DIY Project - Bed Pocket

by Neale McDavitt-Van Fleet

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Here’s a little product I put together in a few minutes this morning. It’s a little pocket for the side of my bed to hold books and such1 . Had I any sewing skills at all, it would have probably taken all of 5 minutes, but my constant fumbling with a needle and thread made it take about 45 minutes. I hope you’ll do better.

Ok, here’s how:

1. Take a cloth grocery bag (you all have tons of these, right?). I used an old one that was ripped on one side and we we weren’t using anyways.

2. Cut horizontally across one side. Here’s a photo showing roughly where to cut. The bottom of the bag is going to form the pocket, so be sure to cut this at the depth you want the final pocket to be.

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3. Stitch the edge of the bag as shown in the photo below, to help keep it in place and stop it from fraying. Ideally this edge should be on the inside of the finished pocket. I haven’t done any sewing since grade 7 home economics class, and my skills are pretty poor. A sewing machine would take care of this in about two seconds, and do a much better job.

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4. Mount the pocket on the bed by placing the top portion of the bag underneath the mattress. I also folded the top half of the bag over to keep it out of the way. In my case the weight of the mattress is enough to keep a couple of books and my reading light in place and secure. My cat is here pictured taking interest in the project.

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That’s it! It’s a very simple project that doesn’t take very long. It’s also a good use for older cloth bags which are ripped or at the end of their lives.

  1. At least partially inspired by This, believe it or not

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37 Comments:

  1. Yan

    If you made it big enough, I’m sure you could hold a riffle in it…

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  2. JP

    Yes, a riffle, what an excellent thought! Maybe it could also hold a grrrrrrnade. Handy for meetings of the local think tank!

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  3. maninalift

    I don’t know why you are being sarcastic. I picked up a riffle just the other day, thought it would be very relaxing to have it playing by my bed but I didn’t have anywhere to put it so I had to let it go.

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  4. biruhiko

    If you cut the bag’s handles, you could tie them around the slat and hold heavier items, like a big hardcover.

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  5. biruhiko

    If you cut the bag’s handles and tied them around the slat, you could hold something heavier, like a big hardcover.

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  6. LL

    Add another one with a catheter bag, and you’d never have to get out of bed!

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  7. Paul Simer

    Actually, my first thought on seeing this was that it would be a great place for a flashlight or a pistol.

    Assuming one has no children in the house, of course. If you have kids, get a bedside safe to keep your weapons in. Safety first!

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  8. Porree

    Use a stapler to save some time.

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  9. R

    Guns, Rifles, Grrrrnades

    Gun slingin’ Americans are so ridiculous.

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  10. Neale McDavitt-Van Fleet

    Weaponry was definitely not on my mind when I made the project, but I suppose you can put whatever you want in it. It could also be a good spot for midnight snacks.

    I think the follow-up suggestions are also great, and could make this project better.

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  11. jack

    This was a fantastic idea. I’m going to make one for every bed in the house plus 2 couches.
    And yes, staples instead of stitching makes this a 30 second project. ;)

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  12. Tuplad

    Hah, this looks fun!

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  13. ::

    also you can hold the keys of your tank… lol

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  14. Eloy

    I keep one of my guns underneath my pillow. I keep others distributed throughout my house. My 12 gauge shotgun has staggered rounds, slug/buck-shot/slug/buck-shot. My .410 has salt pellets. All this is waiting for them once they get through the mine field in my yard.

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  15. Ben

    Fantastic idea…and it might even be something I can pull off.

    Thanks!

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  16. rpj

    I just like to keep my gun in my hand at all times. that way no one can ever hurt me.
    America,
    Fuck Yeah

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  17. Jess

    I’m looking for something I can whip up for my kids to use at camp and this looks perfect. Just holds glasses, flashlight, pen & paper, magazine, etc. A vertical stitch can divide the pouch into two narrower pouches. I’m especially concerned that my daughter has a place for her glasses so they don’t come home scratched up!

