For a side-fold Murphy bed, choose hardware specifically designed for horizontal operation, such as the Easy DIY horizontal kit. For vertical beds, the TOPOWN, Easy DIY queen vertical, Create-A-Bed, and Wilding Wallbeds kits offer different combinations of lift mechanisms, instructions, and bed-size options. “Side-mount” can refer to a horizontal, side-fold bed, so confirm the orientation and finished dimensions before buying.
| Product | Best For | Mechanism or Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Easy DIY Horizontal Kit | Side-fold Murphy beds | Gas pistons and horizontal-fold components |
| TOPOWN Queen Kit | Queen vertical beds | Gas pistons and stated closed dimensions |
| Easy DIY Queen Vertical Kit | Guided DIY construction | Gas pistons and three guidebooks |
| Create-A-Bed Adjustable Kit | Adjustable lift balance | Patented adjustable mechanism |
| Wilding Wallbeds Kit | Multiple standard bed sizes | Spring mechanism |
Easy DIY Horizontal Murphy Bed Hardware Kit
Best for: Builders planning a queen horizontal, side-fold wall bed, particularly where a lower profile may suit the room. This is the most directly relevant choice for shoppers using “side-mount” to mean a bed that folds sideways.
The kit includes a gas-piston mechanism calibrated for side-fold operation, auto-locking stainless-steel pivot plates, a folding crossbar leg system, a mattress retention strap, mounting hardware, and three illustrated guides. The guides cover the cut list, construction, and assembly.
Limitation: This is a DIY hardware kit, not a finished cabinet or bed. The listing calls for additional lumber and basic woodworking tools, so plan for those separately.
TOPOWN Queen Vertical Murphy Bed Kit
Best for: A DIY builder who wants a queen vertical kit with stated cabinet dimensions and gas pistons. The listed closed dimensions are 87-1/8 inches high, 65-7/8 inches wide, and 15-7/8 inches deep; the listing gives an open depth of 87 inches.
TOPOWN describes the pistons as tested for 60,000 or more cycles and designed for quiet operation. The kit also has square-tube stainless-steel legs, which the listing says resist bending and torsion compared with traditional round designs.
Limitation: This is a vertical-fold kit, not hardware for a horizontal side-fold bed. Check the listed dimensions against the available wall and floor space before choosing it.
Easy DIY Queen Vertical Murphy Bed Kit
Best for: Queen vertical-bed builders who want a kit with extensive written and visual build guidance. Its gas-piston lift system is described as suitable for daily use, and the package includes auto-locking pivot plates, folding legs, a mattress strap, fasteners, and three illustrated guidebooks.
The guides cover cutting, construction, and assembly, making this option useful for people who want the build process organized into separate references. The product description also identifies basic woodworking tools and plywood as additional build requirements.
Limitation: It is intended for a vertical queen bed, so it does not meet a need for horizontal, side-fold operation. The kit does not include the wood or mattress.
Create-A-Bed Adjustable Queen Kit
Best for: Builders who prioritize adjusting the lift balance. Create-A-Bed says its patented adjustable mechanism can be balanced to account for a bed that feels too heavy to lift or too light to stay on the floor.
The queen vertical kit includes hardware, illustrated instruction booklets, cut sheets, bills of materials, and templates. The maker also describes its kits as made with American steel and notes a history of more than 35 years.
Limitation: This is a vertical mechanism, not a side-fold design. The listing says a tutorial DVD is not included; the mattress, wood, and basic woodworking tools are also needed for the build.
Wilding Wallbeds Spring Lift Hardware Kit
Best for: Builders comparing spring mechanisms and seeking a kit listed for twin, full, queen, or king bed sizes. Wilding describes its mechanism as using commercial-grade steel and a spring system intended to help control lifting and lowering.
The listing states that the mechanism is engineered to support up to 2,000 pounds and is designed to adapt to standard mattress sizes. These are manufacturer-provided specifications; confirm the exact size configuration and installation requirements for the bed you plan to build.
Limitation: The product information describes a spring mechanism but does not identify this as a horizontal side-fold kit. Choose it only after verifying that its orientation matches your project.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Side-Mount Murphy Bed Hardware
Do you need horizontal or vertical hardware?
Start with the direction the bed will fold. A horizontal bed pivots along its long side and opens sideways; a vertical bed opens from the cabinet’s shorter side. These designs use different mechanisms and cabinet layouts. For a true side-fold bed, prioritize hardware explicitly described as horizontal, such as the Easy DIY horizontal kit above.
What should you check before ordering?
- Bed size: Match the kit to the intended mattress size. Do not assume a mechanism listed for several sizes uses identical parts or settings for every size.
- Room dimensions: Compare cabinet height, width, and depth with the space available. Also account for the bed’s open footprint and nearby doors or furniture.
- Mechanism type: Gas pistons and springs are different approaches to assisting movement. Compare the listed system and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for setup.
- Build scope: Hardware kits generally require a cabinet or frame built from wood. Check whether lumber, mattress, and tools are included; several listed kits require these separately.
- Guidance and adjustment: Look for illustrated instructions, cut lists, templates, and a mechanism that can be adjusted if those features matter to your project.
- Mounting and installation: Review the kit’s installation instructions and required mounting hardware. Confirm the planned wall and cabinet arrangement meets the manufacturer’s requirements before assembly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is side-mount Murphy bed hardware the same as horizontal hardware?
Often, shoppers use “side-mount” to describe a horizontal, side-fold bed. Verify that the product specifically supports horizontal operation; vertical kits are not interchangeable by default.
Which kit is specifically designed for a horizontal bed?
The Easy DIY Horizontal Murphy Bed Hardware Kit is explicitly described as a horizontal kit with a gas-piston mechanism calibrated for side-fold operation.
Do Murphy bed hardware kits include the cabinet?
Do not assume they do. The listed products are hardware kits for DIY builds, and some descriptions state that wood and other build materials are needed separately.
Should I choose gas pistons or springs?
Compare the manufacturer’s mechanism description, bed orientation, size options, and adjustment information. Confirm that the system is designed for your specific project rather than choosing by mechanism type alone.
Can a vertical Murphy bed kit be used for a side-fold bed?
Not unless the manufacturer explicitly confirms that use. Select a kit designated for horizontal operation when building a side-fold bed.