UPDATE: For those following a link directly to this post, you can find pictures of the entire nursery HERE
UPDATE: I recently found out the owner of the bed that inspired mine, check out her incredible site HERE
When we began planning the nursery I really wanted a spot I could read with our kids and snuggle with them. Since I won’t be working as much, I have great hopes that maybe every once and a while I could cuddle down for a nap with one of them. So in working on the nursery, I began working on a ‘reading bed’ for us. Granted this will be a great bed for naps and for kids, but it is not designed to be an adult bed. I was inspired by this picture and then made it my own.
Materials:
Wood pallets (ours a bit smaller than the standard size)
Palm Sander
80 grit, 200 grit sandpaper
5 large caster wheels
4 hinges
Thick foam for the ‘mattress’ – mine is from a fabric store then covered in a down comforter and soft bedding
The instructions are a simple as can be: Sand the pallets good and smooth. Bolt the two together on the tops and bottoms. Add caster wheels to all 4 corners and one in the very center. The wheels on mine are locked, except for the center one. I used an old door to sit behind it – just because I liked how it looked. Simple enough.
Before & After
I began building it when Chris was in Egypt. Before he left he told C to help me out while he was gone. I was in the garage sanding and C said, “Mommy I don’t think you should be doing that. I can do it.” Thus, he had his first experience with a palm sander. He did a great job. My dad helped me attach the hinges and wheels. Thanks dad.
The quilt was made by my Aunt Sandy, the monkey was mine when I was a little girl, the pillows are from Amy Butler fabric and the white blanket is from Ikea…
Thanks Sandy for the quilt! My mom made the cute stacking rings in the basket by the bed. Yes, I come from a great family.
A few close up shots. I choose not to sand all the markings off the pallets. The last shot is a reflection, not a framed picture.
I also need to thank Tom & Weston for finding me pallets and delivering them. Those suckers were heavy. Thank you!
Now I just need a sweet baby girl to cuddle up with on it….
Eventually I’ll get pictures of the rest of the room posted…
by AshleyAnn
show hide 122 comments
Framboise rules ok! - [...] Ashley Ann childs nursery. She created the gorgeous reading bed from storage pallets. Click here to view more [...]
Summer is coming…I need shelter. - [...] Photo and tutorial: Under the Sycamore Uncategorized [...]
pom poms worth cheering about « thelittleeverydaythings - [...] kids reading nook, day bed, girls bedroom Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. decorkids [...]
Ryan @ Pallet Furniture Blog - I really like this project and have linked to it via the pallet furniture blog. Great work!
Ryan
Best of My Days « Karla M Curry - [...] the Sycamore’s DIY category and immediately fell in love with her tutorials. Check out the pallet bed, shadow box display, hairpin vase and woven bracelet – all ideas I’ve [...]
sarah - what was used to attach them together? cannot someone sit dead center and not fall.
Homes and Interiors - Very creative…
Jessica - I love this idea! My question is.. did you make the ruffled sheet? LOVE it!
DIY InspiredRepurposed Pallets - DIY Inspired - [...] [Via] [...]
Linda Turner » Bargain Saturday: 10 Ways to Use Wooden Pallets as Furniture, Decor, Storage & More - [...] Day Bed [...]
LivSavvy’s Top 5 DIY - [...] 4. Pallet Day Bed [...]
Things I Love: Old Pallets | ..Our Hiding Place.. - [...] and upcycle some old pallets stylizmo Pallets Long Island House Tweaking Design Squish Under the Sycamore Re-nest poppytalk Tatertots and Jello Tatertots and Jello I seriously can’t decide [...]
Gunilla Welin - Hi
I work with Kloka hem, a Swedish interior design magazine with eco focus. We we saw your blog with the picture on pallet reading bed for the nursery and wonder if we could publish it and tell about your blog.
Sincerely, Gunilla Welin
Kloka hem
¿Palet, sofa, cama o bandeja? | Papaï Market - [...] Y otra obra ùnica, de Ashley Ann Photography: [...]
Decor Ideas for Used Pallets {pallet} | Home Stories A to Z - [...] Under the Sycamore Pallet reading nook. [...]
Furniture pieces you can make from pallets | My desired home - [...] on ashleyannphotography and [...]
Day 5 – Pallet possibilities - [...] Pallet day bed [...]
Obsession & DIY: Wood Pallets | The Funky Bear - [...] Inspired by: Ashley Ann Photography [...]
