovely new mattress to go with your storage bed?

Whether you fancy a supportive memory foam number or a perky pocket sprung, our stunning range of mattresses is available in an array of sizes.