How to Move a Murphy Bed

Can a Murphy Bed Be Moved?

Yes, you can move a Murphy bed to a different room or a new home. Most are designed to be taken apart and put back together. However, some types are much easier to handle than others:

• Cabinet-style beds: These are the easiest to move. They look like a chest or cabinet and don’t attach to your wall. You simply close them up and slide them onto a dolly.
• DIY hardware kits: If you built your bed from a kit, you will need to take the wooden frame apart before you secure the lifting mechanism.
• Built-in units: These are often part of a wall or closet system. They’re the hardest to move because they’re attached firmly to your walls or floor.

Before you grab your tools, check the manual for your specific bed. If you lost the original paper instructions, you can usually find a digital copy on the company’s website.

What to Do Before You Move a Murphy Bed

Preparation is the most important part of moving a Murphy bed, because it helps reduce the risk of damage and injury. Unlike moving a standard bed frame, a Murphy bed has heavy wood panels, wall anchors, and mechanical parts like lifting springs or pistons. Because of those built-in components, you usually can’t just pick it up and move it unless it’s a cabinet-style bed.

Every model works differently, so you should find your specific manufacturer’s instructions first. The manual tells you exactly how to disassemble it and handle the lifting tension safely.

Check the Manufacturer’s Instructions

Every Murphy bed has a unique design. Your manual is the best guide for learning how to take care of tricky parts like springs and gas pistons. These components are under a lot of pressure and can be dangerous.

The instructions also show you how to safely unhook the wall mounts and brackets. Skipping this step can cause damage to your property and even severe injuries.

Gather Tools and Supplies

Make sure you have the right tools and moving supplies ready before taking the bed apart. Have these items on hand before you start:

• Screwdrivers
• A power drill
• Allen keys
• A wrench set
• Small zip bags
• Sticky labels and a permanent marker
• Moving blankets
• Packing tape
• Thick work gloves
• A smartphone or camera to take detailed photos for easy reassembly

Measure the New Space First

Make sure the bed fits in your new room before you even remove the first screw. You don’t want to move heavy furniture like this type of bed only to realize later that it can’t open fully. Measure the new wall width, ceiling height, and floor clearance carefully. Also, check for nearby electrical outlets and door swings that might get in the way.

How to Disassemble a Murphy Bed Step by Step

Taking the bed down is the trickiest part of your move. You should focus on being organized rather than moving fast, and be sure to take photos of the setup. Knowing what each stage of disassembly looks like makes reassembly easier.

The guide below offers a basic plan, but your exact steps might change based on your specific model and the manufacturer’s instructions. If you’re ready to get to work, here are some general rules for how to take apart a Murphy bed:

1. Remove Bedding and the Mattress

Start by taking off all pillows, sheets, and blankets to lighten the unit first. You’ll have to move the mattress separately, so pull it out and set it aside. We suggest having a helper hold the main panel steady while you work. This stops the empty frame from snapping shut.

2. Secure and Support the Bed Before Removing Anchors

You need to control the frame before you touch any wall fasteners. Murphy beds use powerful tension to stay upright. If you unhook the wall mounts too soon, the bed could snap open or fall. Always have a partner hold the unit steady, and don’t work on the wall anchors while the bed is unsupported.

3. Detach the Unit From the Wall

Now you can carefully remove the lag bolts and wall anchors. Use your drill to slowly back out each screw. As you take them out, keep all the anchors and fasteners grouped together by placing them in small zip bags and labeling them right away. This step ensures that nothing will get lost or misplaced en route.

4. Take Apart the Cabinet, Frame, and Hardware

Now you can focus on the main structure. Follow these steps to disassemble the bed frame:

• Remove the front panels: Unscrew the large decorative face of the bed first. This is usually the heaviest piece, so have a partner help you lift it away.
• Take down the side rails: Unfasten the sides of the cabinet or frame. Label each piece as left or right so you know where they go later.
• Unhook the lifting hardware: Carefully remove the pistons or springs. Photograph the way they attach before you pull them off the frame.

5. Protect the Parts for Transport

Wrap every wood panel in thick moving blankets. This prevents scratches and protects the corners during the move. Secure the blankets with plenty of packing tape, but don’t let the tape touch the wood directly. You also want to wrap the lifting mechanism so the sharp metal parts don’t scratch anything inside the moving truck.

