Home Improvement : How to Turn Crib Into Bed to Fit Growing Child

Children will grow out of their furniture just as surely as they outgrow their clothes.

Our Crib ‘n Bed is the practical idea for any family who doesn’t want to purchase more furniture when it’s time to move from the crib to a bed.

Build the crib for use while the child is an infant. When the child is ready for a bed, remove the railings on both sides, unbolt the small block of drawers from the end of the crib--which become a nightstand--and you will have a youth bed with two drawers for storage.

Since a youth bed is smaller than a twin-size mattress, it is recommended you use a thick piece of durable foam cut to the proper dimensions as a mattress.

Our companion piece is a dresser/changing table measuring about 41 inches tall and 31 inches wide. The shelf on top folds down for use as a changing table and will hold a cradle or a basinet-size pad.

When it’s no longer useful as a changing table, the shelf will fold up to display knickknacks.

Both plans include step-by-step instructions, photos, diagrams and materials lists, and they conform to safety suggestions in consumer reports. To obtain Crib ‘n Bed, Plan No. 775, send $4.95. Changing Table Dresser, Plan No. 776, is $4.50.

Please include postage and handling. California residents please add 6% sales tax. Send check or money order to Steve Ellingson, c/o Los Angeles Times, P.O. Box 2383, Van Nuys, Calif. 91409-2383.