How Long Does It Take to Build a Murphy Bed Kit?
One of the most common questions from people considering a Murphy bed kit is: how long does it actually take to build? The honest answer is that most people complete the project over a weekend — and some finish it in a single day. Here's a realistic breakdown of the timeline.
Phase 1: Getting Your Materials (1–2 Days Before Building)
Before you pick up a drill, you need your timber panels. Take the cut list from your Easy Fold Murphy Bed kit to your local hardware store (Bunnings, Mitre 10, or Placemakers in NZ) and have them cut your plywood sheets to size. This usually takes less than an hour at the store.
If you plan to paint or stain your panels, do this before assembly — it's much easier to finish flat panels than assembled furniture. Allow time for coats to dry between applications.
Phase 2: Assembly (1 Day for Most People)
Once your panels are cut and finished, the actual assembly of the frame and mechanism typically takes one day. The Easy Fold Murphy Bed instruction manual walks you through each step clearly, with diagrams to support the written instructions.
Here's a rough time breakdown for the assembly day:
Morning: Assemble the main cabinet frame — this is essentially box construction using timber panels and fixings.
Middle of day: Attach the mechanism hardware to the frame. This is where you follow the kit instructions closely to ensure the gas struts and pivot hardware are correctly positioned.
Afternoon: Mount the unit to the wall (this step requires two people), attach the bed platform, and do a test fold.
Evening: Fit your mattress, add bedding, and test the full operation.
What If You're Taking Your Time?
There's no rush. Many people spread the build across a weekend:
Saturday: Cut and finish panels, begin frame assembly
Sunday: Complete mechanism installation, wall mounting, and final testing
This approach is relaxed and allows time to double-check each step.
Factors That Affect Build Time
A few things can speed up or slow down your build:
• Having your timber pre-cut at the hardware store (faster) vs cutting it yourself (slower)
• Whether you finish panels before or after assembly
• Working with a second person (wall mounting and some assembly steps are easier with two)
• Your general DIY experience — but even complete beginners typically finish in a weekend
• Whether you take time to achieve a particularly polished finish
The Bottom Line
Plan for a weekend, and you'll almost certainly have your Murphy bed complete and ready to use by Sunday evening. If you're experienced with DIY and have your timber ready to go, a single full day is very achievable.
It's one of those projects that feels more daunting before you start than it actually is — which makes the finished result all the more satisfying.