Radiator becomes furniture — storage wraps over radiator. $2,500-4,000
Full BuildM8
Maximum for this wall — everything that fits. $3,500-6,000
Decisions Board
Custom vs IKEA?
Custom matches Murphy bed exactly. IKEA is modular + faster.
TV Size?
Samsung The Frame or LG C5 OLED. At 84" viewing distance, 55-65" is optimal per THX guidelines.
LED Accent Lighting?
LED puck lights to match Murphy bed side. Warm white.
Vinyl Record Shelves
13" deep minimum, spines out. More vinyl = less closed storage.
Window Treatment?
Small shaft window on TV wall side.
Questions for the Group
Big decisions to discuss before we order anything. Tap to expand each question.
When are we going up to set this up?+
Mike & Donna visit first week of September. Do we want the apartment functional before they arrive, or do we set it up together as a project? If before, Colin needs to go up in August to receive deliveries and build. If together, we order ahead and build over the visit weekend.
Custom wall unit or IKEA?+
Manhattan Cabinetry (custom): Same builder who did the Murphy bed. Matching materials, bar handles, soft-close. ~$5,000-12,000. Lead time 4-8 weeks. Seamless look.
IKEA Besta (modular): $1,500-3,000. Buy this weekend, build in a day. Won't match the Murphy bed exactly but can get close in white. Easy to reconfigure later.
Middle ground: IKEA base units + custom fronts/handles to match. $2,000-4,000.
LG OLED or Samsung Frame?+
LG C5 48" OLED ($899): Best picture quality. Built-in TV tuner for free OTA channels. Gallery Mode shows art. 1.4" deep mounted.
Samsung Frame 50" ($900): Looks like a framed painting when off. Art Mode with gallery bezels. 1" deep flush mount. Better as wall art, slightly worse as a TV.
At 7'0" viewing distance, 55-65" is the sweet spot (THX/SMPTE). LG C5 OLED 55" or 65" recommended. With 101" of usable wall, there's room for a centered TV with storage on both sides.
How much vinyl are we storing?+
Records need 13" deep shelves (browsable, spines out). Each shelf holds ~50-70 records. Do we want 1 shelf (~60 records) or 2 shelves (~120)? Is there a turntable going in the apartment or is this just storage? A turntable needs its own surface — either on the floating console or a dedicated shelf.
What's the budget for the wall?+
Lean path (~$3,000): IKEA units + LG TV + basic mount. Functional, looks good.
Mid path (~$6,000): IKEA with custom touches + LG TV + floating console + smart lighting.
Full custom (~$12,000+): Manhattan Cabinetry wall-to-wall + LG TV + all the bells. Matches Murphy bed perfectly.
This doesn't include Day One essentials (~$1,200) or tech (~$1,500).
Who handles the internet setup?+
Verizon Fios is the recommendation ($49.99/mo, fiber). Someone needs to be at the apartment for the install appointment. Is that Colin on a trip up, or Mike/Donna since they're local-ish? The Ubiquiti gear can be pre-configured before plugging in.
What goes on the walls?+
The TV wall has the main unit. But what about the other walls? Family photos, art prints, a mirror? Do we want a gallery wall of framed photos somewhere? A small floating shelf for a HomePod and a plant? A hook rack by the door for coats and keys? These small touches make it feel like home vs. a hotel.
What about the shaft window?+
The window on the west wall faces a concrete shaft — barely any daylight. Options: leave it bare, frosted film for privacy, a light panel that mimics daylight ($150-300), or a mirror to bounce what little light there is. No blackout curtains needed since there's nothing to block.
