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BUILD IT

How to Build a Murphy

Bed
Part of Bros Before Pros

Build a hideaway bed for a studio apartment

or guest bedroom.

Wade Works Creative

By: Chip Wade

Cost $ $ $

Skill Level

Start to Finish ! 1 Day

TOOLS
tape measure
hammer
safety goggles
drill with 1/8" counter-sink bit, 1/4" bit and 1" Forstner bit
table or circular saw
jigsaw
screwdriver
clamps
stud finder
paint supplies
nailer

MATERIALS
(4) 3/4" x 4' x 8' plywood sheet
(2) 1/4" x 4' x 8' plywood sheet
(12) 1x 2 x 8' solid wood board
murphy bed kit
1-1/4", 1-1/2" and 2" screws
finish nails
wood glue
veneer tape
cabinet handles
desired paint or finish

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Step 1:Create Struts

Step 2:Assemble Sub-Frame

Step 3:Round Corners

Step 4:Attach Head and Foot Rails

Step 5:Attach Side Rails

Step 6:Position Panels

Step 7:Attach Panels

Step 8:Assemble Header

Step 9:Assemble Cabinet

Step 10:Attach Veneer

Step 11:Mount Cabinet to Wall

Step 12:Attach Hardware

Step 13:Attach Handles

Step 14:Install Mattress Support Panels

INTRODUCTION

Cut List
See the graphic for component measurements to build the
bed. Since these cuts are all straight and simple, your local
hardware store may be able to cut them for you.

(A1) FRAME STRUTS - (10) 3/4" x 1-1/2" x 60-1/2" solid

wood board
(A2) FRAME SIDES - (2) 3/4" x 1-1/2" x 80" solid wood
board
(B) SIDE RAILS - (2) 3/4" x 5-7/8" x 81-1/2" plywood
(C) FOOT RAIL - (1) 3/4" x 3" x 62" plywood
(D) HEAD RAIL - (1) 3/4" x 7-7/8" x 62" plywood
(E) FACE PANEL - (2) 3/4" x 32" x 81-1/2" plywood
(F) HEADBOARD - (1) 3/4" x 15-7/8" x 64-3/8" plywood
(G) VERTICALS - (2) 3/4" x 15-7/8" x 87-1/8" plywood
(H1) HEADER BOARD - (1) 3/4" x 14-3/8" x 64-3/8"
plywood
(H2) HEADER RAILS - (2) 3/4" x 2-3/4" x 64-3/8"
plywood
(H3) MOUNTING CLEATS - (2) 3/4" x 1-1/2" x 14-3/8"
solid wood board
(I) LEG SUPPORT RAIL - (1) 3/4" x 3/4" x 60-1/4"
plywood
(J) MATTRESS SUPPORT - (2) 1/4" x 31" x 80" plywood

STEP 1

Wade Works Creative

Create Struts
Make sure there is ample room for the bed to extend
before you begin building. Determine the size of the bed
and orientation (pivoting on the long side or short side of
the bed). These instructions are for a queen-sized bed
pivoting on the short side .

Lay out the 10 frame strut pieces (A1), and pair them to
create five struts. For each strut, glue two strut pieces in
an "L" shape using wood glue. Hold the pieces together,
and drill pilot holes 8” apart along the length of the struts.
Secure them with 1-½” screws.

STEP 2

Wade Works Creative Wa

Assemble Sub-Frame
Place the struts 20” apart, perpendicular to the frame
sides (A2). Drill pilot holes, and attach with 2” screws.

STEP 3

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Image 1 Im

Round Corners
Round one corner of each side rail (B) to a 2-7/8” radius
using a jigsaw (Image 1). Pre-drill for the hardware, and
follow the instructions included in your particular
hardware (Image 2). The rounded corners should face up
at the foot of the bed.

STEP 4

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Image 1 Im

Attach Head and Foot Rails

Drill five equally-spaced pilot holes from the inside of the
sub-frame using a 1-1/4" bit, and attach the head (Image
2) and foot rails with 1-1/4” screws (Image 2).

