Turn a spare room, studio or home office into a truly flexible space. Joyce Kitchens designs and builds custom wardrobes and wall‑bed cabinetry in Perth and across WA — the same award‑winning team trusted for kitchen renovations, laundries and built‑in furniture.
Why a bed inside a wardrobe is the ultimate space‑saver
Also called a wall bed or Murphy bed, a “bed inside wardrobe” solution hides a full mattress behind custom cabinetry. It’s perfect for guest rooms that double as a study, apartments, granny flats and multi‑use spaces. Many people search for “bed on wardrobe” when they mean a bed that folds up into the wardrobe — we’ll design exactly that, safely and beautifully.
- Gain up to 3–4 m² of usable floor space during the day
- Keep bedding, clothes and a desk together with integrated storage
- Design to match your home style — from Hampton/shaker to sleek contemporary
- Quality mechanisms with gas struts or spring assist make lifting effortless
What is a wall bed?
A wall bed (Murphy bed) is a real mattress on a hinged base that pivots vertically or horizontally into a cabinet. The cabinet looks like a wardrobe when closed.
Our Perth design–renovation process
From first ideas to final installation, Joyce Kitchens handles everything in‑house with our local cabinetmakers and installers.
- Design consult: We measure on site, discuss mattress size (AUS Single–King), ceiling height, power points, and how you use the room.
- Concept & 3D renders: See options for built in wardrobes around bed, side towers, overhead “bridge” storage, and desks.
- Technical review: Stud location, wall fixings, ventilation gaps, anti‑tip anchoring and AS/NZS guidance for joinery and electrical location.
- Quotation & schedule: Transparent pricing, lead times and a target install date that suits other works (painting, flooring, electrical).
- Manufacture in WA: Precision CNC and hand‑finished details in our Perth facility. We use premium hardware (Blum/Hettich) with soft‑close.
- Installation & handover: Qualified installers fix cabinetry to structural members and commission the bed mechanism, then walk you through safe use.
Technical considerations for Australian homes
- Clearances: Allow door swing and minimum egress around the bed (typically 700–800 mm to adjacent furniture).
- Wall fixing: Fix to studs or masonry with rated anchors. Anti‑tip brackets are mandatory in our installs.
- Power & lighting: Plan GPOs and LED strip lighting to AS/NZS 3000. We recess task lighting with hidden cable management.
- Mattress sizes (AU): Single 92×188 cm, Double 138×188 cm, Queen 153×203 cm, King 183×203 cm. Thickness typically up to 30–32 mm spring mattress or compatible foam/latex per mechanism limits.
- Standards & guidance: We follow Australian best practice for domestic joinery and fixings and work under HIA/Master Builders contracts as appropriate.
For renovation guidance, see the Housing Industry Association and Master Builders WA for homeowner resources and contracts.
HIA – Housing Industry Association | Master Builders WA | Standards Australia
Materials, finishes and hardware that last
Your wall‑bed wardrobe can match the rest of your home — or set the tone for a new renovation. We regularly coordinate with kitchen renovations Perth, laundry renovations, vanities and custom cabinetry WA so your finishes flow from space to space.
- Cabinet carcase: Moisture‑resistant board (MR melamine) in white or woodgrain, or plywood for niche requirements.
- Doors & panels: 2‑pack painted shaker, flat matte/satin, vinyl wrap, or real timber veneer (e.g., Tasmanian oak).
- Hardware: Blum/Hettich soft‑close hinges and runners, safety locks, integrated handles or handleless with finger rails.
- Lighting: Dimmable LED strips under the bridge and inside robe sections, warm white for a bedroom feel.
- Bench/desk tops: Laminate, solid timber, or porcelain/sintered stone alternatives for durability.
What is 2‑pack paint?
2‑pack is a catalysed paint system (colour + hardener) that’s sprayed and baked for a tough, smooth finish. Great for shaker doors and curved panels.
What are soft‑close drawers?
Soft‑close runners use dampers so drawers glide shut quietly — helpful in bedrooms and nurseries.
Worktop comparison for integrated desks or side cabinetry
If your wall‑bed design includes a study nook or side cabinet top, consider the below.
| Feature | Porcelain/Sintered stone top (engineered stone alternative) | Laminate top |
|---|---|---|
| Look & feel | Premium stone‑look, ultra‑thin edges, seamless with high heat/UV resistance | Wide range of colours/patterns including timber looks; warm to touch |
| Durability | Excellent scratch and heat resistance; ideal near windows or hot drinks | Good everyday performance; use trivets and cutting boards |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance; non‑porous | Very low maintenance; avoid harsh abrasives |
| Installed cost (WA) | $$$ – premium | $ – budget‑friendly |
| Best for | High‑end integrated desks or durable side tops | Cost‑effective study nooks and shelves |
Note: Traditional engineered stone products containing high crystalline silica are subject to a national prohibition. We specify compliant sintered stone/porcelain and other alternatives for safety and regulatory compliance in WA.
