How Much Does a Murphy Bed Cost?

Average Cost of a Murphy Bed

What Is a Murphy Bed?

A Murphy bed, also known as a wall bed or pull-down bed, has a hinge at one end so it can fold up into a wall, cabinet, or closet to be stored out of the way when not in use. These beds are well-suited for apartments or small bedrooms with limited floor space. 

Murphy is a brand name that has come to be used generically across the wall bed industry, much like "Kleenex" refers to all tissues. The name comes from the bed's inventor, William Lawrence Murphy. 

Wall Bed Cost by Bed Size

How much are Murphy beds? Below is a list of average Murphy bed costs by size, excluding the installation cost. Mattresses usually come separately when purchasing a wall bed, so that's an additional cost to consider when budgeting.

Twin Wall Bed

The smallest wall bed is the most affordable option, costing $1,750 on average. A twin wall bed fits easily in small apartments, condos, or bedrooms. This size fits a standard 39-by-75-inch mattress and makes a good option for a single sleeper.

Full

A full-size Murphy bed runs a little more expensive than a twin at around $2,500. This size fits a standard 54-by-74-inch full-size mattress and allows a bit more room for a single sleeper to sleep comfortably.

Queen

At approximately $3,500, a queen-size wall bed works best for co-sleepers or people who like a lot of room to stretch out. This size wall bed provides a bit more luxurious sleeping conditions while still offering the benefits of wall or cabinet storage. A 60-by-80-inch queen-size mattress fits on this bed.

King

King-size Murphy beds are rarer but possible to find. These are the most expensive wall beds by far, typically coming in at over $4,000. This is an ideal size for co-sleepers who enjoy being able to take up their own space in the bed. A standard king-size mattress is 76 by 80 inches and is better suited to large bedrooms or studio apartments with a long wall where this big bed can take up over 8 feet of wall space folded up.

Murphy Bed Costs by Tilt

Tilt refers to the way a Murphy bed goes into a wall. Originally, wall beds were designed to tilt vertically from the foot of the bed so they could be navigated on three sides once extended into the room. Most models are still available in this vertical tilt style, but horizontal and folding models are also options depending on your needs and preferences.

Vertical Tilt

The original vertical tilt design costs around $1,500 to $5,000 as a prefabricated model or $3,000 to $8,000 if you want a custom build. Vertical tilt Murphy beds are the most common and fold vertically from the foot of the bed into a wall or cabinet, with the bottom of the bed folding up to the top of a wall. This style may not work in rooms with low ceilings.

Horizontal Tilt

The average prefabricated horizontal tilt Murphy bed costs between $2,000 and $6,000, while custom builds cost about $4,000 to $15,000. These models don't extend as far into the room, but you can only access them from one side. They’re ideal for rooms that are longer than they are wide or those with lower ceilings since they don't fold up as high on a wall.

Folding

Prefabricated folding wall beds cost approximately $1,500 to $5,000, while custom models cost around $4,000 to $8,000. They feature one or more extra hinges that allow them to fold up like a fan. They take up less space, allowing for storage of full- or queen-size beds in relatively small cabinets or wall spaces. However, folding beds require special folding mattresses or separate mattress storage.

Prefab vs. Custom Murphy Bed Costs

One decision to make when choosing a Murphy bed is whether to install a prefabricated model or have a custom wall bed built to fit your living space uniquely. Either type may require the cost of furniture assembly. Prefab units are built off-site and come in hundreds of designs, and while options are more limited, they're more affordable than custom units at $1,500 to $6,000.

Custom-made Murphy bed prices start at around $3,000 and go as high as $15,000, depending on the design, materials, size, included amenities, distance traveled for delivery, and installation difficulty. Custom beds are built at least partially on-site and are good for odd-shaped rooms or unconventional spaces.

Murphy Bed Cost Factors

A variety of factors impact the cost of a Murphy bed. These include the materials used to build it as well as the storage function and other amenities built into the bed. We break down each of these factors below.

Materials

The quality of the materials used to build a Murphy bed directly impacts the price. Lower-quality materials such as laminate, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and particleboard are less costly than solid wood, but they also don't last as long. Murphy beds made from real wood are a better long-term investment.

Cabinetry and Storage Space

Wall beds can fold into different types of furniture with different functions. For example, Murphy beds commonly fold into cabinets with storage space for pillows and blankets. Some have built-in office furniture like a desk or shelf, so you can use your small spare bedroom as both a home office and a spare room for guests. Storage space can add thousands to your total cost.

Other Amenities

Other amenities include:

• Clothing rods

• Pullout trays for side tables

• Built-in electrical outlets for charging devices or powering lamps

• Built-in lighting

But these perks will likely increase the price of the bed overall. A small, basic wall bed with none of these can cost as little as $1,000, while extra functions increase the price by multiple thousands.

DIY Murphy Bed Installation vs. Hiring a Pro

While installing a Murphy bed on your own potentially reduces the overall financial cost, the time saved may be worth the cost of a Murphy bed installation by a local furniture assembly service. Expect to spend at least a day, weekend, or more if you haven’t had much experience assembling complex furniture. If you buy a wall bed from a retailer, follow the installation instructions that come with it.

Components that need time and attention during installation include the mattress frame, which holds the mattress and flips down when in use, and the cabinet, where the bed folds up to close when not in use. You’ll also have to safely attach the cabinet to a sturdy wall with wood studs, metal studs, or masonry. If you attach it to a brick or concrete wall, you’ll need to buy concrete screws.

Constructing a DIY Custom Wall Bed

It’s possible to build your own wall bed from scratch if you’re particularly handy, know your way around woodworking tools, and have made other furniture before. However, this approach will take significantly more time and effort and have more potential room for error than purchasing a predesigned wall bed from a furniture store. Expect to spend at least a full week building a wall bed.

Some materials needed to build and install a wall bed yourself include the following:

• Lumber

• Screws

• Bracket hardware

• Safety gear

• Tape measure

• Pencil

• Stain or paint 

• Paintbrush

The total cost of custom furniture depends on how big you want your wall bed to be and lumber prices in your area. You’ll want to find a wall bed construction plan to follow for exact measurements and board sizes. Hiring a local custom furniture builder or hiring a handyperson near you gives you time back and ensures the job gets done right. Pros consider safety and use your space as efficiently as possible.