Anyone ever use an Ikea Expedit/Kallax as a headboard?

[tacosforlife]

To put our new king bed (!) on the wall where we want in our new apartment (!!), we don't really have room for nightstands. Storage headboards seem shockingly hard to find (you'd think Ikea would be allllllll over this instead of the measly options they have), but we've seen some pictures online of people doing this.

Kind of like this, but we are thinking of just putting the bed up against the shelving unit instead of making bottom piece:


Anyone done this? Love it? Have a cautionary tale?

We are thinking of getting 3 of the 2x4 configurations and setting them up vertically. The bed would cover the first two rows of cubes, but we'd still have 12 available for use - 6 across and 2 up.

[tacosforlife]

May 12, 2015 7:50:19 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Do you like to sit up in bed and read/watch TV/whatever? Because you couldn't with this setup.

Could you mount some stands or a shelf to the wall on either side of the bed? Either the parallel wall or the two perpendicular walls, depending on how tight a squeeze we're talking?

We will not have a TV in the bedroom, so that's not much of an issue. H thinks we will be able to just prop a pillow up against the unit for reading. I am less sure but also less concerned because I am fine making myself a little pillow pallet.

The shelf issue. Maybe. So one side of the bed will be near a corner, with a perpendicular wall. The other side of the bed will be near the doorway (which is on the same wall as the head of the bed). So no perpendicular wall. The bed without frame is 76 inches wide. If we get a frame, it will be 81.5 inches wide. The wall is 107 inches wide. So I think the idea would be to have the bed slightly off-center, closer to the door, so that wall side person has more room to get into bed. Wall side person could have shelves on the perpendicular wall. I'm not really sure if shelves on the parallel wall for door side person will work.

Slight complicating factor: apparently many of the walls are concrete, thus requiring a hammer drill to hang shelves. (Fortunately we have a friend with one).

But hmmm, just going no headboard with wall shelves could potentially work. Sorry, kind of thinking as I type here. If our wall were just a foot longer, this wouldn't be an issue!

[tacosforlife]

We were also contemplating this: www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30269172/

But the package is 6 inches longer than anything we've ever put in our car before, so I am worried about it fitting.

[tacosforlife]

Our bedroom is massive, but due to some oddly placed radiators and closets, it's tricky to find a place to put a king sized bed.

WAAAAAAH! My diamond shoes are too tight!

[CallingAllAngels]

That picture makes me anxious because I picture things falling off the Expedit every time you roll over in bed.

[shortstax]

I look at that pic and get scared of an earthquake

[tacosforlife]

May 12, 2015 8:08:37 GMT -5 shortstax said:

I look at that pic and get scared of an earthquake

I mean, I suppose the New Madrid fault line could have the big one that reaches all the way up to Milwaukee, but I think we're pretty safe. I would definitely not contemplate this in California.

[shortstax]

May 12, 2015 8:13:11 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

May 12, 2015 8:08:37 GMT -5 shortstax said:

I look at that pic and get scared of an earthquake

I mean, I suppose the New Madrid fault line could have the big one that reaches all the way up to Milwaukee, but I think we're pretty safe. I would definitely not contemplate this in California.

I wasn't around much while on mat. leave. HOW DID I MISS THAT YOU MOVED BACK TO MILWAUKEE?

CONGRATS!   (hot)

[tacosforlife]

May 12, 2015 8:16:21 GMT -5 shortstax said:

May 12, 2015 8:13:11 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

I mean, I suppose the New Madrid fault line could have the big one that reaches all the way up to Milwaukee, but I think we're pretty safe. I would definitely not contemplate this in California.

I wasn't around much while on mat. leave. HOW DID I MISS THAT YOU MOVED BACK TO MILWAUKEE?

CONGRATS!   (hot)

Well, I haven't. Not yet, at least. 2.5 weeks. Well, the husband, the stuff, and felines go then. I may be a month behind due to job issues.



BUT BACK TO MY DIAMOND SHOES. What should I do about my king bed???

[shortstax]

May 12, 2015 8:17:41 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

May 12, 2015 8:16:21 GMT -5 shortstax said:

I wasn't around much while on mat. leave. HOW DID I MISS THAT YOU MOVED BACK TO MILWAUKEE?