Layouts and styles that suit your room
Whether your home leans Hampton, coastal, contemporary or architecturally minimal, we’ll design a wall‑bed wardrobe that looks built‑in from day one. We can also align profiles with your shaker kitchen, handleless cabinetry, scullery or alfresco kitchen for a cohesive renovation.
Built in wardrobes around bed
- Side towers + overhead bridge: Hanging on one side, shelves/drawers on the other, with dimmable LED reading lights under the bridge.
- Concealed wall bed behind doors: Full‑height doors open to reveal the bed; when closed, it reads as a seamless robe.
- Desk‑by‑day, guest bed by night: A folding desk or retractable monitor arm keeps work tidy when guests arrive.
- Horizontal wall bed: Ideal for low ceilings or attic conversions; doubles as a media bench.
Style options
- Hampton/Shaker: 2‑pack shaker doors, profiled rail, matte white, brushed nickel pulls.
- Modern minimal: Flat panels, push‑to‑open, super‑matte finishes, finger rails.
- Warm timber: Timber veneer feature panels with soft‑white carcase and LED strip lighting.
- Mirror or glass accents: Visually enlarge smaller rooms and bounce Perth’s natural light.
Costs and timelines in Perth, WA
Every project is custom, but these ranges help set expectations. All figures are indicative and include GST.
- Entry (Single/Double): $6,500–$10,000 — wall‑bed mechanism, cabinet, basic robe storage, melamine finish.
- Mid (Queen): $10,000–$18,000 — side towers, overhead bridge, lighting, 2‑pack or premium laminate, soft‑close drawers.
- Premium (Queen/King): $18,000–$30,000+ — extensive robe fit‑out, veneer/curved panels, integrated desk/media, stone‑look tops.
- Extras: Electrical, painting, flooring, new skirting/cornice, and any wall remediation if moving from freestanding to built‑in.
Lead time: Design and selections 1–3 weeks; manufacture 3–6 weeks; installation 1–3 days depending on scope. We coordinate with other trades if your project also includes a new kitchen splashback, laundry or bathroom vanity.
Real WA examples
Subiaco studio: office by day, guest room by night
We designed a queen wall bed concealed behind flat white panels with a timber veneer desk return. The client gained 3 m² of daytime floor space, added LED task lighting and matched their existing kitchen’s matte white doors for continuity.
Joondalup family home: built in wardrobes around bed
A teen’s room needed storage and a larger bed. We delivered side robes with soft‑close drawers, an overhead bridge with reading lights, and a horizontal double wall bed to suit a low window. The look mirrors the home’s shaker kitchen for a cohesive feel.
Practical checklist before you start
- Choose your mattress size (AU) and measure ceiling height and skirtings
- Decide on room roles: guest, study, playroom, media or all of the above
- Note power points and data points; plan for USB‑C bedside charging
- Shortlist finishes: melamine, 2‑pack shaker, veneer, mirror
- Think storage mix: hanging vs shelves vs deep drawers
- Consider acoustics: soft‑close hardware, door seals, rugs
- Plan adjacent renovations (kitchen, laundry) to align colours and schedules
- Book a Joyce Kitchens design consultation to confirm options and pricing
Why Joyce Kitchens for wall beds and wardrobes
- Local design and manufacture in Perth with highly skilled cabinetmakers
- Premium hardware and finishes, built for Australian conditions
- Coordinated renovations across kitchen, laundry, bathroom and wardrobes
- HIA‑aligned contracts and clear communication from quote to install
- Aftercare and adjustments — we stand behind our workmanship
Ready to explore a “bed inside wardrobe” or “bed on wardrobe” concept for your home? Book a consult at our Perth showroom and see mechanisms, finishes and engineered stone benchtop alternatives side‑by‑side.
FAQ
Is a bed inside a wardrobe safe and compliant in Australia?
Yes — when designed and installed correctly. We anchor the cabinet to structural studs or masonry, fit anti‑tip brackets, and select mechanisms with safety locks. We also plan lighting and GPOs to AS/NZS 3000 and follow Australian best practice for domestic joinery fixings.
How much does a bed‑inside‑wardrobe cost in Perth?
Most projects fall between $6,500 and $18,000 for Single to Queen with side storage; premium King or veneer/curved designs with integrated desks range from $18,000 to $30,000+. A detailed Joyce Kitchens quote will itemise cabinetry, mechanism, lighting and any electrical or finishing trades.
What mattress sizes fit a wall bed in Australia?
We build for AU sizes: Single (92×188 cm), King Single (107×203 cm), Double (138×188 cm), Queen (153×203 cm) and King (183×203 cm). Mattress thickness typically up to around 300–320 mm depending on the chosen mechanism and bedding.
Can you match my existing kitchen or wardrobe style?
Absolutely. We can mirror your shaker profiles, colours and handles, or deliver a handleless contemporary look to match your kitchen, scullery, laundry or alfresco cabinetry. Our Perth showroom lets you compare 2‑pack, melamine, veneer and stone‑look tops in person.