21 ways of turning pallets into unique pieces of furniture - Fresh Home ideas, Interior Design and News Architecture inspiration on cendelo.com - [...] on top of each other, secure them and add a comfy mattress on top. It’s that simple.{found on ashleyannphotography and [...]
a place for Pallets. {a little sugar.} - [...] it’s certainly not hard to find inspiration in the use of reclaimed palletsimages & a tutorial found from BohemianPages & Under the Sycamore [...]
Recycled and Up-cycled Fridays! | GREEN Florida Broker – Jeannette Moore - [...] Turning shipping pallets into comfortable seating is one of the easiest ways to upcycle pallets. Just sand the pallets down until smooth then top with a comfortable array of cushions, pillows and blankets. To create the longer daybed or sofa look, attach two or more shipping pallets together. For more detailed instructions, check out Ashley Ann Photography’s instructions for DIY Pallet Reading Bed. [...]
Minha paixão número um! - iLumini.me | iLumini.me - [...] Sofá: Aqui [...]
Minha paixão número um! | iLumini.me - [...] Sofá: Aqui [...]
Pallet, Pallet Everywhere — SoEclectic - [...] Toddler Reading Bed by Ashely at Under the Sycamore [...]
Cama de palé, paso a paso - Decora y Más - [...] Ashley ann photography Etiquetas: camas, consejos decoración dormitorios, decoración dormitorios, elementos decoración [...]
mihaela - this is absolutely amazing!! so delightful and cozy, creating those childhoos memories we all travel back to whenever something reminds us of home… the perfect way to inspire a child to read. LOVE IT!
Pallet Craze - [...] idea -Under the sycamore Share and [...]
Carol - I so want to do this but im a little nervous because Ive read that pellets can be treated with toxic chemicals due to shipping overseas unless they are heat treated. Is yours heat treated?
Kristen Turner - What palm sander did you use and would you recommend it??
Reclaim It! - [...] DIY pallet reading bed from ashleyannphotography [...]
Un nuage de suspensions | Idée Créative - [...] – The Lemon Drop Tree – Re-Nest – Apartment Therapy – Irina Graewe – Ashley Yann Photography – Pinterest Vous aimez cet article ? Partagez-le [...]
upcycled pallet ideas | frugalandthriving.com.au - [...] Pallet reading bed @ Ashely Ann Photography [...]
12 ways to Decorate with Shipping Pallets | The New Home Ec - [...] {Ashley Ann Photography} [...]
Chris - I loved your idea so much I did a similar bed for my teenage daughter. Thanks so much for the inspiration.
Pallets « Tied Up With String - [...] Of course, Ashley Ann Campbell of Under the Sycamore knew pallets were cool! She used them to make the base of her daughter’s bed. Can you say adorable? Find out how she did it HERE. [...]
JoAnna - I saw this in a magazine, Fresh home? is that right? I LOVE it. So relaxing and beautiful. Thanks for the how-to. Adorable idea catching yourself in the mirror. I love it!
-JoAnna
21 ways of turning pallets into unique pieces of furniture - [...] on top of each other, secure them and add a comfy mattress on top. It’s that simple.{found on ashleyannphotography and [...]
Roberta - So love this idea and I’ve shared it on my blog after seeing it in a magazine with my friend in B&N and feel so inspired to create one with a footboard that I had in storage
http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/08/31-days-to-purge-my-storage-unit.html
Scissors, Stitches & Seams » Blog Archive » DIY Inspiration : Pallet Love. - [...] Links 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. [...]
jina - Ashley… I am inspired to make my own for my daughter’s room. I saw a couple of comments asking for more clarification, like what kind of hinges and where did you use them. I want to know too. Is there another post on your blog where you go into more detail? Thanks for all that you do!
5 DIY Daybeds Of Shipping Pallets | Shelterness - [...] Pallet Nursery Daybed from Ashleyannphotography is a great reading bed that can be used by kids for [...]
alles blond - [...] mooie foto’s en heeft schijnbaar ook nog tijd om allerlei mooie dingen te maken, waaronder dit schitterende palletbed. Tot slot het fantastische blog van Amy op Eat drink chic. Een inderdaad, chic blog over allerlei [...]
New Life for Old Pallets « - [...] Via Ashley Ann. [...]
Excelentes ideas para usar pallets - [...] Una base para cama es un proyecto sumamente sencillo. Sólo necesitas dos pallets (si se trata de una cama individual). Puedes ponerle llantitas, si quieres tener la facilidad de mover la base. Para ver las instrucciones de este proyecto, da click aquí. [...]
