Build a stand for a porch bed?

Hi Krystal, here is a tutorial for the porch bed:

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/build/furniture/how-to-build-a-porch-swing-bed-43942001

You would need to make sure that the suspension hooks will go into the ceiling joists.

As for the mattress....I would make sure the swing is in an area of the porch that gets the minimal amount of rain hitting it. That being said, it is outdoor and will be exposed to the elements so the cover will have to be great! If I were doing this myself, I would not use a twin mattress. I would use a baby mattress and make the porch swing crib size. The reason being that baby mattresses have vinyl and the surface is waterproof. If you can find a twin mattress that is vinyl like a baby mattress, then that would be ideal for you.

Then what I would do is get 2 waterproof mattress pads, one for the top of the mattress, and one for the bottom. I would sew them together on one side down the length of the mattress like an L. Then the other L I would add velcro between the 2 mattress pads. So what you have is a waterproof mattress pad that the mattress can fit inside of.

Then I would make an outdoor fabric slipcover. I probably would make it just like making the mattress pads. OR....make it with a zipper in the back like a normal slipcover. The outdoor fabric is key....you don't want anything that will absorb the rain, so it has to be extra heavy duty outdoor fabric ie: more expensive outdoor fabric. If you have no idea how to sew, I would contract this one out for someone to make a nice slipcover for you. Good luck! Sounds like a great project!

Instead if suspending from your porch roof, you could build a free standing swing. Something similar to a swing set. That would also make it portable so you could move around.

As for waterproof, you could buy a waterproof mattress cover. I bought one fir $99 when I purchased my king mattress. You can pour an entire glass of water in it and it doesn’t penetrate. I later bought another one for the guest room off Groupon and it was $39! It is also allergy proof barrier which I would think is an important characteristic since it will be outside. That will make it easily cleanable. Another option would be to spray with. Waterproofing agent like camp dry.

Hi Krystal, you can buy wood or legs at your local hardware store. Just tell them about your project and they can cut wood to size for you or show you the legs they have that could be used. They will also show you the other tools you need.

You can also use a shower curtain to make a cover for the bed or buy outdoor fabric.

https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=outdoor%20cushions

Hi! maybe this will help

https://plankandpillow.com/how-to-build-a-porch-swing-bed/

You could make an A-frame that sits on the floor. It could look like a backyard swing set.

You might be able to have a company or someone with welding skills to create a frame out of steel. For the mattress, search on a local craigslist or offerup and request a donation of air mattresses with leaks. Ideal for covering your twin mattress to make it waterproof.

Perhaps this will help:

https://www.construct101.com/product/porch-swing-stand-plans-pdf-download/

This YouTube video shows how to make a porch bed swing.

This blog post also describes how to make a porch bed swing.

As for the cover, I would buy a zippered waterproof cover for the mattress. Then you could make a cover for it that is durable and washable to make it more comfortable. Sounds like a great project! Good luck and stay safe!

I would make it on a stand and then hang ropes for "look" but not the actual support. It will still have that charming porch look without straining your porch ceiling.

Hi Krystal,

You could use Shower Curtains to make Mattress covers maybe!

My dollar tree has zippered vinyl twin mattress covers I buy all the time for clients.

Unless you want to beef up the structure of your roof, I wouldn't hang a bed on it that swings.