How to Build a Bed Frame to Flip Up and Fold Into a Cabinet

Select the mattress size you wish to use, such as full or queen. Draw the cabinet dimensions for holding the folded up bed and allow 2 inches of extra space on each side, so the mattress will not strike the cabinet interior when the mattress is flipped up. Design the bed box in a separate drawing to accommodate the mattress.

Choose a wall with at least three walls studs. Locate the studs with a stud finder. Cut 3/4-inch plywood sections with a circular saw to build a bed box 46 inches wide by 78 1/2 inches long. Make the bed frame unit the same depth as a mattress. Assemble this simple box shape with a plywood bottom to hold an inner springs mattress only; no box springs is needed.

Glue and nail all four sides of the bed to form the box cavity for the mattress. Cut and fit plywood on the bottom to hold the weight of the mattress. Install the bottom, top and sides of the box with 2-inch finishing nails after pieces are glued.

Drill pilot holes for screws with an electric drill. Secure all four corners together with 2-inch wood screws. Drive screws into the form to hold the bottom section of plywood to the four sides. Install L-shaped brackets in the inner corners of the plywood box to add strength to the bed frame structure.

Cut baseboard material away from the bottom of the wall, so the bed will fit flush. Make the cuts on the baseboard with a reciprocating saw.

Construct a wall cabinet to hold the folded bed from ¾-inch plywood. Cut pieces for a top, sides and bottom to hold closeable doors to fit over the bed when folded against the wall. Attach sections to the wall bottom plate and top plate with 3-inch screws.

Install hardware on the bed box before attaching the bed to the wall. Screw all components' parts of the lifting system to the wall as well. Install Murphy bed hardware such as a piston lift system. Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions, so you can maneuver the bed to a folded position with little effort.

Cut a ledger board from a 2-by-4-inch board to fit across the top of the bed’s headboard. Make this board a few inches wider than the headboard section of the bed box. Secure this board to the bed box with 3-inch lag bolts.

Install four casters on the bottom of the bed platform to reach the floor evenly. Place the casters so they make the bed level when it’s pulled down into a flat sleeping position.

Construct closeable doors to fit over the cabinet. Build the doors from ¾-inch plywood. Install wood trim to give the door unit a polished look. Hang the doors with heavy-duty hinges.