As with other steps, put all your loose hardware into zip bags and label them clearly. You can tape these bags directly to the matching frame pieces. Otherwise, store all the small bags together in a secure box so nothing gets lost.

How to Transport a Murphy Bed Without Damage

Moving a Murphy bed as one whole unit is usually not a good idea. It’s often too heavy and bulky to fit through a standard door or hallway. To protect your furniture, you should move the bed in sections. Here are some other tips for moving a Murphy bed to keep in mind:

• Carry panels carefully: Move the flat, wrapped wood boards with extra care to avoid bumping into your walls or doorways.
• Use thick padding: Slide moving blankets between every piece of wood. This stops the finished faces from rubbing together and scratching.
• Secure the hardware: Keep the metal pistons and springs in a sturdy box. Don’t stack heavy furniture on top of these delicate mechanical parts.
• Tie everything down: Use straps to stop the panels from sliding. Even a small shift can cause a dent or a crack in the frame.

How to Reinstall a Murphy Bed

Putting your bed back together is just as important as taking it apart. This stage requires a lot of precision to make sure the frame stays balanced. You need to align every piece perfectly so the bed opens and closes smoothly.

Be sure to anchor the bed firmly to the wall, because this affects how stable and safe the bed feels when you use it. Now’s when those photos and labels you made during disassembly come in handy to guide you. Take your time, and refer back to the manufacturer’s instructions often.

Reassemble the Cabinet in the New Room

Rebuild the bed in the room where it will stay. These units are often too wide to move through doorways once they’re put back together. Now you simply have to follow your disassembly steps in reverse order. Put the main shell together first before adding the hardware and front panels.

Anchor It Correctly

You need to anchor the bed to solid wall studs or structural supports. Never rely on simple drywall anchors to hold the weight. If the anchors pull out, the bed could fall and cause a serious injury. If possible, use a stud finder for this step.

Check your original instructions to make sure you place the bolts in the correct spots. If any of the old screws look bent or worn out, replace them with new hardware right away.

Test the Mechanism Before Regular Use

Before you add the mattress, slowly open and close the frame a few times. Watch how it moves to check the overall balance and side alignment. Make sure the board easily clears the floor. Finally, verify that all safety latches click firmly into place.

Should You Move a Murphy Bed Yourself or Hire Help?

Moving a Murphy bed yourself works best for simple, modern models. If you have the original manual and a friend to help, you can likely handle the task. However, you should hire help for custom built-ins or older units with heavy springs.

Murphy bed moving comparison table

Keep in mind that carrying the bed is often the easy part of the move. The real challenge is making sure it’s anchored safely in your new home. If the wall mount is not perfect, it could become a safety hazard.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even when you know the basics of how to move a Murphy bed, there are still some pitfalls in the process. Make sure to avoid these mistakes when moving your bed to your new home:

• Starting without the manual: Don’t try to guess how the springs or structure works. Always find the specific guide for your model first.
• Removing anchors without support: Avoid unscrewing the wall mounts while the bed is standing alone. The frame could snap open and cause a serious injury.
• Mixing up the hardware: Screws and bolts often look the same but have different jobs. Keep every part in its own labeled bag.
• Failing to measure the new room: Check your ceiling height and open floor space early so you know your bed can open safely inside.
• Skipping labels and photos: It’s easy to forget how the side rails connect. Pictures and labels will make the reassembly process much faster.
• Reinstalling into weak anchors: Mounting the bed into just drywall is dangerous. Find the wall studs to ensure the bed stays firmly attached.
• Moving the unit alone: Murphy beds have large, heavy panels that are too heavy for one person. Ask a friend to help you carry everything.

Is It Worth Moving a Murphy Bed?

Taking your Murphy bed to your new house makes sense if it’s a high-quality unit in good condition. If the frame is made of solid wood and fits your new floor plan, moving it is a smart choice and often worth the time, effort, and money.

However, sometimes buying a new one is better. Consider the age of the lifting hardware and the risk of damage during the move. If the bed was custom-built for a specific nook, moving it will require a lot of labor, and it might not even fit in your new room.

Move Your Murphy Bed With Confidence

Learning how to move a Murphy bed can seem hard at first, but it’s manageable with a solid plan. Be sure to read your manual before you start. This is the best way to handle the heavy springs and wall mounts safely. Focus on a secure reinstallation to ensure the bed stays stable for years.

 You can protect your furniture and your walls with the right tools and a helpful partner.