by The Murphy Bed is a multi-functional, space-saving bed that you can make ‘disappear’ into a wall mount or a cabinet when not in use, thanks to a set of sturdy hinges, pistons, springs, and locks. Also known as the Wall Bed, murphy beds are sophisticated both in terms of mechanism and functional design. But why are Murphy beds so expensive?
Murphy beds are so expensive, when compared against other more traditional beds, because of the complexity of their design. In order to purchase a complete Murphy bed, you’ll need to buy a Murphy bed system (pre-built or DIY), a mattress, and all the normal bedding accessories. Since most people can’t build or set up the Murphy bed themselves, they’ll also need to hire labour workers. All of these costs can add up to much more than a typical bed — but, for the high-quality, functional design, many believe it’s worth the price-tag.
Here’s a general idea of how much a Murphy Bed costs. Since the Murphy Bed is more than your typical 4-post bed, it can be a little pricey. One of the reasons why the wall bed may cost you is because it may require professional installation. There are actually a couple of ways you can install one at home. The first way requires you to call in the experts. You can contact a company that offers both the bed and its installation, or, if you are handy with the tools yourself, then you can buy a complete Murphy bed kit and install it at home DIY style. The latter would often have you procure any additional necessary or accessory parts like cabinets, shelving, or even additional safety locks. Since these installation choices drastically differ in terms of how expensive the entire set up gets, it’s always good to know you have options.
Aside from the installation, the cost of the Murphy Bed setup will also depend on the type of mattress and beddings you go with. First, let’s talk about mattresses. There’s a wide array of mattress sizes available to you. You can have the larger king or queen size mattresses, or go for the more space-saving twin size bed. As a general rule, smaller mattress sizes tend to be cheaper than their larger counterparts. Now, Murphy beds don’t come with a pre-matched set of mattresses and beddings. That is all up to you. Depending on your budget, you can choose to purchase the more luxurious silk beddings, or the equally comfortable yet cheaper pure cotton or poly-cotton blend linens. All of these costs need to be accounted for if you’re planning on setting up your very own Murphy bed.
Take a look at our in-depth guide to Murphy bed mattresses, frames and bedding, and Murphy bed pros and cons as well as our 20 Pg Q&A on What are Murphy Beds and 5 Murphy beds for rooms with low ceilings. Also, we put together a murphy bed weight capacity guide to help you choose the right one for your needs. You also may be curious to know if you can use a Tempurpedic mattress with your Murphy bed and what accessories you might need for your – take a look at our top 10 Murphy bed accessories and why you need them.
What’s the Cost of a Murphy Bed
Let’s get down and dirty with how expensive Murphy beds can get. Not all Murphy Beds are made the same. Different types of Murphy beds will utilize different mechanisms and different materials – all of which will add to the overall cost. The simplest DIY Murphy beds may be set up with just a simple folding mechanism, while the most complex ones may require hydraulic pistons and seemingly-gyroscopic shelves that maintain orientation, and complicated swivel hinges to hide the bed.
There are many types of Murphy Beds. This one has a platform bed base with a beautiful wood trim. Image from Stellar Home Furniture. Aesthetically speaking, models that are stored away in simpler storage cabinets or frames tend to be cheaper than more ornately designed Murphy beds. Generally, Murphy beds can cost between $1,000 and $3,000– though some of the more luxurious multifunctional Murphy beds that turn into a full office or living room set-up may set you back about $5,000. The prices stated are usually inclusive of shipping, though installation may cost extra – depending on packaged arrangements with the seller.
Cost of Murphy Bed with Cabinet
The Murphy Bed that stores away in a simple cabinet may be a sound choice for those who want to stay within a lower, more manageable budget. Each manufacturer uses different raw materials for their wall beds, and each of their pull down beds will have a unique design flair or style depending on the manufacturer and the specific model of the bed – all of which will account into the final cost of the product.
A Queen Murphy Bed with a basic bed frame. Notice that this one will not have the same cost as the luxurious wood trim image above. Image by Bestar.The most affordable, complete Murphy bed with cabinet may cost about $1,200 and the more expensive models may cost just under $2,000. Some of the available Murphy beds with cabinet and their corresponding prices are below.
| Example Murphy bed | Cost |
| Bestar, Edge Collection, Queen Murphy Bed with Two 21“ Storage Units and Doors | ~$1,900 |
| Bestar Queen Murphy Bed, Cielo Collection | ~$1,500 |
| Stellar Home Wall Bed Full Size in Wood Charcoal | ~$1,200 |
Cost of Murphy Bed with Shelves
If you prefer to have more functionality out of your Murphy bed, then the Murphy bed that comes with storage shelves may be your ideal bedroom choice. With this Murphy bed installed in your bedroom, you are going to enjoy the enhanced functionality of having shelving for your decor, gadgets, picture frames, bags, storage bins, linens, and even folded clothes. The choice of what to put on these shelves is yours.
