
Building an Ikea twin day bed is a great way to create a functional and stylish space for your kids. The Malm twin day bed is a popular choice, with its sleek and modern design.
To assemble the bed, you'll need to attach the headboard and footboard to the frame. This is typically done with screws, as described in the instructions for the Malm twin day bed.
Start by attaching the headboard to the frame, making sure it's level and secure. This will provide a solid foundation for the rest of the assembly process.
With the headboard in place, you can move on to attaching the footboard. This is usually done in a similar way to the headboard, with screws holding it firmly in place.
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Product Details
The IKEA twin day bed is a versatile and space-saving solution for small bedrooms or guest rooms. It's designed to be easily converted from a sofa to a single bed.
To use the day bed as a double bed, you'll need to combine it with two twin mattresses, which can be placed on top of each other or next to each other. The slatted bed base is included with the purchase.
The day bed has three large drawers that provide ample storage space for extra duvets, pillows, linens, and other essentials. The drawers are easy to access and have a capacity of 44 pounds each.
The day bed's design is simple and minimalist, making it easy to coordinate with other furniture in the HEMNES series. However, it's worth noting that the day bed is not suitable for use as two single beds, but rather as a double bed when the bed base is pulled out.
Here are the key specifications of the IKEA twin day bed:
The day bed is made from a combination of materials, including fiberboard, particleboard, and solid pine. It's easy to clean and maintain, and can be wiped down with a damp cloth and mild cleaner.
Assembly and Customization
Assembling the IKEA twin day bed can be a challenge, especially if you're doing it alone. It's really hard to assemble by yourself and you need a lot of space.
You may want to consider recruiting a helper, as I did, to make the process easier. I tried assembling it by myself for two hours before enlisting my husband's assistance.
The instructions could be improved by suggesting to build the top side of the bed first, then the pull out side. This would eliminate the need to lift the top over the pull out drawers, which can be heavy.
Assemble HEMNES Daybed
Assembling the HEMNES daybed can be a challenge.
The IKEA bed is really hard to assemble by yourself and you need a lot of space.
It's best to recruit a helper, as I did with my husband, to make the process easier.
Doing it the way the instructions recommend can be tricky, especially when you have to lift the top side of the bed over the pull out drawers.
Adding Vertical Posts

To add vertical posts to your daybed, you can notch out a ¾” sliver in your baseboards using a multi-tool, just like I did. This allows the posts to slide into the grooves and gives them stability.
You can also remove the baseboards or scribe around them, but I chose to notch out the baseboards for a seamless finish. I used 1×8 pine for the posts, which are sturdy and easy to work with.
To ensure the pull-out function of the IKEA HEMNES bed isn't affected, attach the front posts to the ceiling. I screwed the posts into the bed and the sides of the bookshelves, countersinking the screws for a smooth finish.
The posts should be securely attached to the bed and shelves, with enough spacing between them for the drawer to slide out. I added custom-cut pieces of pine to the gap beside the drawer fronts to fill the space.
On the foot side of the bed, the posts go from the floor to the ceiling, securing into the bed and shelves. This provides extra stability and a built-in look.
Consider reading: Wall Bed Place - Murphy Bed Store
Decorating and Painting
Before you start painting your IKEA twin day bed, make sure to sand the surface using a P60 grit sandpaper and a power sander to scuff it up. This will create a rough surface for the primer to adhere to.
Using a mouse sander is your best bet to get into all the nooks and corners of the bed. I've found it to be a game-changer for getting into tight spaces.
A shellac based primer is a great choice for giving a base coat of paint. It's durable and long-lasting, and I've had great results with it on all the furniture I've painted.
Let the primer cure for at least 24 hours before adding another coat or sanding it down. This will ensure it adheres properly to the surface.
Lightly sand the surface using P220 grit sandpaper by hand if there are any bumps or paint drips. This will help smooth out the finish and create a smooth surface for painting.
Tips and Hacks
This IKEA twin day bed is a great space-saver, and the HEMNES Daybed Hack is a fantastic way to repurpose it.
You can find me reading or working in this very daybed, and I'm not the only one - my son loves to read here too.
The shelves are perfect for storing books and a Lego collection, and they're a great way to keep clutter at bay.
The IKEA Daybed pulls out to hold 2 twin mattresses side by side, and you can use any thickness mattresses you like - we have pillow top mattresses.
You can't stack the mattresses on top of each other for the daybed function, but it still works great as a regular bed.
Recommended read: Ikea Mattresses Rolled
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