How to Make Your Own Murphy Library Bed

By combining a Murphy bed kit with bookcases, you can make your own Murphy library bed. The bed folds up when not in use so the room will look like a library. Murphy beds are good options for small spaces, especially if you need to use the room for more than one purpose. Supplies to build the bed are available at many home improvement and hardware stores. The project may take a few days to complete, depending on your skill level.

Small pry bar
Stud finder
Drill with screwdriver bits
Murphy bed kit
2 bookcases
Wood screws

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the baseboard from the wall with the pry bar where the bookcases and bed will be installed. This allows the bed to fit flush against the wall. Remove any nails from the baseboard left in the wall.
- 2
  Lay out the pieces from the kit in the area where the bed will be installed. Leave room for the bookcases on either side of the bed. Depending on the type of kit purchased, there should be two side panels, the frame and front panel, a crown and a headboard.
- 3
  Set the side panels on the finished edges on either side of the bed frame. Line up the panels so the plates with pivot bars match up with the holes in the side of the bed frame, towards the back of the frame. If there are clips on the bars, remove them now. Keep them close by for reuse later.
- 4
  Slip the pivot bars through the holes on either side of the bed frame. Secure them with the clips that were removed earlier. Use some scrap lumber or other objects to lift the front end of the bed frame so it's 6 to 8 inches off the floor. This helps the piston install easier.
- 5
  Find the two pistons in the kit. Attach the skinny end of the piston to the stud located at the front of the frame. Then connect the thicker end of the piston to the stud on the panel. Do this to both sides.
- 6
  Turn the bed frame and side panels over so the back is facing up. Set the headboard in place and attach it with the included screws. The headboard is at the same end the pistons are. Attach the crown piece to the side panels at the end opposite from the headboard and pistons.
- 7
  Raise the bed unit so it's upright. The headboard and pistons are closest to the floor. Move the bed unit so it's flush against the wall. Place a bookcase on either side of the bed, also flush against the wall.
- 8
  Use the stud finder to locate all of the studs behind the bed and the bookcases. Attach the bed to the wall with wood screws through the back of the crown section. Attach the bookcases to the wall in the same manner, screwing through the back of the bookcase and into a stud.
- 9
  Replace the baseboard molding if there is any wall space still showing.

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