CONGRATS!   (hot)

Well, I haven't. Not yet, at least. 2.5 weeks. Well, the husband, the stuff, and felines go then. I may be a month behind due to job issues.



BUT BACK TO MY DIAMOND SHOES. What should I do about my king bed???

With only 2 rows up above the bed, I think it would look better than in that pic.

I think these would be more visually appealing (as opposed to the cubes):




(Both from Overstock)

Or if you want something more modern:

[kadams767]

Um, are you planning on actually storing stuff on the expedit? I know someone else mentioned the earthquake fear, but I'd also be afraid of other, ahem, activities, causing stuff to crash down off the shelves on top of us. ?

[tacosforlife]

May 12, 2015 8:56:08 GMT -5 kadams767 said:

Um, are you planning on actually storing stuff on the expedit? I know someone else mentioned the earthquake fear, but I'd also be afraid of other, ahem, activities, causing stuff to crash down off the shelves on top of us. ?

But with a king sized memory foam mattress, I think we have plenty of space.

[tacosforlife]

May 12, 2015 9:08:30 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

May 12, 2015 9:03:48 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

But with a king sized memory foam mattress, I think we have plenty of space.

I wouldn't count on it...

LOL!

This thread has definitely taken a turn for the weird.

[Deleted]

Ok not to be TMI but that wouldn't work for me simply because of sex. Not sexy to have books flying off hitting you in the face will doing the deed. Just something to think about!

Also isn't your new place huge?!? Is there a specific reason you need a book shelf in your bedroom?

[Deleted]

Another vote for wall mounted storage or side tables. I think the Expedit is too big and bulky for the bedroom I prefer less clutter and a more calm space.

[Deleted]

Lol oops, I see the sex issue has already been addressed!

Do you have a memory foam mattress now? Not to burst your bubble, it's great in that you definitely don't feel a lot of motion from your partner when sleeping, but when there is motion in the ocean, objects could definitely go flying. Beware!

[tacosforlife]

May 12, 2015 9:13:08 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Ok not to be TMI but that wouldn't work for me simply because of sex. Not sexy to have books flying off hitting you in the face will doing the deed. Just something to think about!

Also isn't your new place huge?!? Is there a specific reason you need a book shelf in your bedroom?

No, I don't need a bookshelf there, but I need a nightstand. A place to put a water bottle and a box of Kleenex and my chapstick and my phone since I have become addicted to falling asleep to cello music.

And we have not had a lot of luck finding nightstands that will fit with the king bed. So my thought is to go up. I wasn't planning to put books on the shelf like in that picture. Hell, one of the cubes would likely get a cushion in it so it can be a cat cube (of course it would, LOL).

We could potentially orient the bed a different way, but it's slightly weird that way. The master bedroom clearly used to be 2 different rooms, and there is a seam in the floor in the middle. Add in 2 radiators, 2 windows, the door, 2 closet doors, and the bathroom door, and despite being huge, we are realizing the room is a bit oddly laid out for placing a bed and nightstands.

[carolinagirl831]

Honestly it looks really cheap and for a college dorm room to me

[tacosforlife]

May 12, 2015 9:14:33 GMT -5 @missy1 said:

Another vote for wall mounted storage or side tables. I think the Expedit is too big and bulky for the bedroom I prefer less clutter and a more calm space.

Can you find me teeny tiny side tables?

The wall is 107 inches from doorway to the corner. The bed is 76 inches wide. So we only have 31 inches of total wall space to work with.

[tacosforlife]

May 12, 2015 9:19:40 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Okay, well cat cube is making me rethink my whole stance.

You have to admit that would be freaking adorable. Maybe I could even train Velociraptor to sleep there instead of on a pillow above my head so that I don't have to sleep with my head even with H's shoulders!

[kadams767]

May 12, 2015 9:10:18 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

May 12, 2015 9:08:30 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

I wouldn't count on it...

LOL!

This thread has definitely taken a turn for the weird.

Sorry, I prefer a sturdier headboard. LOL.

[tacosforlife]

May 12, 2015 9:22:03 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

May 12, 2015 9:20:36 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

Can you find me teeny tiny side tables?