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  18. GJ

    I was having a bad day and then stumbled on this site. It got me laughing so hard. Thanks guys. Great project, by the way.

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  19. Mac

    Thanks so much for your creative idea. This DIY bedside pocket is a perfect fit for a shortsighted bookworm like me. I have always kept piles of books and stuff on the floor for a long time since I don’t have a night table. I will try it, thanks again.

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  20. paige

    wow
    lol
    i love my stumble tool bar

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  21. k8

    hilarious!

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  22. Sarah

    We americans have no choice but to own guns. We have burglers, and rapists, and other horible things in america. How else can we protect ourselves?
    sweet idea by the way

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  23. Carin

    We have burglars and rapists in Sweden too, but somehow we manage to stay alive without a firearm in every house.

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  24. Heather

    Believe it or not but not every house in America has a gun.

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  25. Joan

    I thought the most bizarre thing was that they said many customers were buying the gun thing for each side of the bed. Make sure you don’t get into a domestic quarrel.

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  26. Neale McDavitt-Van Fleet

    Apartment Therapy Linked to this, and brought up some good points:

    “We’ve seen these a couple of times now, and frankly can’t decide if they’re a good idea that can be executed well, or if they’d drive us nuts when making the bed and never look “done.” We certainly know what it’s like to not have room for a bedside table, and can see the practical appeal of a place to stash our glasses and book.”

    It is definitely true that in some cases it could look a little messy. In my case I have it next to a wall so it’s completely hidden from view, but it is a good point that could be relevant to some people.

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  27. jonisssss

    are staplers really faster than guns or tanks? and would a stapler really work as a crime deterant?

    seriously tho….this is a great idea - wish I’d had one when I was incapacitated after the birth of my second child. When you can’t get out of bed and have to change/nurse/care for a newborn, and yourself, you learn to have ALL supplies handy. But sleeping/living with (clean!) diapers, ointments, water bottle and snacks and pain meds (for mom!) in the bed can get messy and uncomfortable! This handy stash bag would have helped.

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  28. dk

    This is a fantastic idea for unsightly water bottle, bed control, electric blanket control. The gun? I am going to keep mine where it is - inside the bed nightstand drawer. Do you really think the boogie-man is going to be able to get to you so quickly that you’re only hope to survive is having your gun in a bed pocket? As a victim of violet crime, and living alone, I like the peace of mind having a small pistol gives me. Seeing it in my bed pocket would only add stress — making me more ‘on alert’ than I need to be, esp. at bedtime.

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  29. Jennifer

    This is such a cool idea. and with cool weather coming it would come in handy for days you have a cold and stay in bed all day or just want to stay in bed to keep warm!!!!

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  30. Nick

    Someone stole your violets? So you bought a _GUN_? lol.

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  31. dcp511

    Really good read, nice to read a good blog at last!

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  32. platform beds phil

    I do work for a site that sells bed. We’ve had a lot of manufactuers approach us with different strange things and accessories for beds. This is actually a really good idea. I think people would be interested in this. Not everyone has large bedrooms. If space is limited wouldn’t it be great if there was an accessory you could attach to your bed’s side rail to help with a place to put things? A really good idea. Well done!

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  33. Dave Jones

    Wow! what an idea ! What a concept ! Beautiful .. Amazing ?

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  34. Bonnie DeSmet

    Hi!! I Stumbled Upon your blog and love your bed pocket tutorial=)

    You are very creative! and I look forward to sewing one up this afternoon.

    On a side note:
    Being an American who is allergic to Violets, I have no use for a Rifle bed pocket. Mine will hold a rather large Genoa Salami.

    Thank you so much! ~Bonnie

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  35. Bed

    Their beds are so comfortable.

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  36. Janardhanaya

    amazing stuff thanx :)

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  37. Sam

    LOL@ hilarious Bonnie DeSmet comment.

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