How To Move A Murphy Bed? Helpful Guide (Solved!)

Murphy Beds are a great solution for smaller homes with not much floor space.  Whether you live in a tiny house or a studio apartment, a Murphy Bed can make all the difference.

But, what do you do when you want to move or want to rearrange your home?

Can Murphy Beds Be Moved?

Murphy Beds can be uninstalled from the wall and moved to another location. It’s a two-man job. First, you remove the frame, then you dismantle the hinges and now you can safely dismantle the remaining parts.

Here is everything you need to know about moving a Murphy Bed properly.

Before we start, you must check out our complete list of affordable Murphy beds you can find online. Check it out here:
9 best affordable Murphy beds found online

(We put a TON of research into this one!)

This begs the question – how can you easily move a Murphy Bed?

The process of moving a Murphy Bed takes a little bit of time and a great deal of attention to detail.  It is important to follow all uninstalling directions carefully.

Since the bed will still need to be able to fold away, it is important not to damage the frame in the process.

Related Article: 13 Clever Pull-Out Beds You Can Hide (In Stairs & Platforms)

How Do You Uninstall A Murphy Bed?

A common misconception with a Murphy Bed is that they need to stay in the home that they are installed in.  However, a Murphy Bed should be treated like any piece of furniture you own.

You wouldn’t move without taking your traditional bed with you.

So, why should you be expected to leave your Murphy Bed?

The first thing you will want to know is why you are removing your Murphy Bed.  If you are planning on moving it to another location, you will need to be far more careful with the process.  You want to make sure not to damage to the frame or any of the hardware.

Murphy Beds work with a special system in order for the bed to smoothly lift and fold away.  Damage done to the frame may prevent the bed from lifting the way it needs to in order to flush with the wall.

While you may be able to find replacement parts, it’s best to air on the side of caution.

Here is the best way to do it:

Related Article: 5 IKEA-Style Murphy Beds (+ DIY Model w. IKEA Parts)

1) Prepare Well Before You Start

Before you start to remove your bed from the wall, you will want to make sure that you are prepared.  The most important thing to remember is that you will want to keep track of all of the nuts and bolts of the bed frame.

This way you can be sure to not be missing any important parts.

In order to know if you have the right parts, you will need one VERY important to have your manual on hand.  I know that instruction manuals can easily be lost in the shuffle of downsizing. 

Luckily for you, most manufacturers now have most instruction manuals available for digital download.

The next thing you will need is a variety of plastic bags.  Using bags that can be sealed will be ideal.  Along with the plastic snack bags, also make sure to grab a dark marker.  This way you can keep track of the hardware you are removing.

For extra measure, mark each bag with what part of the bed the hardware came from.  After the bags are full, you can tape them to the bed frame so that you never have to worry about losing lose parts.

The more prepared you are to move your Murphy Bed, the better off you will be!

The last way you will want to prepare is to make sure the area around you is clean and clear.  Because the bed will come down from the wall, there is a higher chance of injury.  It is most important to make sure there is no one in the way of the bed’s path.

This will also help to keep better track of the parts as you remove them.

Related Article: 266 Murphy Bed Stores – Listed By State (With Address)

2) Start With The Frame Base

Once all of your preparation work is out of the way, you can start to do the heavy lifting part.  However, you want to make sure that any tools you will need are closely available.

The instruction manual for your Murphy Bed should outline the specific tools that will be needed to uninstall.

The best place to start removing your bed is right at the base.

You want to first find the folding hinges.  These will be the metal pieces that hold the bed to the wall.  Start by unscrewing the hinges from the wall and make sure to place them in a labeled bag.

Once the hinges are removed from the wall, you will need the help of a partner.  This way the frame doesn’t fall down causing damage.

Once the frame is removed from the wall, you can start to unhinge the mattress bars.  The mattress bars are the main support system for your Murphy Bed.  These are the supports that allow the bed to sit properly on the floor once it is unfolded.

These supports will be directly attached to the bed frame, so make sure to store the hardware separately.

Related Article: Are Murphy Beds Comfortable? 6 Facts You Should Know

3) Break It Down Into Parts

After the hinges and the support bars are broken down, you can start removing the rest of the hardware.  A good rule is the make sure to remove extra screws and fasteners from the wall first.  This way you can easily bag and label them and move them out of your way.

Once all the hardware is removed from the wall itself, you will need to finish breaking down the bed frame itself.

Work your way around the frame making sure to remove the screws that are holding them together.

You will know that you have removed all the hardware once the beams are in separate parts.

The last thing you will want to remove is the final hinges from the interior section of the wall.  This is the final folding frame and will be one of the hardest pieces to remove.  It is important to remember that the frame itself will be heavy.

This is why it is so important to work in pairs.  Having one person hold the frame to the wall while the other removes the screws will help to keep you both safe.

Once the frame is completely off the wall, you can start to disassemble the frame.  Pay careful attention to the corners of the frame.  This is where most of the hardware will be located.

If you find that the frame isn’t breaking apart, chances are there is a bolt left somewhere in the corner.

4) Install The Murphy Bed In The New Space

Now it’s time to install the Murphy bed in the new apartment of the new house.

Read our article on how to install a Murphy bed with thorough and guided detail for more information!

What Are Common Weight Issues With Murphy Beds?

The most important thing to remember when removing a Murphy Bed is that they are heavier than they look.  The frame of the bed needs to have enough heft so that it falls to the floor properly.

All of that metal can be deceiving, so remember to keep your safety in mind.

The biggest weight concern with a Murphy Bed is how it will come down if the frame is so heavy.  While there are safeguards in place, this still remains a valid concern. 

This is especially true when it comes to uninstalling Murphy Beds.  The first thing to note is that a Murphy Bed should only be installed on a supporting wall.

If the wall doesn’t have any support behind it, you are putting yourself in a dangerous situation.  This will also impact the way you uninstall your Murphy Bed. The most common issue people have with the weight of their Murphy Bed is that the hardware can tear at the wall.

The last thing you would want is the wall to fall down when you try to remove the frame.

The last thing to consider with the weight of a Murphy Bed is how you will move it from location to location.

A Murphy Bed ranges in weight from 250 to over 500 lbs.  This is a lot of parts to move back and forth.  It is important to keep your physical safety in mind when moving the bed.  Work in teams and always make sure to lift with your legs.

Try to avoid adding extra strain to your back.

If you are truly concerned about being able to move it, perhaps try to get the assistance of a professional.

It doesn’t hurt to be overly cautious.

Related Article: Murphy Beds & Mattresses: Which Types Can Be Used?

Best Online Stores with Murphy Beds

Wrapping It Up!

Murphy Beds are not only great for small spaces, but they are also great to move around.  Remember that slow and steady wins the race!  In order to keep the process from becoming chaotic, try to follow our simple steps.

Make sure to label everything to avoid confusion.

You wouldn’t want to get to your new home only to find you left behind a support beam.

However, the best piece of advice we can give you is to work with a friend.

The more people you have to help you uninstall and move your bed, the fewer problems you will have.  Good luck!

Was this article helpful?