A Murphy bed (also known as a wall bed, pull-down bed, or fold-down bed) is a type of bed that is stored vertically against a wall when not in use. Depending on the user’s preferences, Murphy beds can also be folded into a cabinet or closet. These beds are practical due to their space-saving attributes and versatility.
When deciding whether to buy a Murphy bed, you should still take into account a few drawbacks. The weight capacities of various Murphy beds must also be taken into account.
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Why Called a Murphy Bed?
The Murphy bed is named after its creator, as one might anticipate. In the early 20th century, William L. Because of the limited space in his tiny studio apartment, Murphy came up with the idea for a bed that could neatly fold into a closet (although some sources claim a more provocative explanation). Later, after patenting his invention in 1911, he founded the Murphy Wall Bed Company.
Are Murphy Beds Dangerous Really?
Murphy beds have been known to spring up into the wall and kill the people sleeping on them, according to several documented cases. However, the risk of dying from simply falling out of a regular bed is much higher than the risk of dying from a Murphy bed’s weight; in fact, 737 Americans die from falling out of bed every year, according to a now-famous tweet by Kim Kardashian West that cites CDC statistics. Nowadays, Murphy beds have much more reliable locking mechanisms, so you really don’t have to worry about them folding you in half in the middle of the night. Just be cautious when getting out of bed in the morning!
Are Murphy Beds Comfortable Really?
In other words, they definitely can be. “The comfort level of a Murphy bed typically depends on the mattress,” says Battista. “You can choose from a variety of options that let you buy the mattress and Murphy bed separately so that it’s tailored to your body type and sleeping preferences.”
Pros of Murphy Beds
Although Murphy beds have lost some of their appeal over the past few decades, they still have a lot of benefits that people value. The following is a discussion of some of the main benefits of Murphy beds.
Murphy beds have several benefits, including the ability to save space, be multifunctional, serve as guest beds, and, when not in use, mimic a regular wall, storage space, or closet.
Save Space
As was already mentioned, the main function of a typical murphy bed is to conserve space in small homes or bedrooms. If you have a small space, a murphy bed can free up some room when it’s not in use or during the day. Additionally, since murphy beds are only unfolded when needed, they can give the appearance of a roomier, lighter bedroom. Murphy beds are a popular option for campers and tiny houses alike. For more details, see our article on picking the best Murphy bed for a small space. For more choices, see these 15 Murphy bed designs for RVs, campers, and studio apartments.
This kind of straightforward murphy bed chest can serve as a dresser during the day and transform into a bed at night.
Multifunctional
Most early murphy beds were merely hinged beds without any extra storage. The design and features of murphy beds have improved along with the evolution and advancement of furniture manufacturing.
Modern murphy beds can have storage shelves, usually one on each side of the bed, and some models have even more. For instance, some murphy beds have a storage unit and, when folded up against the wall, can be used as a sofa. Murphy beds are multifunctional and can help you conserve even more space thanks to these features.
Shelves for storage are built into this Amazon murphy bed cabinet.
When Not in Use
When folded up against the wall, murphy beds mimic a regular wall, storage space, or closet, which is one feature people love about them. This is crucial because your bedroom’s overall design affects how at ease you will be while using it. An additional decorative element is the portion of the murphy bed that is visible when it is folded up against the wall. For instance, you could arrange some books, artwork, or decorative objects on the shelves or paint the base in shades that go well with your bedroom. To make the bed even more visually appealing, you can hang some lights from it.
Used as Guest Beds
Murphy beds, last but not least, are perfect for guest rooms. Having a room that isn’t overstuffed with furniture but still provides excellent comfort for visitors is crucial if you occasionally have visitors who need a place to stay the night. In order to provide your guests with the utmost comfort, you can even use a Tempurpedic mattress with your Murphy bed. The use of a murphy bed in your guest room will enable you to utilize the area without restriction and only unfold the bed when you have visitors staying with you.
Cons of Murphy Beds
Murphy beds have a lot of benefits, but it’s also important to think about some of their most obvious drawbacks.
One drawback of murphy beds is that they can be difficult to unfold and store, and they might require you to rearrange your room throughout the day. Additionally, compared to other types of beds, murphy beds are fairly pricey, not that durable, and potentially dangerous if not used properly.
Challenging to Fold Out and Put Away
Early Murphy beds had a lot of bulk and were difficult to fold and unfold. Even though contemporary murphy beds are made to be simpler to fold up and out when needed, it may still be challenging in some circumstances. For instance, it is not advised for elderly people to open or close murphy beds. Elderly people may experience joint pain when reaching up to pull the bed down because the handles on a murphy bed are typically located at the top of the bed.
Pregnant women may find it difficult to unfold a murphy bed. Children shouldn’t open or close a murphy bed either because they might not be able to make sure that the bed is fully extended before they sleep in it, which could pose serious safety risks.
