Conquer Space: A Comprehensive Guide to Building Your Own Wall Bed

Living in a small space doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or style. A wall bed, also known as a Murphy bed, is a fantastic solution for maximizing floor space, transforming a bedroom into a multi-functional area. Whether you’re in a studio apartment, a guest room, or simply want more room to move, building your own wall bed is a rewarding DIY project. This comprehensive guide provides you with detailed steps and instructions to help you construct a durable and stylish wall bed.

Why Build a Wall Bed?

Before diving into the construction, let’s understand the advantages of building a wall bed:

• Space Saving: Wall beds fold up into a cabinet, freeing up valuable floor space. This is especially beneficial in small apartments, studios, or rooms that need to serve multiple purposes.
• Versatility: Transform a bedroom into an office, playroom, or exercise space instantly. The room isn’t limited by a permanently placed bed.
• Cost-Effective: While purchasing a pre-made wall bed can be expensive, DIY options are often more budget-friendly, allowing you to customize the design and materials to your liking.
• Customization: You can personalize the style, size, and finish of your wall bed to perfectly match your home decor.
• Sense of Accomplishment: Building your own wall bed is a challenging and fulfilling DIY project that allows you to improve your carpentry skills.

Planning Your Wall Bed

Before you begin, careful planning is crucial for a successful project. Here’s what you need to consider:

1. Measurements: Measure your mattress (length, width, and thickness) accurately. Add a few extra inches to the frame dimensions to ensure proper fit and space for bedding. Also, measure the available wall space, considering height, width, and depth, ensuring enough room for the cabinet when the bed is folded.
2. Type of Wall Bed: Decide on the type of wall bed you want to build:
   • Vertical Wall Bed: The bed folds up vertically against the wall, the most common type, and suitable for most rooms.
   • Horizontal Wall Bed: The bed folds up horizontally, a better option for rooms with low ceilings.
   • Side Mount Wall Bed: These beds fold up along the wall, similar to a horizontal wall bed, but the cabinet is oriented with its side against the wall.
3. Material Selection: Choose sturdy and durable materials. Plywood is a popular choice for the frame and cabinet, and consider hardwood for exposed edges. Choose appropriate thickness plywood to ensure strength and stability. The mechanism hardware also needs careful consideration, ensuring it is designed for the weight of your chosen mattress.
4. Mechanism: This is the most critical part for the operation. The mechanism supports the weight of the bed and enables its smooth and controlled movement. The common choices include:
   • Piston Lift Mechanism: Utilizes gas pistons for smooth and easy opening and closing. Best for ease of use and longevity.
   • Spring Mechanism: Employs springs for operation, potentially more cost-effective but might require more strength to operate.
   • Counter-Balance Mechanism: Uses a system of weights and pulleys, a more complex mechanism suitable for heavier mattresses, requiring accurate and careful installation.

   Important: Purchase a high quality, reputable, and correct weight and size mechanism appropriate for your wall bed, as this is crucial for the safe operation of the wall bed.

5. Style and Design: Decide on the overall style of the cabinet to match your existing décor. You can choose a minimalist, modern, rustic, or any other design you prefer. Draw a sketch or create a 3D model using design software like SketchUp to visualize your project.
6. Tools and Equipment: Make sure you have all the necessary tools before starting. This includes:
   • Measuring tape
   • Pencil
   • Level
   • Square
   • Circular saw or table saw
   • Jigsaw
   • Drill with various drill bits
   • Screwdriver (both manual and power)
   • Wood clamps
   • Sander
   • Safety glasses
   • Dust mask

Step-by-Step Construction Guide

This guide focuses on building a vertical wall bed with a piston lift mechanism, which is a popular choice for its ease of use and space-saving design. Keep in mind that you might need to adjust the dimensions and steps to suit your specific needs.

Step 1: Building the Cabinet Frame

1. Cut the Plywood: Based on your measurements, cut the plywood for the cabinet’s sides, top, bottom, and back panel. Accurately cut plywood to the correct dimensions, using safety glasses and proper safety procedures for your tools.
2. Assemble the Cabinet Box: Using wood glue and screws or pocket screws, assemble the side, top, and bottom pieces to form a rectangular box. Ensure the corners are square using a square. Check the measurements to ensure the cabinet box is of proper size. Clamp all pieces while the glue dries.
3. Attach the Back Panel: Attach the back panel to the assembled box, using wood glue and screws. Make sure the back panel is perfectly square to ensure structural integrity. The back panel also provides extra rigidity to the cabinet.
4. Install the Internal Frame Support: Install wooden supports inside the cabinet to support the mattress platform when the bed is closed. This can be done with horizontal wooden pieces. Ensure the wooden supports are fixed with screws and glue to the cabinet, so they can safely bear the weight when the wall bed is closed.

