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The Best Murphy Bed Frames – Top Picks and Buying Guide

Written by Tuck Staff

Quick Overview

Legend has it that the Murphy Bed — also known as a wall bed, fold-down bed, or pull-down bed — was dreamt up by the late William Lawrence Murphy to woo a woman. The inventor was courting an opera singer at a time when women were not allowed into the bedroom of gentlemen. As a solution to this conundrum, Murphy allegedly designed a bed that he could store in his closet when his lady came to call, thus transforming his apartment from a bedroom into a parlour.

Peaking in popularity during the ’80s and ’90s, the Murphy Bed has since seen a resurgence in popularity as smaller living spaces become more common and more children move back in with their families.

The concept of the Murphy Bed is simple: the bed is hinged at one end to allow it to be folded up and stored vertically against a wall or within a closet or cabinet. If you are considering this unique, versatile bed for your home, read on for our top picks and a comprehensive buying guide.

Best Murphy Beds

The Best Murphy Beds – Reviewed

Best OverallLori Bed

Best Overall – Lori Bed

Highlights

  • Horizontal and vertical orientation options
  • 100% birch plywood
  • Fits twin, full, and queen size mattresses
  • Available in 3 different finishes
  • 60-day return period and lifetime warranty
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Best OverallLori Bed

loriwallbeds.com

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The Lori Bed stands out from its competitors for a few reasons. For one, customers can choose between two different orientations: horizontal and perpendicular to the wall, or vertical and parallel to the wall. The bed is also compatible with twin, full, and queen mattress sizes. Very few Murphy Bed models offer this level of versatility for buyers.

The Lori Bed is constructed from birch plywood, with no laminate or particle board components. In addition to an unfinished look, shoppers can also select a natural or walnut semi-gloss finish. The only tool needed for assembly is a power drill, and putting together the bed should take no longer than four to six hours for one person – or two to four hours for two people.

The Lori Bed is very reasonably priced, and shipping is free of charge within the contiguous U.S. The bed is backed by a 60-day return period, along with a lifetime warranty.

Good for:

  • Sleepers who own a twin, full, or queen size mattress
  • Those who prefer all-wood Murphy Beds
  • Shoppers in the market for a very durable bed
  • Value seekers

Best ValueStellar Home Wall Bed

Best Value – Stellar Home Wall Bed

Highlights

  • Horizontal orientation
  • 100% recycled wood and cardboard
  • Charcoal laminate finish
  • 500-lb. weight capacity
  • 1-year warranty
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Best ValueStellar Home Wall Bed

AMAZON.COM

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Most Murphy Beds are fairly pricey, so durable, well-constructed models that offer a decent lifespan will offer the most value for owners. The Stellar Home Wall Bed is a prime example. This model is constructed entirely from recycled wood and cardboard that delivers above-average longevity, while a laminated charcoal finish gives the bed an attractive appearance that will complement most bedroom decors.

The pull-down handle is made of stainless steel, another long-lasting material that holds up well over time, and the weight capacity for the bed is 500 pounds. This particular model will accommodate a full size mattress, and is designed for a weight capacity of 500 pounds. A box spring is not required.

Stellar Home backs this Murphy Bed with a one-year warranty. Assembly is required, and the entire bed weighs about 280 pounds.

Good for:

  • Sleepers who use a full size mattress
  • Those who prefer to buy recycled products
  • Shoppers in the market for a durable Murphy Bed
  • People who find a charcoal finish appealing

Best Murphy Cabinet BedThe Futon Shop Daisy Murphy Cabinet Bed

Best Murphy Cabinet Bed – The Futon Shop Daisy Murphy Cabinet Bed

Highlights

  • Horizontal orientation
  • Solid hardwood design
  • Bottom storage drawer included
  • 1-year warranty
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Best Murphy Cabinet BedThe Futon Shop Daisy Murphy Cabinet Bed

thefutonshop.COM

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Murphy cabinet beds are an appealing alternative to traditional fold-down beds because they take up a minimal amount of space and can serve as attractive accent pieces. The Daisy Murphy Cabinet Bed from The Futon Shop stands out thanks in part to its design. The cabinet is composed entirely of solid hardwood, ensuring great longevity, and a bottom drawer supplies additional storage space for pillows, bedding, and other mattress accessories.

When not in use, the Daisy takes up 10 square feet and is very well suited to people who have smaller guest rooms. The bed is also equipped with electrical outlets and USB ports for charging devices at night. Additionally, the elevated platform makes it a good option for people who find other Murphy beds sleep too close to the floor.

