Dead space above the bed

[adi]

Any ideas or pictures of how to utilize space above a bed?

I am still trying to plan the interior of my van, and the amount of wasted space above the bed has been nagging me. I have thought of things like soft sided bags hanging from the wall/top, that can be moved elsewhere when the bed needs to be used.

Another thought is having shelving above the lower part of the bed where your legs are, and storing bed/pillows in that space when the bed isn't going to be used, and the upper part of the bed acting more as a bench for the majority of the day.

One more additional idea is a bed that slides out to occupy the middle isle from side drawers/shelving with supporting legs. It is out of the way for most of the time, and not causing a huge loss of storage, and uses unoccupied space when deployed.

Just wanted to see what other people have for ideas, or have pictures of unique bed setups that maximize vertical storage loss.

This is for a solo traveler, so a huge bed isn't required.

 

[Les H]

I just built a shallow shelf above ny bed last week to hokd clothes,sheets, blankets etc. No pics yet, not q.uite done
Um... Edited for spell check?!? Geesh!

 

[thinker]

some folks want a moveable bed so they can haul from time to time. consider this when planning your build.<br />also, anything permanent may lead to a clausterphobic feeling.<br />finally, you may need more space above the mattress than you think. like say, when there's two people on it.

 

[Les H]

My bed folds up against the wall for this very reason. I DO have pics of it in my build thread- " pics of my bus, Buford"

 

[adi]

My bed folds up against the wall for this very reason. I DO have pics of it in my build thread- " pics of my bus, Buford"

When the bed is folded up, to you stack things in front of it to use that space?

My thoughts are more towards something like a bunkbed in a small apartment, sleeping on the top bunk, and the space beneath it for storage or desk/workstation. But reversed for the van.

I'm past the point of wanting everything removable since I'll be full timing, and can rent a trailer if I need to haul anything.

 

[VanTrekker]

I have been contemplating putting shelves above half the bed (at least by the area near the feet to my waist) to use for clothes storage.&nbsp; Even though some space is wasted, I still like the open areas (I'm sleeping lengthwise behind the driver's seat and I have an aisle between me and the other wall and counter).&nbsp; <br /><br />With a low top, I'd almost prefer to keep most of the area above the bed&nbsp;open.&nbsp; It really helps keep from getting that "Sardine" feeling.<br /><br />V.T.

 

[akrvbob]

The foot of my bed is under the front shelf unit of my trailer. So the last 2 feet is under a shelf. There is about 2 feet from the bed to the shelf. I was a little concerned when i designed it, but it has worked extremely well and would gladly do it again. <br /><br />Another idea is to hang bags above the bed with soft things (like clothes or extra blankets) in them. I have a Coghlans storage net that I like, but I can't locate on the Internet to show you. Bob<br /><br />I am now blogging at http://cheaprvlivingblog.com/ Bob

 

[Les H]

My bed folds up against the wall for this very reason. I DO have pics of it in my build thread- " pics of my bus, Buford"

When the bed is folded up, to you stack things in front of it to use that space?

My thoughts are more towards something like a bunkbed in a small apartment, sleeping on the top bunk, and the space beneath it for storage or desk/workstation. But reversed for the van.

I'm past the point of wanting everything removable since I'll be full timing, and can rent a trailer if I need to haul anything.

I was a self employed contractor untill recently. i built the bed to fold up to maximize cargo capacity when needed. Now, because it is hinged, it makes it easier to get to things stored underneath, though i am consittering changing things around to accomodate a rv water tank and pump.

 

[MrNoodly]

My thoughts are more towards something like a bunkbed in a small apartment, sleeping on the top bunk, and the space beneath it for storage or desk/workstation. But reversed for the van

<br /><br />It seems like such a natural thing, especially for items that aren't heavy. (You dont want heavy things high or your van will get tippier.) Van conversions usually have some sort of compartment there.&nbsp;<br /><br />Exactly how you would do it depends on which brand of van you have and what you might already have built in.

 

[Willy]

What we used to have in our V.W vans was a net that stretched from wall to wall and into which we'd throw soft stuff like clothing/linens. Nice thing is that you could see what was contained inside through the net and smacking into it with the ol' noggin was a non-event.. unlike with shelving. ..Willy.

 

[CrossCountryGal]

I hung repurposed shoe bags, like the over the door type for a SB home. &nbsp;I'm able to keep small things like medicine, flashlights, bungie cords, etc. handy, organized, and visible. &nbsp;I also have 3 shallow shelves with rails on them. &nbsp;Those shelves keep my books, a couple of organizer baskets, and some other odds and ends secure and easily accessible.<br /><br /><br />

 

[MrNoodly]

Ah yes, wire shelving.

