What is a Wall Bed and Why Get One?

Author Chigwell Building & Joinery

Date 09/04/19

What is a Wall Bed or Murphy Bed?

A Murphy bed, also known as a wall bed or pull down bed is a practical sleeping option for bedrooms.

One end of the bed is hinged so as to enable it to prop up vertically either against the wall, or into a closet space.

This kind of bed was named after William Lawrence Murphy, who patented this kind of bed in the early 1900's.

Murphy beds are still very popular nowadays, especially since many properties are particularly small in this day and age.

Thus Murphy beds are ideal when it comes to freeing up space, and making the most of the floor space.

Wall beds will have the mattress attached to the frame of the bed to ensure that it is held in place even when the bed is pushed up vertically.

Nowadays wall beds are far easier to push up thanks to torsion springs or piston lifts that take the bulk of the weight.

Find out more about uses, advantages and disadvantages of wall beds and Murphy beds below in the following chapters.


Chapters

  1. Why Install a Wall Bed?
  2. Advantages
  3. Disadvantages
  4. Horizontal Single Wall Bed
  5. Horizontal Single Shelf Down Wall Bed
  6. Horizontal Single Shelf Up Wall Bed
  7. Vertical Double Sofa Wall Bed
  8. Study Single or Double Wall Bed
  9. Bunk Beds
  10. Conclusions

Why Install a Wall Bed?

When it comes to choosing the type of bed you will have in your bedroom, it is important to take into account space considerations.

In most bedrooms the bed takes up most of the floor space, leaving little room for other furniture and to move around.

That is why in such cases it is highly recommended to consider opting for a Murphy bed. Murphy beds are widely used in studio apartments and flats.

When the bed is not in use, it can be pushed up against the wall freeing up floor space to be used during the day.

These beds are also ideal in children’s’ rooms as during the day the floor space which would otherwise have been occupied by the bed, can be used for playtime.

Advantages

Some of the main advantages of Murphy beds include:

  • Murphy beds are very practical, thanks to the fact they can pull up against the wall, leaving the floor space for other uses when not folded down.
  • ideal for cases where space saving is a must.
  • some Murphy beds serve a dual purpose nowadays. This is because some styles include other furniture, such as shelving, drawers or a table.
  • the bed can be tucked away into a closet too.
  • the mattress is attached and so it is safe.
  • there’s no box springs.

Disadvantages

Some drawbacks of Murphy beds include:

  • unless properly installed, these beds could become unsafe.
  • since there’s no box springs, wire mesh is generally used in the mattresses, which reduces the bed’s comfort and may not be as supportive as a normal bed.
  • simple styling as there’s no headboard, footboard or bed rail, so there is practically nothing aesthetically unique about a basic wall bed.
  • some people will not like the job of having to pull down and fold up the bed on a daily basis.
  • not suitable for older people who may find it hard or strenuous to pull the bed up and down every day.

    • Common Wall Bed Styles

    Horizontal Single Wall Bed

    One of the most popular styles of wall beds is the Horizontal Single.

    This type of bed, takes up little floor space and it folds up horizontally. Thanks to a side piston lift system the bed can be opened easily and effortlessly.

    Horizontal Single Shelf Down Wall Bed

    In this style the bed will also fold horizontally, but beneath it there is a desk.

    So when the bed is in use the desk will basically become a shelf that slides down, since it will be on the upper side of the bed base.

    A very practical bed, which serves dual purposes and is perfect for teenagers’ bedrooms and study rooms.

    Horizontal Single Shelf Up Wall Bed

    In this case the wall bed will fold horizontally, but the shelf on its base will protrude upwards.

    A very practical design ideal for study rooms, which also looks very stylish.

    Vertical Double Sofa Wall Bed

    This is a very popular design for wall beds.

    The vertical double sofa wall bed is installed in bedrooms as well as living rooms, because the bed converts into a sofa during the day.

    Since this is a double bed, the sofa is of a decent size generally because it is a comfortable two-seater.

    This bed solves the problem for households where one cannot afford to place a sofa permanently due to limited floor space.

    Study Single or Double Wall Bed

    This bed converts into a worktop or desk during the day when the bed is not required.

    A very convenient solution for small bedrooms and study areas, this style can be either with a single or a double bed.

    Needless to say, the bigger the bed, the more spacious the desk can be.

    Bunk Beds

    Bunk beds are very popular in kids’ rooms, so this style is convenient and practical since the two bedding system will often be integrated with a wardrobe or shelving system.

    The beds can be folded up when not in use and so during the day the floor space can be put to good use, such as for playtime.

    Conclusions

    Even though Murphy beds were invented over a century ago, they have evolved into modern, contemporary furniture pieces as many manufacturers revamp and rethink the whole concept of wall beds by incorporating the bed with modular cabinets.

    Nowadays you can find wall bed systems in different styles, materials and colours.

    Many can be custom made according to your specific room measurements or preferences.

    Common options include having a sofa, shelving system or desk to use when the bed itself is pushed up against the wall or into a dedicated cabinet space.

    Murphy beds or wall beds are widely used and their popularity will not fail because they are extremely practical and convenient.

    With practical furnishings becoming increasingly popular due to home becoming smaller, wall beds make for one of the best space-saving options around.

    Many apartments have small rooms, with very limited floor space.

    But thanks to a wall bed, you can free up otherwise disused space and make your home more adaptable and practical to your needs.

    Whether the wall bed is temporary for guests to stay on or to make your rooms feel bigger and more useable, a wall bed is a great space saving solution.