Saturday, February 1, 2014

Building a TARDIS bed


So... I built a TARDIS bed for my daughter



TARDIS bed
A few months ago we were in the process of changing the rooming situation in our home. My 13 yr old daughter was moving into her own room and needed a new bed. I have built all of the beds in our home so building another was neither a challenge or an interest. However, it was a need. Since I was uninspired by the task, I though it might be fun to build something a little different. My daughter is a HUGE Dr. Who fan and the idea of building a bed modeled after the TARDIS seemed like the perfect quest.

Here's how the process went:

First I built a simple frame out of 2x6 boards and attached a 2x4 that I had ripped in half to the inside bottom of the side rails.





Next involved a process of assembling a series of panels from 1x3s and 15/32 plywood. Windows were cut in the "foot" of the bed to allow light in.


















Now it was time to start attaching the panels to the frame.



Then I built the lantern for the top. This was a little tricky and the next one will be round, but this will do for now.



Now let's add some paint



































Well... some time has elapsed sans photo-documentation, but here is the "final" product






14 comments:

  1. Amazin Work! wish i could do this for my child but DIY isnt my strong point..

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  2. This is awesome!! Any tips for a less handy person? I want to build this for my sons birthday next month.

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    1. My first tip would be to have Home Depot or Lowes do most of the cutting for you. Especially the plywood pieces. Make sure you nail AND glue all the trim boards. I used a brad nail gun for all of the trim and 2" wood screws for the rest of the construction. Painting inside and out takes a long time. I cut and assembled the panels in my workshop and then assembled the bed in the room. I would paint your first coat before assembly.

      If you get stuck, let me know. When it's completed, send me a pic.

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  3. May I ask how much this cost? (Not including paint, labels and bed)

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    1. I wish I kept better records. I built it with lesser materials than if I were to build it again. It's all made of 1/4" plywood and 1x3 pine. (with the exception of the bed frame which is made from 2x6 pine)My guess would be that it was under $200 with the paint.
      If you use thicker plywood, it will increase the cost. As will using furniture grade pine boards.
      Hope this helps

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  4. Looks kind of difficult to make up, from a Mom's point of view. Do the front panels come away, allowing access to the mattress?

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  5. Have you got any tips for starting out doing this? And where did you go for the top lantern and paint?

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    1. My first tip is to have the lumber store cut your panels for you. Lowes and Home Depot will do this if you supply the measurements. I built the lantern myself using a mason jar for the glass globe. The paint color I found online. Just Googled "TARDIS paint color". Hope this helps

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  6. Clever, but it would be difficult to make the bed and change the sheets.

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  7. I love this so much!!! Now I have a diy project for my son :)

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  8. In case anyone is building this for accuracy, the BBC approved color for TARDIS blue is #2955c

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  9. What would the dimensions for a queen size bed and are there cabinets on both sides of the bed I can't tell from the pictures?

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