Extra Rearrangements
As previously mentioned, you might want to use the area created by folding your murphy bed for something else during the day. Murphy beds give you access to some extra space, but they also necessitate some subsequent room rearranging. When all you want to do is sleep well, having to rearrange the room to bring out your Murphy bed might be exhausting. You may not need to rearrange your room as much if you use Murphy bed accessories like wall-mounted bookshelves and hangers.
Bed Sheets Might Get Disorganized and Messy
Bed linens and pillows may become disorganized and unkempt as a result of murphy beds, which is another drawback. Additionally, if pillows are left in the bed after it has been folded up, they may easily lose their shape. Some murphy beds offer unique racks for storage to avoid these issues. Nevertheless, even if your murphy bed has a storage rack, you still need to put your bed linens, pillows, and blankets on the bed each time you pull it out and take them off each time you put the bed away.
Not Durable
Murphy beds may not last as long as regular beds because they are frequently pulled out and put away. For regular use, a Murphy bed will typically last for 13 years after installation. However, murphy beds that are specifically meant for visitors can last for 20 years or even longer, depending on how frequently you fold and unfold the bed. In comparison to regular beds, which can last much longer, Murphy beds typically only last 15 to 16 years.
Relatively Expensive
Typical murphy beds typically cost between $1,500 and $2,000, and as the size of the bed increases, they can become even more expensive (costing up to about $6,000). Additionally, there might be additional costs for the installation of a murphy bed, which is a crucial process you should never omit. Your bed will be much safer to use and will shield you and your family from injuries if it is professionally installed.
Why Aren’t Murphy Beds That Popular Now?
Since there are many other types of beds to choose from and Murphy beds are so expensive, they aren’t as common as they once were. Additionally, since the last few decades, living conditions have improved. and murphy beds might not suit the design of every bedroom.
Murphy beds are currently not very common, primarily due to their high cost. Even though Murphy beds are particularly useful in small bedrooms, there are still many other options available that are much more affordable than a Murphy bed. A futon or foldable sofa, for instance, can be used as a bed at night and then transformed back into a couch to save space during the day. You can save money and space in your bedroom by using a futon or sofa bed. We will show you all the extra expenses associated with murphy beds in our buying guide.
There are many different bed types available today. Because of this, some of the previously popular bed types have been replaced by others, making it fairly simple to choose and buy the bed that best suits your preferences and complements your bedroom. One of our favorite types of beds for guest rooms is a trundle bed. They can serve as sofas during the day, are small, and have two beds to accommodate multiple guests. For more information, be sure to read our comprehensive comparison guide to Murphy beds, daybeds, sofa beds, and futons.
People used to live in smaller homes, so it was important for them to use furniture that would leave them with some space for other things in addition to daily activities. More and more people are abandoning space-saving furniture as living conditions have improved and home and apartment sizes have grown. Instead, they can afford to purchase standard beds, which are much more practical and simple to use. Although they can even be used in rooms with low ceilings, Murphy beds are still very common in areas with studio-style apartments. A regular bed might be more comfortable if you have enough room in your bedroom to fit one, even though there is nothing wrong with sleeping in a Murphy bed.
Murphy beds might not match the overall design of every bedroom, which is another reason why they aren’t very common right now. Modern murphy beds come with additional storage racks or other accessories, so in addition to the bed itself, these should be considered when purchasing one. It may be simpler to buy a regular bed because there are fewer factors to take into account when it comes to ensuring that the entire bed matches the design of your bedroom.
Tips for Murphy Beds
Room Layout
When choosing a Murphy bed, it’s important to take your room’s layout into account. Before you begin your search, take a measurement of the area. Knowing how much space you have available from the floor to the ceiling is important because most Murphy beds fold vertically. If you have low ceilings, a horizontally folding Murphy bed is an option.
Consider the length of the bed when it is fully extended if you intend to use a Murphy bed as a small space solution. Make sure you have enough room to access the bed, open it, and raise the end of the bed back up.
Material
Solid wood, engineered wood or particleboard, metal, and other materials can all be used to make Murphy beds. One of the most resilient options is solid wood, but it is also very heavy. Particleboard or manufactured wood are lighter, but they might have a lower weight limit and some long-term durability issues. Murphy beds made of metal are sturdy and frequently used in conjunction with wood shelving or cabinets.
Opening Mechanism
One of the most crucial factors to take into account when looking for a Murphy bed is the lifting mechanism. Typically, these beds will have a piston (hinge) lift or a spring lift. As an alternative, some Murphy beds have a manual opening mechanism that requires you to lift and lower the bed by hand.
The first widely used lift for Murphy beds had spring opening mechanisms. To make it simpler to raise the bed, the spring’s resistance can typically be adjusted. Most contemporary spring-assisted opening mechanisms are equipped with safeguards against abrupt retractions.
