Our
Murphy bed guide has been designed to support you from A to Z in your choice of furniture. In this section, we cover all the subjects related to the
operation of your Murphy bed , to help you see things more clearly. The retractable bed is a structure that allows the bed to be hidden during the day, using a manual or electric mechanism. Depending on the model chosen, other elements can be integrated, in addition to bedding.
What is a Murphy bed?
What is a Murphy bed? This modular piece of furniture is a bed designed to be hidden when not in use. The principle is very simple: you benefit from
comfortable bedding at night , with box spring and mattress, and during the day, your bed is completely hidden, whether on the ceiling or inside a large wardrobe fixed to the wall. The objective of such furniture is to
cleverly arrange a room and not clutter it unnecessarily with elements that you do not use at the same time.
A foldaway bed for children
The foldaway bed can be perfectly suited to a child (note that the ceiling foldaway bed is only suitable for ages 6 and up). It is even an essential piece of furniture to install in a bedroom, to leave space available on the floor during the day. With its different storage, furniture and design options, the
child's Murphy bed is a key element of their daily life.
A foldaway bed for adults
In the adult version, the foldaway bed offers a
double bed , for daily or occasional use. Whether in a bedroom, an office or a studio, the space saving is obvious and this modular piece of furniture can even integrate several pieces of furniture, in a single structure. You will no longer need to choose between a bed and a sofa or between a bed and a desk. As your activities progress, the Murphy bed adapts and transforms.
How does a Murphy bed work?
Another important question to discover this piece of furniture in detail:
How does a Murphy bed work? There are several models that have a very specific operation. You can make your choice according to the use you wish to make of
your Murphy bed and the destination room.
A horizontal or vertical system for the folding bed
In the case of the
wall-mounted folding bed , this piece of furniture is a large cabinet which hides bedding behind its facade.
The wall bed can be vertical or horizontal, depending on the space you have available. The operation is always the same: you just have to pull the handle which is integrated into the front to unfold your box spring and your mattress.
The vertical or horizontal opening impacts the position of your bed in relation to the wall. Your bed can be parallel or perpendicular. The product mechanism is based on a system of cylinders and shock absorbers, for optimal safety.
High position and low position for the ceiling bed
Another option for your Murphy bed: one that stores high up on the ceiling. In this case, the operation is different but the objective remains the same. The bed (box spring + mattress) slides in rails fixed to the wall to move into the low and high positions. These
retractable beds are only suitable for a room with high ceilings. To hide the rails, the ceiling bed can provide
a melamine wood structure against the wall, like a wardrobe. This is then the opportunity to add storage space, for example, or other furniture (sofa, desk, etc.).
The structure of the retractable bed
The
structure of the foldaway bed is divided into two parts. There are, on the one hand, all
the elements dedicated to sleeping : the bed base, the mattress and the retractable feet of the bed. For the wall-mounted and folding bed, the mattress must be strapped to the box spring. On the other hand, the retractable bed also includes
the mechanism that allows you to open and close the bed or raise and lower it. The ceiling bed incorporates rails while the wall bed has a system of jacks inside the cabinet structure.
The retractable bed mechanism: 3 possible variations
The
retractable bed mechanism has 3 possible variations. These beds vary in appearance and the difference is also in the price, the retractable system, the size of the furniture and the ease of use. We present to you the
three main categories of Murphy bed .
The wall-to-ceiling bed
The
retractable ceiling bed is a bed with a box spring and mattress that goes up and down, on rails, and possibly on cables fixed at height. The tray is adjustable and can go down to different levels, depending on the configuration of your room. For example, if you plan to install a sofa area in this location, you can adjust your ceiling bed so that the bed is placed just above it. This allows you to enjoy a space with several features, without having to move everything in the evening.
The wall bed
The
configuration of the wall bed is very different from that of the ceiling bed. In fact, it is a large melamine wood cabinet in which you store the box spring and the mattress. The front is foldable and when closed, the piece of furniture is discreet in your room. With this system, it is possible to
choose a horizontal or vertical opening . These cabinets are also customizable, to benefit from a design adapted to your interior. Melamine wood is available in different coatings and colors and therefore adapts to all styles of decoration.
The electric foldaway bed
Murphy beds are products that can also be
motorized . The electric version is possible for both the ceiling bed and the folding wall bed. The piece of furniture is then
equipped with a small motor which allows you to deploy the bed without having to move a finger. In reality, all you need to do is flip a switch or button on a remote control to see your Murphy bed spring into action. This is your guarantee of reducing all efforts as much as possible.
The comfort of the Murphy bed
Is a Murphy bed comfortable? The answer is simple: yes, since it is a real bed. It's up to you to
personalize the comfort of your Murphy bed. This piece of furniture allows you to integrate
a mattress of your choice , which will be placed on a real box spring. The only constraint, for the wall bed, is to select a model that is not too thick. Foam, spring or latex mattress: the mattress of your Murphy bed adapts to your habits, your sleeper profile and your requirements in terms of quality and comfort. The retractable bed makes your daily life easier while allowing you to
save space in your home . Thanks to our complete guide, you will be able, step by step, to choose a piece of furniture that completely suits you.
