Custom Wall Bed vs Other Wall Bed Options
Honest side-by-side comparison · Including customers we're not right for
2026-05-06 · 10 min read · Last updated 2026-05-06
Why does this page exist?
Many customers only contact us WhatsApp after comparing 3-4 companies. We collected all customer questions and compiled them into this honest comparison, including which situations we're not suitable for, you should choose someone else.
No marketing fluff. No empty "we're the best" claims. Just facts + real scenarios + how you should choose.
4 Major Wall Bed Options in Hong Kong
OPTION A
Wallbed by Design (Us)
HKD 22,800-32,800 All-inclusive · 6-8 week delivery
- Italian SBLM hardware (10-year warranty)
- Physical HK showroom (Kwun Tong) + on-site measurement
- Local installation team + HKD 10 million insurance
- Assistance with building management + HOS (Home Ownership Scheme) approval
- Free 3D Rendering + PDF quote
- Not the cheapest (mid-range pricing)
- We don't take public housing projects (unless Buildings Department approval is obtained)
- Not a direct seller — we are a marketing partner of WALLBED KING
Best for: Those who value quality + safety + local warranty · Budget 25k-35k for a one-time solution
OPTION B
IKEA Murphy Bed (Overseas Online Purchase)
HKD 8,000-15,000 · Self-delivery and self-assembly
- Lowest price
- Convenient online ordering
- IKEA brand trust
- No official wall beds in Hong Kong IKEA (must order from overseas)
- Shipping + customs HKD 3,000-5,000
- Self-installation or hire a carpenter (extra HKD 5,000-12,000)
- No warranty service in Hong Kong
- Risk when drilling into Hong Kong concrete walls
- Dimensions may not fit small Hong Kong units
Best for: DIY enthusiasts · Budget under HKD 20k · OK with no local warranty
OPTION C
Taobao Proxy / JD International
HKD 5,000-12,000 · 4-8 weeks shipping
- Cheapest (mainland China Taobao prices)
- Wide selection (styles / colours / configurations)
- Mainland hardware (1-3 year lifespan, not SBLM)
- Shipping + HK-China logistics HKD 4,000-8,000
- Finding a Hong Kong installer HKD 6,000-10,000
- No Hong Kong warranty or after-sales service
- No one to fix it if broken (must re-ship from mainland)
- Taobao review authenticity is hard to verify
- No insurance coverage for fire or bed-fall accidents
Best for: Budget under HKD 15k · Short-term tenants · OK with replacing after 1-2 years
OPTION D
Local Carpenter + DIY Hardware
HKD 10,000-25,000 · Progresses with the project
- Combined with renovation (may save cost)
- Carpenters know how to build cabinets
- Carpenter can take measurements
- Carpenters usually don't know how to install wall bed hardware
- You must buy hardware yourself (Taobao / AliExpress)
- Wrong installation is irreversible = wall damage / bed collapse
- 1-year carpenter warranty 10-year hardware warranty
- Wall bed failure rate 30%+ (we've received 5 remake customers)
- No 3D Rendering — you only see the result when it's done
Best for: Those with a trusted carpenter experienced in wall beds · Otherwise high risk
7-Point Detailed Comparison
| Category |
Wallbed by Design |
IKEA |
Taobao |
Carpenter |
| Total Price (HKD, all-inclusive) |
22,800-32,800 one-time |
16,000-25,000 (incl. shipping + installation) |
15,000-25,000 (incl. shipping + installation) |
16,000-37,000 (additional risk) |
| Hardware Brand |
SBLM (Italian) |
IKEA OEM |
Mainland factory |
Depends on choice |
| Hardware Warranty |
10 years + annual free inspection |
2 years (overseas) |
3-12 months (hard to claim) |
1 year (carpenter) |
| Public Liability Insurance |
HKD 10 million |
None |
None |
Depends on carpenter |
| Building Management / HOS Approval |
Handled by us (5-7 working days) |
Customer handles |
Customer handles |
Depends on carpenter |
| 3D Rendering |
Free, 48 hours |
None |
Product photos only |
None |
| Physical Local Showroom |
Kwun Tong (by appointment) |
No wall bed display |
None |
Depends on carpenter |
5 Real Scenarios: Which Option Should You Choose
SCENARIO 1
"My budget is HKD 12,000, short-term rental for two years, 30 years old, single"
Recommendation: Taobao proxy. Budget insufficient for us, but if it breaks in a short-term rental after two years, it won't hurt much. Note: find a proxy buyer with HK return experience (e.g. SF International), and budget HKD 6,000-8,000 for a professional installer. Don't use street-flyer carpenters.
