What exactly is a Murphy bed?
Murphy beds are beds that are stored vertically inside a cabinet, folding down for use when needed. Originally invented for the urban cities of the North in the late 1900’s, the space-saving features of Murphy beds have led to their rediscovery in the last decade, especially when combined with coordinating cabinetry to form complete Murphy bed systems. Generically they are referred to as wall beds.

 

What is the difference between a Murphy bed and a panel bed?
The Murphy bed is a tried-and-true space saver. The spring-loaded mechanism allows for easy single-handed operation and features a support leg that extends and retracts automatically. The Murphy bed’s vertical storage mattress is supported by a foundation or wooden slats designed to provide additional support for the mattress.

 

The panel bed maximizes space and offers sleek, clutter-free styling. These beds feature panel doors that drop down with the bed and “disappear” under the mattress to serve as the foundation, allowing easy access to optional bedside cabinets. The panel bed features a spring-loaded mechanism with a steel casing. Both can be custom designed in thousands of style and finish combinations.

 

Are these the same beds we’ve seen in old movies and TV shows?
Not quite, although the concept hasn’t changed. Today’s Murphy beds have been improved both for comfort and ease of use.

 

Are Murphy beds comfortable?
Absolutely, unlike sofa beds and futons, Murphy beds do not require any folding of the mattress. Therefore, you are sleeping on a quality mattress without bars and lumps often associated with sofa beds or futons. We’ve had customers tell us their Murphy bed is more comfortable than their “every night” bed!

 

Are Murphy beds difficult to open and close?
Not at all! Most people are surprised at how little effort is required. Both our Murphy bed and Panel bed mechanisms are spring balanced for easy operation.

 

What sizes do Murphy beds come in?
It depends on the exact model, but we have models that accommodate most traditional bed sizes, including Twin, Twin X-Long, Full, and Queen.

 

What finishes do Murphy beds come in?
Our modular cabinetry system is available in everything from sturdy laminates and thermofoils to custom solid hardwoods, in a variety of styles and finishes.

See our Style and Finish Planning Guide

 

Do I have to buy special sheets or bed linens for my Murphy or Panel bed?
No, our beds use standard-size mattresses; all your existing sheets and linens should work just fine.

 

Can I use my own mattress?
In some cases, this is possible, but generally not recommended. We have found from experience that regular mattresses are not capable of being stored in an upright position for any length of time. The “stuffing” all tends to fall to the bottom, and the edge-banding wire is not strong enough to support the weight of the mattress standing on end. Our line of Serta mattresses is specially designed and warrantied for vertical storage. They are the correct depth to fit in the cabinet and are the correct weight for optimum counterbalancing of the mechanism.

 

Do most people buy just the Murphy bed?

Rarely. Virtually all of our sales and installations are for Murphy Systems, which include the Murphy Bed and matching vertical storage cabinets, often with Home Office companion pieces. This not only makes more sense from a visual and decorating standpoint but adds to the space-saving functionality of the furniture.

 

Can I customize a Murphy System for my own needs?

Yes, that is the beauty of modular cabinetry, which can be mixed and matched in hundreds of different combinations to suit your individual requirements.

 

How much time should I allow between buying a new Murphy bed and the actual installation?
While some of our products are available on shorter notice, our typical lead time from order to installation is about 8-12 weeks for our laminate line and 10-14 weeks for some of our wood options. Please keep this in mind as you plan your Murphy bed purchase and delivery date.

Some Select Model Murphy Beds are IN STOCK, ready for quick installation as soon as two weeks.

 

What is involved in the installation of a Murphy bed?
A typical Murphy bed installation takes approximately 6 hours to complete, somewhat longer if additional cabinets are included and for our home office systems. We have the best installers in the business, and they do most assembly work on-site. The Murphy bed frame is bolted to the base plate of the wall and all cabinetry is squared up and held in place, attaching to existing studs. The panel bed frame attaches to the cabinet and the cabinet is attached to existing studs. We do not recommend customers attempt to install units themselves, as there can be hundreds of parts, and improper assembly, or installation could result in a poorly functioning system.

 

How do I know what pieces will fit in my room?

Although hundreds of combinations are available, most of the basic components fall within 5 or 6 size categories. We’ll be happy to sit down with you and make suggestions as to what your options are. This is best done in our showroom, where we can show you the actual pieces and various alternatives using computer-aided design. For this reason, bringing your room measurements with you can be very helpful.

 

Do you have any other sales or special promotions going on now?

Depending on the time of year, we usually try and feature at least one segment of our line-up with special savings. For the most up-to-date information be sure to visit our Orlando Showroom. In addition, because of the long lead times required by some of our advertising sources, we often have unadvertised, in-store specials which begin and end without prior notice and may not even be listed on our website.

 

Can our Murphy bed be moved at a later time if we move to a new address?
Sure. It will require uninstallation and re-installation. Wall damage is typically very minimal. With plenty of advance notice, our expert installation team is available to perform this service as a side job. The cost is variable based on the exact requirements of the situation and your location. If you would like a quote on moving one of our beds, please contact us directly so that we can get you in touch with one of our installers. Many of our customers have found that selling their Murphy bed with the house enhances their home’s “salability”. Oftentimes, these customers visit us again to purchase a Murphy bed or panel bed for their new home.

 

Do you also design Closet Systems and other cabinetry?

Yes, we specialize in designing custom closet organizer systems, furniture for home offices, garage systems, craft rooms, entertainment and custom media centers, utility rooms, as well as Murphy sofas and cabinet beds. Feel free to visit our Orlando showroom to view our product displays and discuss your specific requirements.

 Have a question about Murphy Beds & Closets, etc. that do not appear here? Please e-mail your questions to: sales@murphybedsorlando.com, and we will try to provide a prompt, knowledgeable response.