Step 2: Building the Bed Frame

1. Cut the Frame Pieces: Cut plywood or solid wood to form the frame of the bed (for example, two long sides, and two shorter pieces for top and bottom). Consider the width and length of the mattress, ensuring you have proper supports and a few extra inches, so you can have room for blankets and bedding when the wall bed is in a closed position.
2. Assemble the Bed Frame: Join the frame pieces together using wood glue and screws or pocket screws to form a rectangular frame. Use a square and ensure the frame is square.
3. Attach Slat Supports: Attach supports to the inside of the bed frame. These will support the wooden or metal slats. The slats will support the mattress.
4. Install Slats: Place wooden or metal slats evenly across the bed frame. Secure with screws. These slats will support the weight of the mattress and provide air circulation. Choose slats suitable for the weight of your mattress.

Step 3: Installing the Lift Mechanism

1. Position the Mechanism: Carefully follow the instructions provided with the lift mechanism. Typically, it will involve attaching the mechanism to the inside of the cabinet and the side of the bed frame. Precise measurements are critical here.
2. Attach the Mechanism to the Cabinet: Using the supplied screws, attach the mechanism to the inside of the cabinet. Use the provided templates or guidelines for proper placement and alignment. Use a level to ensure the mechanism is correctly positioned.
3. Attach the Mechanism to the Bed Frame: Attach the other part of the mechanism to the bed frame. Again, use the provided templates or guidelines to ensure proper alignment. This step requires precision to ensure the bed opens and closes smoothly.
4. Test the Mechanism: Carefully test the mechanism several times to ensure it is operating smoothly and is secured to the bed and the wall. Adjust the mechanism as necessary for proper operation.

Step 4: Installing the Cabinet to the Wall

1. Locate Wall Studs: Use a stud finder to locate the wall studs behind where you want to install the cabinet. Wall studs will allow you to safely attach the cabinet to the wall.
2. Mount the Cabinet: Position the cabinet against the wall, aligning it with the studs. Use heavy-duty screws or lag bolts, long enough to pass through the cabinet and into the wall studs. Ensure the cabinet is level before securing all screws. Ensure it’s properly mounted for safety and stability. This is a critical step, and it is better to be over-cautious than to not securely fix the wall bed to the studs.

Step 5: Finishing Touches

1. Test the bed again: Test several times to ensure the wall bed is operating safely and properly. Make any adjustments as needed to correct movement.
2. Install Handles or Knobs: Install handles or knobs on the bed frame to help with opening and closing. Choose handles that complement the design and are easy to grip.
3. Add Finishing Details: Apply wood filler to cover screw holes. Sand all surfaces until they are smooth. Apply paint, stain, or varnish to protect the wood and give your wall bed a finished look. Consider adding moldings or trim to enhance the design.
4. Add a mattress: Place your mattress on top of the slats. Ensure the weight and thickness is appropriate for the mechanism you selected.
5. Clean up: Clean up the work area by removing excess wood and dust. Make sure your wall bed looks well-finished, and all areas are properly fastened, so you have a safe working bed.

Safety Precautions

Safety is paramount when building and using a wall bed. Here are some important safety precautions:

• Accurate Measurements: Double-check all measurements before cutting the wood. Inaccurate cuts can compromise the structure and safety of your bed.
• Strong Materials: Use high-quality materials to ensure the wall bed can support the weight of the mattress and users. Consider using metal framing if you are working with heavy materials or large beds.
• Proper Hardware: Use the appropriate screws, bolts, and hardware for all connections. Do not use undersized screws.
• Secure Wall Mounting: Ensure the cabinet is firmly attached to the wall studs. Do not rely solely on drywall. Seek help if needed.
• Proper Mechanism: Purchase a high-quality lift mechanism suitable for the weight and size of your mattress.
• Smooth Operation: Ensure the bed opens and closes smoothly and stays firmly in both the open and closed positions. A poorly aligned or insecure bed can create dangerous and unexpected movements.
• Regular Inspections: Regularly check the bed for any loose screws, damaged parts, or signs of wear.
• Seek professional help: If you are unsure or feel uncomfortable with any part of this build, seek professional help from a professional contractor or carpenter.

Tips for a Successful Wall Bed Project

• Take Your Time: Don’t rush through the project. Take each step carefully and methodically. Ensure you understand each step, before you proceed.
• Follow Instructions: Follow the instructions provided with the lift mechanism closely. Double-check all hardware to ensure it is correctly installed.
• Use a Level: Use a level throughout the build to ensure the cabinet and bed frame are straight. This is critical to ensure proper operation.
• Ask for Help: Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends or family when needed, especially when lifting heavy pieces and installing the cabinet.
• Double Check: Double-check each step and measurement as you proceed. Once everything is installed it is much harder to fix mistakes, than if you are careful throughout the entire process.
• Be Patient: DIY projects can sometimes be challenging. If you run into problems, be patient, review the project, and make any adjustments needed to complete the project successfully.

Conclusion

Building your own wall bed is a challenging but rewarding DIY project that can transform a small space into a functional and comfortable area. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a durable and stylish wall bed that meets your specific needs. Remember to prioritize safety and be patient throughout the process. With careful planning and execution, you can conquer space and enjoy the benefits of a custom-built wall bed.