A murphy bed with cabinets can cost more than the standard murphy beds presented above. Image from Atlin Designs. Because the additional feature of storage shelves requires additional materials and set-up, the Murphy Bed with shelves is generally much more expensive. The most affordable Murphy Bed with shelves may be just under $2,300 while the more expensive models may be closer to $2,700. Some of the options for Murphy Bed with shelves are below.
| Example Murphy bed | Cost |
| Atlin Designs 109″ Full Wall Bed Set in White | ~$2,700 |
| Bestar Queen Murphy Bed and Two Storage Units, Pur Collection Canada 115“ | ~$2,400 |
| Full Bark Gray/White Medan Murphy Bed | ~$2,300 |
Cost of Bedding for a Murphy Bed
Since the Murphy bed is just like any other bed, at least when it comes to its function for sleeping, then you don’t have to worry about looking for Murphy bed-specific mattresses and beddings. You can use any standard mattress that matches the bed frame size. This goes for bed linens and quilts too.
Using a more expensive mattress like a Casper Element queen Mattress can impact how expensive your murphy bed is. Image from Casper Sleep. The additional cost of these will depend on a lot of factors such as the type of materials, their quality and even where they’re made. Depending on your choices, you may need to shell out between $350 to $850 to complete your Murphy Bed with the right mattress, bed linens and quilt. Some options for bedding combinations with their corresponding costs are below.
Murphy Beds are expensive because there is a Cost of Installation
Installing a Murphy Bed is perfect for small spaces such as expensive studio apartments. If you have already decided on getting a Murphy Bed, then here are the costs that you must take into consideration. Overall, the cost may range between a low of about $1,500 to a high over $5,000.
Firstly, you must consider the type of material you’re going to use for the cabinet. There are relatively inexpensive Murphy Bed kits that utilize particleboard or medium density fibreboard. More expensive Murphy beds use hardwood. While the particleboard or the MDF is less sturdy than hardwood, it is sturdy enough in this context as it can satisfactorily withstand the stresses placed on it when used for Murphy Bed cabinetry.
Then, you must also consider the size of the mattress you want. The size will depend on your available living space as well as your personal preferences. Murphy beds for bigger-sized mattress will require more material to make, hence it will tend to cost more.
The next thing that must be considered is the presence or absence of additional aesthetic and functional features such as shelves, sofas or tables. There are ready-made Murphy bed sets that transform from a bed setup to a complete living room or office setup with the addition of a sofa or an office desk. These features add to the cost of the Murphy bed, and the price range will vary widely depending on how simple or ornately decorative the set pieces are.
Another murphy bed with cabinets and a simpler mattress. Mixing and matching different mattresses and frames can affect prices. Image from Red Barrel Studio. The final piece of the puzzle that must be taken into account in the installation of a Murphy bed is the cost of labor in your area. The labor cost will depend on your local state laws that govern minimum wage, labor union regulations as well as the duration and complexity of the job. As a general rule, if your area has a relatively high cost of living, then the cost of labor will also be correspondingly high.
The Cost of Removing a Murphy Bed can make it expensive
If for any reason you want to remove a Murphy bed from your wall, then it may cost you somewhere between $200 -$500 for the disassembly, delivery and reinstallation. If you merely require disassembly, then it will be more affordable. Depending on how complex the setup is, it will probably require 1 or 2 workers and a couple hours or more of work. With this in mind, you may need to prepare for labor costs for both workers working for those few hours depending on the fair wage in your area.
Remember, because of the dangers of getting hit and pinned by heavy falling parts, or of limbs getting caught in moving parts, if you don’t know what you’re doing, then it’s best to leave disassembly and dismounting of a Murphy Bed from your wall to the professionals.
Cost of a DIY Murphy Bed Kit
Installing a Murphy Bed can be an expensive project, but if you’re handy with tools and you know your way around woodworking, then the relatively cheaper Do-it-Yourself route might just be for you. There are several types of DIY Murphy Bed Hardware kits available. Some may utilize pneumatics to safely bring down and put up the bed, while others may utilize springs. A complete Murphy Bed hardware mechanism kit may cost anywhere between $100 and $600 – depending on the type of kit you get.
Full size deluxe Murphy bed kit. Notice that cabinetry and other addons are not included. Image from Create-A-Bed. A note to remember when buying a DIY Murphy Bed Kit:
Most kits will only include the mechanical components of the Murphy Bed, and will not include wooden panels for the cabinet or the mattress frame and mattress. While these types of kits will generally come with detailed plans for the cabinet, bed frame and shelving, they will require you to build them yourself. These kits typically are about $200.
Other DIY Murphy Bed kits will come complete with the bed frame and counter-weight systems. This second type of DIY Murphy bed kits will still not include wood panels for the cabinet and shelves nor will it include a mattress. For these types of Murphy bed kits, you can mount it directly to your wall without any cabinetry, or you may decide to build a cabinet and shelves around it. These kits typically cost more than $500.
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