Space Saver

Schoolteacher Crafts Niche

Constructing Murphy Beds 

By Guy Fletcher

MONROVIA—The whir of power tools coming from Titus Willard’s backyard shed is a sure sign that he is handcrafting another custom Murphy bed for a customer.

Willard, a schoolteacher by profession, found this side hustle, aptly named Back Shed Carpentry, a couple years ago when he and his wife, Claire, moved into their home. Claire wanted to convert a third bedroom into a playroom for their four preschool-aged daughters, but that would eliminate their guest bedroom.

The solution was to install a Murphy bed that could be folded into a wall when not used by guests, giving the girls plenty of room to play.

Willard had some experience in carpentry, going back to his teens when he worked for his brother-in-law’s custom homebuilding company. He knew his way around tools, so he thought he would make the bed himself.

“It’s probably the best improvement we made to this house,” he says. Claire’s uncle was impressed enough to ask Willard to make a Murphy bed for his home. From there, a business was born. 

Space-saving “folding beds” were made as early as the 1700s but did not enjoy great popularity. It wasn’t until about 1900 that William Lawrence Murphy applied for his first patents for pivots and counterbalances that allowed beds to be easily opened and closed.

According to legend, Murphy was living in a one-room apartment at the time and wooing an opera singer. But the moral code of the era did not favor a single woman visiting a man’s bedroom. Murphy’s response was an invention that converted his bedroom into a parlor.

Murphy beds have seen a renaissance in recent years, but it has nothing to do with sidestepping the law. Today, they are all about saving space, often for growing families like the Willards. Meanwhile, sleek designs that seamlessly flow into a home’s design have replaced the clunky Murphy beds of silent films and black-and-white comedies that always seemed to close on hapless characters at the worst possible moments. 

“I think they are getting more popular, especially in our area,” Willard explains, pointing to the large number of older and historic homes, many of which have limited expansion possibilities—natural locations for Murphy beds. “It’s easier than adding square footage to your house.”

Less expensive, too. A base model bed from Willard can start around $3,000 but increase with various extras a client requests, such as built-in shelves, custom trim work and special lighting. A recent client asked for the installation of an electric outlet for added convenience.
The amenities can push the cost up thousands more.

“It all depends on the extras a client wants and the time it takes,” he says. 

Willard handles the custom carpentry, using Murphy bed hardware from a Kentucky supplier, in the backyard shed. About 70 percent of the job is completed there. The remaining 30 percent takes place during installation and related trim and paint work at the client’s home. 

“It’s a blast,” he says of the work, “especially when you put all the pieces together.”

Though his business is mainly Murphy beds, cranking out a handful a year, Willard is expanding into custom cabinetry and other woodworking, as well. It keeps him busy, especially since he has a day job.

Sometimes, when the shed is humming, his daughters will wander out to see what Dad is creating. Perhaps when they are older, they will handle the router and table saw themselves.

“They love coming out and watching me work, so maybe one day,” he says.

For more information about Back Shed Carpentry, visit backshedcarpentry.squarespace.com.