I do not remember the last time skipping blogging for 6 weeks – we have been busy… I am writing a lot for work and from my new desk, while Slav worked solo at the closet wall behind me.
It has always been our plan to install a Murphy bed into the existing closet. When putting in the new framing, Slav left the opeDoening just wide enough to accommodate a full size Murphy bed on the right. I want a simple wood look for this entire wall, including when the bed is pulled down. So Slav lined the back and the ceiling of the closets with thin (3/8″ thick) plywood.
The sides of the closets got 3/4″ thick plywood. We choose birch plywood for its simple look, and thicker material as a steady backdrop for mounting the Murphy bed hardware on.
The Murphy bed kit we got is for a free-standing unit, which requires building a plywood box first, into which the bed portion can be inserted. In our case, we framed the closet as if it is a plywood box, so the bed hardware can be directly mounted to the side of the closet. This approach also allowed us to skip the horizontal bracings between the sides, as the sides of our Murphy bed build are secured directly onto the stud walls.
Being one of the most popular Murphy Bed kits on the market, our bed kit came with detailed instructions and cut list. Although we modified the outside frames, the bed portion of the build was unaltered. We laid out everything in the living room floor and assembled the frame with the help of an additional hardware kit:
The frame was bolted onto the plywood face panels with over 100 screws. Besides supporting the mattress, the face panels also helps to keep the frame square.
The building instructions called for 2 or 4 face panels. We chose to use 3 in order to use up some off-cuts. It does not matter how many panels you use – it can be one big panel or 10 wood planks, as long as they can support the weight of the mattress.
After the bed was built, Slav attached the support mechanism to the side wall. When the bed is up, all the weight of the bed and the mattress will be resting on these mounting brackets, so we made it as solid as possible using large and long bolts.
When the bed is down, the foot of the bed will be resting on the floor. So this mechanism only supports half of the weight of the bed/people sleeping on it. Each side of the mounting bracket comes with 9 springs. For our full size mattress we only needed four on each side.
Then the bed was put in! I helped here since it was only possible with two pairs of hands. While Slav stayed behind the Murphy bed to fine tone the mechanism, I stayed outside of the closet to make sure that the bed would not fall on either Slav or the overly curious dogs.
I could not wait but putting the mattress on the minute Slav installed the bed. A footer was installed shortly after, so the bed could rest on the floor when pulled open.
As you can see, there is still plenty of room between the desk and the bed to walk around. One person can comfortably get on the bed from the foot end. We decided the location of the Murphy bed first before designing the desk. The bed also clears the painting and the narrow window sill.
Since the closet is much taller than the length of the bed, we ended up with a void on top of the bed when it is standing up. Slav added a shelf here for some storage. It is just enough for some camping gears.
The shelf also doubles as a stop for the bed, so it will not fold over when standing up. Slav mounted the shelf just below the face panel, so you will not see it when the panel is up.
We brought in a dog bed and Roxie immediately claimed it. I think she like the sound of me typing on the keyboard.
Slav is in process of finishing the closet on the left side, then all we have left is putting up trims and finishing touches. I still have a couple weeks of busy writing ahead, so Slav will be flying solo for a couple more weekends. But we are much closer to the finishing line!
1. Patch missing floor boards;
2. Repair and finish drywall edges against the closet wall;3.
Reinforce the closet framing;
4. Murphy bed construction and installation;
5. Wire the electrical outlet to face the bed (done last weekend! Pictures to follow);
6. Construct guest closet (in progress);
7. Trim out the closet wall (Slav got it done last weekend! but I have not taken any picture yet);
8. Stain (?) and finish the closet wall plywood;
9. Construct a standing desk with motorized legs and a wood top;
10. Adding a storage headboard for the Murphy Bed;
11. Repair and finish the original bedroom doorway.
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