A Murphy bed can be easily raised and lowered using a piston-lifting system, which uses pressurized arms. A locking mechanism is common in piston-equipped beds, which keeps the bed safely tucked away when not in use.
With no springs or pistons to adjust, manual opening mechanisms are the most basic. You will, however, have to bear the entire weight of the mattress and frame when raising or lowering the bed as a result. For this reason, some manufacturers of Murphy beds with manual opening mechanisms advise always having two people set up or store the bed.
Features
Making the most of the Murphy bed setup is possible with integrated features. When looking for a Murphy bed, storage may be an appealing feature, especially if you’re furnishing a studio. You can have space for blankets, clothing, or other necessities by installing shelves or cabinets in the side, bottom, or top of the frame that surrounds the bed. With the multipurpose exterior design of some Murphy beds, you can use the built-in desk when the bed is not in use. Another common feature is integrated LED lighting, which is especially practical if you want to have the option of reading in bed.
Styles of Murphy Beds
Wall Bed
While it’s true that the terms Murphy bed and wall bed can both refer to a mounted bed, a wall bed is also sometimes used to describe a particular style of Murphy bed. The majority of the time, if not always, wall beds are built into a fixture that extends the entire length of the wall. A wall bed may resemble cabinets, shelves, or a bookcase when it is closed.
If you want a discreet appearance, this type of Murphy bed might be the best choice. The bed is tucked inside the fixture, which gives the impression that it is built-in. For a truly integrated look, wall beds that occupy the majority (or the entire) of a wall are frequently more expensive and occasionally require custom construction.
Cabinet Bed
The cabinet bed is a different design of Murphy bed. Some of these beds are freestanding cabinets that the bed folds into; others may or may not be attached to the wall. Comparing a smaller, installed Murphy bed to a cabinet bed reveals the greater flexibility of the former. For those who don’t have enough wall space to mount a mounted version or who are renting, this is a better option. The stability and storage provided by wall beds may be absent, or they might not be as large.
Cost of Murphy Beds
A Murphy bed’s price varies depending on its size and construction. You should budget between $2,000 and $4,000 for a solid wood queen-size Murphy bed. The price will be somewhat less, perhaps between $1,000 and $1,800, if you choose a Murphy bed made of particle board or manufactured wood.
The opening mechanism (or lack thereof) is one of the other aspects that affect product pricing. A Murphy bed’s cost is increased by piston-assisted lifting systems, whereas manual opening mechanisms are the simplest and most affordable choice. Finally, adding features like storage or lighting can raise the price of a Murphy bed.
Tips for Choosing a Murphy Bed
Ever since they were first made available to the general public about a century ago, Murphy beds have gained popularity once again. This has been sparked by a number of things, such as the tiny house movement and the desire to maximize efficiency and space. Consequently, you have a variety of options based on your unique requirements and spending capacity. Consider the elements that will make your space functional, user-friendly, and stylish when selecting a Murphy bed. The most typical considerations for choosing a Murphy bed are listed below.
Horizontal Vs. Vertical
Decide first whether you want a vertical or a horizontal wall bed. The mattress’s position is being discussed here. The most popular wall beds are vertical, and they have an adjustable foot. On the wall, they don’t take up as much room, but when fully extended, they take up more room. Alternatives exist, particularly in rooms with limited depth, such as horizontal wall beds. As opposed to having the bed’s foot raised and lowered, these beds fold along their long edge.
Size of Mattress
Murphy beds are made in sizes that correspond to those of typical mattresses. Although it’s important to note that twin or queen size beds are the most popular sizes, you can find wall beds in all four of those sizes as well as in king and full. The depth of your mattress must also be compatible with the Murphy bed’s design when you are looking for one. Most Murphy beds can accommodate mattresses with a thickness of 8 to 12 inches.
Could You Have Help to Lower Or Raise the Bed?
Remember that Murphy beds can be heavy, especially when you take a mattress into account. Determining whether you’ll be lifting and lowering the bed by yourself or with assistance from someone else is something to consider. It makes sense to look for a lifting mechanism that can assist or is made to be used by one person if you’ll be assembling and storing the bed by yourself.
How Often Could You Use the Murphy Bed?
When purchasing a Murphy bed, think about whether you’ll use it every night or just occasionally for visitors. A freestanding, cabinet-style Murphy bed might be a better option in a workplace that frequently serves purposes other than accommodating sleeping visitors. However, if the Murphy bed will be used every night in your bedroom or living area, you might have more comfort, usability, or storage requirements.
Storage Or Functional Uses
Other than providing a comfortable place to unwind at the end of the day, are there any other goals you have for the Murphy bed? Choosing a wall bed with integrated storage can be very beneficial if you lack closet or storage space. The cabinets and drawers can be used to store your linens or other items. Open shelves can hold books or decorative items. Additionally, some wall beds can be used as a desk or workspace, making them multipurpose pieces of furniture.