STEP 5

Wade Works Creative Wa

Image 1 Im

Attach Side Rails

Place the side rails (B) next to the sub-frame, making sure
the rounded ends (where the leg hardware will be
attached) are at the foot and that the leg hardware is
mounted on the outside. Drill pilot holes from the inside of
the sub-frame on each side of each strut using a 1-1/4" bit.
Attach the rails to the sub-frame with 1-1/4” screws. Next,
drill pilot holes (two holes per corner) from the outside
through the side rails into the head rail and foot rail.
Attach with 2" screws (Images 1 and 2).

STEP 6

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Image 1 Im

Position Panels
Lay both face panels (E), best face down, with long sides
butted together (Image 1). Carefully align the bed frame
assembly on top of face panels (Image 2). The panels
should extend 1/4” beyond the side rails on each long side.
The panels should be flush with the foot rail (C), but
extend beyond the head rail (D). Once the sub-frame is in
place, trace between the struts to guide glue application
(Image 3). Next, trace the 1/4” panel reveal on the sides.

STEP 7

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Im

Attach Panels
Secure struts by applying a bead of glue to the face panels
(E), following the pencil guide made in the previous step
(Image 1). Carefully reposition the sub-frame on the glue,
and confirm it is flush with the panels at the foot and
centered on the sides. The sequence that you apply the
screws is important to keep the face panels and sub-frame
aligned. First, secure the last strut on the foot with 1-1/4”
screws on the corners. Next, insert two screws in the
center of the foot rail strut. Then, screw the corners at the
head of the bed. Once the corners are secure, screw
remaining struts to the face panels at approximately 6-
inch increments (Image 2).

STEP 8

Wade Works Creative Wa

Image 1 Im

Assemble Header
Attach the mounting cleats (H3) flush with the short ends
of the header board (H1) by drilling pilot holes then
attaching with 2" screws. Make sure the header has the
best face down (Image 1). Next, screw a header rail (H2)
to the rear side of the header board (H1). Leave 1/2” of the
header rail (H2) extending beneath the header board
(Image 2). Align the remaining header rail (H2) with the
front edge of the header board assembly, and leave the
1/2” extension underneath. Because the face will be
visible, secure with glue and a nailer and finish nails
instead of screws (Images 3 and 4).

STEP 9

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Image 1

Assemble Cabinet
The verticals (G) make up the sides of the cabinet, and the
header makes up the top. Attach the verticals to the short
sides of the header with a drill and 2" screws (Image 1). If
necessary, cut a notch with a jigsaw to allow clearance for
base molding so the cabinet stays flush with the wall
(Image 2).

STEP 10

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Attach Veneer
Use an iron to bond the veneer tape to all the plywood's
visible edges for a finished look.

STEP 11

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Mount Cabinet to Wall

Find the studs in the wall, and screw through the back side
of the header to attach the cabinet to the wall.

STEP 12

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Image 1 Im

Attach Hardware
Follow the instructions provided with your hardware kit.
Make sure all the mechanical parts fit and function
(Images 1 and 2). Then, remove the hardware to make
finishing the surfaces easier. Paint or stain in your desired
finish, and reinstall hardware, including the leg support (I),
according to kit instructions (Image 3).

STEP 13

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Attach Handles
Attach handles to the outside surface of the face panels at
a comfortable height for you. Generally, 66 inches from
the floor is a good height. We built a base version, but you
can customize with wooden trim, decorative hardware,
chalk paint, etc. Make sure the decorative additions don't
interfere with the lowering of the bed.

STEP 14

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Image 1

Install Mattress Support Panels

Install the mattress support panels (J) to the inside of the
bed to cover the struts using 1-1/4" screws (Image 1).
Next, attach the elastic bands (in the kit) into the struts
and through the mattress supports using 1-1/4" screws
(Image 2).

Wade Works Creative

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