The IKEA PAX Cabinet Hack That Hides Your Murphy Bed In Style

Still proving their value today, Murphy beds are the classic space-saving solution for converting spare rooms into guest bedrooms. Rather than fading away like so many unique trends, modern Murphy beds are only improving, becoming more affordable, versatile, and user-friendly than ever. Solutions like DIY Murphy beds and products like the Wilding Wallbeds Deluxe Murphy Bed Frame from Amazon highlight this evolution, offering a super-simple, easy-to-assemble bed-in-a-box that fits cleanly and securely against the wall. After a quick setup, the only step left to take is creating a workable cabinet to hold it.

Many Murphy beds are designed to fit within a standard closet for easy storage. But a seasoned DIYer can see this is a great time to build a cabinet that boost the room's design. You could build a custom cabinet from scratch in flexible layouts to suit your needs, but this requires quite a bit of work and planning. Otherwise, a simple IKEA hack can give you a ready-made finish to eliminate steps and give you a beautiful frame. The retailer's PAX Wall-Mounted Storage Frame is about 93 inches tall, meaning it offers plenty of space to fit a bed. Combine two units for a wide storage space with room to spare for small nightstands. With a table saw, drill, and extra boards, you can knock this project out in an afternoon and have a beautiful Murphy bed cabinet ready by bedtime.

The creative DIYers that run IKEA Hackers shared the process they used to complete this Murphy bed hack in a blog post. Two cabinets and additional folding doors create the completed frame. While you'll use the outside panels as normal to make the cabinet's side walls, the remaining doors, walls, and shelves can transform into headboards and spanners to widen the cabinet to fit your bed. With these creating over 90 inches of open cavity space, you'll have room to spare on the sides of the installed Murphy bed. The leftover PAX pieces can fill this space, coming together to form side tables and small closet hanging sections.

Since PAX panels have a weak honeycomb paper fill, the designer built a frame with dimensional lumber to secure the top spanning pieces. The unfinished panel sides are a key consideration when planning how you cut the PAX pieces for the various components. Any exposed sides should have a finish, as it will be almost impossible to correct or duplicate after the fact. If you plan to paint, though, you can fill any unsightly edges with edge banding or glued-on wood strips. With paint, any off-colored add-ons will blend in seamlessly with the rest of the unit. After completing the build, you can finish the installation by anchoring the cabinet to the wall to prevent shifting or tipping.

As you plan your PAX Murphy bed, figure out how you want to style your cabinets and add utility. What colors, patterns, and accessories will complete the design? Since PAX panels have a coated laminate surface, painting can be tricky, but it is possible to update the color to blend with the rest of the space. Sand lightly with fine-grit sandpaper, and use a few tricks to paint IKEA furniture to create an attractive look throughout. You could even install wallpaper around the edges to create a stunning patterned centerpiece in the room.

From the doors to the interior storage, the fixtures are also flexible. While the designer of this build uses bifold doors to hide the bed, you can test your DIY muscle by building cabinet doors that open wide into the room. With swing doors, you can install slim behind-the-door storage that tucks in with the retracted bed. Next to the bed, you have loads of potential to add conveniences. Even with a queen-sized bed, the PAX hack leaves over 2 feet between the bed and the cabinet walls. Grab a MALM chest or other bedside table while you get your PAX unit. Or, DIY a minimalist nightstand matching the IKEA style. Add some finishing touches like convenient nightstand-installed power strips, battery-operated sconces, or neat LED lighting strips. With a clever PAX hack and few tweaks, this Murphy bed cabinet will be sure to give your guests the ultimate experience.