Wall Bed Or Murphy Bed Doors
What are wall bed or Murphy bed doors, when are they used, and when should you avoid them? A guide for contractors and homeowners.
You or your customer wants a wall bed (often called a Murphy bed) that blends into existing cabinetry. That sounds simple until you need to plan the front of the unit. Do you need “doors” on the wall bed? If so, what are Murphy bed doors, and how do you ensure they look right, work safely, and don’t create installation problems?
At Cutting Edge, we’ve produced custom cabinet doors for over 20 years, including wall bed or Murphy bed doors when a project calls for them. We understand these doors are not a common request, which is why the basics matter. Understanding how these doors work helps you quote, build, and install with fewer surprises while protecting your schedule and reputation.
In this article, you’ll learn:
Wall Bed Doors, Also Known As Murphy Bed Doors, Attach To A Wall Bed
Wall bed doors (Murphy bed doors) are cabinet-style doors that attach to the wall bed itself. When the bed is closed (stored upright), the front looks like it’s part of the surrounding cabinetry. The key idea is that these doors are not a separate set of swing doors mounted to a cabinet opening. Instead, they are part of the wall bed’s moving front surface.
Because the doors are attached to the wall bed, they move with the bed as it opens and closes. When the bed folds down, the doors come down too, staying aligned with the bed’s face. This is what helps the unit keep a cabinetry look when closed, without requiring separate doors that swing out of the way.
Visually, wall bed doors are often designed to match nearby cabinet doors. The profile, finish, and wood species may be the same, so the wall bed matches the room. Functionally, however, they behave very differently from standard cabinet doors.
Because these doors are attached to the bed, they are often thicker and heavier than standard cabinet doors. The added thickness helps maintain rigidity across a large surface and reduces flexing as the bed moves.
Since the doors are attached to the bed, the wall bed system must be able to handle the door size, thickness, weight, and hardware. If the door is too heavy, it can affect balance, operation, and long-term wear.
Why Wall Bed Or Murphy Bed Doors Are Rare
Wall bed or Murphy bed doors are rare because many wall beds already come with a finished front panel that looks clean and intentional. For lots of homeowners, that finished panel is enough. It may not look exactly like cabinet doors, but it can still look modern and built-in, especially if the surrounding colour and materials are chosen well.
They’re also rare because they add planning steps. Since the doors are attached to the wall bed, you have to coordinate with the wall bed system’s specifications. Although the doors are similar to standard cabinet doors, they are being used in a more specialized way.
Another factor is expectation. Wall bed doors often match standard cabinet doors, which can lead people to assume they can be built and installed the same way. In reality, they perform a different job and require more expertise to install correctly.
You’re most likely to see wall bed doors used in custom homes, high-end renovations, condos with full built-ins, or multi-use spaces where the wall bed is visible every day and needs to blend into the room.
When Are Murphy Bed Or Wall Bed Doors The Right Choice?
Wall or Murphy bed doors are the right choice when the goal is visual integration, and the project can support the added complexity.
- You need the wall bed to blend into the surrounding cabinetry. When a wall bed sits within a larger run of cabinets, matching door styles and finishes can make the entire wall feel intentional instead of segmented.
- The room’s primary use is not sleeping. In spaces like home offices or flex rooms, wall bed doors help maintain the room’s daytime identity. When closed, the space reads as cabinetry, not a bedroom.
- The project already involves custom cabinetry. If you’re building cabinets around the wall bed, adding a matching door front can support a consistent design language across the wall.
- The wall bed system supports the added thickness and weight. Wall bed doors are often thicker and heavier than standard cabinet doors. When the hardware and design limits are respected, these doors can perform well and look seamless.
When these conditions align, wall bed doors can be an effective solution rather than an unnecessary complication.
When Are Wall Bed Or Murphy Bed Doors The Wrong Choice?
When the priority is simplicity, budget or speed, wall bed or Murphy bed doors are the wrong choice.
- The project is cost- or time-sensitive. Thicker door fronts increase material, labour, and coordination requirements. The added complexity can work against you if speed matters.
- Weight and balance are already a concern. Because wall bed doors are typically thicker than standard cabinet doors, they add more load to the bed system. Even if the bed functions, the extra weight can increase wear over time.
- The wall bed and cabinetry are being sourced separately. Without early coordination, details such as door attachment, allowable thickness, and clearances can lead to last-minute changes that slow installation.
- Matching cabinetry is not critical to the space. If a finished wall bed panel already looks clean and intentional, adding doors may not improve function or satisfaction enough to justify the effort.
A practical guideline is that a prefinished panel is better if a custom door front doesn’t clearly improve how the room functions or feels.
Alternatives To Wall Bed Or Murphy Bed Doors
If wall bed doors aren’t the right fit, there are other ways to achieve a clean, intentional look.
- Finished wall bed front panels. Many wall beds feature finished panels designed to be visible when closed. With thoughtful colour or material selection, these panels can blend well with surrounding cabinetry.
- Decorative or applied panel detailing. Instead of full door-style fronts, some projects use applied moulding or panel details on the bed face to echo cabinet styles without adding as much thickness or weight.
- Design integration through surrounding cabinetry. Side cabinets, shelving, or consistent crown and base details can visually tie the wall bed into the space.
These options can reduce complexity while still delivering a cohesive design. However, the final decision often comes down to price.
Learn How To Price Out Wall Or Murphy Bed Doors Online
Wall bed or Murphy bed doors are a solution for a specific goal: helping a wall bed blend into surrounding cabinetry when the bed is closed. If you came here because you weren’t sure what these doors were or how they worked, you now understand that the doors move with the bed, and they must be planned around the wall bed system’s limits.
If your next step is quoting and planning, the most helpful move is to organize your pricing process early so you can avoid delays, rework, and last-minute changes that impact your schedule. Start by learning how to price out cabinet doors online, so you can build an accurate quote and keep your project moving forward with confidence.
