How much does it cost to install a Murphy bed?

For small spaces and rooms that have multiple uses, a wall bed can be a big help. Murphy beds, named after the inventor and original brand name of the bed style, wall beds, or hide-a-way beds are designed to fold into a cabinet on the wall when not in use, saving space. They consist of a closet or cabinet, which can be plain or elaborate, for the bed to fold into. 

The average homeowner installing a double or full-size Murphy bed with pistons in a solid wood cabinet with adjacent shelves will spend around $3,000 on the project.

Location

One of the benefits of a wall bed is the fact that it can be installed anywhere. They are becoming increasingly common in tiny houses, as well as in home offices to allow them to double as a guest bedroom.

It is also common to install them in areas where an extra bed may be necessary, such as a family room, living room, or den, and in small bedrooms where extra floor space may be desired, such as in a child’s bedroom.

The only places you cannot install one are in the kitchen, bathroom, and dining room, partly due to space but also due to health and building regulations.

Size

Just like regular beds, Murphy beds come in a variety of sizes, and the bed choice impacts its cost:

Keep in mind that the size of the cabinet varies. For example, you may have a twin bed that has an extra-large cabinet to accommodate book shelves or a fold-down table. Therefore, some of the cost of the bed is dictated by the cabinet size.

Tilt

The first Murphy beds were designed to tilt straight up into the wall vertically so that when they extended into the room, you could navigate them on three sides. Most beds are still available in this style, but they are also now available in a horizontal tilt as well. This means that the bed does not extend as far into the room, but you cannot easily access the far side.

Rooms that are longer than they are wide may make better use of a horizontal bed because they will not extend as far out. Rooms with lower ceilings may also make better use of a horizontal bed because they do not fold up as high on the wall.

If you have the space, however, the traditional tilt is generally favored because you can approach the bed from either side, which makes it slightly easier to use, particularly if the bed is being shared.

Cabinetry

Like all cabinets, wall beds can be constructed with many materials, including particleboard ¹, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood ², and solid hardwood. Particleboard costs the least, and hardwood costs the most. Particleboard and MDF are not long-lasting materials, so the more the bed is used, the more stress is put on the cabinet. This makes hardwood or plywood with a veneer ³ a better, more long-lasting and durable option.

Many custom beds are fully constructed from wood, but it is possible to find cheaper kits, starting at around $1,000 that are made from particleboard or MDF.

Installation

Installation of a wall bed varies depending on the type you purchase. Kits are available for DIY installation or that a handyman can put in for you.

Murphy bed manufacturers recommend professional installation because the bed must be properly leveled and secured to prevent sagging over time. Installation usually consists of first building the frame or cabinet that will conceal the bed once it is in place. Then the mechanism, either pistons or springs, are attached, and the bed frame positioned and leveled. The mattress is secured to the frame to prevent sagging, and any shelving, tables, and other items are installed at the same time.

Labor

If you choose to have a handyman install a wall-bed kit, the costs ranges from $100 to $200 on average, depending on the complexity of the kit.

In most cases, custom wall beds have an installation-included cost so that they can ensure the proper balancing and leveling of the bed. In this case, the entire bed is generally built on site.

Enhancement and improvement costs

TV stand

Many wall beds can incorporate other pieces of furniture, including TV stands. Adding a TV stand to the bed costs an additional $300 to $500 on average.

Sofa

Some wall beds can also have a small sofa below the bed so that they can fold out individually. This adds about $750 to $900 to the total costs.

Shelving

Many wall beds incorporate shelves on either side of the bed to increase storage in the room. Shelving starts at around $500 and can go up from there, depending on how elaborate the design becomes.

Additional considerations and costs

• Murphy beds can be used every day like a regular bed. Some may need to be retensioned after years of use, and the mattress replaced every 8 to 10 years like a standard bed.
• Murphy beds can hold up to 2,000 pounds when they are properly installed. This is one reason why opting for a manufacturer-installed model can be beneficial.
• Alternatives to wall beds include sofa beds, futons, trundle beds, and bunk beds. While sofa beds and futons convert into other furniture when not in use, all but the trundle bed, which goes beneath another bed, take up space in the room. A wall bed folds out of the way.
• Murphy beds tend to be more comfortable than sleeper sofas or other convertible beds. They use a real mattress instead of a thinner version meant to be folded up.
• If you have your bed delivered as a kit, shipping costs can be high. This depends on the size of the bed and how far the bed must be shipped. Some manufacturers include shipping in the cost, so always ask.
• Wall beds are meant to be built into the room they are used in. While it is technically possible to remove it from the wall and take it with you, this could be expensive, damage the wall, or require retensioning of the bed once reinstalled.
• Wall beds are a good option for small children’s bedrooms or if you need a temporary bed for a child to stay on once in a while.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Particleboard: An engineered wood product used in construction projects and composed of wood chips, sawmill shavings, and/or sawdust and a suitable binding agent, such as resin.

² Plywood: An engineered construction material manufactured from thin slices of wood glued together in alternating grain patterns for strength