Murphy beds are just as comfortable as traditional beds and lift beds as most will be able to use a 10inch mattress. The biggest difference is the space saving functionality and wow factor as guests watch you lower a bed out of nowhere.
But there are things to know before you buy like measuring the depth of the cabinet and comparing it to the height of your current mattress, not to mention the technology behind the locks and lowering systems. That’s why we created this nine point check list.
You’ll know exactly how to evaluate the murphy bed you’re shopping for and help ensure it works for your space and your lifestyle.
Height of the cabinet and ceiling height
The first thing to measure is the height of the space your murphy bed will be going into, and then the pathway to get into the room. If the cabinet of the murphy bed is taller than the ceiling, it won’t fit.
The pathway to the room is equally as important as you'll need to move solid pieces in so you can assemble the murphy, and out again if you plan on relocating the murphy bed to a new room or if you move to a new home in the future. This way you don't have to disassemble it.
The pathway to the room includes:
- The stairwell and any overhangs
- Hallways that lead to the room where you have to angle the cabinet
- The height of the doorway
- The size of the windows if you’ll be using a pulley and lowering furniture through and down
You can always disassemble the cabinet and move the murphy bed in pieces, but you’ll still need to take measurements for the frame, pieces of wood and metal, and the mattress when you move it in and out.
Lowering and raising technology
Some murphy beds require more strength than others to lift, and if you are buying budget brands or mass produced versions from online marketplaces, the lowering technology may wear out over time. This can cause the bed to get stuck becoming non-functional for people with mobility issues and a potential hazard.
Don’t cut corners on costs when it comes to lowering and raising mechanics. Read how they’re designed on the manufacturers website and watch review videos. Look for ones that feature elderly people and others who may struggle with raising and lowering the bed. You want the bed to be safe and the mechanics to be futureproof so you can enjoy the furniture for many years to come.
Materials
A common misconception is that particle boards or MDF bad in a murphy bed because they are porous materials, cheap, or not strong enough. The reality is that particle board and MDF are stronger and can support the weight and structure of the murphy bed making them more ideal materials than wood.
Particle board is also treated to help prevent pests and insects from burrowing, and these materials can be sealed to make them more resistant to moisture, mold, warping, and mildew.
Wood vs Engineered Materials.
When your goal is a compact or space saving bed like murphy beds, you want to have panels that are not bulky or too thick. Real wood to create the cabinets is roughly ¾ inch thick and is prone to warping, cracking and even splitting when the panels are large. Over time the wood can dry out and it can become weak over time.
Think about snapping a toothpick with your fingers. It is harder to snap a plastic toothpick than a wooden one, especially if the wood is old, dry, or damaged. Engineered panels can be more malleable, less prone to warping and be built thinner for more sleek designs which is why particle board and MDF can be the ideal materials for murphy beds.
Particle board can be thinner, lighter, stronger, and smoother to touch creating a visually stunning and high-end feeling cabinet that costs less than a hardwood cabinet. This is one of the ways you can save a bit of money while still getting a high-quality and long-lasting murphy bed.
The other materials like a metal frame will depend on your preferences. They mostly impact the weight of the furniture. If you have to wall mount the murphy bed, the total weight will come into play, so opt for lighter materials if the structure of your home cannot support heavy weights when that is the deciding factor.
Mattress Selection
The mattress that works for your murphy bed cannot exceed the depth of the closed cabinet or space between the frame and the wall. Most murphy beds will have a closed cabinet depth of 15.75 inches or less.
This standard cabinet depth is used by furniture designers because it will likely fit a 10-inch mattress which is a size known for comfort and support. As you’re comparing murphy beds, look for the cabinet depth in the product specs and then measure your mattress. You don’t want the murphy bed to arrive and find out you cannot use it until you order a new mattress that is compatible.
Pro-tip: If you use a mattress topper and are keeping your current mattress, make sure to add the height of the topper to the mattress height as the extra .5 inches may be too large for the cabinet.
Safety features
The chances of the bed falling at a great speed and hurting you are slim, but the mechanics can get locked, and if you have kids playing unsupervised, they can get hurt.
Here are some of the safety features to look for when buying a murphy bed:
- Cabinet locks - you don’t want kids to be able to open the cabinets and use the bed as a toy, play item where they trap one-another inside, or get hurt lowering and raising it.
- Lowering and raising mechanisms - if gears or hydraulics wear out, you could wind up with a murphy bed that is tough to lower and raise. This makes it not usable for people with mobility and strength issues, and a potential safety hazard if they need to force it and slip.
- Stability - murphy beds are heavy because of the weight of the bed and the cabinet, so make sure the cabinet is designed for free standing if you cannot wall mount. If it is wall-mounted, make sure it is installed and mounted correctly. You don’t want it to tip and fall as you’re raising and lowering the bed or to damage the wall.
Length of Your Room
Measure the length of your room from the distance the murphy bed will start at. If the murphy bed starts 7 inches from the wall (including a couple of inches for the cabinet,) make sure the length of the bed frame gives you space between the end of the bed and the far wall.
A good test is to place items where the bed will lay at like shoe boxes. See if you can fit suitcases in the room, walk around the bed space easily, and still fit other furniture like an end table for a lamp, glasses, and alarm clock as the room will be used for guests or sleeping.
If the room is multi-purpose like a family room and guest bedroom, buy a murphy bed with a couch. You’ll be able to sleep guests or yourself at night, and have a place to sit and watch TV. There’s a couch when the bed is lifted, and the person sleeping can watch tv while they relax before going to sleep.
Storage, display, and space needs
Ask yourself if the space has enough storage and shelving needs. For studio apartments or multi-purpose rooms, a murphy bed maximizes floor space. If you like to display collectibles, photos, and even store books, a rotating murphy bed may be a better option than a standard.
These can have the bed on one side of the cabinet, and on the other feature book shelves for storage, and some like our Compatto TV variation let you hang a flat screen tv up to 75 inches between the storage shelves. This makes them perfect for offices, basements, entertainment rooms, and small spaces where you entertain or work and want to be able to have guests spend the night.
Are the wall frames able to support it or do you need a free standing option
One of the most important things before buying a murphy bed is to make sure the wall has a frame that you can attach the bed to, unless the murphy bed is designed specifically to be free standing. Use a stud finder or other tool to determine if the room has a frame that you can secure the murphy bed too.
If your wall is cinder block or concrete, you’re likely going to need professional help as these are more difficult to work with. In these cases you may want to find a floor mounted or stand alone murphy bed rather than wall mounted if you prefer to do it yourself.
Does Your Landlord Allow Them
Not all landlords will allow murphy beds as many need wall or floor mounted. This damages the room. Ask your landlord first and share what the mounting will be like. There is a chance your deposit will cover it, or they may allow you to install for an extra fee.
Other times it could be a no and they may reference your agreement with them. It is better to know if they do or do not allow murphy beds rather than trying to return it back to the store.
Murphy beds are amazing furniture because they are just as comfortable as a regular bed and they add a wow factor while maximizing the living space in a room. If you’re ready to buy a murphy bed, click here to view our selection.
