Murphy beds have been around in one form since the late 19th century, but they’ve only recently become popular again as homeowners try to maximize every bit of space in their houses. They can be built into existing walls, under stairs, or even in closets! But even with this handy bed-in-a-box concept, you can still end up with an overpriced and underperforming piece of furniture if you don’t know what you’re doing.
What is a Murphy Bed
Murphy beds are pieces of furniture that allow you to hide an entire bed inside a wall. They got their name from Edward Murphy, who invented them in 1917. Murphy beds are designed for small living spaces, like apartments and lofts, but some can also fit into larger bedrooms. How much does it cost to build a Murphy Bed depends on what materials you use and how you customize your kit. When looking at prices, remember that shipping will add additional costs to your base price. Prices vary depending on where you buy from; typically, Amazon tends to have higher prices than brick-and-mortar stores because there is less overhead for third parties selling through Amazon.
The Cost of Materials
Depending on your approach, you’ll spend between $500 and $1,500 on materials. These prices are for materials only. If you need help paying for it all, there are plenty of low-cost options (ask around at Home Depot or Lowe’s). If you want someone else to do everything for you but are willing to spend more money than if you did it yourself, call up a local Murphy Bed shop and see what they charge.
What you can do if you have no space
If you’re in a small space and don’t have much room for that traditional bed, consider alternative solutions. Murphy beds are modular pieces of furniture that fold into wall cabinets, making them super-easy to store when not in use. They’re also great for renters: Since they can be folded up during special occasions, you won’t have to worry about annoying your landlord. If you don’t want to go with a Murphy bed, another option is convertable furniture that functions as a sofa most of the day and then opens up into a full-size or queen-size bed at night.
Some unique ideas
Murphy beds are popular for their versatility and for saving space. How much does it cost to build a Murphy bed, you ask? You can expect to pay upwards of $500 for materials alone. Depending on how elaborate your design is, you could spend more or less than that figure; you might also need extra hands at points along the way. It’s worth noting that home improvement stores offer kits with all parts included—some even provide detailed assembly instructions.
Where the idea came from
According to my husband, when he first moved into his apartment, in order to save money on rent, he built a Murphy Bed. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, Google is your friend. Anyway, how can we figure out how much something like that costs? Thankfully some nice folks at emurphybedstore.com have already done all of that work! They even have prices listed for what seems like every possible situation.
Conclusion – Total Cost
Building your own Murphy Bed is a great way to make use of underutilized space and add functionality and flexibility to your room. While building your own Murphy Bed can be slightly more difficult than simply purchasing one, the process will not be overly complicated if you have some carpentry experience. The total cost of building a Murphy Bed should be around $500-$800, depending on where you purchase materials and whether or not you hire help. If you do not have any experience in construction, expect to spend up to double these amounts.