Build-a-bed 3 (tutorial-ish)

Read part 1 and part 2 to get the whole story.
The tutorial continues here
Phase 3 Construction (how-to)

The problem was a room that only fit the queen sized bed we have (not exaggerating at all here, people), and no closet space in the room. Our solution, building a bed out of Ivar shelving, our Aspelund bed frame, and 4 Malm 6 drawer Chests.

Items we purchased from Ikea specifically for this project:

2 Ivar shelves 17"x 12"

2 Ivar side unit 12"x 49"

4 Ivar shelves 33"x 20"

6 Ivar side units 20"x 49"

2 Observator cross brace 28"

2 Observator cross brace 39"

Items purchased previously from Ikea but used in this project:

Aspelund Bed frame

Skorva Midbeam

2 Sultan Lade (wood slats)

Sultan Queen size mattress

Items purchased from the hardware store:

Unfinished pine cut to 68"Lx 8"Hx 3/4"W

L brackets

Zip ties

Craft wood (pine) 3/8" thick cut to fit the Ivar side unit dimensions

Items purchased from Craigslist:

4 Malm Chests with 6 drawers (color not important)

Tools:
safety goggles (that must be worn)
hammer
screwdriver (both kinds)
drill
Optional:
circular saw

Note: Neither the author, her family, nor anyone associated in any way with her, recommends or condones using zip ties in a bed structure (even I am pushing for something sturdier) or using power tools without proper safety equipment and procedures.  It is HIGHLY recommended that, should you decide to construct or assemble a bed similar to the one featured, you consider a more sturdy solution to our use of the zip ties, as well as, follow standard safety protocol for power tools. Likewise, the author and such associated persons, etc. assume no responsibility whatsoever for any damage incurred as a result of constructing a similar structure. Attempt at your own risk!

Having washed my hands of that... Here is how we assembled our bed.

Ivar Shelves in 2 sizes

Ivar Shelf side supports (smaller)

1. Cut down small wood to
use as extensions for shelving

2. Glue small pieces of wood to bottom of
Ivar supports.

2a. We recommend using fresh wood glue
which may require more time to set.

3. Assemble Ivar shelves over Malm Chests

4. If your room is as small as ours, make sure to space the chests evenly so
so that drawers can be accessed.

5. Connect the 2 large sets of Ivar shelves
on each side of where the bed will be.

6. Add the cross braces

7. The 4 sets of shelves should be centered
such that there is ample storage behind the Malms.

8. Assemble the smaller shelf set.

9. Place the smaller shelves at the ends such that
the sides are almost even with the larger shelves.

10. The formatting for this picture would just not cooperate! So my description is not a caption. Here are the aforementioned and not recommended zip ties. They are holding the smaller Ivar shelves to the larger ones. For any questions regarding the use of zip ties in this structure, please refer to the disclaimer above.

11. Cut the head/foot board to the correct length

12. Measure the wood for the holes so they match with
the existing side frames (or use all new wood-probably
easier).

13. Measure, measure, measure! Then mark, then measure again. Only after you are 100 % sure,
should you even consider drilling!!! Even then, you should probably still check again.

14. Once you have all the holes drilled, you can assemble the bed frame as if it were the original bed.
Note: directly in front of B-chan and his tool box, you can see one of the L brackets used to fasten the frame
to the supports.

14a. View of frame without mattress, but with slats and showing zip ties.

14b. View of frame without mattress showing both Malms.

15. View of assembled frame with slats pushed to one end.

16. Bed frame with mattress.

This brings us to the end of the current tutorial for the basic structure. The project is obviously unfinished at this point. Although we are at a stopping point, our project assembly was not devoid of drama, however. Drilling the holes actually took about 4 hours because of technical difficulties.

Also, as you probably noticed, there is no set of stairs/steps leading up to this bed. So, at the moment, we are using a small ladder. Please use caution if you decide to go that route. Again, the author, etc takes no responsibility for any damages incurred. I don't even climb up unless my husband is holding the ladder for me.

So, one of my ideas for the ladder/steps is to build something similar to attic stairs that can be stowed away . If we do not do it that way, a certain monkey will think he can climb up on the bed. The other considerations for getting up and down are that the bed has no rails and there is limited space in the room.
We have yet to get our 4th Malm Chest and figure out exactly how to add mobile hanging storage. Stay tuned for Part 4 (drama) and Part 5 (tutorial cont'd).
Hopefully, you will also see a link to this post on the Ikea Hackers website.