Murphy Bed With Room for Underneath Storage

Recently our family has moved into a RV and while the adventures it will bring are fun, they are also very challenging. the main challenge: space! Space is hard to come by in a 24x8 foot box so efficient furniture is essential. That's where this idea was born, a murphy bed that is comfy for sleeping while also having space for storage (we plan on turning the extra space into a foldable desk and foldable piano stand). The piano idea came when my parents approved the project but said it needs to look nice. During the day (once we add the piano) it will look like a mini grand piano and at night it is a vibrant cozy sleeping space for sleeping. I have tried to make the instructions as clear as possible, but if questions arise, please look at the diagrams pictured above. If you still have questions, feel free to comment down below.

Pricing is key, in this economy and with a small budget it needs to be cheap and affordable which lead to the decision of making the frame out of 2x2 wood. Here is a full list of materials down below:

Supplies

4x straight metal brackets

18x corner brackets

3x door hinges

2x 80count 2.5-inch screws

1x 80 count 1.25-inch screws

1x 50 count 5/8-inch screws

2x latch (to keep bed up when in its upright position.

4x4

2x2

1x2

4x8 OSB sheet of 3/4 inch plywood

stain (I used Valspar all in one stain in the color of light walnut)

optional

Polyurethane (this is to protect the bed from dets and scratches. while not required I highly recommend it.)

4x8 sheet of decorative board (while optional it is an option for those who do not like seeing the frame parts. for me i like seeing the frame and its glory.)

Note: this is designed for a twin or a full having a with no bigger than 44", a length no bigger than 74" and a height no greater than 12".

Cut all the wood to the following measurements:

Mattress frame

4:2x2x76

4:2x2x44

4: 2x2x10

4:2x2x5

2:1x2x76

2:1x2x44

Frame size

50x82

3:2x2x82

4:2x2x50

1:2x4x82

4:2x4x16

Plywood

44x76

Supports for matress frame

2:2x4x43.5 bottom supports under the mattress

4:2x4x4.5 upper supports

I suggest starting with the two 2x4s and the 2x2 upright supports (pictured up above) and make them into the two rectangle frames.

Then connect them with two 2x2s in the back and one 2x4 on the bottom. (shown in the diagram)

In the mattress frame there are 2 2x2 frames and one 1x2 frame and 8 pieces that connect the frames together. (shown in the diagram)

I suggest making the two 2x2 frames attach the 8-inch pieces to their corners of one frame and the 5-inch pieces to the corners of the other frame. Put on frame on the ground facing up and attach the plywood (1 screw through the plywood into each leg) 4 screws total, then set aside. Next take the 2x2 frame (legs facing up) and attach the four 1x2 pieces to the edge of each leg. Next face the 2x2/1x2 frame with the 2x2 side facing up. Then stack the 2x2 frame with the plywood and set it on top plywood side down and fasten with 8-16 screws. Next flip the whole assembly over to were the 1x2 frame is facing up. Add the 2x4 cross support both on the bottom and the sides (in total there is 2 bottom supports and 4 side supports, shown above).

Next align the two frames were the 1x2 frame is almost touching the 2x4 on the main frame. Then attach the 3 hinges to the 2x4 and 1x2 adding three 1x2 pieces to reinforce the 1x2 frame. Screw the hinges with the 1.25-inch screws.

Next add 12 brackets to the main frame (2 in each corner in the back) and one in each corner in the front) and 6 corner brackets and 4 straight brackets on the mattress frame. (One on each bottom corner and 1 on each of the 4 ends of the two 2x4 supports. along with 4 straight brackets attaching the 2x4 side supports to the 1x2 frame.)

Sand all of the frame with a nice even coat using 120-220 grit sandpaper using your hand or an orbital sander.

After sanding use a wet rag dipped in mineral spirits or isopropyl alcohol and wipe over the whole frame. Next brush on stain in nice even coats followed by a rag to remove extra stain (make sure to go in the direction of the wood grains.) Do two coats if desired.

Next apply the poly urethane (I suggest applying it when the last coat of stain is still wet to lock in color.) When dry sand the whole frame with 220 grit sandpaper followed by wiping the frame with a raged dipped in rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits. Finaly add the final coat of poly urethane in a nice even coat.

There is a bunch of room for accessories some examples include: table, piano stand, decorative paneling, small compartments (for the artist or electrical engineer) white boards, drawers, small cabinets, a tv, and much much more.

I hope you found this instructible fun and exciting I can't wait to see what people do with it and what designs are made!

p.s. after sleeping on, it for a week I'm proud to say there are no signs of wear or tear and it is very comfy, also it has made our RV very efficient with the room that is available for use during the day. I am able to fold it up with one hand and it comes down just as easy! before I end this instructible a few notes:

1 I suggest predrilling holes. for this, if possible, I suggest having a drill to drill the holes and an impact to screw the screws

2 I suggest using screws with a star not Philips or flat head. (This is just preference but for me it works better.)

I hope this helps you in your adventure's whether you're living the RV life, living in a tiny home, or just love simple life this murphy bed is a great improvement.

Note I'm sorry for the pictures being after the stain was applied all of this work was done at 9+ pm and it was to dark to take pictures.