The bed that folds down from the ceiling is known as a murphy bed, wall bed, or pull-down bed. It is a bed that can be folded up vertically to store against a wall, inside a closet, or inside a cabinet so that it is hidden away and space can be used for other purposes. When needed, the bed can be pulled down to provide a place to sleep. Murphy beds are a great solution for small spaces, studio apartments, guest rooms, offices, and other areas where a permanent bed might take up too much room. They allow a room to easily convert between a bedroom and other uses like an office, living room, etc.
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History
The murphy bed was invented in the early 1900s by William L. Murphy (and sometimes erroneously attributed to William S. Murphy), an American who lived in San Francisco, California. At the time, living spaces were becoming smaller, especially in crowded cities, and there was a need for furniture that could be stored out of the way. Murphy created a bed that could fold up vertically into a cabinet to free up room when it wasn’t being used. He patented his design in 1911 and started the Murphy Wall Bed Company shortly after.
The beds were popular in the 1920s and 30s, especially in urban apartments and with bachelors. They allowed apartments to double as both living spaces and bedrooms. However, murphy beds declined in later decades as larger suburban houses became more common. They have seen a resurgence in recent years as people return to smaller urban living spaces where multifunctional furniture is highly useful.
How Murphy Beds Work
Murphy beds fold vertically up against a wall or into a closet. Here are the basic components and operation:
- The mattress is connected to a bed frame that folds in half, allowing the mattress to pivot.
- The bed frame is connected to a mechanism that counterbalances the weight of the mattress and allows easy lifting up/down.
- Common mechanisms are springs, chains, or pistons that make lifting easy and control the folding motion.
- In a closed position, the bed is vertically stored against a wall, in a cabinet, or in a closet.
- To lower the bed, you lift it slightly and pull it down gently. The counterbalance allows the bed to easily fold down into the flat position.
- To store the bed, you lift it gently into the vertical position where the mechanism will keep it place against the wall.
Proper installation ensures the bed folds, lifts, and stores safely and easily. The bed frame must be securely attached to the wall studs so it can reliably hold the weight of the mattress and any occupants. High-quality hardware is essential for allowing smooth motions.
Types of Murphy Beds
There are a few main types of murphy beds available:
Wall Beds: These fold directly onto a wall. They don’t require any external cabinet or closet area to store the bed. When closed, the bed is simply positioned vertically against the wall. A headboard may be attached to the bed or mounted separately on the wall for decoration.
Cabinet Beds: The mattress stores inside a vertical cabinet positioned against a wall. The cabinet has doors or panels that close to conceal the bed inside and provide a tidy storage appearance. The cabinet often matches or complements room décor and may have countertops, shelving, or other storage integrated into its design.
Closet Beds: As the name implies, the bed stores inside a closet. Regular closet doors or sliding doors enclose the bed. A false back is installed inside the closet, and the bed rotates vertically to store behind it. This approach completely hides the bed within a room’s existing closet space.
Benefits of Murphy Beds
There are many benefits that make murphy beds a smart choice for certain situations:
Space Saving: The key advantage is the ability to free up space. By folding up and out of the way, the bed allows a room to be used for multiple functions instead of just sleeping.
Multipurpose Rooms: With a murphy bed, a single room can readily convert between a bedroom, living room, office, guest room, and more. Just lower the bed when it’s time for sleeping.
Customization: Murphy beds allow customization with choices of mattress types and sizes, customizable cabinetry or wall beds that match room décor, and options like storage drawers and shelving built into the cabinetry.
Comfortable Sleeping: When lowered, a murphy bed provides the same comfortable mattress as a traditional bed. Cabinet beds also allow thicker mattresses than early wall beds did.
Cost Savings: Murphy beds effectively give you two rooms for the price of one. They can make living in a smaller space more affordable.
Disadvantages & Considerations
There are also some downsides and considerations to keep in mind with murphy beds:
- More Expensive – Murphy beds cost more than traditional beds because of the special hardware and cabinetry involved.
