I’ve been working on installing built-ins in my basement with a hidden murphy bed. I left off assembling all the cabinet boxes. You can read about that process here! Next up, I’m building a DIY murphy bed!
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5825.jpg)
We don’t have a guest room now that we have Auggie. So, the basement will function as that when guests stay with us. Here’s my inspiration for this DIY murphy bed.
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/murphy_inspo.jpg)
DIY Murphy Bed Supplies
![Murphy Bed Kit](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DIY-Murphy-Bed-1024x1024.png)
![Circular Saw](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/8-2-1024x1024.png)
![Sawhorse](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/9-1024x1024.png)
![Red Oak Plywood](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1-16-1024x1024.png)
![Safety Glasses](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1-2-1024x1024.png)
This murphy bed hardware kit gives you in depth instructions with all the plywood you need to buy and a cut list. I was a bit intimidated – it’s definitely a lot. But I’m up for the challenge!
Making My Cuts
I started by making all the necessary cuts outlined in this kit. When you cut a piece of plywood, you want to have more than enough support. I thought I had enough support here but I didn’t. The plywood was dropping in and putting stress on the blade and it got stuck. This is dangerous, so I added another piece of wood underneath my plywood for added support.
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5712.jpg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5715.jpg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5716.jpg)
I got back to making my cuts. There were so many of them to make…haha.
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5713.jpg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5714.jpg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5717.jpg)
Assembly
With all my wood cut, it was time to just start following the instructions and putting it all together.
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5814-576x1024.jpg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5815-576x1024.jpg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5816-576x1024.jpg)
The instruction booklet comes with little templates as well for specific cuts and places to drill which is SUPER helpful.
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5817-576x1024.jpg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5818-576x1024.jpg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5819-576x1024.jpg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5820-576x1024.jpg)
It was really starting to come together. I took the main frame I made and glued/screwed it into the face panels. With that, the bed part was done!
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5821-576x1024.jpg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5822-576x1024.jpg)
Installation
With the bed portion done, I started on the cabinet portion. BUT I realized it WASN’T GOING TO FIT!!!! It’s a full size bed – the actual bed will fit. It’s the cabinet the bed goes in that was too big.
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_4661.jpg)
So, I cut off JUST enough off of each end of the cabinet sides to make the cabinet 3-5 inches shorter. Then I reassembled it and crossed my fingers.
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5826-576x1024.jpg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5827-576x1024.jpg)
I’m SO RELIEVED. It worked! I will have to change my game plan a bit, but for now I was just so glad it fit!
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5823-576x1024.jpg)
![](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_5825-576x1024.jpg)
When I mounted the bed, I mounted it to the cabinets and the ceiling as opposed to the wall. I did this so the murphy bed would be in line with the rest of the cabinets. I decided to add plywood to the open area so it looked more cohesive.
It took about 3 days to make all these cuts and assemble this bed. After overcoming one huge obstacle, we had a functioning murphy bed! I can’t wait to start making this wall of custom built-ins beautiful!
Here’s everything I wore this week working on this DIY Murphy Bed:
![Ascot & Hart Tee](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1-1-1024x1024.png)
![Abercrombie Dad Shorts](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5-1024x1024.png)
![Platform Converse](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/7-2-1024x1024.png)
![Poppy Choker Necklace](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/9-1-1024x1024.png)
![Safety Glasses](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1-2-1024x1024.png)
![Easy Tiger Tee](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2-1-1024x1024.png)
![AE Denim Overalls](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/6-3-1024x1024.png)
![AE Essential Baby Tee](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/3-1-1024x1024.png)
!["Going Nowhere Fast" Trucker Hat](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/7-3-1024x1024.png)
![Checker Platform Vans](https://cassmakeshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/5-5-1024x1024.png)