Build your own folding wall bed: DIY instructions for Murphy beds

Before you begin building a folding wall bed yourself, you should think about how you want to use the bed. You’ll need different hinges depending on whether you want your creation to be your main bed or your guest bed (see the “Tips & Planning” section for more info on this). Also, you should decide beforehand whether you want to attach foldaway feet to the bed (see Step 5 for more details).

Once you’ve ironed out the nitty-gritty of your design, you can then adjust our instructions and guidelines to suit your desired bed size. We recommend building a wall-mounted folding bed measuring 140cm x 200cm since this can be easily stored upright against the wall in a stand or frame. Here’s how you can build your own wall bed:

In this chapter, you’ll learn everything there is to know about building your own folding wall bed.

The terms “folding bed” and “Murphy bed” are used interchangeably, and you may even hear it called a “smart bed”. The name Murphy bed is most used in the US after the American opera singer of the same name, who applied for a patent for his wardrobe bed design in 1911. Allegedly, he had invented it to hide visits from ladies!

If you want to build a DIY bed that folds into a wardrobe, there are many possibly variations and designs you can choose from. Antique or modern, simple or luxurious, you can let your creativity run wild when you design a DIY wardrobe bed! For example, you could create a practical single bed that can easily fold into a wall recess or a cupboard, or you could build a large double bed in a wardrobe frame that stands in front of the wall – just like the one in our instructions.

Even a fold-up bunk bed is possible if you build two single beds on top of each other and fold them horizontally against the wall. You can also place a horizontal DIY folding bed under a sloping roof in an attic room.

A DIY Murphy bed can also be a multi-purpose piece of furniture for your home. For instance, you can create a sofa-bed that also folds away into the wall, although this is a little more complicated. Alternatively, you could use your folding wall bed as a desk by closing it up and adding an extra fold-out panel to the underside of the bed base.

Building your own loft bed or a space saving bed for your child are both great DIY projects to maximise your living area and create additional storage. You can also build a DIY hanging bed, which looks particularly neat and elegant.

Where you place your DIY folding wall bed will depend on its planned purpose, size, available space, and your personal taste. Murphy beds are usually found in a guest room or master bedroom, but folding beds are also suitable for children’s rooms thanks to the need for space-saving solutions.

You can either mount your DIY Murphy bed into a frame against the wall (like our instructions detail), or you can fold it into an existing recess in your wall, such as a built-in wardrobe. Wherever you choose to place it, you must ensure your wall bed can withstand a fair bit of weight.

Still need design ideas and inspiration for accessories? Check out our bedroom design ideas and our guides on building your own floating bedside table and lamp or DIY bedside table with charging station.

You can find a wide variety of wardrobe bed kits in most DIY stores, as well as different hinges of varying sizes. It’s always worth visiting the store so you can ask for advice in person about which model is best suited to your requirements.

The larger the bed, the heavier it will be to fold up. Even a single bed can weigh a fair bit, so make sure you don’t use overly heavy materials. You must remember to account not only for the weight of the bed frame, but also for the slats, mattress, duvet, and pillows.

If you’re planning on building a large folding bed, you can use more advanced hinges to make it easier to fold. Piston hinges, for instance, use gas or hydraulics to make it easier to open and close large wardrobe beds. This gas mechanism found in a variety of hinges allows you to fold your DIY Murphy bed with minimal effort. And if you’re really ambitious, you can even install a motor to create an automatic folding system.

You can add electrical elements to almost any bed, including your DIY wall bed. Whether a motorised folding system, controllable headrests, or integrated lighting, a little craftsmanship can bring your DIY folding bed ideas to life!

To minimise any problems with your folding bed, it’s worth adding an attachment that stops your bed from moving when it’s stored away. Elastic straps or bungee cords work well here. If your creation is stable enough, you could also add a mirror, blackboard, or folding desk to the underside of your bed.

A slatted frame isn’t necessary if you only intend on using your DIY wall bed from time to time, but it’s a good idea if you’re using it as your main bed. This is because the slats allow air to reach under the mattress and prevent build-ups of damp and mould.

Depending on the size of the bed, you can choose between a classic wooden slatted frame, plastic slats, or simplistic wire meshes. The material you choose will influence both the weight of your bed and the comfort of your sleep.

The total cost of your DIY folding wall bed project will depend on your chosen materials, features, and bed size. To give you a rough idea of what you can expect to pay, we’ve summarised the average cost of materials for you below:

The costs indicated in the table are for guidance only. Prices can vary depending on the current cost of wood.