Do either of these work?

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S39288190

https://www.raymourflanigan.com/axum-queen-bed-599139245.aspx

I like the IKEA frame but the style and the price might be an issue for my brother. He is somewhat disabled. The other set might be too hard for him to pull down. Becky what do you think of the idea of getting an old couch and cutting away the frame, only having the back and arms exposed and setting the bed frame into the opening? BTW, if I needed a headboard I could go for the IKEA set, I like the side tables.

I thought of using an old couch, too, but would removing the bottom framing leave enough support to hold the couch together? It might make it tippy if you lean on one side? Wouldn't a hide-a-bed sofa work, if you could find a comfy one?

Olychick, thanks for the feedback. I wondered too if it would be tippy, if it was partially taken apart. I could reenforce the structure but I really would like to see if there is a ready made version. There is a lovely tufted headboard that is rather elegant and has small arms that could work, but totally not his style. That sofa bed of mine, shown in the image above, was atrociously expensive, so that isn't an option.

Honestly though, I don't find this unattractive or obtrusive at all,

https://stander.com/product/2041-bedcane/

and you could get someone to make a new organizer that matches his bedding to make it blend in even more.

Why not just get a sofa bed, but put a decent mattress on it? It would raise the bed a bit, making it easier to stand from a sitting position, and, because it's higher, the armrests wouldn't be overly conspicuous.

Enduring, you wouldn't have to buy an expensive sleeper sofa, just one that has the right kind of arms. Add a comfy mattress since he won't be folding it up.I'd watch craigslist. I know some people are leery of buying used upholstered furniture, but I think you can be very particular about it and be fine. I suspect there is an abundance of sleeper sofas that are seldom used.

I found this, which looks perfect, but it's $7k!!! yikes!

@Penny & @olychick - LOL, when I heard sleeper sofa, I heard uncomfortable, in the price range he could afford. But you guys are great - a better mattress just might work. Also maybe a regular bed frame might be able to be inserted so that a shallow box spring/platform could be used.

@Becky the handicap type arm rest might be the solution. He wasn't thrilled with the handicapped options we looked at in the past, but that one could be styled with 49ers fabric!

Olychick that bed is beautiful! and Yikes, the price.

I'm going to start looking for sofa beds on facebook and craigslist. See whats out there.

enduring, let us know what you and he decide on -- good luck!

Enduring, you really don't need a box spring any more...many beds are on platforms. And if he finds the existing "spring" to give too much, you can add a piece of plywood for firmness (he may prefer this as too much give can make standing a bit difficult.) So, no need to insert anything at all! Ikea mattresses are on sale right now and we tested a few out. Some are very comfortable...

Agree about Craigslist. So many people want to get rid of their sleeper sofas (we gave ours away and it was in perfect condition). I would stick with leather, though, for allergies and ease of cleaning.

If it has back pillows, then I might have one long pillow made in a nice contrasting fabric to make it look less like a sofa.

Penny, I saw a lovely leather, cot sized sofa bed on craigslist. Unfortunately I need double :/ There were many options though. I haven't shown him what Im thinking yet though.

My brother needs a height of bed that will be about 23" from the floor to the surface of the mattress, This is where he easily stands. The mattress he tried out yesterday was a comfortable bed for him. The platform idea could work, if the ends don't stick out. I think if the sofa bed was sturdy, then a ventilated type slat system could lay on the surface of the pull out. He weights 170# so not very heavy. He sleeps alone.

I was thinking more of a piece of solid plywood that fits a tad smaller than the mattress (so he doesn't bump into it) Slats would work too, but I'm not sure you could put a foam (like memory foam, which tends to be thinner) mattress on that...you need a solid surface so that it doesn't "sink" between the slats.

It all depends on which mattress will give you the thickness he needs to be comfortable.

oh I see Olychik already posted the very same bed I found..)) Yeah, if not for the price..

Aren't there bars that slip under a regular bed mattress that would help him get out of bed? Some fold up or down to get out of the way...think toddler bed.

erinsean has posted what I was thinking about the bars. If he has a physical therapist, consult with them for suggestions. It's surprising what is available for disabled folks!

Thanks, I talked with my sister and we’ll probably get a slide under the mattress type, similar to the one linked above by @beckysharp. What I began To like about getting a sofa bed and using it as a base for a bed, was the potential heftiness of the 2 side arms.

in a few weeks we’ll have this resolved and I’ll post the outcome.