Nowadays, everyone is looking to invest in multi-functional and eco-friendly furniture items. They want the furniture to perform more than one function without occupying a lot of space. Murphy beds are your perfect companion regardless of your home or apartment size. These beds have undergone significant evolution over the years, so you have wide varieties available in these multi-purpose beds. From stow-away to all-purpose Murphy beds, you have many options to choose from. In this buying guide, we will help you understand the various underlying systems of Murphy Beds to make the right decision.

About Murphy Beds

Murphy beds are a recognized bedding solution in the panel hardware beds category. The brand Murphy Wall-Beds Hardware Inc. introduced its flagship product in 1975, and after so many decades, it still remains a trend-setting and sought-after brand. Today, the company makes top-rated wall-bed designs and offers an extensive range of space-saving, budget-friendly bedding designed for compact commercial or residential spaces.

Choosing a Murphy Bed, Factors to Consider

Check out the factors you must examine before selecting a Murphy bed.

Size

The primary reason people buy Murphy beds is that they want to save some space. Therefore, the first thing you must check out in a Murphy Bed is its size and the room’s size. That’s a good approach. However, remember that stowing away the bed makes the room look bigger; still, you should never compromise on the bed’s size. The bed should be extendable and versatile. Queen size beds are a better option as they are around 10×12 – 10×14 feet. So, you’ll have adequate space for movement. Refer to the size chart of the brand to assess which bed meets your requirements.

Folding Mechanism

This one is the most crucial factor, so select the system wisely. Murphy beds come in two different folding mechanisms- Vertical and Horizontal.

Murphy beds use 2 types of folding mechanisms: horizontal and vertical folding:

Vertical: A more commonly found folding system in Murphy beds, the vertical Murphy bed starts from the floor when unfolded and extends to the ceiling. However, if you are interested in vertical mechanisms, ensure that you have the correct measurements of your room’s ceiling before buying.

Horizontal: If you have a large room and the ceiling is low, opt for a horizontal folding bed because it covers the wall’s width when opened and needs a vast space.

2 Types of Lifts

Murphy beds have two other mechanisms used to fold the bed- Piston Lift and Spring Lift.

Piston lift: A piston lift system is a better option for everyday use as it ensures the bed won’t come down accidentally until its legs are lifted. The charged pistons quietly work to balance the bed’s weight and the mattress. You will unlock the piston to lower the bed, which it will do slowly and without any error.

Spring lift: The spring lift system has a swing arm mounted to the bed’s sideboards while the frame is fixed to the bottom side when bolted to this swing arm. A spring lift system is also a good option as it keeps the bed frame well-fixed and steady.

Top pick: Atlantic Furniture Nantucket Murphy Bed Chest with Charging Station & Mattress, Queen

Atlantic Furniture Nantucket Murphy Bed Chest with Charging Station & Mattress, Queen

This Murphy bed from Nantucket only appears as a chest while it actually can accommodate a mattress in Queen size. This bed already contains a mattress made from world-class foldable memory foam. And it is a genuinely versatile bed as it comes with a charging station to make charging your gadgets easier. Also, it can be folded into a chest and transported to another location conveniently.

Style

One of the main things that we cannot compromise upon when buying a furniture item as necessary as a bed is its style quotient. So, for fashion enthusiasts and style admirers, Murphy beds are an ideal choice as these come in numerous designs. You can find a sofa bed, bunk bed, desk bed, freestanding bed, standard bed, and revolving bookcase bed.

Top Pick: Night & Day Furniture Murphy Cabinet Bed with Mattress, Cherry, Queen

Night & Day Furniture Murphy Cabinet Bed with Mattress, Cherry, Queen

If you are unsure which bed style you should keep in your room and don’t want to compromise on the aesthetics, Night & Day Furniture’s Murphy Cabinet bed is your best bet. It comes with a folding mattress, and its frame is discreetly fixed into the cabinet. This stylish bed actually serves three different purposes in the price of one product. You get a stylish sideboard, a full Queen-sized mattress, and a foldable bed.

Purpose

Determining the purpose of using a Murphy bed is another essential factor to consider. Do you want a multi-functional bed or just need a space-saving foldable bed? Would you like to use it as a sofa during the day and a bed at night or not? Should it feature a bookcase or a cabinet, or none? Is storage capacity one of your requirements? These are aspects that all fall into the purpose category. Since Murphy beds come in a variety of different purposes, finding one that suits your needs is relatively easy.

Top Pick: Bestar Wall Bed with 107” Set: Two 21” Storage Units and Doors – Edge, Queen

Bestar Wall Bed with 107” Set: Two 21” Storage Units and Doors – Edge, Queen

Nothing can be as good as getting a full-fledged cabinet enclosed within your bed. And the cherry on top is the open shelves. The Bestar Wall Bed comes with 2 storage units that you can use when the bed is folded up. Its design is ideal for home offices, guest rooms, lofts, condos, and studio apartments. You can easily convert your room into your office or a training space after folding it. The bed looks like a large cabinet with shaker-style trims and metallic handles when folded. And it features a dual-piston system for folding, so you don’t even need to exert yourself to fold it.

Top Pick: Bestar Wall Bed 95” Set: 1 Storage Unit with Drawers – Pur, Full

Bestar Wall Bed 95” Set: 1 Storage Unit with Drawers – Pur, Full

Bestar Wall Bed with storage unit and drawers is an excellent option if you want maximum utility at an affordable price. This wall bed features a massive cabinet, modern moldings, metal handles, and innovative trims with a chocolate brown finish. The best feature of this bed is that no one can recognize that it is a bed. However, keep in mind that it doesn’t come with a mattress, and only the bed frame and lift system are part of the package apart from the cabinet. It works on a dual-piston mechanism and has folding legs. Due to its Euro slat foundation, this bed offers maximum resilience and support.

Budget

Last but not least, you have to set your budget before selecting a Murphy bed. Setting a budget is essential to narrow down the options and refrain from overspending.

Final Thoughts

Murphy beds are versatile furniture designed to meet the varying requirements of customers. The brand knows that we all have different needs, so they created separate beds for us to choose from. When it comes to Murphy beds, the sky is the limit, just don’t forget to follow these tips, and you’ll save yourself the extra hassle of searching for the right bed.