Space is an expensive commodity many people struggle to afford. What if we told you there’s a way to make a small space feel bigger? No magic is required.
All you need is a Murphy Bed. Learn how your entire lifestyle can transform with Murphy Beds.
What Is a Murphy Bed?
As we discussed in our Everything You Need To Know About Murphy Beds article, a Murphy Bed is a bed that folds up into the wall (or into a frame against the wall).
It’s designed to provide more room for those with limited living space.
See more: What’s the Difference Between a Murphy Bed and a Wall Bed?
Why Is It Called a Murphy Bed?
Murphy Beds are named after their inventor, William L. Murphy, who created the bed because he wanted to host guests in his small home.
Are Murphy Beds Making a Comeback?
Yes, Murphy Beds are making a comeback! Due to the higher cost of living, many people live in small spaces and feel cramped. As people turn their homes into offices, there’s a higher need for space-saving solutions.
While they could work in bed, it’s not the best solution, so Murphy Beds saved the day.
People now recognize that not only are Murphy Beds a great way to get more space (whether in their bedroom or a guest room), but their designs have improved vastly from old designs.
Is a Murphy Bed as Comfortable as a Regular Bed?
Absolutely! A Murphy Bed is every bit as comfortable as a regular bed. If you keep reading, you’ll see you can use a variety of mattresses with this type of bed. You’ll be able to customize it to your needs.
Why Don’t Some People Like Murphy Beds?
Most people who dislike Murphy Beds either had a bad experience with a particular one or are remembering old designs. Older Murphy Beds were difficult to use, which got frustrating quickly when people used them daily.
If a person had a bad experience, they may have bought a Murphy Bed that didn’t suit their needs. For example, if they want to use a thicker mattress, they need a Murphy frame that supports that. If they don’t buy the right frame, they may be forced to use a thinner mattress and miss out on a comfortable night’s sleep.
Another bad experience could be if someone doesn’t have their room properly arranged around their Murphy Bed, which means they constantly need to move furniture to pull the bed down. Designing your space before buying a Murphy Bed is important.
How Does a Murphy Bed Work?
Murphy Beds are actually simple to use. They rely on mechanisms that allow them to be pulled down and pushed up.
Being able to flip the bed up makes it seem as though there is no bed in the room. Usually, the underside of a Murphy Bed is designed to be a beautiful item of furniture, such as a desk or bookcase. When you pull the bed down, you can sleep on it as you would on any other bed type.
This is how many people turn their home offices into guest rooms for the occasional overnight visit from loved ones.
Learn more about the mechanism a Murphy Bed uses that makes it easy for you to push and pull it into place.
How Long Do Murphy Beds Last?
Murphy Beds can last a lifetime, depending on the materials used and their construction. It will also depend on the company you buy from. For example, we offer a lifetime warranty for our mechanisms and have had customers happily using the same bed for the last 30 years—and it’s still in great shape.
You should also follow the directions on how to use the bed. With some beds, you may need to pull out legs for balance while they’re in use. In other cases, the instructions might tell you to use the handle to ensure a smooth pulldown.
Do Murphy Beds Need a Special Mattress?
This is a yes-and-no question. Technically, Murphy Beds don’t need a special mattress as long as it’s the correct thickness. A too-thick mattress prevents the bed from fully folding up. However, Murphy Beds do need mattresses that can be stored vertically without deforming. Most common mattresses are not designed this way, which means replacing them more often.
This is why we have a specially designed mattress for our Murphy Beds, one that’s both comfortable and durable. You won’t have to worry about a deformed, uncomfortable mattress.
Can You Use a Memory Foam Mattress in a Murphy Bed?
For the most part, no, you can’t use a memory foam mattress in a Murphy Bed. This is because most memory foam mattresses’ foam isn’t meant to stand on its end—leading to a deformed and uncomfortable mattress.
But, if you still want to use a memory foam mattress, we have a line of specially designed foam mattresses for Murphy Beds.
How to Know If a Murphy Bed Is Right for Your Lifestyle
While anyone can use a Murphy Bed, some lifestyles are better suited to it than others. Here are a few things to consider when deciding if one is for you.
What’s Your Room Size?
While Murphy Beds are meant to help save space, they still require space for the frame. Depending on the positioning of other furniture in the room, this may cause problems or daily frustrations due to having to move things around all the time.
How Will You Use It?
Why do you want this type of bed? Are you hoping to have a part-time guest room or a part-time hobby room? Are you okay with pulling the bed out and putting it away every day, or do you only want to do this occasionally?
What Kind of Mattress Do You Like?
We’ve mentioned this already, but for a Murphy Bed to work well, you need a mattress that fits the frame’s specific measurements. This can limit the variety of mattresses available.
If you already have a mattress in mind, you will want to see if it fits before purchasing a frame.
If it doesn’t fit, you’ll have to find another mattress or decide if a mattress or a Murphy Bed is more important to your needs.
See more: Choosing the Right Mattress for Your Murphy Bed
Does It Fit Your Style?
We all have an image of what we want our bedroom or guest room to look like. But making those images a reality can be difficult. Luckily, Murphy Beds come in a variety of styles, so finding one that fits your personal style should be easy.
Do Murphy Beds Damage Walls?
No one wants to damage their walls for a bed. Luckily, not all Murphy Beds will affect the walls; some come with free-standing frames.
More importantly, many companies, like Wilding Wallbeds, have created ways to mount a Murphy Bed without damaging the wall.
Are Murphy Beds a Good Investment?
Yes, a Murphy Bed is a good investment. It provides you with more space, the opportunity to have multipurpose rooms, and extra storage (if yours doubles as a bookcase). It can really transform your home and make you feel less claustrophobic.
Transform Your Space with a Murphy Bed!
If you’re feeling suffocated by your current living space, try a Murphy Bed. Whether you need more space in a small room or want to turn your home office into a guest room, a Murphy Bed is the solution.
Wilding Wallbeds offers quality Murphy Beds in a range of styles and wall-friendly setup solutions.
Improve your bedroom by contacting us today to find the right bed for you!