But remember to buy home contents insurance — a wall bed falling onto the bed below is a hard-to-claim insurance incident.
SCENARIO 2
"I have a baby / elderly at home and want absolute safety"
Recommendation: Wallbed by Design. Don't gamble with safety to save HKD 10-20k. SBLM hardware + HKD 1M insurance + local installation team + 10-year warranty = safety guaranteed.
All our wall beds pass 5 cycle tests + 3-level safety locks.
SCENARIO 3
"I already have a trusted carpenter who has done 3 wall bed projects"
Recommendation: Carpenter + you source your own hardware. If your carpenter truly knows wall beds and you trust them, you can save 30-40%. We can help source hardware (HKD 6,000-9,000) but don't include installation.
Must verify the carpenter has wall bed installation experience (request to see completed projects).
SCENARIO 4
"I've returned from abroad and don't know the Hong Kong renovation process"
Recommendation: Wallbed by Design. We handle 100% of paperwork (Building Management / HOS Approval / Buildings Department), you only need to sign an authorization letter. We also provide English content + service.
EN process guide Each stage detailed in full.
SCENARIO 5
"I saw something that looks like a wall bed at IKEA — a sofa bed"
Reminder: sofa bed wall bed. A sofa bed is a fold-out mattress, the bed body doesn't retract into the wall. Wall beds save 80%+ floor space, sofa beds only save 30-40%. Different products — don't confuse the comparison.
See our detailed sofa bed vs wall bed comparison.
4 Types of Customers We're Not Right For
- budget < HKD 20,000: Our minimum is HKD 22,800. If budget is insufficient, choose Taobao or IKEA.
- Public housing residents (unless you have Buildings Department approval): Public housing wall structures are not suitable for permanently fixed wall beds. We'll assess for free, but usually recommend a sofa bed alternative.
- Purely chasing the lowest price: We're mid-range. In terms of quality (SBLM hardware + local warranty) we're not expensive, but 50-100% more than Taobao.
- Need delivery within 1 month: Our standard is 4-6 weeks production + 1 week construction. Rush orders need HKD 2,000 surcharge, still minimum 4 weeks.
FAQ: Why Choose Us?
1. Why is it twice as expensive as Taobao?
The difference: SBLM Italian hardware (25+ year lifespan vs mainland 1-3 years) · local warranty team (10 years vs 0) · HKD 10 million insurance (vs 0) · 3D rendering + on-site measurement (vs self-measuring). You're not buying a bed, you're buying 10 years of peace of mind.
2. Why is it more expensive than IKEA?
IKEA Hong Kong doesn't sell wall beds. You'd need to order from overseas, add shipping, customs, and logistics costs + find a Hong Kong installer + get no warranty. The total cost won't save much, but the risk is much higher. We offer an all-in-one local service.
3. Why is it different to go directly to WALLBED KING (our partner)?
Wallbed by Design is WALLBED KING's marketing partner. You can go directly to WALLBED KING — but you'd miss: 5-step sizer · 35 estate landing pages · English content · 24/7 WhatsApp consultation · PDF brochure · 35+ design references. Same product, different consultation experience.
4. What about competitors (other HK wall bed design companies)?
Hong Kong has 6-8 local companies offering wall beds. We won't name them, but we recommend you getting quotes from 2-3 before choosing. Key comparison points: Hardware brand (must be Italian or German) · warranty period · public liability insurance · showroom visit available · real case studies to view.