Daily Obsession: Pallets | Großstadtprinzessin - [...] {one two three four} [...]
Pallets | Atypical Type A - [...] Daybed in this too-cute-for-words nursery by the crazy talented photographer Ashley Ann. [...]
Amy @ www.RockPaperScissorsInvitations.com - Such a great, personalized idea! beautiful.
Pallet Possibilities – design finch - [...] from top: White Pallet Daybed, Pallet Loft Furniture, Nursery Pallet Reading Bed, Low Pallet Seating Bench, Pallet Wall, Pallet Kitchen Shelves, Decorative Pallet Shelving, Pallet [...]
Wondrous Wednesday DIY Parade, May 25th 2011 | The Row House Nest - [...] RIGHT? A pallet of nothing into a reading nook so she could cuddle with her kids? And the awesome pom pom prettiness above? Honestly, this DIY mom deserves a crown! Spotted here. [...]
Rachael - Incredible! I’m so jealous of your amazing talent. Your DIY stuff is beautiful
Drawer Wall Storage | Home Made - [...] seems to be filled with some great ideas for repurposing old furniture as of late. Check out this pallet bed frame and this head/foot board [...]
carrie Harper - beautiful room….. so real and authentic with your collected goodies. I love design that incorporates life and memories with beautiful things. I especially like the self portrait in the mirror! I would love to know how to make the arrangement of lanterns on the ceiling
Jes - oh, buckets - hello!
I’ve linked to you once before and I’m linking to you again…your ideas are just fabulous! Hope your little lady is doing well!
http://ohbucketsblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/creative-decorating-for-kids.html
Jes
Beka - I love this so much I have already started planning mine! I just wanted to know what thickness of foam you used so that you can’t feel the slats underneath on the pallet. Thanks very much, Beka(all the way from England!)
Relyn - I think this ate my comment. I just had to tell you how much I love this. You have amazing skills. Wow!
Relyn - oh my! I don’t even know what to say. This is so marvelous I’m giddy with it. And, congratulations on your coming baby girl.
9 Inspired Ideas For Transforming Shipping Pallets « damxkandiixroyal - [...] Ashley Ann created this adorable pallet daybed for her baby girl’s [...]
Robin - I found a post of yours on pinterest but I can’t find the actual post now, driving me crazy. Can you direct me? http://pinterest.com/pin/8873136/
How To: Build your own board and batten wall | jodimichelle - [...] was going to do up some poof balls to hang from the ceiling for additional definition of the space (like this) but didn’t get around to it yet. Should [...]
Adoption Update: Decisions, Decisions — The Lettered Cottage - [...] I love the “collected” look in Ashley Ann’s daughters [...]
Nuha - I don’t know what I love more. The bed or the colors! Gorgeous!
Jessica - I found your site via the Lettered Cottage and I fell in love with your pallet bed! My husband and I just made our own full size version for our guest bedroom this weekend! Thanks for the inspiration!
http://reisfeltadventure.blogspot.com/2011/01/p-is-for-platform-bed.html
DIY Wooden Pallet Bed | Thrifty Chic Styling - [...] make your own pallet bed on casters head over to Under the Sycamore for complete step-by-step instructions. {FYI – check out your local construction or roofing [...]
Scarlett Fiona Reed - Such a cute idea, but the real star is your accessorizing! Love the art on the wall. Nice!
Julie Rogers - Hi! I am so excited about finding this DIY! My husband and I (recently married) are slowly adding furniture and such to our small apartment, without wanting to gather too much stuff since we might move in the next year (to another country). so… this project looks quite appropriate for an apartment sofa for us! I am very excited to start! Thank you for sharing
Pallet Passion | Pipi Gifts - [...] Finally my favourite a DIY Pallet Reading bed by Under the [...]
Marcela - Great!!!!
Andrea Jene - Love the reflection photo. So creative.
There is something so magical about your room when you are a little girl. Your daughter is going to love this room.
Elizabeth - Is the door bolted to the wall?
Rose :: FineCraftGuild.com - insanely cool.
come link it up pulleaseee, because we need tutorials for unique & RECYCLED daybeds like this: http://www.finecraftguild.com/diy-tutorial-linky-party-8/
it’s a weekly linky btw, so that every wednesday you can bring us another eyecandy project (w practical advice on how to make it)
hope to feature your work soon!
