Murphy Bed Plans are more approachable than many people think. Whether you’ve been considering a Queen Murphy Bed or a Murphy Bed Kit, you can build your own wall bed without buying an expensive kit. A wall bed is a smart way to free up space in an office, turn a playroom into a guest room, or create flexible sleeping space for visitors.
How to Build A Murphy Bed
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Pro tip: if you prefer to skip a step-by-step post, you can purchase the complete Murphy Bed plans and start building your Queen Murphy Bed right away. It took my husband, dad, and brother about half a day to construct our wall bed.
Update: this post was written several years ago. I’ve added new photos while keeping older images so you can see the bed over time. There are also two helpful videos of our Queen Murphy Bed later in this article.
How We Built Our Queen Murphy Bed
We wanted a room on the main floor that could do double (or triple) duty: playroom, office, and guest room. Since my husband’s family visits often, we needed a comfortable sleeping option without sacrificing the everyday function of the space. The solution was a built-in wall bed.
My husband designed the plans and, together with my dad and brother, built a functional, attractive DIY Murphy Bed. They kept costs low and the finished bed looks professional and works smoothly.
Build A Murphy Bed
The process was straightforward: they gathered materials, built the frame and platform, attached hinges and pins, and finished the surrounding trim and shelves. The result is a wall bed that tucks away neatly and converts the room instantly from play space to guest room.
Handmade projects mean a lot to our family, and this wall bed is no exception. My husband, dad, and brother enjoy building solutions for our home—from a mudroom bench to a screened-in porch—and this Murphy Bed was another successful family project.
We were able to build a functional wall bed for a fraction of the price of commercial units, and it took just a day to complete. If you want a fast, affordable solution that still looks great, a DIY wall bed is worth considering.
By the end of the day, the bed was complete and ready to fold up whenever we used the room for play or projects, then fold down again when guests arrived. The finished look gets lots of compliments once people see what’s hidden behind the wall.
How Long Does It Take To Build A Murphy Bed?
- This DIY Murphy Bed took about four hours to build.
- That time includes constructing the platform and adding built-in shelves.
- Before you begin, gather everything you need so the build goes smoothly and quickly.
If you plan to build one yourself, consider getting the detailed plans. They include step-by-step photos and a full parts list to make the process easier.
How to Build a Murphy Bed without a Kit
Start by creating the recessed wall frame where the bed will fold up. Essentially you’re building a framed cavity into the wall so the bed can tuck in flush when stored.
Key steps we used:
- Remove the baseboard and build out the wall framing to create the cavity for the bed.
- Construct the bed platform—our team built the platform in the garage and carried it inside to install.
- Support the plywood with 2x4s laid flat under the board, spaced evenly across the width for strength.
- Use strong hinges at the lower back of the platform so the bed can pivot up and down. Hinges add weight but are an economical choice.
- Secure the platform with long pins made from threaded rod for safety and stability.
- Hide the fold with bottom trim, so it’s not visible except from certain angles.
- Create a rear compartment to store decorative pillows and throws so they stay out of sight when the bed is upright.
- Add built-in shelves beside the bed to reduce how far the unit projects from the wall and to provide practical storage or display space.
Decorate the shelving with items you love—when the kids were younger we used the shelves for toys; now they hold decor, baskets, and books. Add soft pillows, cozy blankets, and comfortable sheets so the bed is guest-ready when you fold it down.
Wall Bed Tip: We built a removable headboard that stores behind the bed when it’s upright. It’s held in place with simple caps and stows easily, keeping the look clean while offering a comfortable backrest when the bed is down.
Murphy Bed — Ikea Style
If you prefer integrating modular storage, add IKEA bookshelves or cabinets beside the bed for a cohesive, practical look. A small rolling cabinet or storage unit works well for art supplies or seasonal items—when the bed is upright, the surface becomes usable space for kids’ activities, and when the bed is down, those items can be moved elsewhere.
Are you ready to build it?
The Queen Murphy Bed plans include a full materials list, cost estimate, hardware list, images, blueprint drawings, and detailed step-by-step instructions. They provide everything you need to complete the project with confidence.
Although many of the photos are from earlier years, they still illustrate how versatile a Murphy bedroom can be. The bed tucks away cleanly, transforming the room back into a functional space when not in use.
Additional Resources
Here’s a video showing how the bed operates, filmed a few years ago when the room was used frequently as a playroom.
DIY Murphy Bed
Queen Murphy Bed
10 hours
5 hours
15 hours
Murphy Bed Plans to build your own wall bed.
Materials
- A full materials list is provided in the detailed plans.
Instructions
- Remove the baseboard and build out the wall framing.
- Make the platform (construct it in a workshop and bring it inside to install).
- Place 2x4s flat under the plywood for evenly spaced support across the platform.
- Use heavy-duty hinges on the lower back of the platform so the bed can pivot securely.
- Install long threaded-pin rods or similar safety pins to lock the platform in place.
- Conceal the fold with bottom trim so it’s minimally visible when the bed is upright.
- Design a rear storage area for pillows and throws so they remain hidden when folded.
- Add shelves beside the bed to reduce projection from the wall and provide storage or display space.
Notes
The overview here outlines the basic construction steps. Detailed downloadable plans include full blueprints, parts lists, and step-by-step photos.
Recommended Products
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DIY Murphy Bed – Build your own wall bed for $150
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