How To Build A Murphy Bed Or Wall Bed From Scratch.

There are three basic requirements to consider before buying or building a murphy bed. First, you need at least 4 ft. of open wall space for a twin bed and more for a larger bed or if you intend to connect a bookcase. Second, you need 7 ft. of clearable space (with easy-to-move furniture) in front of the bed for it to open. Finally, you must have an egress window (a window large enough for a person to climb through) in any room that will be used for sleeping. Check with your local building inspections department for minimum egress requirements.

Murphy Bed construction

Whether you choose to call them Murphy beds or wall beds, they feature three key components: the lift mechanism, the bed frame and the cabinet. There are two main types of lift mechanisms: spring and piston. Both systems operate under a similar principle — they create force that helps lift the bed into the closed position.

The force is balanced so that the weight of the bed frame and mattress together is enough to hold the bed down on the floor. Some spring systems feature adjustable tension, but piston systems are typically not adjustable.

Different piston strengths are matched to the style and size of bed you are building. The variable is the mattress weight. If the mattress that you are using with a nonadjustable piston or spring system is too light, the bed will rise slightly or float off the floor. In this case, you must add a small amount of weight under the mattress to keep it grounded.

The bed frame holds the mattress. Because the bed frame must fit into the cabinet, thickness is an issue. A typical installation does not contain a box spring, and the mattress cannot be more than 12 in. thick.

Murphy Bed product options range from basic lift-mechanism kits, which cost $429 to $599 and require you to build the Murphy Bed frame and cabinet from scratch, to complete ready-to-install Murphy Bed kits which include the cabinetry and assembly instructions.

You will need basic hand tools (a tape measure, a hammer, clamps, etc.), a table saw or circular saw equipped with a sharp plywood-cutting blade and a drill/driver. A miter saw is helpful for cutting pieces to length, but it’s not required.

Safety note: Murphy bed lift systems create strong forces on the structure. Be sure to check with the manufacturer before making any changes to the design.

Building the Murphy Bed

The construction process is not difficult (see project photos). The biggest obstacle for many people will be finding enough space to work. You need a large, flat work surface — a full sheet of plywood is just the right size. The finished bed is large, so if you have a narrow hallway or stairway to contend with, consider machining and finishing the parts in your shop or garage and assembling the bed in its designated room.

Most of my building time was spent cutting and finishing the large plywood pieces before assembly. I used a table saw to cut the plywood, but you could also use a circular saw with a straightedge guide.

Tip: When you cut plywood with a table saw, keep the good side of the plywood faceup; when you use a circular saw, keep the good side of the plywood facedown.

Cover all of the plywood edges that will be left exposed with heat-activated edge banding, which is sold in rolls. Cut each strip of edge banding a couple of inches longer than the plywood edge. Press the edge banding along the plywood edge with a hot household iron. (Protect the face of the iron by covering it with aluminum foil.) While the edge banding is still hot, press it down with a roller or scrap of wood. Allow it to cool for a few minutes and then trim off the excess with a utility knife, chisel or special edge-banding trimmer, also available where edge banding is sold.

Fasten the bed hardware and then remove it before sanding and applying the finish. The Motivo Interiors provides detailed diagrams that show where each piece of hardware is located.

After sanding, I chose to apply three coats of wipe-on polyurethane finish to all of the panels before assembling them because it is easier to work on the flat panels individually. Mask over or leave unfinished any areas where glue will be applied, such as along the bottom 1-1/2 in. of each rail and the inside faces of the face panels.

After the finish is dry, reattach the hardware and begin assembling the Murphy Bed. The bed frame and rails are joined with simple butt joints fastened with glue and wood screws or finish nails. Drill countersinks and pilot holes for each screw. The last step before installing the Murphy Bed is to attach the face panels to the frame and rail assembly.

Installing The Murphy Bed

Installing the Murphy Bed and cabinet are probably the easiest parts of the project, but they are also the most important for ensuring safe operation.

Finish assembling the cabinet and bed frame a couple of feet away from the wall. Connect the pivot hardware attaching the headboard and cabinet top with wood screws.

Connecting the pistons to the ballstud plates is the final step before securing the cabinet to the wall. The piston is labeled to show the correct installation orientation. Close the bed a few inches beyond vertical to snap the piston onto the ball-stud plates. If the piston does not fit, double-check the ball-stud and pivot-hardware locations and adjust them if necessary.

The cabinet must be properly fastened to the wall for safe operation. When a murphy bed is in the open position, the lift mechanism is storing the energy that will be used to help lift the bed. If the cabinet is not properly secured, the lift mechanism could pull the cabinet away from the wall and down on top of the bed.

Use the appropriate type and number of fasteners for the size of bed you are installing and for the room’s wall framing (see “Anchoring a Murphy Bed” photo). Drive one fastener into each stud located behind the bed, or drive masonry anchors at 16-in. intervals in masonry walls. Use three anchors for a twin or full-size bed

Once the Murphy Bed is secured to the wall, it is ready for the mattress. The bed frame will be a little difficult to pull down without the mattress. Get a helper to assist you in holding the bed frame down and placing the mattress. If the bed floats above the floor, more weight is needed under the mattress. A simple solution is to fasten a 2 x 4-ft. scrap of 3/4-in. medium-density fiberboard to the plywood panels under the mattress with 1-1/4-in. screws. Once the bed frame stays down on the floor, the bed is ready for use.

For more information on how to build a Murphy Bed Please visit DIY networks : How To Build A Murphy Bed Feature� or visit our supplier Here.