 

[Pikachu711]

As I was reading this I had an idea that may open up some additional storage space on a more permanent basis for over the bed storage. I'm not sure how workable it is but here it goes. Keep in mind that this suggestion would only work on a bed that were in a permanent place in your rig.<br /><br />This suggestion is one if you're willing to sleep in one direction on the bed. Measure how much space you'll be using while you're layng down in bed from the waist up. Leave the area from the waist up open for sitting up, turning, etc. Build some some type of storage area or shelves over the area that covers your leg area. Do allow for adequate space to slide into bed for some movement if you tend to shift positions while sleeping. But the trick to this setup is measuring a&nbsp;comfortable distance from the bed surface to where you're knees might contact the storage area over the "leg section" of the bed.<br /><br />If you can find a reasonable amount of distance&nbsp;to build the section of your leg area&nbsp;that may open up some storage area.&nbsp;I'm trying to visualize this and it may or may not be doable. But I'm just thinking "outside the box"&nbsp;when this&nbsp;idea came to me as I was reading this thread.<br /><br />If this&nbsp;suggestion is not really doable, so be it! If it works, well, I'm going to&nbsp;be amazed. Plus, it&nbsp;could add some&nbsp;much needed storage space.<br /><br />Let the comments begin!&nbsp;Is this a good&nbsp;or bad suggestion?<br /><br />P.S. If this is a workable suggestion this wall facing you sleeping in bed would be a great place to put a&nbsp;flatscreen television! &nbsp;&nbsp;

 

[MrNoodly]

I think it's a very good idea.

 

[akrvbob]

I have bought a hammock to stretch across the top of my bed in the van, but haven't got it installed yet. It will be just for soft stuff. I will hang it from "I" bolts front in back. I have been so busy I haven't gotten to it yet. I will blog about it when I do. Bob

 

[gp]

<p>CrossCountryGal, very nice job on&nbsp;your&nbsp;interior space. I would love to see more pics. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></p>

 

[CrossCountryGal]

Here ya go gp<br /><br />https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Ford-Shuttle-Van-Conversion-6120821<br /><br /><br />

 

[adi]

As I was reading this I had an idea that may open up some additional storage space on a more permanent basis for over the bed storage. I'm not sure how workable it is but here it goes. Keep in mind that this suggestion would only work on a bed that were in a permanent place in your rig.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This suggestion is one if you're willing to sleep in one direction on the bed. Measure how much space you'll be using while you're layng down in bed from the waist up. Leave the area from the waist up open for sitting up, turning, etc. Build some some type of storage area or shelves over the area that covers your leg area. Do allow for adequate space to slide into bed for some movement if you tend to shift positions while sleeping. But the trick to this setup is measuring a&nbsp;comfortable distance from the bed surface to where you're knees might contact the storage area over the "leg section" of the bed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you can find a reasonable amount of distance&nbsp;to build the section of your leg area&nbsp;that may open up some storage area.&nbsp;I'm trying to visualize this and it may or may not be doable. But I'm just thinking "outside the box"&nbsp;when this&nbsp;idea came to me as I was reading this thread.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If this&nbsp;suggestion is not really doable, so be it! If it works, well, I'm going to&nbsp;be amazed. Plus, it&nbsp;could add some&nbsp;much needed storage space.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Let the comments begin!&nbsp;Is this a good&nbsp;or bad suggestion?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;P.S. If this is a workable suggestion this wall facing you sleeping in bed would be a great place to put a&nbsp;flatscreen television! &nbsp;&nbsp;

This was one of my first ideas. Bed along drivers side, head facing to front of van. From waist forward, 45 degree slope (like to top of drivers seat). This gives full shelving above bed from feet to waist, with triangle shaped storage from waist to head, giving room to sit up. Just a lot of work to prototype.

 

[Van Tripper]

I have one of those spider web looking things that you use to holds stuff in the bed of a truck, just hung it from the roof, put pillows, blanks etc. &nbsp;in it.

 

[Willy]

I have one of those spider web looking things that you use to holds stuff in the bed of a truck, just hung it from the roof, put pillows, blanks etc. &nbsp;in it.

<br><br>&nbsp;That's basically what we had in our VW vans. Thanks for reminding me, since now I know what to look for. ..Willy.