- Heavier Weight – Accommodating the hardware and wood frame makes murphy beds heavier than regular beds.
- Daily Conversion – They require some effort to fold up and down daily.
- Mattress Wear – Folding a mattress can lead to earlier breakdown than a static mattress.
- Emergency Exits – It takes extra time and effort to lower a murphy bed in an emergency versus a regular bed that’s already accessible.
- Securing Contents – Any items left on the bed must be removed before folding it up to prevent falling.
Proper installation and operation are also important. Poor attachment to the wall could lead to catastrophic collapse. Users also need to take care when lowering and raising the bed. Overall though, murphy beds provide excellent versatility in small spaces as long as the disadvantages are considered.
Murphy Bed Plans
For anyone considering building their own DIY murphy bed, thorough plans are essential. Here are some of the critical factors covered by murphy bed plans:
- Step-by-step instructions for the whole assembly process
- Cut lists and lumber dimensions for all structural pieces
- Guidance for calculating bed height, width, and space requirements
- Hardware requirements and specifications
- Techniques for attaching the bed frame securely to wall studs
- Drawings and schematics demonstrating how components fit together
- Finishing recommendations for a polished look
- Safety warnings for assembly and use
- Tips for smooth operation and optimal performance
Well-designed plans will result in a murphy bed that functions properly for years. Rushing into a murphy bed project without plans is a recipe for frustration and poor performance. Taking advantage of existing murphy bed plans is a wise investment for DIY success.
Cost of Murphy Beds
Murphy bed costs depend on the type of unit and features involved. Here are typical price ranges:
Basic Wall Units – $700-$1,500
Simple wall beds that fold directly onto the wall tend to be the most affordable option. Pricing depends on mattress size, materials, and mechanisms.
Cabinet Beds – $1,200-$3,500
Pre-built cabinet-style murphy beds generally range from $1,200 on the low end for a twin-size up to $3,500 for a larger queen or king with additional storage features. More customized cabinetry and high-end finishes push costs higher.
DIY Kits – $500-$2,000
Murphy bed kits provide all the hardware and plans for DIY assembly. Kits offer big savings compared to buying a fully assembled cabinet unit. However, they require much more time and labor.
Overall, murphy beds qualify more as an investment for maximizing space rather than a cheap sleeping solution. The benefits over the lifetime of use will typically outweigh the higher initial costs.
Murphy Bed Mattresses
A murphy bed allows for choices in mattress types and sizes just like a traditional bed. The mattress specifications though may be a bit more restrictive. Considerations include:
Thinner Mattresses: Murphy beds work best with slimmer, more flexible mattresses typically 6 to 8 inches thick. This allows for easier folding of the mattress.
Foam Mattresses: Memory foam, latex foam, and polyfoam mattresses are ideal for murphy beds. Their flexibility prevents creasing when folded. Innerspring mattresses are also possible as long as they have foam comfort layers.
Firmness: Medium to medium-firm mattresses provide the best balance of support and conformity for murphy bed use. Softer beds may sag excessively.
Mattress Sizes: While any standard size can be used, double and queen mattresses are most common in murphy beds. Full size can also work well. Large king mattresses are more difficult to fold.
Mattress Weight: Bulkier mattresses make lifting and folding the bed more difficult. Lightweight foam beds are recommended to reduce strain.
With some forethought into the mattress selection, murphy beds can provide perfectly comfortable sleeping. Just be sure to get a mattress designed for the folding and stowing requirements involved.
Conclusion
Murphy beds are a classic innovation that allow sleeping spaces to be discreetly stored away when not in use. They are an excellent option for opening up small spaces and serving multiple functions from a single room. With careful selection of the bed type, mattress, and installation method, murphy beds can provide comfortable sleeping and huge lifestyle benefits. With a bit of research and planning, anyone can take advantage of these versatile beds. Just be sure to have realistic expectations about the costs involved and the moderately greater effort required over static beds. Overall, murphy beds are a smart choice for apartments, guest rooms, offices, and other multifunctional spaces.