Holly - So I have been searching and searching for a pallet like this! All the ones I find have slats that are two far apart. Where did you find yours Ashley?
Thanks!
Sheri@childmade.com - The popularity of your link-up has earned a feature as one of this week’s top 10 favorites on my weekly newsletter! Great post!
I’m a sucker for a good blog . . . « The Journey . . . - [...] Ashley Ann (this is a project I’m dying to do) [...]
ROOM MUSE 1970′s Babs and Kris « Salvaged Grace - [...] this would be no ordinary daybed; instead a swinging carriage backed pallet daybed, covered with vibrant orange, deep purple and aubergine patterned fabrics. Probably [...]
INSPIRATION repurpose pallets « Salvaged Grace - [...] pallet bed Ashley Ann made to have a place to snuggle and read books with her adorable kiddies is one of my most favorite [...]
How to make a pallet bed - CottageLifeStyle - [...] when I saw this design, from photographer Ashley Ann’s blog Under the Sycamore, I saw a weekend project in the [...]
Anthropologie Inspired Light - [...] look at this adorable rustic cottage bed made from wooden pallets… Check out the details here. Thank you [...]
Kristi - I can not even begin to tell you how envious I am of your talent! Every day I can’t WAIT to get to school and check your BLOG! You are a true inspriation to me and I lovwe how you make stuff out of the neatest things! Quick question though…where do you get the twin mattresses to put on your pallet bed and thd other twin bed you just posted in teh boys room? Is that a twin fitted sheet or something special? It looks like it zips?
Repurposing old doors | Old House Web Blog - [...] Shabby Chic Headboard [...]
Pallet Beds « brown eyed girl - [...] HERE [...]
New life for old pallets « The Resourceful Crafter - [...] Read the how-to for this fabuous day bed. [...]
Palett Daybed Project | Pattern Hound - [...] out this daybed recently featured over at whipup.net! This bed is made out of wooden pallets. You can see [...]
Holly - This is fantastic! How creative. I need a new daybed in my study and THIS is what I am planning on making
Jessica - The before and after of this room is amazing! So, so, so wonderful! I included a link to it on my blog here.
Wow, I love these! « A Beautiful Abode - [...] Was working on a writing assignment about making a DIY pendant lamp from a coffee can when I ran across Ashley Ann’s great nursery room reading bed made from a couple of pallets. [...]
Framboise rules ok! « Lepetitcoquin's Blog - [...] Ashley Ann child’s nursery. She created the gorgeous reading bed from storage pallets. Click here to view more [...]
Artesanato e reciclagem- cama feita com palete | Cacareco - [...] idéias criativas, e essa de ashely ann foi ótima.Sabe aqueles paletes de madeira muito usado no Ceasa ou mercadão de frutas? Veja que [...]
Sammi - Sooo pretty!!!
Becca - After seeing a coffee table made from palletts I decided to make my son a bed as well and finding this has made me sure that it will work – our variation will be to put 3 high (a total of 6 pallets) for more height and I play to paint them, and put a piece of trimmed out plywood on top just to finish it off before putting the mattress down! We plan to use the cubby holes for books and school supplies!
Ruthie - I stumbled on this post from Apartment Therapy! I love everything about this room (esp. the picture of you taking a picture of yourself). I was trying to find your IKEA blanket on-line. Is it the OFELIA throw? http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30139623
Also, what kind of camera do you shoot with?
Thanks!
pallet daybeds…sigh « Design*Champagne - [...] Be sure to check out the gorgeous before and after photos on her blog! [...]
Jan Niekamp - Amazing room, I am working on a room for my young son, he loves the outdoors. So thrift shops and garage sales for me because we are very broke and its better to recycle anyway.
Kristy - this is so great. i love the look, the colors, everything about it. i love the frames, LOVE IT!!!
nadia rezende - Dear Ashley
I’m brazilian and don’t speak english…
Your photgraphys are lovely, congratulations.
Nadia
sonal - Love the reading bed pallet – we actually made one for our nursery – just a bit smaller since we didn’t need one quite as big. We made our own pallet since we couldn’t find one that was in good shape. BUT, I love the white blanket you have – you stated that it’s from IKEA but I can’t find it at the IKEA we have here. Do you remember the name of the blanket? THANKS for the idea!!
wendy - Holy Toledo! I love it! Where oh where could I put that?…
apparentlyjessy - Gorgeous reading bed, and I love the art work on the wall, and the paper lantern arrangement above! You have great style!
