Murphy beds have been around for over 100 years. In the early 1900s, William Murphy applied for a patent and founded his own firm, the “Murphy Wall Bed Company” in California. He will see that William Murphy needed more space in his small apartment, just as many of us need more space in a small, multi-purpose room today. So if you need a guest bed in a room you use for something else, a Murphy bed might be right for you.

Now, should you make your own Murphy bed? This really depends on if you are good at woodworking and if you want to save money. Building a Murphy wall bed is more complex than some woodworking projects; however, if you are an experienced carpenter, you can easily do it. If you decide to take the step, the first thing I would do is find someone to help you, as some steps will require two people. Next, you’ll need a few things. A good setup of joinery plans to build your bed and a mechanism that will allow your bed to fold up against the wall.

Before you begin, you’ll also need to decide what style of bed you want. Some fold from the top down, requiring less space when considering the width of the wall. Others fold from the side. Both can be effective ways to conserve space in your office or spare room. You will also have to decide on the size of the bed. I have seen the hardware for the mechanism required on twin, full and queen size beds. I think a double or queen bed would be best as it will be easier for a visiting couple to sleep in the bed at the same time.

Once you have decided this, you can choose the plans you want to follow. Some popular looks include a bookcase, a cabinet. This one has a cabinet in the middle where the bed folds down and has shelves made of the same wood and colors on each side of the Murphy bed. This is especially popular if you are building your wall bed into an office. Then you’re creating even more storage for books and other small items that can fit on the shelves. There are also other closet type beds to choose from. At the end of the day, you have to choose what fits your needs. On the other hand, other space-saving beds are now also available as options. You might consider an Aero Bed or even a futon, as both can serve the same purpose as a Murphy bed, but both cost considerably less. Whatever you choose, we hope we have helped you in your decision.