You’re ready to make some space-saving updates to your home and you think a Murphy might be just the ticket.
After all, you’ve read about how they’re efficient, functional and stylish. You’ve heard how they’re becoming very trendy as Austin real estate prices go up.
If you think you’re ready to install a Murphy bed, there’s one key rule you need to follow: leave the installation to a professional. However, there are a few steps you can take prior to the install to ensure your space is ready and that you’re going to be able to take full advantage of your space-saving bed.
1. Measure your space.
When you’re adding a Murphy bed to a room, you need to know how much space you have to work with. When measuring, be sure to make note of where doors, windows, closets and outlets are located. It is also important to know your ceiling height, and to sketch a floor plan to be sure to allow enough room for the bed projection once the bed is opened.
Even if you’re working with a small space, you still have plenty of options and configurations available for your Murphy bed design. Many homeowners choose designs that combine a home office workspace with a Murphy bed, for example.
Murphy beds are also available in a variety of sizes, so you can choose an option that works best for the space you have available. Some parents find it convenient to install twin Murphy beds, for example, to provide ample floor space for play while also giving each child a personal space for sleep.
Size ranges for Murphy beds include:
- Twin: 45”W x 15”D X 85”H to 45”W x 20”D X 85”H
- Full: 60”W x 15”D X 85”H to 60”W x 20”D X 85”H
- Queen: 66”W x 15”D X 90”H to 66”W x 20”D X 90”H
Full and queen beds are the most common, but twin and king options are also available.
2. Plan out your space.
Once you have added a Murphy bed to your home, you won’t be able to move it easily. Once it’s there, it’s there (unless you have a professional come out and relocate it). That’s a good thing, but it means you need to be very thoughtful about its placement to ensure you are making the most of your space.
Spend time thinking about what you need the space to do for you. Will it be a bed/bedroom you use daily? Or, will the room’s primary function be an office or play area, where the bed is used mainly to accommodate guests?
Working with a More Space Place designer can ensure that your design maximizes its utility and ensures you have a space that’s both functional and attractive. Our designers have an eye for space, and they also are experienced at using specialized products like Murphy beds in their designs. They might just come up with some great options you haven’t yet explored for making your space both efficient and pleasing.
3. Ensure you have the right placement.
When your designer comes to your home to evaluate the space and plan with you, they can help you identify the spaces where the bed can safely be placed and installed. Murphy and Panel beds are secured to the studs in your walls. Our skilled installers will make sure that proper anchoring is in place for maximum safety. It’s important to allow space on either side of the bed to allow enough room to maneuver around the bed when the bed is open. This is necessary for getting in and out of bed, and also for making the bed when you’re not sleeping. It’s also important to consider ceiling height and determine if there is a low hanging light fixture or ceiling fan in the room that could interfere with opening the bed. Avoiding closet and entryway door swings is also critical for choosing the right placement.
4. Clear your space.
You’ll want to ensure you clear space in the room where your bed is to be installed. The installers need to be able to check the floor and either make sure it’s level or make the appropriate adjustments during their installation process.
While your bed eventually will fold up and give you access to additional floor space, the installer will need the bed’s entire footprint clear in order to install it and make sure it’s both safe and comfortable.
And, as a word of advice, it’s also really helpful when homeowners clear a path from their home entry to the space where the bed will eventually be placed. The bed mechanism, mattress and frame are all high-quality and very heavy, so a clear path can help avoid the potential for a mishap.
5. Trust it to a professional.
As previously mentioned, the best way to install a Murphy bed is to trust the installation to a professional. When a Murphy bed is installed, the professionals are adjusting for a multitude of small issues.
Each bed design is unique, and specific adjustments must be made for the weight of the frame and mattress.
Murphy and panel beds operate on a spring mechanism. It is imperative that the springs are adjusted and the weight is balanced. When the bed is appropriately installed and balanced so that the bed does not “snap” shut when closing, nor will it fall open too easily. This is very important, especially if the bed will be used by children or guests.
It can be exciting to envision the transformation a Murphy bed can create within your home. When you’re ready to make it happen, our team of designers and installers are ready to ensure your project comes together seamlessly and transforms your space.
