Take a do-it-yourself approach when designing a Murphy Wall Bed for your space. With so many options to choose from, you can build a wall bed that reflects a minimalist style, offers lots of storage with an open-concept wall cabinet, or a contemporary home office unit with a Scandi-vibe. Add LED lights to set a mood or to create a reading space.

A Murphy Wall Bed comes with a frame, the lifting mechanism, the leg system and instructions, and the cabinetry you’ve chosen. If you prefer a less hands-on approach, consider choosing an already-designed best seller option like The Canvas or The Californian, or a simpler design like our popular The Bachelor, which sees the Murphy Bed fold up behind two doors.

Choosing specs for a Murphy Bed

Our Build-A-Bed app lets you dare to dream with the finish and accessories. Extra shelves? More drawers? It’s up to you. Start with the orientation, the frame, and then the styling features. 

Wall bed orientation

First, look at the floor space and layout of your room. If it’s a long room, you might want to think about installing the Murphy Bed to be horizontal to the wall.

Wall bed size

Next, think about what bed size. Choose a single, single x-long, double/full or a queen size frame.

Wall bed frame and leg height

Now decide on the frame – either Elite Aluminum or Supreme Steel. Both options have different benefits, hold different weights and provide differing warranties.

For example, Elite Aluminum bed frame and mechanism kit support up to 900 kg (2,000 lbs); the Supreme Steel option supports about 770 kg (1,700 lbs). When the bed is in the upright position the mechanisms can withstand a maximum of 220 lb, which includes the combined weight of the front panels, bed frame, stiffeners, crossbar, legs and mattress.

How long should the legs be? That depends on your mattress choice. Our app will figure that out once you’ve selected the mattress size.

Best mattress types for Murphy Beds

We recommend a 10″ inner coil or spring mattress weighing between 27- 34 kgs (60-75 lbs) for our Murphy Bed Hardware. Avoid latex, gel or Tempurpedic mattresses as their structures can be pretty heavy.

If you go bigger with the mattress, consider the extended legs on your bed, which can raise the cabinet height. Extended legs are restricted to 12”.

You decide on the touch and give of the mattress, firm, soft or just right. 

Cabinet and door finishes

Murphy wall beds come in a variety of finishes including laminates, veneers and an unfinished maple, which you can stain to your liking. (If you’re indecisive about the finish options, we can send you a few samples to check out before you commit.)  Choices include a wood grain laminate in shades such as Autumn Glow or European Walnut, textured laminates such as Misty White or Wallowa Pine, and wood veneer in an unfinished maple.

A wall bed with a hutch

Think about your space and how you’ll use it. If you add a hutch to your Murphy Bed it will be a multifunctional piece. If you install a Murphy Bed to use an office by day, add shelves to store books and computer accessories. A smaller bedroom? Add drawers or a cupboard to hide things and keep the room tidy.

Change your mind? Start again using our Build-A-Bed app and try a new configuration.

Configure, order, ship

We ship Murphy Beds for free across North America; they come unassembled.

We estimate about 5-8 hours for installation, depending on the cabinetry you order. And we can be there along each installation step with help online or just a phone call away. We have several videos that can help you install as well.   

If you need an extra set of hands, maybe even wrangle one of those adult children you babysit for to help with the setup. (In exchange for overnight babysitting of the grandchildren, of course!)

While your Murphy Bed is being shipped, you can research those linens and throw cushions that will make this piece a part of your home.

Our customer service team can walk you through your space and the Murphy Wall-Bed options if you’d like a second opinion. Give us a call; we promise that a human will be here to help.