GABRIELA CARO - WAT KIND OF HINGES AND WHERE CAN I BUY THE STUFF AT MY BOX SPRING IS RETIRING THIS IS A GREAT PROJECT IM IN LOVE WITH IT IM USING IT FOR MY BED
Stacy - I would like a little more detail on the hinges. How are they used and where were they placed? This is such a cute idea! Would be a great solution to the cruddy futon in our office.
Rachel - Oh how funny! I got swept up in your photos and kept reading. A few pages in, I remembered I’d been here before. I linked to your gorgeous organizers! Your blog is so, so beautiful. I think I’ll put on another cup of tea and read the entire thing this afternoon.
Rachel - Wow-this is gorgeous! I just found this via Design Star. I’ll be linking to this post if you don’t mind. What a stunning room!
Ryan - I just saw your bed made it onto Design Star! Awesome! Congrats!
Melissa - I adore what you have done here – It is sweet, and girly but in an elegant, sophisticated way – the door was a great idea. And the painted floor – I want to do that so bad at my house.
Melissa marie
Lisa - wow. it’s perfect! this is like something out of a dream. you are so stinkin’ talented. I do think the reflection picture SHOULD be a framed photo
bopha - you never cease to amaze, it all looks awesome.
ashlee - amazing!!! i also love your painted wood floors! what kind of paint did you use and how does it hold up to so many little people?
Jesse - Super cute Ashley, I love it!
patti - love this idea! i saw your link posted on “whatever”. you have a beautiful nursery! thanks for sharing!
Laura Casey - I stumbled across your blog through a link. Such a beautiful room – and I LOVE the lanterns and paper flowers above the bed. Inspiring. Please share where you found those great white lanterns and the others as well. Thanks – and congratulations on your baby. My fourth babe just turned 16 months and I am sad I won’t have great nurseries to decorate anymore.
meg duerksen - you are amazing ashley. this is so industrial and pretty.
i love it.
the prettiest room around. it’s gorgeous!
Natalie Jane - LOVE! It makes me want to do my new baby’s room all over again!
jill - VERY neat…this belongs in a magazine!
Cate O'Malley - Ok, in the great minds think alike category, love it! But no, not the bed (although I love that too!), but the pink tissue paper pom-poms over the bed. Martha Stewart yes? I used those exact things (love them!) as decoration for my daughter’s first birthday party in February, and after the party, I couldn’t decide what to do with them… then I had the brainstorm to hang them over her crib, like a much prettier mobile, or just something fun and girly and swirly for her to look at. The problem? I can’t get those suckers to stay up! They’re strung on fishing line – tape to the ceiling (even lots of it) didn’t work, and I hate to use something more permanent or less pretty than the poms themselves. Help!
Natasha Perryman - Super cute.
I have been on the lookout for some cute bedding for when Avi Joy moves to a big bed. Did you make your quilt or where did it come from? If you have a minute I would love to know.
Thank you for Always inspiring me to be a better and more creative mommmy!
Natasha
(natasha.tobefree@gmail.com)
or facebook Natasha Perryman
kayla - freaking adorable! what a beautifully wonderfully DIYully fantastic idea! baby girl will undoubtedly love it.
Lauren - As I look as this, I can see the talent goes deep in your family! I love the quilt from your Aunt and the ring toy from your Mom! And your bed is awesome, of course
You guys are very gifted!
christina larsen - So creative. My oldest is wanting a platform bed in her room. We saw pics in pottery barn and I said, surely you could make one on your own, it couldn’t be that hard. Well, you proved to me it’s not. Not sure when that project will get started, but thanks for the directions and motivation.
Jeannette - I expect amazing things from you!! This is so awesome, I love it. Everything is wonderful!
Carol - Everytime you create something, I’m just blown away by your talent. You are proof that breaking all the “rules” works just beautifully. Love the room and can’t wait to see the baby in it and me preferably holding her!!!Love you!!
leslie - wow, so pretty ashley! i posted about your room today. thanks for letting me share!
Aunt Sandy - WOW, WOW, WOW. The room is amazing, I love it. I can’t wait to see it in person with the sweet little baby girl in it. Love the reading bed, what a great idea. It’s so neat to see Corbett in there working on the room with you. He’s such a good helper.
Great room and great pics. Love it, love it, love it.
Aunt Sandy
Jenny - So cute Ashley! Where did you find the round lanterns?