Are you considering making space-saving changes in your home? Whether you have recently downsized, need to create a functional home office, want a home gym or studio, or need a comfortable space for guests, a Murphy bed can be an excellent option for freeing up space and turning guest rooms or bedrooms into multi-functional spaces.
How do you know whether a Murphy bed is the right fit for your home and lifestyle? We’ve put together a list highlighting the pros and cons of Murphy beds so you can decide whether the space-saving bed is right for you.
What is a Murphy Bed?
But, before we dive too deep into the details, let’s first answer, “What is a Murphy bed?” A Murphy bed, also known as a wall bed, is a space-saving solution that can be folded into a wall or cabinet when not in use, creating more floor space in a room. It’s a popular choice for small apartments, guest rooms, and multipurpose spaces because it provides a comfortable sleeping area without occupying permanent space. The design of a Murphy bed allows for seamless integration into various interior styles and can be customized with additional features such as storage cabinets and shelving. Now, let’s explore Murphy bed pros and cons.
Murphy Bed Pros
1. Murphy beds save space.
While a well-made Murphy bed can blend stylishly into a room, its most significant benefit is that it is a major space-saver. Choosing a Murphy bed can save a lot of square footage in your room.
For example, the average full-bed mattress takes up about 28 square feet of space, not including a headboard or footboard. Although the average bedroom might encompass only about 100 square feet, the bed takes up well over a quarter of the room’s open floor space.
With a Murphy bed, you can free up much of that space, giving you room for working, playing, and more.
2. Murphy beds make space multi-purpose.
Whether you use your Murphy bed as a space-saving bed for your room or your guests, one of its biggest benefits is its capability to be out of sight, out of mind.
If you’re using it as your guest bed, you can fold it away until visitors are in town, giving your guest space a completely different feel. It can become:
- An office area
- A playroom
- A storage area
- A workout space
- A relaxing retreat
When you can use your room and space for different purposes, you feel more in control of it, which can be especially nice when you are trying to make the most of a smaller home or apartment.
3. More comfortable for guests (or for yourself).
Giving visitors their own space is nice when you have visitors in your home.
A sofa bed can’t do that – it’s usually located in the main room of your house. That means guests can’t rest/sleep until others are ready to go to bed, that they have to be up (or get unceremoniously awakened) whenever someone walks through the living area, and that they may be exposed to more noise and light than they would be in a typical guest bedroom.
While a Murphy bed could also be installed in a living area, it can also be installed in a more private room, like an upstairs game room, a study/home office, or a traditional guest bedroom. The Murphy bed doesn’t take up space or detract from the room’s typical function and is still readily available to provide a sleep space for guests when needed.
The same goes for your own bed/bedroom space. If you want to make room for a rowing machine or a Peloton, or if you’re expected to maintain a home office, using a space-saving Murphy bed can give you the power to make your bedroom a multi-purpose space.
4. Ability to completely hide away.
With a sofa bed or a futon, you must consider their visibility within your home.
Is a futon compatible with the rest of your home’s design aesthetic? Does the sofa bed’s solid sturdiness detract from delicate furnishings or those with immaculate and modern lines?
With a Murphy bed, guests will see cabinetry (or a bookcase/shelf). The cabinetry can be customized to match the design of your room and be finished to match your space.
5. Murphy bed mattresses can be very comfortable.
A Murphy bed isn’t your only option for a space-saving bed; however, it’s probably the most comfortable.
Common alternatives to a Murphy bed include a sofa bed, a futon, or an air mattress. None of these sound like a joy to sleep on.
Sofa beds and futons have thinner mattresses with less structure, so they can fold and fit into a confined space. A Murphy bed mattress, on the other hand, is an actual mattress and can be customized to fit your sleep preferences – from memory foam to pillow top and more.
Murphy Bed Cons: Considerations of Choosing a Murphy Bed Over Other Space-Saving Bed Options
Is a Murphy bed ever the wrong option for your home? While these space-saving beds can be an excellent choice for almost any home, there are a couple of situations in which a Murphy bed might be less than ideal.
1. It’s not a great option for renters/short-term homeowners.
If you’re renting or leasing a home, it’s unlikely that your landlord will allow you to install a Murphy bed.
A well-made, well-installed Murphy bed is an investment that you’ll want to take full advantage of. Installing a Murphy bed in a home where you’ll live for a few months may be too big of a headache, even with the space-saving benefits the bed can provide.
2. You should not try to install a Murphy bed on your own.
Do you like to do everything on your own? A Murphy bed may not be right for you.
Murphy beds require trained installers to manage their intricate design, spring-loaded mechanism, and how they attach to your home. A DIY Murphy bed kit can be dangerous.
A professional installer will adjust the tension to ensure the bed stays stored upright, closes only when you are ready, and doesn’t surprise you by lifting up too quickly.
Their work can help ensure you’re using the bed safely, that it’s installed on the right kind of load-bearing wall, and that all the nuances of your home (floor evenness, etc.) are considered during installation.
If you allow a Murphy bed installer to work their magic, you’ll be able to enjoy a bed that saves space and is convenient and safe.
3. You have to make your bed daily.
If you plan to use your Murphy bed as your primary sleeping option, you must accept making your bed daily. The good news is that making up your bed and storing it away can be completed in less than two minutes. Also, did you know that, according to the National Sleep Foundation’s Bedroom Poll, around 71% of Americans make their bed each morning?
A clean room and all that extra floor space? Spending the extra few minutes straightening sheets and tucking in blankets might be worth it.
Murphy bed pros and cons: Talk with a designer to decide what’s right for you
After evaluating the pros and cons of Murphy beds, you may be ready to (safely) jump right into one! If you still have more questions, check out our Murphy bed FAQs blog.
Then, if you’re interested in discussing Murphy bed styles and options that might fit your home, download our bed planning guide. We also have a team of designers ready to assist you in our San Antonio and Austin showrooms. You can begin assessing the options that might fit your home and prepare to make the right purchase. Our expert team can help you select the right Murphy bed style, size, and finish and discuss additional options to make your purchase fit your needs. Reach out today for a free consultation.
