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Murphy Beds

What Is a Murphy Bed and How Does It Work?

A murphy bed, also called a wall bed or fold away bed, is a space saving bed that lifts vertically into a cabinet or wall frame when not in use. It helps you maximize floor space by turning a bedroom into a functional living area within seconds.

Modern murphy beds use balanced lift mechanisms, soft close hardware and reinforced frames to ensure smooth operation and long lasting durability.

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Types of Murphy Beds for Different Room Layouts

Murphy beds come in several configurations to suit a variety of homes.

  • Vertical wall beds work well in standard bedrooms and rooms with higher ceilings. They offer a classic fold down design and provide the feel of a traditional bed while saving floor space.
  • Horizontal Murphy beds ideal for tight or narrow rooms, basements or areas with low ceilings. The sideways opening allows the bed to fit where a vertical model would not.
  • Cabinet Murphy beds offer a freestanding, no-installation design that transforms from a compact cabinet into a full sleeping surface. They are perfect for rentals, home offices or multifunctional areas where wall mounting is not possible.
  • Queen Murphy beds remain the most popular size for adults, guest rooms and shared spaces. They fit a standard queen mattress for everyday comfort while still folding away to create an open, flexible room layout.

Why Murphy Beds Are a Top Space Saving Solution?

Murphy beds create more usable floor space than traditional bed frames and allow a room to serve multiple purposes. When folded away, they open the area for work, hobbies, exercise or everyday living.

Many modern designs include built in shelving, lighting and hidden storage to keep rooms organized. Because they use real mattresses, murphy beds offer everyday comfort while still saving significant square footage.

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FAQ’s About Murphy Beds

Yes, murphy beds are comfortable because they use a real mattress instead of a thin sofa-style cushion. The comfort level depends on the mattress you choose, and most murphy beds use standard mattresses like memory foam or hybrid models. With the right mattress, a murphy bed feels just as supportive as a traditional bed.

Yes, murphy beds are safe when installed correctly. They feature balanced lifting systems, locking mechanisms and durable frames that keep the bed secure in both the open and closed position. Professional installation or using a stable, freestanding cabinet bed ensures maximum safety.

Yes! While installation is straightforward, some basic building or DIY experience is recommended. Our Murphy beds ship unassembled and arrive in clearly organized components designed for easy assembly.

Each bed includes detailed, step-by-step printed instructions along with video installation guides. Installation typically takes two people about 1–2 hours. Customers may also choose to work with a local contractor if additional assistance is preferred.

Side cabinets arrive fully assembled and only need to be securely attached to the Murphy bed.

Yes. Murphy beds use standard mattresses as long as they meet the recommended size, height, and weight limits to ensure safe operation and easy lifting.

Legacy Handcraft offers a 10″ medium-firm cooled memory foam mattress designed specifically for our Murphy beds. If you prefer to use your own mattress, it must meet the following requirements:

  • Maximum height: up to 12 inches

  • Maximum weight: up to 80 lbs for Queen and smaller sizes, up to 100 lbs for King

No, modern murphy beds are not dangerous. High-quality models include safe lift mechanisms, strong anchoring systems and soft-close technology to prevent sudden movement. When properly installed, a murphy wall bed is secure, stable and designed for everyday use.

The cost of a Murphy bed varies depending on size, materials and the type of lifting mechanism. Prices range from affordable entry-level models to premium handcrafted Murphy beds made with solid wood, high-quality hardware and optional storage. Factors like queen size, wall bed versus cabinet bed design, cabinets, shelves, hardware quality and additional features can also influence the final price.