Customers can opt for the standard cabinet bed, or add a white finish for an added fee. The Futon Shop also offers a bundling option for purchasers who want to buy a mattress with their bed. The Daisy is backed by a one-year warranty. New beds can be returned within 30 days of the original order, but The Futon Shop cannot accept any beds that have been assembled.

Good for:

  • People with limited space in their guest room
  • Those who want to buy a Murphy bed with built-in bedding storage
  • Shoppers who also need to purchase a mattress
  • Consumers who want to invest in a durable bed frame

Best StorageBestar Wall Bed

Best Storage – Bestar Wall Bed

Highlights

  • Wood-frame with 25” storage unit
  • Euro Slat mattress support foundation
  • Sophisticated anchoring and piston system
  • Accommodates either full- or queen-size mattress
  • Free delivery within continental U.S.
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Best StorageBestar Wall Bed

AMAZON.COM

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With its handy 25-inch shelving system, the Bestar Wall Bed offers great storage for a Murphy Bed. The bed folds into a large cabinet with metal handles and shaker-inspired trim. The cabinet is firmly anchored to the wall with sturdy screws, and the bed is easily unfolded through a dual-piston system that is calibrated to keep the mattress open.

The Bestar Wall Bed is also constructed with a slatted support system that provides solid reinforcement for any queen size mattress. As long as pillows are removed, owners can leave their bedding on the mattress when the time comes to fold it up.

The wood frame is available in a choice of three colors: white, chocolate, or bark grey. The Bestar Wall Bed is delivered in recyclable packaging and ready to assemble.

Buying Guide – How to Buy a Murphy Bed

A useful space saver in smaller apartments, dorms, and mobile homes, a traditional Murphy Bed pivots at an end to be folded vertically against a wall or inside a closet or cabinet. Murphy beds can often be effortlessly lifted and lowered with piston-lift or torsion springs.

Following the original design, additional Murphy Bed models have been introduced, including sideways mounted beds and beds with foldable mattresses. When folded up, the bed may look like a bookcase, cabinet, or a wall. Read on to learn more about modern-day Murphy Beds, including designs, safety features, and alternative space-savers.

Why Buy a Murphy Bed?

The decision to purchase a Murphy Bed typically comes down to a single reason: saving space. For studio apartments, mobile homes, and other small spaces, the Murphy Bed frees up precious living space.

For spare bedrooms, home offices, and hobby rooms, the Murphy Bed creates room for office furniture, workout equipment, and the like. And their resurgence in popularity means the Murphy Beds can come with stylish, customizable designs that fold up into cabinets and drawers that match your home’s aesthetic.

Murphy Bed Designs

Over the years, a variety of inventive Murphy Beds designs have emerged, including Murphy Beds with foldable mattresses and those that unfold horizontally rather than vertically. Choosing the right model for you may depend on the type of space you plan to install your Murphy Bed, your size needs, and personal preferences. To help you decide on your ideal design, we’ve discussed the various Murphy Bed models available on the modern market below.

Standard Murphy Bed

Without a mattress included, the standard Murphy Bed places a full- or queen-size mattress on a frame that hinges vertically to become a tall piece of furniture. Before bedtime, the owner lowers the Murphy Bed onto the floor horizontally to sleep.

Because a traditional Murphy Bed doesn’t include a mattress, you are allowed the freedom to choose a mattress type instead of being stuck with the one included with the bed. However, standard Murphy Beds may also have limits on how thick the mattress can be in order to be able to close properly.

Murphy Bed with Foldable Mattress

Murphy beds that come with a specially designed foldable mattress can often fit into more compact cabinets. Many foldable mattresses used with Murphy Beds are made of memory foam due to the material’s moldable, adaptable nature. However, spring, latex, and hybrid mattresses may also be included.

Because these types of Murphy Beds require special, customized foldable mattresses, sleepers aren’t able to choose the material, firmness, design of their mattress. This can be problematic for sleepers with special needs or preferences; for example, those who prefer an all-natural mattress, extra-firm bed, or specific brand.

Horizontal vs. Vertical Folding Murphy Beds

In addition to vertical Murphy Beds, horizontal versions have been introduced that can fold into shorter cabinets,  and take up less vertical space when expanded. The horizontal bed is ideal for smaller rooms with low ceilings or less floor space for bed projection, such as an attic or basement. Bunk Murphy Beds typically open horizontally.

