by Slide-away beds have become popular nowadays because they’re a great way to save space in small areas. There are different types of hardware used to make slide-away beds, and each one has a specific purpose. The hardware used depends on the design of the slide-away bed. In this article, we discuss the different types of slide-away bed hardware and their uses.
Slide-away bed hardware includes truck bed slide anchors (which are used for pull-out trundle beds), pop-up mechanisms (which are used for trundle beds and sofa beds), fold-down mechanisms (which are used for built-in beds), rollover hardware (which is used for daybeds and sofa beds), and elevator bed hardware which is used for retractable ceiling beds.
A retractable ceiling bed can be installed with the use of elevator bed hardware. Image Source: HomeCrux.com. ALT: Elevators are suitable slide-away bed hardware for a retractable ceiling bed.
What Is A Slide-Away Bed?
A slide-away bed is a style of bed designed to be a space-saving piece of furniture that is often used in kids’ rooms, guest rooms, and small bedrooms.
A slide-away bed is a bed that slides under another bed, or under a platform that is built into the floor. Slide-away beds are designed to save floor space. Trundle beds are often used in kids’ rooms or guest rooms. Hidden platform slide-away beds require construction and more planning than trundle beds.
A slide-away bed can refer to a bed that slides under another bed, forming a trundle bed like this, or a bed that can be built into another piece of furniture and used as a bed only when needed—usually called a hideaway bed.
A trundle bed is an ideal choice for children’s bedrooms, especially if they are sharing a room, while the built-in bed can be used in guest rooms, and the elevator bed can be used in studio apartments. A Murphy bed like this is a perfect option for a small room that is also used for other purposes, or you can actually construct it from scratch as discussed in this article by Family Handyman. If you want to learn more about how a trundle bed works or how a Murphy bed works, then these two articles are just for you.
Having a bed you can use whenever you want that can be hidden or transformed into a space-saving item is what makes slide-away beds so popular. It can add an elegant, modern touch to your house while saving space at the same time.
A trundle daybed like this one uses slide-away bed hardware such as truck bed slide anchors. It’s ideal for guest rooms and can help save space. Image Source: Vintage Industrial Style. Slide-Away Bed Hardware
Slide-away bed hardware varies according to the design of the slide-away bed. Knowing about the different sliding bed hardware could help you to choose the right bed for your needs.
The primary slide-away bed hardware pieces used in pull-out beds and some sofa beds are called truck bed slide anchors. Pop up trundle beds and some sofa beds utilize pop-up hardware. Built-in slide-away beds utilize fold-down bed hardware. Rollover hardware is used in daybeds and sofa beds. Elevator bed hardware is ideal for retractable ceiling beds.
Read our article about 7 slide-away bed designs that will help you choose the one best suited to your needs. Each type of hardware has its uses and specific space requirements, especially if you’re planning to purchase a DIY sliding bed hardware kit like this. While one type of sliding bed hardware can work in a kids’ bedroom, it might not be the best choice for a guest bedroom. Below is a list of different types of sliding bed hardware and their recommended usage.
Truck Bed Slide Anchors for Pull-Out Trundle Beds and Sofa Beds.
Truck bed slide anchors are a type of hardware used for sliding beds. This hardware works well with pull-out trundle beds and sofa beds. The hardware allows the bed to be pulled out when needed and to be rolled back when not in use, helping you to save space.
It’s best used in kids’ bedrooms where you can have one bed and a trundle hidden beneath it. If you’re considering a trundle bed or a bunk bed, check out our article to learn more. When used in sofa beds, truck bed slide anchors work well in guest rooms so you can have a bed at night and a sofa during the day.
This trundle bed uses truck bed slide anchors as hardware for sliding out the additional bed. Image Source: Dryadstudios.com.Pop-Up Hardware for Trundle Beds and Sofa Beds.
Pop-up hardware is commonly used with slide-away beds, and works well with trundle beds and sofa beds. A pop-up trundle bed is a great choice for a guest room and the mechanism is easy to use. It allows the guest to have a bed large enough for an adult because it adds to the size of the bed itself. The two beds meet at the same level, not like pull-out trundle beds where one bed is lower than the other.
A trundle bed with pop-up hardware like this can be a great choice for guest rooms. When you need to use the bed, you can ‘pop-up’ the trundle bed so that it has the same height as the original bed. Image Source: Amazon.Fold-Down Bed Hardware for Built-In Beds.
Fold-down hardware is common for slide-away beds. This hardware is used for wall beds and built-in beds in general. If you use fold-down hardware, the bed is hidden until you fold it down to use as a bed. It is a space-saving mechanism that can be a great choice for studio apartments and guest rooms.
Fold-down hardware is available in vertical and horizontal versions to meet various needs. Murphy beds are a type of fold-away bed, and our article about how to turn a platform bed into a Murphy bed explains the steps that you can follow to transform your bed into a fold-away bed using this hardware.
