Thinnest, most comfortable bed (standard UK double)

[Sway]

Designing a project!

Aiming to make a lifting bed mechanism with linear actuators, but as is usual want as much head height as possible when it's lifted up to the ceiling. At the moment, I'm modelling a 1750mm (5'9") head height, but part of the bed is over the end of a worktop, so that feels like a potential head/bed clash hazard...

Needs to be a standard UK double, so 190cm x 135cm. If I can get to a 100mm total thickness, including aluminium extrusion frame and ply subbase, then I'm at a 1800mm/5'11" ceiling height which I think will work. There is the potential for some 'compression' against the ceiling, but I'm not sure I want to rely on that.

So, what's the thinnest, most comfortable bed going? Not too constrained with weight (let's say a 30kg max), and it's intended to be a high end build so cost isn't too much of a factor - intention is maximum comfort, don't want this to feel like a compromise. Let's not go too silly though!

Have been looking at these: https://cubecamp.de/en/products/cubecamp-set?varia...

And have also seen custom mattresses from here (thinking I might get away with a 70mm mattress?): https://customsizebeds.co.uk/product/gel-foam-matt...

So, over to you!

[Bill]

Presumably you're allowing for pillows etc to stay on the bed when it's lifted?

[Sway]

Bill said:

Presumably you're allowing for pillows etc to stay on the bed when it's lifted?

Duvet yes, pillows will either be compressed against ceiling - or preferred option is to use as cushions in the lounge underneath during the day.

Actuators have a lifting force of over 400kg, so will easily compress mattress/pillows into the ceiling - but tbh don't want to be coming anywhere near those sort of forces as a routine static compression! All fully safe, due to the actuator mechanism (ball screw design, so no chance of slippage) - but undesirable.

[Bill]

That makes sense. (That's a lot of force, don't want to nudge the wrong button in the night! )

[ferret50]

Is a potential option 100mm foam?

Can be bought graded from soft to hard and could even be 75mm foam and 25mm memory foam bonded together.

We are using 100mm hard foam over a plywood slatted base in our camper and we both sleep really well on it.

[Sway]

ferret50 said:

Is a potential option 100mm foam?

Can be bought graded from soft to hard and could even be 75mm foam and 25mm memory foam bonded together.

We are using 100mm hard foam over a plywood slatted base in our camper and we both sleep really well on it.

It's an option!

As it'll be a solid base, I think it'd need to be foam (whether memory/hard/combo) on top of the spring set I linked to - I'm then up to about 150mm with the base (that'll be the ceiling of the lounge) - so I'd be aiming to compress the 135ish mm of mattress and springs down to 85ish mm.

Slightly concerned by how much pressure that would be, as it's a fairly large area...

Are your slats sprung? If not, then it'll only be a 15mm compression.

[ferret50]

My slats are half inch plywood, 3'' wide with a half inch gap between, screwed down with two screws each end to keep the frame square.

Not convinced that it's a Good Idea to attempt to compress your mattress against the roof, I'm visulising a bed shaped dent !

[Gretchen]

We’re starting another project van and I watched this earlier. Check from around 7 minutes. There’s a system in place similar to the one you’ve linked to in the OP, used with a one inch mattress. It’s a Froli bed system.

https://youtu.be/1x96iFYTx1Q

Edited by Gretchen on Monday 21st April 23:28

[Sway]

Gretchen said:

We’re starting another project van and I watched this earlier. Check from around 7 minutes. There’s a system in place similar to the one you’ve linked to in the OP, used with a one inch mattress. It’s a Froli bed system.

https://youtu.be/1x96iFYTx1Q

Edited by Gretchen on Monday 21st April 23:28

Blimey, that's impressive!

Was pondering whether the spring system was 'worth' the 40mm depth, or whether I'd be better just having a 40mm thicker mattress - think that's answered it as I can't imagine a 6-70mm mattress would be that comfy.