How much does a Murphy bed weigh when closed?

The cabinet, platform, and mattress together typically weigh 250-400 pounds. This weight is distributed across the wall-mounted cabinet and floor.

Can any mattress work in a Murphy bed?

Use a mattress 10 inches thick or less. Memory foam mattresses work best because they're lighter and compress well. Avoid pillow-top or very thick innerspring mattresses.

Is a Murphy bed safe?

Yes, when built properly with a quality piston mechanism and securely anchored to wall studs. The pistons counterbalance the weight so the bed folds up and down easily.

How to Build a Murphy Bed: Complete DIY Guide | Lumberama

advanced

2-3 weekends (24-36 hours)

$500 - $1,500 (plus hardware kit $150-$400)

How to Build a Murphy Bed (2026)

Prepared by Lumberama's Building Projects Team

|Last updated May 26, 2026|Sources & methodology

A Murphy bed (wall bed) is the ultimate space-saving solution for guest rooms, home offices, and studio apartments. When folded up, it looks like a handsome cabinet, and it folds down in seconds to reveal a comfortable full or queen mattress. This advanced project requires precision carpentry and careful hardware installation, but the result transforms any room into a dual-purpose space.

Key Takeaways

A Murphy bed (wall bed) is the ultimate space-saving solution for guest rooms, home offices, and studio apartments.
When folded up, it looks like a handsome cabinet, and it folds down in seconds to reveal a comfortable full or queen mattress.
This advanced project requires precision carpentry and careful hardware installation, but the result transforms any room into a dual-purpose space.
Buy a quality piston mechanism kit — cheap hardware makes the bed hard to open and dangerous.
Cut all plywood on a table saw with a fine-tooth blade for clean edges.

Tools Needed

Table saw, circular saw, drill/driver, pocket-hole jig, pipe or parallel clamps, tape measure, speed square, level, stud finder, socket wrench set, safety glasses

Materials List

3/4-inch cabinet-grade plywood (birch or maple), 1x2 and 1x4 solid wood edge banding, Murphy bed piston mechanism kit, mattress platform boards, wood screws, pocket screws, wood glue, lag bolts (for wall mounting), sandpaper, primer and paint or stain

Recommended Species

Birch Plywood, Maple Plywood, Poplar (for face frames and edge banding)

Recommended Sizes

3/4-inch 4x8 plywood sheets (4-6 needed), 1x4 poplar for face frames, 1x2 edge banding

Pro Tips

Buy a quality piston mechanism kit — cheap hardware makes the bed hard to open and dangerous. Cut all plywood on a table saw with a fine-tooth blade for clean edges. The cabinet must be anchored into wall studs (not just drywall) with lag bolts to safely hold the weight. Test the mechanism with the mattress installed before finalizing the cabinet face.