Materials: 2 x MALM 3-Drawer Dresser, Plywood Sheet, 2x4 Legs, Screws/ L Bracket/ Hardware, Power Drill, Hammer
Description: I found this Ikea Hack when I first moved into my tiny Brooklyn apartment (approx 8' x 9') and thought it was a great idea but my bed is not twin sized! I basically expanded Peter M.'s structure to fit a full sized mattress.
1. Build the MALM Shelves and place them in the center of the room facing out from where the bed would go.
2. Measure the size of your mattress for the size of the plywood you will need. Remember that plywood comes in 4x8 sheets so measure accordingly! I needed three pieces to build mine.
Attach the first piece of plywood to the MALM drawers and use 2x4's (approx. 30 3/4" long but measure the MALM drawers after you build it to double check) to support the opposite side of the plywood. You're going to need a fair amount of support so test the weak areas and secure extra 2x4's as needed. I used L Brackets and also secured the leg supports to the baseboard with 3' screws (against the wall) for extra support.
3. The next step changes depending on how big you want your desk to be. Measure your room and divide up the plywood (or not if your room is that small) so that both of the next two pieces will rest on the MALM drawers. (see pictures) Use 2x4's to support the other ends and use L Brackets as needed.
4. I drilled holes into the plywood so that the mattress could breathe.
And you're done! I painted mine sky blue and left some plywood showing on the desk area! I store suitcases and a rolling set of drawers underneath of my bed.
If you're not comfortable with building on this scale its best to get help lifting and securing the plywood. I managed it by myself but for a girl I'm pretty tall and beefy.
Have fun and best of luck!
~ Annatruus, Brooklyn, NY