A Fold-down mechanism like this one from Amazon is used for wall beds and built-in beds in general. Image Source: Amazon.Rollover Hardware for Daybeds and Sofa Beds.
Rollover hardware is commonly used for slide-away beds—usually sofa beds and daybeds—so that the bed serves two purposes. It can be used as a sitting area in the day and a comfortable bed at night. You can transform the sofa into a comfortable bed just by lifting the back up and over the seat to turn the sofa into a bed. Rollover sofa beds can be a good choice for guest bedrooms and studio apartments as well. Check out our article that compares Murphy beds, day beds, futons and sofa beds if you’re interested in learning about different types of guest bed ideas.
Rollover hardware is used in sofa beds Image Source: Amazon.Elevator Bed Hardware for Retractable Ceiling Beds.
Elevator bed hardware is used for ceiling beds. It allows the bed to be raised up close to the ceiling during the day, and lowered for sleeping in at night, as shown in this video. The elevator bed mechanism helps save floor space to use for living, playing, or working during the day. Retractable ceiling bed hardware is practical and works well with slide-away beds that are used in studio apartments.
An elevator bed is a great choice for studio apartments. Image Source: homecrux.com.Slide-Away Bed Hardware Summary
| Type Of Hardware | What It’s Used For | Example From Amazon | Price |
| Truck Bedslide Anchors | Pull-Out Trundle Beds | Zinus Eli Twin Daybed and Trundle Frame Set | ~$230 |
| Fold-Down Bed Hardware | Wall Beds and Built-In Cabinet Beds | Murphy Bed Full Size Hardware Kit | ~$270 |
| Rollover Hardware | Sofa Beds | Rollover Sofa/Bed Hinge Mechanism | DIY Folding Bed Kit | ~$90 |
| Pop-Up Hardware | Trundle Beds and Sofa Beds | Dream Solutions USA Twin Size Dark Black Metal Day Bed (Daybed) Frame | ~$630 |
Can You Purchase A Slide-Away Bed Hardware Kit?
Most people opt to purchase a slide-away bed hardware kit, while some prefer to purchase the components separately. Purchasing a hardware kit is usually more economical than buying the parts separately, unless you already have some of them and only need a few more for your slide-away bed. To learn more about installing slide-away bed hardware on your own, look at these instructions from HappiJac.
Slide-away bed hardware kits that include all the necessary parts, are available for purchasing. Folding hardware will include lift gas springs, pivot plates, and folding legs. Rollover sofa bed hardware will include a pair of special hinges for the custom sofa-bed style. Slide-away bed hardware will include pistons, folding legs, and hinges.
If you are interested in constructing your own slide-away bed then we have several useful articles to inspire your next bedroom projects like our tips and tricks to hide a bookcase bed, and our detailed guide on slide-away bed measurements. Also, if you’re wondering how to style your new bed properly, take a look at these 10 slide-away bed decorating ideas or these 7 amazing slide-away bed ideas for inspiration.
Key Takeaways
Variety of Slide-Away Bed Hardware
Slide-away bed hardware is categorized based on the design and functionality of the slide-away bed, including truck bed slide anchors, pop-up, fold-down, rollover, and elevator bed hardware. These hardware types cater to different styles of slide-away beds like trundle beds, sofa beds, built-in beds, and retractable ceiling beds, each offering a unique mechanism to conserve space in varied living environments.
Space-Saving Elegance
The essence of slide-away beds lies in their ability to seamlessly blend with the living space while offering a hidden or transformable bedding solution. The aesthetic appeal coupled with space efficiency makes slide-away beds a modern-day choice for compact living spaces.
Choosing the Right Hardware for Your Needs
Selecting the appropriate slide-away bed hardware is pivotal in ensuring the functionality and durability of the bed. Understanding the specific hardware that complements the design of the slide-away bed, whether it’s a trundle, sofa bed, built-in bed, or a retractable ceiling bed, will guide you towards making an informed decision for your space-saving bed solution.
DIY and Pre-Packaged Hardware Kits
For DIY enthusiasts or individuals looking to economize, slide-away bed hardware kits are available. These kits generally include all necessary components, making it a cost-effective and convenient option for installing or revamping a slide-away bed. The availability of comprehensive hardware kits and instructional guides facilitates a smoother DIY project for creating a custom slide-away bed.
Innovative Space Utilization
Slide-away beds, with their varying hardware mechanisms, exhibit innovative space utilization, especially beneficial in children’s rooms, guest rooms, studio apartments, and small bedrooms. The hardware technologies like elevator bed hardware for retractable ceiling beds or fold-down hardware for built-in beds epitomize modern-day space-saving solutions, offering both practicality and a stylish touch to modern interiors.