Harper & Bright Designs Queen Size Murphy Bed, Wood Queen Wa
✅ PROS
- Solid plywood cabinet construction with soft-close hinges feels sturdier than particleboard alternatives in this price range
- Built-in folding mechanism with gas piston assist makes lowering and raising the bed manageable for one person
- Generous under-cabinet clearance when folded — fits standard rolling storage bins or a small desk setup
❌ CONS
- Hardware quality is inconsistent; several owners report stripped screws and misaligned pre-drilled holes during assembly
- Cabinet depth is deeper than most standard Murphy beds (approximately 18 inches), which eats into room floor space when closed
- No mattress included, and the bed requires a specific 8–10 inch mattress thickness — thicker models won't fold flush
The Verdict
The space-saving gamble: Does this Murphy bed deliver?
A queen Murphy bed is a serious commitment — both in budget and floor space. The Harper & Bright Designs Queen Size Murphy Bed promises to reclaim your guest room or home office during the day while offering a full queen sleeping surface at night. At roughly 3.3 stars across 165 ratings, it’s clearly a product with passionate defenders and frustrated owners. Here’s the real breakdown.
What’s actually in the box
You’re getting the full wall bed cabinet in a wood finish (the listing typically shows a warm medium oak tone), including the folding bed frame, gas piston lift mechanism, upper cabinet doors, and all mounting hardware. The assembled cabinet measures approximately 65 inches wide by 18 inches deep and stands about 86 inches tall — it’s a substantial piece of furniture, not a flimsy fold-out. You’ll also need to supply your own mattress (more on that below).
Build quality and real-world performance
The cabinet itself is constructed from engineered wood with a wood-grain laminate. It’s not solid hardwood, but the plywood core is noticeably sturdier than the particleboard you’d find in budget IKEA-style furniture. The soft-close hinges on the upper cabinet doors are a genuinely nice touch at this price point. The gas pistons do the heavy lifting — most owners report that one average-strength adult can lower and raise the bed without strain.
The real issues surface during assembly and long-term use. Multiple reviewers mention that the pre-drilled holes don’t always align with the hardware, and the included screws are soft enough to strip easily. Plan on a full afternoon with a drill, a second pair of hands, and possibly a trip to the hardware store for replacement screws. One owner put it bluntly: “Took two days to assemble and I’m still missing one bracket. The bed works, but the QC is a coin flip.”
What buyers consistently praise
Owners who got a clean unit love the space savings. “This completely transformed my home office — bed folds up flush against the wall and I have my desk back during the day,” one verified reviewer noted. The built-in shelving above the bed is also a recurring positive, offering practical storage for bedding or decor without needing extra wall-mounted units.
Where it falls short
Beyond the hardware quality concerns, the biggest complaint is the mattress compatibility. The bed requires a mattress between 8 and 10 inches thick. Anything thicker won’t fold flat into the cabinet and will strain the folding mechanism. Several owners report waking up to a sagging mattress because they used a standard 12-inch pillow-top they already owned. Budget for a new mattress if you don’t already have a low-profile one.
The 18-inch cabinet depth also surprises people. When closed, it protrudes nearly 1.5 feet into the room — not the slim, flush look many Murphy beds advertise. In a narrow room, this can make the space feel cramped even when the bed is folded away.
Who should buy this
This bed is best for renters or homeowners who genuinely need a dual-purpose room and are comfortable with moderate DIY assembly. It’s ideal if you’re handy, have a 6-foot-plus ceiling clearance for the cabinet height, and can buy a compatible thin mattress. It’s a poor fit for anyone expecting premium furniture-grade quality, single-person assembly, or a zero-fuss experience.
FAQ
Can one person assemble this Murphy bed? Technically yes, but it’s not recommended. The cabinet panels are heavy and awkward to hold while aligning hardware. A second person makes the job dramatically easier and safer.
Does this come with a mattress? No. You must supply your own, and it must be between 8 and 10 inches thick. Standard pillow-top mattresses won’t fold properly.
Can I mount this in any room? It needs to be anchored to wall studs, and you’ll need about 86 inches of ceiling height. The folded cabinet also requires roughly 18 inches of floor clearance from the wall.
The Verdict
Buy it if: You’re on a budget, need a genuine space-saving solution, and have the patience for a challenging assembly with possible hardware quirks. The price per square foot of reclaimed floor space is hard to beat when it works.
Skip it if: You want premium build quality, can’t handle DIY fixes, or need a bed that works with your existing thick mattress. At 3.3 stars, this is a “good enough” product, not a great one — but for the right buyer, it’s a functional lifesaver.
Rating: 3.3/5 — A solid concept with inconsistent execution. Manage your expectations on assembly and hardware, and you’ll likely be satisfied.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.