Furniture and Furnishings - How to Convert Double Bed to Queen Bed

Could someone tell me how to convert a full size bed frame with headboard and footboard into a queen size frame. My hubby's parents gave us their very old bedroom set that they bought in the late 1940's or early 1950's. It is made of wood.

How do the side rails attach to the headboard and footboard?
If they are hook-in rails with 2 hooks, you can buy "converta-rails" for them
They replace the side rails
A local mattress shop should have them
The box spring will now sit on top of the rails, so if they have the lowered kind, you'll probably want them

slick: i'm curious...

so instead of the pretty wood side rails, it'll just be the little metal ones, like on a regular metal frame, right?

and the full headboard & footboard (4/6) will just be slightly narrower (6") than the queen (5/0) would be, so it'll be almost unnoticeable, right?

but what about the length? queens are 5" longer than fulls, aren't they?? so the replacement rails are longer?

i just want to make sure i understand this correctly, so i can beat myself up appropriately for ditching my gorgeous antique FULL size bedroom set when i got married & wanted a QUEEN size set!!! :wall:

Hi Annette
Yes, it does replace your side rails
If you are picturing an angle-iron bed frame side rails you're almost there
The angle-iron on converta-rails is upside-down, as the box spring now sits on top of the rails, rather than "inside" the rails
Two clips on each side keep the box spring from shifting left to right
You can't really notice/see the iron under the box spring

After installation even my most fussy customers always said "Gee, that's not as bad as I thought, boy...you can hardly notice it"
That was the harshest review by the biggest skeptics

The replacement rails are longer to fit the extra length of queens

Other Converta-rail stuff:
The most common type (US) is for double/dual hook-in rails
These are side rails that attach to the head/foot board with two hooks at each point
These are usually sold as a kit and no modifications are needed
They often come with one metal center slat-go for three-you'll want them
Maybe not now, but later you will

Single hook rails (Can.) can be converted and bolt in rails (mostly Iron Beds) can be converted
Queen straight side rails (must be converta-type) must be purchased and modified for full-sized cross braces (slats) and clips

Since your bedding now sits on top of the side rails, it could be much higher
The metal rails are usual not as high as the wood side rails to begin with, but I'd recommend a "Drop Converta-rail"
This kit drops the metal side rails another few inches

If it's still too high replace the box spring with "Bunkie Bases", 1 1/2 inch high platform-type box

My favorite converta-rail system was a combo
I used two Glidaway Co. drop converta side rails and 3 B&H Panel Co. MTS slats with a foot on each slat
Retailed for about $100 (inc. inst.) but solid as a rock...better than factory

I recommend converta-rails over modifying the Bedstead itself so it can be returned to it's former state later
We do live in "Antique Alley" here so perhaps I'm a bit sensitve about that
Modifying an antique would destroy it's value
But I do like the idea that if later you want to pass it on to a child or guest room it can be easily converted back

So Annette, I guess it depends on how much you wanted to keep those side rails on the bedstead

(I'll be cooking up some linguine fini in a minute, I'll save some for you...if you want to wack yourself with a wet noodle)
:)

i can't believe i didn't know about this! i can't believe no one else around me knew about this!! my mother knows EVERYTHING! how could SHE not know about this?????

....I COULD BE USING MY ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!!

i could've saved THOUSANDS of dollars on our new set!!! :wall: :wall: :wall: AAAAAGGHH!!!!!!

i'm so depressed.......

thanks for the info, slick.

i can't believe i didn't know about this! i can't believe no one else around me knew about this!! my mother knows EVERYTHING! how could SHE not know about this?????

....I COULD BE USING MY ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!!

i could've saved THOUSANDS of dollars on our new set!!! :wall: :wall: :wall: AAAAAGGHH!!!!!!

i'm so depressed.......

thanks for the info, slick.

Annette,
Antique bed frames can also be extended permanently by rebuilding portions of the headboard and footboard. Side rails can also be extended by using some creatively designed blocks, or by reproducing the side rails that you have, in the length that you need. A qualified furniture builder or restoration shop should be able to help you with this. We do it on a regular basis and you cannot tell work has been done to the piece in most cases. This allows you to have what others do not have. An antique queen, or king size bed. This is a very popular option for lots of my past clients.

Hello
I have a similar request and wonder if you could advise me. I have an antique spool bed full size and want to get convert to queen. Of course I am opting to get the glideway rail system,
But here is my problem. The maple bed side rails are bolted to the headboard& footboard by very large bolts (like a long nail) that twists with a key to tighten. Normally there are two slip bolts but not this bed. So what do I do? I know they also have a clamp version of the rail system . Will these clamps hold the large legs of my spool bed?


Thanks for any advise you could give me

Thx

cgrande, where have you found clamp converter rails? I have a similar problem to yours. My antique wooden bed does not have hooks or bolts, but a keyhole attachment. I'm going nuts trying to find a way to make these converter rails work. Alternatively, are there any regular queen-sized bedframes out there with clamps to handle a headboard AND a footboard? I'm willing to do some minor drilling if necessary, for instance to attach some sort of bracket so the bed will accept hooked rails. Please help!

how do the side rails attach to the headboard and footboard?
If they are hook-in rails with 2 hooks, you can buy "converta-rails" for them
they replace the side rails
a local mattress shop should have them
the box spring will now sit on top of the rails, so if they have the lowered kind, you'll probably want them


i have an iron bed made in the 1800's. It has an iron knob that fits into the headboard. Is there anyway i can convert it into a full size? Thanks, jo ann