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![Overview]()
Here are the main parts of the project, in brief. You can download a parts diagram and cut list here. 1. The Cabinet. A simple box built from plywood and 1× material hides the mattress; we topped ours with a shelf trimmed with molding. Magnetic catches and a locking pin on one side secure the deck upright when not in use.2. The Deck. Cabinet doors, held together with cleats and attached to the cabinet with a toy-box hinge, fold down to serve as the deck. The mattress is enclosed in a frame of 1× material that’s attached to the back sides of the doors.3. The Drawer Front. A false drawer is fastened to the back of the bed frame with a toy-box hinge so that it can fold up to act as the "foot" of the Murphy bed. Cut List to Build a Murphy Bed for Your Dog For the cabinet:1x8 sides: two @ 35¼ inches1x8 top: one @ 24 inches1x4 crosspieces: four @ 22½ inches1x4 header: one @ 24 inches¼-inch plywood back: one @ 24 x 36 inches2 ½ inch baseboard: three @ cut to lengthshoe molding: three @ cut to length For the bed frame:1x4 short sides: two at 19 inches1x4 long sides: two @ 25 inches1x4 crosspieces: two @ 19 inches1x4 stop block: one @ 3 inches![Step 1: Cut the Pieces to Size]()
Use a miter saw to cut the 1x8 and 1x4 material to size according to the cut list. Use a circular saw to cut the ¼-inch plywood to size.![Step 2: Assemble the Cabinet]()
Set the two 1x8 sides on edge and sandwich two 1x4 crosspieces on the flat between them, so that one crosspiece is flush at each end. Secure the pieces by driving 1¼-inch trim-head screws through the sides and into the edges of the crosspieces. Secure a third 1x4 crosspiece flush with one end of the sides, as shown; this will be the bottom of the cabinet. Sandwich a fourth 1x4 crosspiece between the sides, with its top edge 1½ inches below the top of the cabinet. Secure the pieces with 1¼-inch trim-head screws.![Step 3: Attach the Cabinet's Top]()
Apply wood glue to the cabinet's three top edges. Set the 1x8 top in place. Use a pneumatic nailer and 1¼-inch finishing nails to secure the top to the cabinet.How to Build a Murphy Bed for Your Dog
Your dog may be as cute as a button, but the typical dog bed—bulky, obtrusive, matted with fur—not so much. Instead of banishing his sleeping spot to the basement, leave it front and center and build a pint-size Murphy bed that stows a sleeping pad inside a handsome built-in cabinet. READ: 10 Pet-Friendly Home Projects The flat top offers a convenient spot for your dog's treats and toys, and when guests are due to arrive you can tuck the bed out of the way with little fuss. Before you dash off to buy materials, size up your pooch and the room he'll sleep in to make sure you've got enough space. (A Murphy bed for a Great Dane will be a mighty big piece of furniture.) The easiest way to size the bed is to make it large enough to hold a pad or mattress that your dog is comfortable sleeping on; check product labels for the size that suits your breed. If you're not using a mattress, get the bed's dimensions by measuring your dog's length and width while he's noozing, then adding at least 6 inches to each number. Whether he sleeps on a mattress or a favorite old blankie, your dog will be glad to have a bed of his own—one that's tidy enough to put in any room. You can download a parts diagram and cut list here.
- How to Build a Murphy Bed for Your Dog
