When considering how to get the best use of space in your home, a Murphy bed is often a top contender. Murphy beds, known as a wall beds, are a bed folds up against the wall, transforming a bedroom into a living space, home office, or entertainment room when it’s not in use. But with the rise of competing options, one that often comes up in the conversation is the Lori bed. While Lori beds might seem appealing due to their simpler design and lower price point, there are some significant differences between them and high-quality Murphy beds, like those made by Wilding Wallbeds.
In this post, we’ll explore the key differences between Murphy beds and Lori beds, focusing on their mechanisms, durability, and overall functionality. By understanding these distinctions, you can make an informed decision about which option is best for you.
1. The Basic Concept of a Murphy Bed
Let’s start with the basics. A Murphy bed, in its essence, is a bed that folds up into the wall or cabinetry, freeing up valuable floor space. This type of bed is perfect for homes where space is at a premium, such as small apartments, studios. It is also a great option for any multipurpose room, such as a home office, exercise room, or traditional guestroom.
At Wilding Wallbeds, we craft Murphy beds with high-quality materials like solid wood and furniture grade plywood, ensuring long-lasting durability and aesthetic appeal. But beyond that, what really sets our Murphy beds apart are the lifting mechanisms they come with—mechanisms designed to make opening and closing the bed easy, safe, and seamless.
2. Lifting Mechanisms: The Heart of a Quality Murphy Bed
The most significant distinction between a Wilding Wallbed and a Lori bed lies in the lifting mechanism. At Wilding Wallbeds, we believe that a Murphy bed should be more than just a space-saver—it should be easy and safe to use. Our high-quality Murphy beds all come with built in lifting mechanism, to ensure that you or your guests can safely, and easily operate the Murphy bed.
These mechanisms are designed to:
- Make it easy to open and close the bed. You don’t have to strain your back or muscles when lifting the bed. With our well-engineered systems, the bed glides smoothly into position, ensuring ease of use for anyone.
- Provide safety and stability. Our mechanisms ensure that the bed remains secure when closed and stays in place when open, minimizing any risk of the bed unexpectedly moving or collapsing.
- Enhance durability. High-quality lifting systems extend the lifespan of the bed by reducing the wear and tear that could occur with manual lifting.
Our various mechanisms come with a lifetime warranty, meaning you can trust that your bed will remain functional for years to come, without needing constant maintenance or repair.
3. The Lori Bed: Simplicity and Limitations
In contrast, a Lori bed is a popular option for those seeking a simpler, no-frills wall bed solution. Unlike Wilding Wallbeds, the Lori bed does not come with a built-in lifting mechanism. Instead, it relies on manual effort to pull the bed down and lift it back up into the wall.
The simplicity of this design might be attractive to some—especially if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option—but it also comes with limitations:
- Manual effort is required. Without a lifting mechanism, you’ll need to physically handle the weight of the mattress and the frame each time you pull the bed down or push it back up. This can be challenging, and Lori recommends always having two adults to open and close the bed.
- Less smooth operation. Manually lifting the bed can result in a jerky or uneven movement, which could cause wear and tear over time. It can be difficult to fit the bed back in the cabinet resulting in nick and dings on the wood.
- Limited durability. While the Lori bed may seem durable in terms of its materials, without a robust lifting mechanism, the user may be more prone to misuse or accidental damage over time. Since the face of the bed is making direct contact with the floor, items and irregularities on your floor can cause cosmetic damage to the face of the bed.
4. Materials and Durability
When it comes to materials, both Wilding Wallbeds and Lori beds focus on high-quality wood construction. However, Wilding Wallbeds takes the commitment to durability a step further by offering a range of customization options, including the finest hardwoods and plywoods, premium finishes, and cabinetry-grade hardware options. Each Wilding Wallbed is handcrafted to ensure longevity and aesthetic appeal.
While Lori beds do use wood as well, they are not customizable or made to the same level of craftsmanship as Wilding Wallbeds. A Lori bed comes in a more basic form with limited finish or design choices, whereas Wilding Wallbeds offers a more luxurious, tailored look to suit any home and motif.
5. Customization and Aesthetics
Wilding Wallbeds pride themselves in being made to order. From the type of wood to the finish, hardware, and even the design style (such as traditional, modern, or rustic), every bed is made to fit the individual needs of our customers. Whether you want a sleek, minimalistic look or something more ornate, you’ll find options that will seamlessly integrate with your home’s decor.
Lori beds, while functional, are more standardized in terms of aesthetics. While you can select different finishes, the range of design choices is limited. This may not be an issue if you’re only looking for a basic bed, but if you want a bed that doubles as furniture and adds to your home’s style, the Lori bed does not offer the same level of customization as a Wilding Wallbed.
6. Cost and Value
One of the most important factors in choosing between a Murphy bed and a Lori bed is cost. Lori beds tend to be more less expensive upfront, but you should consider the long-term value as well. Wilding Wallbeds may have a higher initial price tag, but the quality of materials, the ease of use, the longevity of the bed, and the lifetime warranty offer excellent value over time.
The durability and craftsmanship of Wilding Wallbeds mean that, over the years, you won’t need to worry about constant maintenance or replacements, unlike some lower-cost options that may wear out or require more frequent upkeep.
Conclusion: Which is Right for You?
In summary, the key differences between a Wilding Wallbed and a Lori bed come down to ease of use, durability, customization, and long-term value. While Lori beds may offer an economical and straightforward option for those who don’t mind manual effort, a Wilding Wallbed offers a superior experience with a variety of high-quality lifting mechanisms, cabinet grade finishes, desk and sofa options, and lifetime warranties that ensure your investment lasts for many years.
When considering your space-saving needs, it’s important to think beyond the initial cost and consider the quality, convenience, and long-term value of your choice. If you want a Murphy bed that’s easy to operate, built to last, and adds a touch of luxury to your home, a Wilding Wallbed is the ideal choice.