Easy DIY Murphy Bed Tutorial: Build Your Space-Saving Bed

When I first moved into my 400-square-foot studio, the first thing I realized was that my bed was eating up 30% of my entire living space. During the day, I'd pile clothes and laptops on it just to have room to move around. I'd heard about murphy beds, but the price tags — $1,500 to $3,000 for a decent one — made me flinch.

So I did what any broke renter with a YouTube account would do: I decided to build my own easy DIY murphy bed. And honestly? It was way easier than I thought it would be. After researching dozens of plans and making a few mistakes along the way, I built a queen-size murphy bed cabinet that looks professional and works flawlessly. Total cost? About $350.

Let me walk you through exactly how I did it.

Cost Breakdown: DIY vs. Buying

Before I dive into the tutorial, let's talk about money — because that's why most of us consider DIY in the first place.

Pre-built murphy bed cabinets: $1,200 – $3,500 (queen size)
DIY murphy bed hardware kit: $120 – $200
Lumber and plywood: $150 – $200
Tools and supplies: $50 – $100 (if you don't already have them)
Total DIY cost: $320 – $500

That's roughly 70-80% savings compared to buying pre-built. The hardware kit is the most important part — don't skimp here. A cheap mechanism will fail, and you don't want a bed crashing down on you at 2 AM.

Tools and Materials You'll Need

Let me be real — you don't need a full workshop to pull this off. I did it with basic tools and a borrowed circular saw.

Essential Tools

• Drill/driver set
• Circular saw or jigsaw
• Tape measure
• Level (4-foot level is best)
• Clamps (at least 4)
• Screwdriver set
• Safety glasses and ear protection

I recommend a good cordless drill set — you'll use it for every step. I picked up a basic kit that came with two batteries and it's been a workhorse. A decent 20V cordless drill runs $50-$80. Buy on Amazon

Materials List

• Murphy bed hardware kit (queen size)
• 3/4" plywood (4 sheets, 4'x8')
• 2x4 lumber (8 pieces, 8' long)
• Wood screws (various sizes: 1-1/4", 2", 2-1/2")
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper (120 and 220 grit)
• Paint or stain (optional)
• Mattress (queen size, 10-12" thick)

The murphy bed hardware kit is the heart of this project. Look for one with gas springs (not just springs), a locking mechanism, and clear instructions. I went with a kit that had 4.5-star reviews and included all the hinges and mounting hardware. Queen-size kits range from $120-$200 depending on weight capacity. Buy on Amazon

Step-by-Step Building Instructions

Alright, let's get to the actual building. I spent about 12 hours total over a weekend. Day 1 was cutting and building the frame. Day 2 was mounting the mechanism and finishing.

Step 1: Build the Bed Platform Frame

This is the part that holds the mattress. Cut your 2x4s to the dimensions of your mattress (for a queen, that's 60" wide x 80" long).

• Cut two side rails (80" each)
• Cut three support beams (57" each — subtract 3" for the side rails)
• Screw everything together with 2-1/2" screws, using wood glue at the joints
• Add a plywood sheet on top for the mattress base

Pro tip: Use a clamp set to hold everything square while you screw it together. I didn't do this on my first attempt and ended up with a lopsided frame. A 6-pack of medium bar clamps costs $25-$40 and will save you hours of frustration. Buy on Amazon

Step 2: Build the Cabinet Enclosure

The cabinet is what the bed folds into when not in use. It needs to be slightly larger than the bed platform.

• Cut the side panels (height: your mattress thickness + 2", depth: same as your bed depth + 1")
• Cut the top and bottom panels (width: bed width + 1-1/2")
• Assemble the cabinet using pocket holes or butt joints with corner brackets
• Make sure everything is perfectly square — use your level constantly

Step 3: Install the Murphy Bed Mechanism

This is the critical step. Follow your hardware kit's instructions exactly — they're all slightly different.

• Mount the pivot brackets to the cabinet sides
• Attach the gas springs to both the cabinet and bed frame
• Test the folding motion before securing everything permanently
• Adjust tension as needed

The hinges and hardware in your murphy bed hardware kit should handle the weight distribution. If the bed is hard to pull down or pops up too fast, adjust the spring tension.

Step 4: Add the Front Panel

When the bed is folded up, the front panel is what you see. This is where you can get creative.

• Cut a plywood panel to fit the front of the bed frame
• Add trim if you want a more finished look
• Attach it with finish screws or a nail gun
• Add a handle (or just use the bottom edge as a pull point)

Step 5: Mount to the Wall

Seriously, don't skip this step. A murphy bed that isn't anchored to wall studs is a safety hazard.

• Locate wall studs using a stud finder
• Drill pilot holes through the cabinet back into the studs
• Use lag bolts (at least 3" long) to secure the cabinet
• Verify with your level one more time

Safety Tips You Can't Ignore

I'm not a safety lecturer, but some things are just common sense:

1. Always anchor to studs — drywall alone won't hold it. Not even with those "heavy-duty" anchors.
2. Don't exceed weight limits — your hardware kit has a rating. Respect it.
3. Keep the bed clear when folding — no kids, no pets, no random objects in the way.
4. Test the mechanism 20+ times — get a feel for it before you trust it fully.
5. Use a proper mattress — memory foam works best. Inner springs can shift when folded.

I also recommend picking up some edge banding to cover the raw plywood edges — it gives a much cleaner look and prevents splinters. Iron-on veneer edge banding is super easy to apply and costs $10-$20 for a 25-foot roll. Buy on Amazon

DIY vs. Buying: The Honest Comparison

After building mine and researching dozens of pre-built options, here's my take:

Factor	DIY Murphy Bed	Pre-Built Murphy Bed
Cost	$320 – $500	$1,200 – $3,500
Time	10-15 hours	2-4 hours assembly
Customization	Fully customizable	Limited options
Quality control	Up to you	Varies by brand
Skill level	Beginner-intermediate	Basic assembly

If you enjoy building things and want to save serious money, DIY is absolutely worth it. If you're not handy and value your time more than the savings, buy pre-built.

Money-Saving Hacks

Here's how I kept costs down:

• Scrapped plywood: I found a hardware store that sold damaged sheets at 50% off. The damage was on one corner that I cut off anyway.
• Used tools: Borrowed a circular saw from a friend instead of buying one.
• Skip the fancy front: I used a plain plywood front and painted it rather than adding expensive trim.
• Mattress from Facebook Marketplace: Found a barely-used queen memory foam mattress for $80.

For finishing touches, a can of satin paint and some new hardware can make budget plywood look surprisingly high-end. A quart of interior satin paint runs $15-$25 and covers about 100 square feet. Buy on Amazon

Final Thoughts

Building my own murphy bed was one of the best decisions I've made for my small apartment. During the day, I have a home office, a yoga space, and room for friends to hang out. At night, I pull down my bed and crash.

Is it perfect? No. My cuts aren't perfectly straight, and the paint job has a few drips if you look close. But it works, it's solid, and I built it with my own two hands. That counts for something.

If you're on the fence, start small. Watch a few YouTube tutorials, price out the materials, and see if it feels doable. The hardest part is just starting. After that, it's just one cut, one screw, one step at a time.