We transformed our HDB master bedroom into a raised platform bedroom with built-in storage. Here is the renovation process and the cost breakdown.
It’s already been six years since we first stepped foot into our HDB flat back in 2018. It’s incredible how fast time has flown by! As we look back, we’ve come to realise that it’s about time for a bit of a touch up to maintain the overall condition of our beloved home.
We decided to refresh the paint and make some small renovations here and there to keep everything in top shape. But in this post, I’m going to focus on sharing how we transformed our main bedroom, and I’ll cover the other room makeovers in future posts.
I’ll take you through the process of turning our ordinary HDB master bedroom into a raised platform bedroom with built-in storage underneath and in the headboard. Additionally, I’ll also share all the details about what we did and how much it all cost.
Why Renovate Our Bedroom into a Raised Platform Bed?
The bedroom is where we start and end each day, so it’s important for us to make it as cosy and comfortable as possible. As time passed, we realised that our main bedroom needed a change for several reasons:
Providing Safety for Our Toddler
Now that we are parents to a curious little boy, we wanted to keep him safe! Our old bed was a tad tall, and we always worried he might fall off. As our toddler is welcome to chill with us in our bed anytime he wants, we needed a safer design where he could join us without any danger. A raised platform bed is safer in this sense because it significantly reduces the risk of falls. It also provides a more secure area for our little one if he decided to join us in bed.
Upgrading to A King-Size Mattress
Our old queen-size bed felt a bit small, especially when we share it with our little one. A raised platform bed gave us the flexibility to upgrade to a king-size mattress without the limitations of a traditional bed frame. The extra room means we can spread out and enjoy a better night’s sleep, which is really important as our family grows.
Adding More Storage
A raised platform bed comes with the benefit of built-in storage underneath, which helps make the room more functional and organised. We use this space to store rarely used items like my husband’s army gears, luggages, and some seasonal items.
Creating a More Welcoming Room
We aim to make our bedroom a comfortable place where we can relax and unwind after a long day. It’s always nice to have something new in the house. We hoped that by updating our bedroom, it would feel more inviting and cosy. When the room looks good, it makes everyone feel good too.
The Renovation Story
Are you contemplating turning your bedroom into a platform bed but unsure about the process and cost? Take a look at mine to see if it’s worth it for you.
The Plan
The idea was to create a raised platform bed with built-in storage underneath and additional storage in the headboard. This design would maximise our space and add a sleek, minimalist, modern look to the bedroom.
Back in 2018 when we first moved in and renovated our bedroom, we added a mini walk-in wardrobe, which made our sleeping area smaller. Because of this sectioning, we could only fit a queen-size bed and two small bedside tables.
Initially, we didn’t mind the smaller space since we only used it for sleeping. Our bedroom setup before the makeover was functional, but it lacked storage and felt a bit cramped due to the high bed.
To be honest, I always regretted getting our old bed. It has spacious under bed storage, but it’s also tall, heavy, and too firm for me. For the past six years, changing the bedsheets has been a nightmare. We put up with it because of its sentimental value as it’s our wedding bed (lol), and because it was quite pricey at that time. We weren’t sure what kind of bed we wanted anyway, so we decided to just keep it.
After having a child, we realised that a floor bed would be safer and more suitable for us. However, simply placing a mattress on the floor didn’t feel right; it would be challenging to get up and down, and we also needed storage space. That’s why we decided to transform the traditional bed into a platform bed, which seemed like the perfect solution for our needs.
We also changed the position of our mattress from facing the air conditioner to facing the back of our built-in wardrobe. This way, we managed to place the best and largest mattress that we could find within our budget (more on that later).
The most exciting part of our platform bedroom makeover is the plenty of storage space it provides. We installed four pull-up doors for accessing storage underneath, along with four doors in the headboard and integrated drawers as steps. To enhance functionality, we also rewired the electrical points to conceal messy, tangled charging cords.
The rough illustrations shown above are the drafts we created ourselves. We sent them to the renovation team to help turn our idea into reality.
Renovation Process
We contacted our previous interior designer to get a quote and feedback on the feasibility of our plan. Once we agreed on the estimated cost, he connected us with a contractor, and that’s when our renovation process began.
Day 1: A carpenter came to get the measurement of our bedroom and brought catalogs for us to choose the laminate finishes for both the outside and inside of the platform bed. It was a quick 30-minute visit, and since we knew the style we wanted, the selection process was quick and simple.
The carpenter informed us that it would take about two weeks to complete the carpentry work in their workshop, but they finished way earlier! After just 5 days, he called to schedule the installation date.
During this time, we were busy finding people who would take our old bed and bedside tables. We were lucky to have them picked up before the new platform bed was installed.
Day 6: Installation day! We spent the morning cleaning the room and giving the floor a final mop before it was covered. Two carpenters arrived around 9 a.m. to begin the installation. Around midday, the electrician came to do some rewiring before the carpenters concealed it. By 3 p.m., the job was done!
Day 12: About a week after the platform bed was installed, we scheduled an appointment with the electrician to complete the rewiring project and add new electrical points to the wall. He also helped install the new fan and spotlight, and patched the hole in the wall.
And finally, the platform bed renovation is complete! The whole process could have been finished a week earlier, but as we had to wait for the fan and spotlight to be delivered, it caused a slight delay.
Finding the Perfect Mattress
Next step is finding the right mattress. When we first planning to do this renovation, we had been eyeing on IKEA mattresses as they are just convenient and easy to find the bedsheet that fits. So we measured it as such that we can fit a king size IKEA mattress, which is 200 x 180 cm.
Personally, I love sleeping on a foam mattress, but my husband prefers a spring one. After looking, trying out, and comparing different options, we finally decided on the ÅNNELAND mattress. It’s a hybrid mattress with both high-resilience foam and a layer of pocket springs. Plus, it has a soft, washable cover, which makes it easy to keep clean with a toddler sometimes sleeping with us.
Oh, and we also switched the sleeping position so we sleep along the length of the mattress instead of the width. This makes our bed feel slightly bigger than a standard king size.
The Cost Breakdown
Here’s the cost breakdown for our platform bed makeover:
- Carpentry works (All cabinet using solid plywood in laminate finish with ABS Door edging and internal with COLOUR PVC): $3,900
- Electrical works
- 1 new lighting point: $45
- 1 single powerpoint (bed head): $75
- 2 double powerpoint (bed head): $180
- Fan point: $45
- Install wall fan: $40
- Replace ceiling fan with light: $60
- Relocate light switch: $30
- Data point (cabinet): $120
- Hack and conceal point: $100
The total amounted to $4,400 after receiving some discounts from our ID firm.
The Result
Post-renovation, our bedroom looks more spacious and organised. The raised floor bed not only adds a unique aesthetic but also provides safety for our toddler.
And the best part is, it has plenty of storage space! The headboard now doubles as a bedside table that offers a spot for items and additional storage that further helps keep the room tidy and clutter-free.
Renovating our bedroom into a platform bed has been an exciting experience for us. The room now feels more welcoming, it’s safer for our toddler, and we’ve gained much-needed storage space. Stay tuned for more updates on our HDB flat makeover in the next posts!
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