Ikea children's sliding beds: tips for choosing and assembly instructions

A place for a comfortable rest and sound sleep is important not only for adults, but also for children, especially since their spine is still forming. But they have their own peculiarity: they grow, so the bed is needed more and more with age. During the period of the child's growth, you can change up to three models, which is not entirely economical, and it is not so quick to choose the furniture of the desired design. Therefore, sliding mechanisms will be simply the best options for practical and time-consuming parents.

The main difference between sliding beds is a mechanism that allows you to choose the length for the child's height. Such pieces of furniture are available in different styles, colors, there are both wooden and metal options. The bottom is usually solid or slatted.

When choosing a pull-out bed, you will notice that they are of two types.

• From 0 to 10 years old. Initially, the sleeping place looks like for a baby: it has rails and a chest of drawers with a changing table. The size is 120x60 cm, but when the child begins to grow, the bottom of the crib drops, the fences are partially or completely removed. The third option for increasing the space is the case when a chest of drawers with a changing table is dismantled, and then the bottom of the chest of drawers becomes one with the bottom of the bed. The size in this disassembled form reaches 160x70 cm.
• From 3 to 15 years old. Initially, the length is from 130 cm, and when sliding it reaches up to 210 cm, the width is 90 cm. Such beds have a patented sliding system, often drawers from the bottom or dressers are included in the package.

A clear advantage is the purchase of a crib for a long time, and this is very cost-effective, since changing the bed for the entire period of the child's growth is not meant, of course, with proper and careful operation.

Many manufacturers equip such beds with additional dressers or drawers, which is convenient and significantly saves space.

Sliding models are subject to more stress than regular beds, so they are made of more durable material and with more reliable fittings.

But there are also disadvantages: since it is the children's bed that is subjected to greater stress (jumping on the bed), the sliding mechanism may break.

Currently, there are several types of sliding beds from different series on the official website and in stores.

• Minnen. The model is refined and elegant, with thin slats and small wavy partitions with rays on the sides on the headboards and footboards. The bed is available in black and white and has a metal sliding frame with a pigmented epoxy powder coating. The set includes a bottom made of strips, the composition of which is beech wood with birch veneer. The smallest length is 135 cm, and the largest is 206 cm, the width is 85 cm, the greatest load is no more than 100 kg.
• "Sundvik". This model also has a sliding mechanism. The base of the bed is made of solid pine covered with acrylic varnish. Both backrests are solid fiberboard. Also included is a rack bottom. The model is presented in two colors: white and gray-brown. The smallest length is 137 cm, the largest is 207 cm, the height is 80 cm, the width is 91 cm, the load should not exceed 100 kg.

• Lexwick. A classic model, the base of which is made of solid pine, covered with a colorless acrylic varnish, which does not interrupt the natural color. The set includes a slatted bottom made of natural wood: beech and birch. Minimum length - 138 cm, maximum - 208 cm, width - 90 cm. Suitable for people who love the naturalness and presence of wood in the interior.
• "Busunge". Model with a high, one-piece headboard, with rounded corners. Available in two colors: white and light pink. Ideal for a girl's room. The slatted bottom in the set consists of solid pine, and the bed itself is made of fiberboard, honeycomb filler made of recycled paper and plastic. Minimum length - 138 cm, maximum - 208 cm, width - 90 cm, headboard height - 100 cm, maximum load - 100 kg.

When choosing one of the Ikea bed models, you should pay attention that they are for children from 3 years old, since in infancy, it is necessary to install partitions on children's beds so that the child does not fall out.

Also, a good aspect is that all models have a slatted bottom, and not a solid one. This will significantly improve the ventilation of the mattress, which is important especially for small children or in the hot season.

If the child is too active, then it is better to choose the model in which the body and backs are made of solid material, and not from chipboard with internal paper filling, which are less durable.

All models on the manufacturer's website and complete with beds have detailed instructions with illustrations for assembly and operation. There is a separate furniture assembly and installation service that can be arranged in the store. The site also features a video showing how to use the sliding mechanism.

For self-assembly, you will additionally need a Phillips and flat screwdrivers and a hammer, everything else is in the package with the bed. It is better to collect all parts on a soft surface, as on slippery and hard surfaces, if some parts slip out of your hands, chips can form.

First, the screw-in dowels are screwed into the already drilled holes, as shown in the figures in the instructions, then the bushings are inserted, then the ties for the dowels are inserted and the body parts are fastened. When the backrests and sliding mechanism are already assembled, additional fences, slatted bottom and legs are attached to them.

When cleaning, the bed and slatted bottom should be wiped with a cloth that can be moistened with detergent. Light stains can be removed with a sponge dampened with water and soapy water. If the stain is more difficult, you can try removing it with a thin sandpaper on wooden beds.

How to assemble the Minnen model, see below.

According to customer feedback, Ikea beds fit perfectly into the interior of children's rooms, are compact and reliable, withstand heavy loads if the child is very active and likes to jump.

Parents who have several children of different ages note that sliding beds are a good option for design, because the beds are the same, and the length can already be varied.

The Minnen model looks cold because of its metal frame, but it can be decorated with garlands or tie-in toys.

Many users also talk about easy assembly and detailed instructions, because all the parts are absolutely thought out and easy to assemble. And of course, savings, which are important for any family, because the sliding beds do not need to be changed: they will last a long time, as they grow with the child.