Domakihub Build a Murphy Bed: Space-Saving Wall Bed Guide
Transform a spare room into a dual-purpose space with a fold-down wall bed built from a mechanism kit.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
Whether you are fitting out a Greek studio apartment, adding a guest option to your holiday rental, or turning a home office into an occasional bedroom, a Murphy bed delivers sleeping space without permanently sacrificing the floor. The video above walks through a complete custom build using an off-the-shelf piston mechanism kit, and this article breaks the same process into clear steps you can follow with standard tools and materials available at any large hardware store.
Why Murphy Beds Make Sense in Greece
Studio apartments in Athens, Thessaloniki, and the islands rarely exceed 35–50 m², and holiday rentals face the same constraint: guests want a proper bed, but owners need a living area that photographs well and functions during the day. A wall bed reclaims up to 4 m² of usable floor when folded, which in a small space feels like adding a whole extra room.
Hotels and boutique guesthouses in Greece have begun fitting Murphy beds in smaller rooms to list them as convertible suites rather than singles — effectively increasing the nightly rate without structural renovation. The same logic applies to any Airbnb or short-term rental where a second sleeping space is more valuable than a sofa.
Choosing the Right Mechanism Kit
The piston-lift (also called vertical-cabinet) kit is the most practical choice for DIY builders. It uses gas pistons or a spring-loaded counterbalance to help the mattress rise and hold position, so the bed can be opened and closed by one person without effort. Kits are sold for mattress sizes from single (90 × 190 cm) to double (140 × 190 cm); choose based on your room width and who the bed is for.
Reputable kit brands sold in Europe include Häfele, Murphy Bed USA, Expand Furniture, and several Greek importers stocked on e-shop platforms. The kit comes with the mounting hardware, pistons, and detailed templates; you supply the timber carcass panels, face frame timber, and mattress. Budget roughly €200–€400 for the mechanism and €100–€200 for sheet material (18 mm melamine MDF or birch plywood works well).
How to Build a DIY Murphy Bed: 5 Steps
- 1
Measure, Plan, and Locate the Wall Studs
Start by measuring the room height and the mattress you intend to use — the cabinet must be at least 5 cm taller than the mattress length when vertical. Identify the wall studs with a stud finder and mark them; the cabinet will be lag-bolted directly to them, and solid fixing is the single most important safety step. Sketch a simple plan showing the cabinet depth (typically 30–35 cm for a folded mattress), width, and any integrated side cabinets or shelving you want to add on either flank.
- 2
Cut and Assemble the Cabinet Carcass
Using the template sheets supplied with your mechanism kit, cut the top, bottom, two side panels, and a back panel from 18 mm sheet material. The kit manual specifies exact dimensions — follow them precisely, as the pistons are calibrated to a specific cabinet volume and mattress weight. Assemble the carcass with wood glue and confirmat screws (or pocket screws), checking for square at every stage. The back panel stiffens the whole unit and must be flush; any racking will prevent the bed from folding cleanly.
- 3
Install the Piston Mechanism and Mounting Plate
With the carcass flat on the floor, bolt the mechanism rails to the interior side panels at the positions marked in the template. Attach the mattress platform (the fold-out panel) to the mechanism pivot points. Next, stand the cabinet upright against the wall, shim it level, and drive lag bolts through the back panel into the wall studs — use a minimum of four bolts. This is the step shown in detail in the video above; pay particular attention to the torque sequence so the cabinet does not bow.
- 4
Build and Attach the Face Frame and Desk or Shelf Panel
A face frame made from solid timber (44 × 19 mm PAR pine is common) is glued and pinned around the front opening to cover the panel edges and give a furniture-quality finish. Many builders also add a fold-down desk panel to the front face of the mattress platform: when the bed is up, the desk is usable; when the bed folds down, the desk tucks away behind it. Attach the desk using heavy-duty piano hinge and a pair of folding-leg supports rated for the intended load.
- 5
Fit the Mattress, Test the Mechanism, and Finish
Slide the mattress onto the platform and attach it with the retention straps provided in the kit — this stops the mattress from sliding when the bed is raised. Test the open-and-close cycle at least ten times, checking that the pistons hold the bed fully open and fully closed without assistance. Sand and paint or wrap the carcass and face frame to match your interior; a painted finish photographs better than raw melamine for holiday rental listings. Finally, add a door stopper or floor pad where the platform touches the floor to protect both surfaces.
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FAQ
- What size mattress works best in a Murphy bed for a holiday rental?
- A double (140 × 190 cm) fits most adult guests without complaint and is the most common choice for rentals. A single (90 × 190 cm) works if the room is too narrow for a double cabinet — check that the cabinet width does not exceed 160 cm for a double or 110 cm for a single so there is clearance on both sides when the bed is down.
- Is a DIY Murphy bed structurally safe?
- Yes, provided the cabinet is fixed into wall studs (not just plasterboard) with correctly rated lag bolts, the mechanism kit is installed according to the manufacturer's torque specifications, and the mattress is secured with the retention straps. A wall bed bears much less dynamic load than a standard bed frame because it transfers weight to the wall, not just four small feet on a floor.
- Can I add a Murphy bed to a rented apartment in Greece?
- You would need the landlord's written consent for any wall penetration. In practice, many landlords agree because a Murphy bed improves the property. If consent is not possible, free-standing Murphy bed cabinets that anchor with tension rods or weighted bases exist, though they are less common and more expensive than wall-fixed versions.