How to Build a Comfortable Bed in Your Van

Hey, this is your home. How long do you think you'll last being curled up in a fetal position trying to sleep in a space that's too short for you to stretch out. That cheap air mattress won't cut it for more then a couple nights before you start getting stiff and sore.

Building a permanent quality bed will accomplish two important things. First it will provide you a comfortable place to sleep that's always there waiting for you at the end of the day. No matter what the weather or events of the day, knowing you have some place to call home and get some rest makes life good.

Secondly your bed can become a multiuse piece of furniture. In the confines of a small living place multipurpose is the key, if it doesn't provide at least two functions is it really necessary? By building a box like structure to support the actual sleeping surface you will gain valuable storage space.

This space can be divided up with plastic storage boxes that will keep things neat, clean., and organized. The sleeping surface can be built hinged down the center so that during the day it can be in an upright position as a sofa. This will open up floor space giving you room to move around.

When it's time for sleep, the folding surface can be laid down flat to provide a good quality sold bed that is built to match at least a twin sized mattress. You can choose what ever size sleeping surface will work best for you, but a minimum should be a standard twin size surface so you can easily match it with standard bed linens and blankets.

You have a number of options when it comes to a mattress. Obviously a standard innerspring mattress won't work out too well as it won't fold down the center without bending the springs. A futon style mattress is designed to be folded and yet remain serviceable.

My personal preference is a dense foam mattress as it will provide better support then a stuffed padded mattress. Sam's Club carry's a line of Mattress Toppers that are made of 3" dense foam. Though meant as a mattress topper, they are good quality and will do a very nice job as your primary mattress without any further padding. I've found that bottoming out one of these pads is very unlikely.

Take some time when you design your bed when it comes to building out your van. The one thing for sure, beyond driving your van the one thing you'll be doing most often inside your cozy little dwelling will be sleeping. Taking the time to set it up right will be time well spent. Your comfort and long term enjoyment will be dramatically affected by how you set up the bed in your Stealth Van Dwelling.