When choosing between a horizontal versus vertical Murphy bed, consider the size and shape of the room in addition to the height of the ceiling. Also consider furniture placement in regards to how different pieces will fit or may be moved once the bed is unfolded.

Murphy Beds: Common Materials and Characteristics

Now, let’s take an even closer look into the materials, features, and styles of Murphy Beds.

Materials

Originally designed from metal frames, most modern-day Murphy Beds are made of wood and wood-based materials. We’ve listed some of the most common below:

  • Solid Wood: As one of the strongest types of wood material, solid wood is among the most common material used in Murphy Beds. Examples include oak, mahogany, pine, and cedar. Note that solid wood may naturally warp overtime.
  • Plywood: Also known as a “layered board”, this type of material is typically built from multiple thin layers of wood. Plywood resists warping, but my feature knots that result in structural weaknesses.
  • Particle Board: Designed from compressed wood particles, this type of material resembles the appearance and feel of real wood. Particle board may be more affordable than other types of Murphy Bed materials, but may not be as durable.
  • MDF: Compared to particle board, MDF is constructed from finer wood particles. For this reason, MDF is denser and stronger than particle board material.

Safety Features

Since their introduction in the 1900s, Murphy Beds have been modernized with many safety features. Modern Murphy Beds typically feature a hinged counterbalance system facilitate their folding up and down with ease. The spring-balanced hinge system hold the bed in position to prevent it from opening on its own or folding while you sleep. Built-in straps typically secure the bed in place when stowed, while firm attachment to a floor or wall prevents the bed from falling down.

Style and Size

Modern Murphy Beds go far beyond fold-up platforms to incorporate cabinets, shelves, and desks. You can seamlessly integrate a Murphy Bed system into a wall with custom exterior wall coverings, or choose fold-out cabinet options with incorporated shelving and additional storage. In addition, you can store a Murphy Bed in a living room or den with a built-in couch design, where the Murphy Bed is typically stored upright in the backside of the couch. At bedtime, the bed folds down over the sofa.

As noted above, Murphy Beds may unfold vertically from the top end of the bed or horizontally from the side of the bed. Horizontal Murphy Beds are often folded into a cabinet or integrated into the wall.

Murphy Beds also come in a wide variety of styles, including twin size, full size, queen size, and bunk beds.

Price and Warranty

Murphy Beds tend to be more expensive than other types of beds and bed frames, though this may vary vastly depending on size and design. We’ve included some average prices for common styles of Murphy Beds below.

  • Twin Traditional Murphy Bed:  $1,000 to $2,000
  • Full Traditional Murphy Bed: $1,000 to $3,000
  • Queen Traditional Murphy Bed: $1,000 to $3,500
  • Twin Murphy Bed with Mattress: $1,000 to 3,500
  • Full Murphy Bed with Mattress: $1,000 to $4,000
  • Queen Murphy Bed with Mattress : $1,500 to $5,000
  • Twin Horizontal Murphy Bed with Mattress (Twin): $1,500 to 4,000
  • Queen Horizontal Murphy Bed with Mattress (Full): $2,000 to $3,000

Warranties vary vastly by company, falling anywhere between 30 days to a lifetime.

Other Space-Saving Bed Types

The Murphy Bed is but one of many different types of beds available for tight spaces. We’ve explored additional types of space-saving beds below.

  • Bunk Beds: Built from beds that carefully are stacked or layered on top of each other, bunk beds are designed to sleep two or more sleepers. These types of beds are common in children’s bedrooms, hostels, dorm rooms, and shared sleeping spaces.
  • Trundle Beds: Trundle beds are low-to-the-ground, wheeled beds that are kept beneath a traditional sized bed. Trundle beds are designed to be rolled out from underneath the conventional bed for use. Some trundle beds feature a pop-up design that allow the bed to be elevated a traditional height. They’re commonly used as guest beds.
  • Loft Beds: Similar to bunk beds, loft beds are elevated by wooden or metal supports to save space. However, rather than sitting above a bottom bunk, a loft bed typically sits above open space, a workstation, storage, or furniture. Unlike bunk beds, which are more common among children, loft beds are used by both children and adults living in smaller spaces.
  • Sleeper Sofa: Sleeper sofas or “sofa beds” are couches with cushions that conceal a folded up mattress. Under the couch cushions, a thin mattress typically sits on a metal frame that can be unfolded and extended into a bed. Like trundle beds, sleeper sofas are often used as guest beds.
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