Why a Murphy Bed is a Wise Investment

William Lawrence Murphy himself lived in a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco. In an attempt to optimize his space, he created a makeshift folding bed that collapsed into the wall of a carved out closet. His contraption ended up working so well that his design became a mainstream product that people still use today, known as murphy beds.

But why is a Murphy bed a good investment? Murphy beds are great because they can easily fold into a closet and unfold just as easily for use at night. Murphy beds are comfortable, long-lasting, and come in a massive variety of designs and sizes. These beds are a great investment for guest bedrooms, condominiums, or rooms that you want to use for more than just the purpose of sleeping. 

If you’re wondering about the feasibility of installing one of these in your space or whether they are an affordable option for your current situation, the good news is that they're not significantly expensive compared to what you would spend on a normal bed and frame. You don't have to sacrifice comfort or durability just because you decide to purchase a Murphy bed. Any quality Murphy bed will also last you just as long as any regular mattress.

You might be wondering what a Murphy bed is out of curiosity or maybe you came across this type of bed because you just moved into a new place and are looking for some furniture. A Murphy bed can collapse into a wall. It vertically folds into the closet space in a single motion. You won't even notice Murphy bed closets when they're being stored throughout the day. People unfold the beds for use at nighttime, but they will look like any regular closet when not in use.

Regardless of your situation or setup, this article will help you understand not only what a Murphy bed is, but also why it's also a great investment for all types of living spaces.

Contrary to what people initially think when they see one of these on Youtube or video reviews, Murphy beds actually come with the same mattress as a regular bed. There are a ton of different Murphy bed designs that you can invest in. Like many mattresses, memory foam is the most common option for people.

*Important Note: While you can choose the level of firmness and thickness you want for a Murphy bed, it's difficult to actually use a different material type for a Murphy bed such as natural latex, because those materials are not meant to be stored in a vertical position for long periods of time.

You'll be amazed at how much space you can free up by installing a Murphy bed. This video below is a great demonstration of how well you can optimize a small space, such as a small apartment complex. Murphy beds even come in larger sizes if you decide to put one in a dedicated bedroom. As you will see below, the gentleman’s space is small, but the moment he stores the bed in the wall, you will see how much more space he has in his apartment.

It also doesn't require a lot of strength to move up or down. Every Murphy bed will have built-in springs that aid the lifting or lowering of the bed. This is especially useful if you're considering the feasibility of getting one for an older person or even for a kid's room.

Not everyone has a traditional three bedroom house. However, the installation of a Murphy bed in an office space or flex room would perfectly accommodate any visiting friends or family. These types of beds will easily let you use guest rooms as offices when people aren't visiting.

Some people like to criticize the durability of Murphy beds. The reality is that the vast majority of Murphy bed owners attest to the bed’s durability. As mentioned earlier, most Murphy beds only come with a memory foam material, which can easily handle being stored in a vertical position. Gel pillow tops, natural latex, or more sensitive materials wouldn't do well (which is why most of them don't have this material type).

A Murphy bedwill usually start at around $3,000 - $4,000 and can be upwards of $6,000 (that includes the price of installation and the bed itself), according to S & S Cabinets. Installation takes about two to three hours by a professional service. The most common order fulfillment is typically a twin or a double queen bed. Before any installation takes place, you'll fill out a consultation form and receive a quote that ultimately decides the price. Since everyone's situation is different, the price can vary from room to room and requires an in-person consultation for the best results. From there, companies design and install your Murphy bed after you approve all the details!

If you do some of your own research, you might come across some people on Youtube that create their own. While this is a feasible option for crafty people, the biggest challenge is creating an appealing design that can last for many years to come. Setting it up can be tricky for someone who hasn't done it before, and in the long run, consider utilizing a professional service so you know it'll be done right. You'll even find that the cost of purchasing and installing one isn't that much more than a dedicated mattress and bed frame.

Important note: A Murphy bed might not be the best option if you're looking to get a short lease on an apartment. A lot of university students live in places as small as 600 square feet before moving to a new place each year, Murphy beds aren't portable and require a little more investment than a traditional bed. It makes the most sense to purchase one of these beds if you know you're going to be staying in a living space for more than a couple of years at least.

No, they are not dangerous if they are installed properly. Sometimes there is a fear that a Murphy bed will break and accidentally unfold itself or collapse itself if the springs are super sensitive. However, there are plenty of mechanisms in place that make these beds safe, such as locking bolts on the closet wall and lock pistons in the frame that require a person to manually activate or deactivate them. The frames are so strong and durable that they can safely hold 1,500lbs according to MurphyBedHQ.com. As mentioned before, it is possible to build a Murphy bed yourself. But if you're not confident in your abilities to build one correctly, then have a professional service install it for you.

Memory foam is the best material for these beds because they are comfortable and sturdy enough to be vertically stored. Other materials are less forgiving to being moved around as much as a Murphy bed . The mattresses that come with a Murphy bed aren't super special. They can be replaced if needed by the same company that did the professional installation.

A lot of people have Murphy beds tight against their walls, but that doesn't mean that they're actually mounted to the walls themselves. If you look at any traditional Murphy bed design, you'll see that they have large metal or wooden legs that keep the bed closet from moving or toppling over. Your wall surface won't get torn up by installing one of these for that reason. Even though they don't mount themselves into the wall, avoid moving around once you've found a spot you like.

As you can see, Murphy beds are a great investment because of how convenient they are for any size room. The process of buying one from a professional company isn't as complicated as it might seem. The process is extremely simple and it's worth investing in this type of bed if you want to maximize the space in your home. 

• https://youtu.be/dX8pYGvYOzQ?t=22 
• https://www.murphybedhq.com/how-much-does-murphy-beds-weigh/