Finding furniture that maximizes floor space without sacrificing comfort is a constant struggle for apartment dwellers and homeowners with compact guest rooms. An IKEA trundle bed often serves as the go-to solution for this dilemma. These beds offer a primary sleeping area with a secondary bed tucked underneath or integrated into the frame, ready to be deployed at a moment's notice. Whether you are outfitting a child's room for sleepovers or creating a multi-functional home office that doubles as a guest suite, understanding the nuances of these frames is essential before you drive to the warehouse.
My Experience with the HEMNES Daybed
I bought my first IKEA trundle frame about four years ago for a spare room that was barely ten feet wide. I opted for the HEMNES daybed, arguably the most ubiquitous model in their lineup. Hauling the three heavy flat-pack boxes up a flight of stairs was a workout in itself, but the real education came during the assembly. Unlike a standard bed frame where you just bolt four sides together, the expanding mechanism on the HEMNES requires precise alignment. If you rush the installation of the slats, the pull-out function will drag and stick rather than gliding smoothly.
Once assembled, however, the utility was undeniable. I have hosted couples who were genuinely surprised that the bed expands from a twin to a king-sized surface. The storage drawers underneath are massive, easily swallowing winter duvets and spare pillows. The only learning curve involved the mattress height; stack them too high, and the backrest looks disproportionately short. It taught me that the frame is only half the equation—the bedding setup matters just as much.
Comparing Popular IKEA Trundle Beds
IKEA approaches the trundle concept in two distinct ways: the daybed that pulls out to become wider, and the standard bed frame with a separate rolling unit underneath. Knowing the difference helps you choose the right one for your specific floor plan.
The Daybed Expanders (HEMNES, BRIMNES, FLEKKE)
These are the heavy hitters for multi-use rooms. Models like the HEMNES and BRIMNES function as a sofa by day and a bed by night. The mechanism involves the front rail pulling forward, dragging a set of slats with it to double the width of the bed.
The BRIMNES is particularly good for tight spaces because it lacks the bulky backrest and side rails of the HEMNES, giving it a lower profile. However, the FLEKKE offers a corner solution with a backrest and one side arm, which makes it easier to style with pillows to look like a sectional sofa. These frames generally include built-in storage drawers below the sleeping surface, maximizing utility.
The Under-Bed Rollers (SLAKT, VITVAL)
If you prefer the look of a traditional bed, the SLAKT series is the better route. This is a standard twin frame that allows for a separate under-bed unit (the trundle) to slide out on casters. Unlike the daybeds which expand to create one large level surface, the SLAKT trundle usually sits lower than the main bed.
This configuration is ideal for siblings sharing a room or kids' sleepovers, as it creates two distinct sleeping zones rather than one large shared bed. The lower trundle unit often includes its own storage drawers or simply a space for the mattress, depending on the specific configuration you choose.
Choosing the Right IKEA Trundle Mattress
The frame is useless without the right cushioning, and this is where many buyers make mistakes. Selecting an IKEA trundle mattress requires careful attention to thickness, or "loft." If you are buying a daybed like the HEMNES, you typically use two twin mattresses. When the bed is in "single" mode, these mattresses are stacked on top of each other. If you buy thick, pillow-top mattresses, the seat becomes uncomfortably high, and you might cover up the backboard entirely.
For the pull-out daybeds, IKEA recommends foam mattresses like the ÅSVANG or ÅGOTNES, which are thinner and firmer. These are usually around 4 to 5 inches thick. When stacked, they create a normal seat height. When spread out for a king setup, they align perfectly. If you use a spring mattress, the gap between the two mattresses when expanded can be noticeable and uncomfortable for sleepers.
For the SLAKT style under-bed trundle, vertical clearance is the main constraint. You need a mattress that is thin enough to slide under the main frame without snagging. A mattress thicker than 5 inches will often get stuck, preventing the trundle drawer from closing fully.
Durability and Weight Considerations
A common concern regarding IKEA furniture is longevity. In the context of trundle beds, the weak points are almost always the slats and the drawer bottoms. The expanding daybeds use a system where plastic connectors hold the slats in place. If kids jump on the bed, these plastic bits can snap. Fortunately, they are easy to replace, but it is something to monitor.
The weight limit is also a factor. Most of these beds are rated for roughly 220 lbs (100 kg) per sleeping side. This is sufficient for most adults, but if you have the bed expanded to a king size, you have a combined limit of around 440 lbs. The rolling mechanism on the daybeds can be sensitive to thick carpets. If you have high-pile rugs, the pull-out section might drag, putting stress on the frame. Using furniture sliders or positioning the bed on a lower-pile rug or hardwood can extend the life of the mechanism.
Assembly and Maintenance Tips
Prepare for a marathon assembly session. These beds have many moving parts, specifically the drawer runners and the expanding slat base. A power drill with a hex bit can speed up the process significantly, but be gentle to avoid stripping the particleboard holes.
Once assembled, check the screws on the pull-out section every six months. The back-and-forth motion can loosen the hardware over time. If you notice the drawer fronts becoming misaligned, there is usually a small adjustment screw on the inner rail that allows you to level them out without taking the bed apart.
Is It Worth the Investment?
For the price point, an IKEA trundle bed offers unmatched versatility. While they may not have the heirloom quality of solid oak furniture, the ability to transform a home office into a guest suite for under $500 (mattresses included) is a value proposition that is hard to beat. If you respect the weight limits and choose the correct low-profile mattresses, these beds can serve a household reliably for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a standard twin mattress on an IKEA trundle bed?
Yes, but with caveats. For the main sleeping surface, a standard twin works fine, but for the pull-out trundle or stacking daybed function, a standard twin is often too thick (over 8 inches). You generally need a low-profile mattress (under 5 inches) to ensure the mechanism functions correctly and the bed isn't too high when stacked.
Do the two mattresses stay together when the bed is expanded?
On the daybed models, the mattresses sit side-by-side. They do not physically lock together, so a gap can form if the sleepers move around a lot. Many users buy a "bed bridge" or a king-sized mattress topper to place over the two twins when guests are visiting to create a seamless surface.
Are the slats included in the price?
For most IKEA trundle and daybed models like HEMNES and BRIMNES, the slat base is integrated into the bed structure and included in the price. However, for standard bed frames like the SLAKT where the trundle is an add-on, you may need to ensure the main bed base (LURÖY) is added to your cart if it's not part of the specific bundle you are buying.