The wall is 107 inches from doorway to the corner. The bed is 76 inches wide. So we only have 31 inches of total wall space to work with.

The NORDLI is under 12".

I didn't say it was pretty!

I did look at that one.

I hate that it only comes in white because our desk is the black-brown. But our walls are white, so I suppose it would blend in. And it's not like anybody is really going to come hang out in our bedroom.

[kadams767]

May 12, 2015 9:20:36 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

May 12, 2015 9:14:33 GMT -5 @missy1 said:

Another vote for wall mounted storage or side tables. I think the Expedit is too big and bulky for the bedroom I prefer less clutter and a more calm space.

Can you find me teeny tiny side tables?

The wall is 107 inches from doorway to the corner. The bed is 76 inches wide. So we only have 31 inches of total wall space to work with.

I'd look for a set of narrow C-tables and turn them lengthwise. Let me see if I can find some.

[CallingAllAngels]

DD doesn't have room for nightstands and she has a daybed so it's weird. We got a wall-mounted cube from IKEA that we hung next to her bed for a water bottle, alarm clock, books, etc. I'm trying to find it on their website now...

[tacosforlife]

May 12, 2015 9:23:59 GMT -5 kadams767 said:

May 12, 2015 9:20:36 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

Can you find me teeny tiny side tables?

The wall is 107 inches from doorway to the corner. The bed is 76 inches wide. So we only have 31 inches of total wall space to work with.

I'd look for a set of narrow C-tables and turn them lengthwise. Let me see if I can find some.

I am actually super concerned about the sturdiness of those. I have a 20-pound cat who is certain to jump on it.

[EmilieMadison]

Unless you can anchor it to the wall, there's no way I'd do that. Forget about books and knickknacks falling off the shelf, the entire thing could tip onto you.

[Deleted]

Well what about the cube shelves but mounted to the wall a little higher, like where a picture would hang above your bed. And only 1 row of cubes. That would be more sturdy and look better and you could still reach it to put water and a clock there.

[tacosforlife]

May 12, 2015 9:34:42 GMT -5 EmilieMadison said:

Unless you can anchor it to the wall, there's no way I'd do that. Forget about books and knickknacks falling off the shelf, the entire thing could tip onto you.

I will ask H about anchoring it to the wall. He has done that with our Billy bookshelves.

I am not sure the entire thing would really tip, though, as the bed foundation and mattress, which are pretty heavy, would be up against the lower half of the shelf.

[tacosforlife]

May 12, 2015 9:35:47 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Well what about the cube shelves but mounted to the wall a little higher, like where a picture would hang above your bed. And only 1 row of cubes. That would be more sturdy and look better and you could still reach it to put water and a clock there.

Yeah, I think I like this idea better than the giant Kallax unit. I guess I am most concerned about hitting my head on it somehow? I don't know. H seems to be really sold on the Kallax thing. On the bright side, if we get it and I hate it, I can easily put Kallax units in other rooms and use them for assorted storage.

Bah. I think the Brimnes is the most elegant solution, but I have to figure out how to get the freaking thing. Maybe I will suck it up and pay for delivery.

Who knew this would be so complicated?

[Deleted]

May 12, 2015 9:39:22 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

May 12, 2015 9:35:47 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Well what about the cube shelves but mounted to the wall a little higher, like where a picture would hang above your bed. And only 1 row of cubes. That would be more sturdy and look better and you could still reach it to put water and a clock there.

Yeah, I think I like this idea better than the giant Kallax unit. I guess I am most concerned about hitting my head on it somehow? I don't know. H seems to be really sold on the Kallax thing. On the bright side, if we get it and I hate it, I can easily put Kallax units in other rooms and use them for assorted storage.

Bah. I think the Brimnes is the most elegant solution, but I have to figure out how to get the freaking thing. Maybe I will suck it up and pay for delivery.

Who knew this would be so complicated?

Aren't you driving the truck to Milwaukee?

I also need to buy IKEA stuff so I plan to get my truck in the morning, go straight to IKEA to buy what I need. Then pack my apartment up and drive to Brooklyn.

Would that work for you?