Here's How to Build Space-Saving Twin Murphy Beds

A Murphy bed is the ultimate solution for overnight guests when you’re tight on space. This Murphy bed idea takes it one step further and provides double the fun with twin beds! Ideal for the kids, these foldaway twin beds provide bonus sleepover space for two besties. The design isn’t just for grade schoolers. Depending on your aesthetic and needs, you can elevate this Murphy bed project to suit more adult tastes, whether your personal interior design style leans more coastal chic or minimal and modern.

What You’ll Need* :

Supplies For One Bed

• 3/4" Birch Paint Grade Plywood 

• (2) Handles 

• (2) 6' Piano Hinges 

• 1 1/2" Screws 

• (2) Barrel Bolts 

• Carpenter’s Glue 

• Wood Filler 

• Interior Stain or BeautiTone Paint (optional) 

• (1) Twin Mattress

Tools

• Table Saw 

• Skill Saw 

• Jigsaw 

• Drill 

• Router 

• Palm Sander 

• Tape Measure 

• Pencil 

• Protractor (or Paint Can) 

• Paint Roller/Brush 

• Dropcloth

* Our full assortment of building supplies is available at Home Building Centre and Home Hardware Building Centre locations. To unlock our catalogue of building supplies online, please select your local Building Centre.

Here’s How

For this project, we’re creating a pair of twin Murphy beds. All of your measurements will be based on the size of your twin mattresses, with some space around them to accommodate bed linens, etc.

Steps:

1. Assemble all the materials and tools for your project. 

2. Measure your space and mattresses and plan out your project.

3. Measure, mark and cut your plywood. 

You will require the following pieces for one bed box: 

• (1) 3/4" Birch Paint Grade Plywood at 38" x 72" (this will be the base of the bed box) 

• (2) 3/4" Birch Paint Grade Plywood at 38" x 4 1/2" (these will form the short sides of the bed box) 

• (2) 3/4" Birch Paint Grade Plywood at 76 1/4" x 4 1/2" (these will form the long sides of the bed box) 

You will require the following pieces for one wall box:

• (2) 3/4" Birch Paint Grade Plywood at 52" x 10" (these will form the short sides of the wall box) 

• (2) 3/4" Birch Paint Grade Plywood at 78 3/4" x 10" (these will form the top L of the wall box) 

• (2) 3/4" Birch Paint Grade Plywood at 78 3/4" x 9" (these will form the base of the wall box) 

• (1) 3/4" Birch Paint Grade Plywood at 78 3/4" x 10" (this will form the bottom of the wall box)

4. Build your first bed box. Glue, countersink and screw all four sides to the base securely. 

5. Once your box is assembled, router and sand all edges and set aside.

6. Build your first wall box. Take the 2 short side pieces and attach 1 of the 78 3/4" x 10'' pieces to form a top. Take the other 78 3/4 " x 10'' and secure to the back of the side pieces and to the top, creating an 'L'.

7. Take the base pieces and attach them to the bottom of the side pieces; one at the back and one at the front. Attach your bottom piece to the base pieces and to the bottom of the side pieces.

8. Find and mark the location of wall studs across the entire length of your Murphy bed project.

9. Position the wall box with the back of the L shape against the wall; square with carpenter square and screw into studs. 

Secure wall box to the wall at several points through the back of the L frame and through the base.

10. OPTIONAL: Create a lid or top for the open base of the wall box. Follow these steps to build this additional storage space. 

• Measure, mark and cut (1) 3/4 " Birch Paint Grade Plywood at 78 1/2 " x 8 3/4 " 

• Using a spade bit, drill two holes at either end (minimum 2'' from edges) into the 78 1/2 " x 8 3/4" piece of plywood (these will be your lid access holes) 

• Router both holes from both sides of the plywood 

• Sand the edge of one long side and the two ends (the long side that the piano hinge is attaching to will not require sanding) 

• Attach a piano hinge using 1 1/2" screws along the unsanded long side 

• Attach the other side of the piano hinge to the wall box

11. Turn the bed box upside down and attach a piano hinge to one long side, flush to the base edge.

12. Turn the bed box right side up with piano hinge side towards the wall box. Prop up 10'' (the height of the wall box base) to attach the other side of the piano hinge to the top of the wall box base. Your bed box and wall box are now attached.

13. To form the front legs of the Murphy bed, measure, mark and cut 3/4 " Birch Paint Grade Plywood to 12 3/4 " x 77 1/2". 

14. Measure 5'' along the long side of the leg piece. Mark a line the full length. 

15. On each short end, measure and mark 4 5/8" from the edge. Draw a straight line from this mark that dissects with the line running the long length.

16. Using a curved edge (protractor or a paint can will do), draw an arc to create a curve where these two lines meet to outline a leg. Repeat this on the other end of the plywood board. 

17. Using a circular saw and a jig saw, cut out your arced leg piece. 

18. Use a router to smooth all cut edges.

19. With the bed box still raised, slide the leg piece under the front edge, arc side in. Measure 2 5/8" out from the bed box frame and align the leg piece along the entire length. This will allow the leg piece to be flush with the top of the wall box when bed is closed.

20. Attach a piano hinge along the length of the bed box and along the length of the positioned leg piece. Screw Together.

21. Repeat above steps to build the second Murphy bed.

22. Once the second Murphy bed is complete, measure the space between the two to determine the size of the front trim piece. This will conceal the seam where the two wall boxes meet. 

23. Cut plywood to trim this seam. Glue, countersink and then screw into place.

24. With the centre trim in place, attach one locking device to each bed box. This will act as a safety feature while you continue to assemble. 

25. Measure, mark and cut an additional trim piece for the bottom of the wall box. Countersink and screw into place. This piece will also act as an additional leg support when the bed is open and in use.

26. Finish off your twin Murphy beds with additional plywood decorative trim to suit your taste and décor. 

27. Add wood filler to all visible screw holes and once dry, sand to smooth with a palm sander.

28. Now, you’re ready to prime and paint. Choose a colour to match your room and style. 

29. Attach remaining locking devices – one to each corner of both beds. 

30. Attach two handles to each bed box front.

31. Your stylish twin Murphy beds are complete and ready for linens and pillows!

Total time: Weekend 

Difficulty: Advanced