Synopsis: Similar to the Murphy-bed concept, the desk/bed built in this article includes a foldaway bed with an attached desk and the desk remains parallel to the floor as the bed is opened and closed. A series of labeled drawings and photos show the construction of the piece, with details on the kits and tools needed for the assembly. You can see the desk-bed in action in this video.

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The home office has always seemed like a luxury to me. Unwilling to give up a spare bedroom, I’ve settled for a small desk in a corner of my living room for years. I’m sure this is a dilemma for many people. The first time I saw a desk bed by Hiddenbed USA, I was blown away. It’s similar to the Murphy-bed concept, but in addition to the foldaway bed, there is an attached desk. Not only that, but the desk remains parallel to the floor as the bed is opened and closed, so you can leave everything on it.

After viewing a video of a desk bed, I knew I had to build one. I pitched the idea to prospective clients for years before I finally got a call from a couple looking for a conventional hidden bed with closets on both sides. After I offered them a ridiculously good deal, they agreed to incorporate the desk into the design, and I had my chance to give this project a go.

It turned out to be a fun, if slightly grueling, undertaking. As with every new project in the carpentry business, I learned a lot, including how I would do some things differently the next time around. Here are some of the lessons I learned.

Hiding in plain sight

A counterbalanced lift mechanism, rotating desk hardware, and folding steel legs allow the desk to convert to a bed in seconds. The desk, which can hold up to 45 lb., stays parallel to the floor as the bed is lowered, so you can leave everything on it.

You can see the desk-bed in action in this video.

From Fine Homebuilding #283

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