3 Best Murphy Beds: Reviews and Things to Consider When Shopping

Best Budget Option — AFI Deerfield Murphy Bed Chest

The AFI Deerfield Murphy Bed Chest is my best budget option as it's competitively priced, quality-made, and uses a thick, conforming memory foam mattress. The Deerfield is priced $278 cheaper than the Hamilton, and $75 cheaper than the Nantucket, with the only noticeable difference being the cabinet design. The Deerfield may look more traditional and plain than the Hamilton, but it's made of durable solid wood that’s durable because it can sustain weight more than particle board, a cheap alternative serving you for a long time.

The Deerfield also boasts a thick, comfortable memory foam mattress with 3 inches of comfort layers over a 3-inch high-density foam base. You will feel pressure relief from the 2 inches of gel memory foam, which is thick enough to provide adequate sinkage to cradle sore joints.

What I Don’t Like About This Murphy Bed

One thing I don’t like about the Deerfield is its cabinet style may seem a bit plain for more ornate guest rooms due to its cost-effective pricing.

Do You Know How Murphy Beds Were Invented?

The 1900s were not fun to live in, you know. 

A gentleman living in a studio apartment couldn’t even invite his lady to come over without scandalizing the neighbors — because the moral norms of the time were against a female visitor in a male’s bedroom.

But one gentleman, William Lawrence Murphy, found a solution. He thought, “A room is not a bedroom if there is no bed in it, right”? So, he invented a mechanism that allowed him to hide his bed in the cabinet, thus turning a bedroom into a living room.

Similar fold-down beds existed before Murphy’s invention, though. They were available through the Sears furniture catalog at the beginning of the XX century. However, the American inventor presented a better design, which had consequently calmed the mass hysteria about wall beds suddenly collapsing and killing you in your sleep.

Murphy’s construction was counterbalanced, so the bed was able to support a sleeper’s weight without collapsing. For this feature, the inventor received a series of patents and his beds went into mass production.

Pros and Cons of Having a Wall Bed

Now, let’s admit this: 

A Murphy bed is an extraordinary furniture piece.

I have rarely seen it in modern US homes, though. Probably because there are some other space-saving alternatives today, which could be a better fit for some users. 

But if you’ve set your mind on buying a Murphy bed, let me briefly point out the pros and cons of having one so that you could make a fully informed decision.

I’ll start with the pros:

• More floor space. When folded, a Murphy bed is no bigger than a standard bookcase, which allows you to use the remaining floor space as you like.
• Storage solution. Some Murphy bed frames include storage units on each side of the bed or feature a roomy cabinet for your bedding item at the bottom of the cabinet. If you’re buying a wall bed for a small room, having extra storage space may help you avoid clutter and save even more space.
• As comfortable as a standard bed. Mattress foundations in wall beds are pretty much the same as in regular beds, so they can offer decent support for your mattress and ensure comfortable sleep for you.

Now, let’s point out the downsides.

• It might not fit all rooms. Potential limitations include low ceilings and narrow rooms. Still, you can get a freestanding Murphy bed that converts into a small cabinet and can be easily moved around the room.
• You may have to drill the walls. While it’s not a problem if you own the house, for those who rent an apartment, this might be problematic. It’s better to discuss the mounting of a wall bed with the landlord before you purchase it. Or, opt for a wall bed that doesn’t require drilling.
• It may be hard to find a budget option. The average price of a quality Murphy bed is $1,500-2,000, but some models reach as high as $5,000 in price. Yes, they may look stylish, offer spacious storage, and be very comfortable to sleep on, but there are more affordable space-saving alternatives on the market.

What Kind of Mattress Is the Most Suitable for a Fold-Down Bed?

Fold-Down Bed?

The short answer to this question is: You can use almost any mattress with your wall bed frame. I say almost because there are a couple of limitations.

First, a high-profile bed (13 inches or higher) most likely won’t fit into the wall bed niche. So, you may need to choose a thinner mattress — up to 12 inches. The great news is, the most common mattress height on the market is 10–12 inches, so you will easily find something to suit your needs. Now, it’s also not recommended to use a Murphy bed with a futon mattress. The thing is, a futon is foldable and can simply collapse inside the wall bed when it’s closed, making it harder to unfold it later. Plus, a futon mattress rarely exceeds 6 inches in height. And since most wall beds have either slatted or mesh-wired foundations, you will feel the slats or wires through your mattress while you sleep, especially if you’re a heavy sleeper. Not ideal.

Now, as far as the mattress types go, the most common options for Murphy beds include foam and innerspring models. Innerspring mattresses are more affordable and can be an excellent solution for budget shoppers. They have a bouncy feel and are famous for their supportive properties. That is why spring beds are popular among back and stomach sleepers, plus heavier folks. They all require resilient, sturdy support, and innerspring mattresses can deliver that.  This mattress type is also favored for its breathable design and ability to stay cool during the night. On the downside, spring models have a rather limited lifespan.

Additionally, mattresses that use lower-quality coils can start making squeaky noises with time. It’s also worth mentioning that spring mattresses aren’t that good at isolating motion. This can be an issue for partnered sleepers, especially if one of them is restless. Now, memory foam mattresses are a whole different story. They are slow-moving, cradling, and hugging. Foam nicely adjusts to the curves of the body and supports all body parts differently. That’s how foam helps with proper weight redistribution. In most cases, this leads to an alleviated tension and fast relaxation. Because foam responds slowly to applied pressure, such mattresses work great for couples. Each sleeper can shift in bed as much as they need without disturbing their partner. Mattresses that use high-density foam are among the most durable ones. The price tag would be higher in this case, but it would also mean a long-lasting investment.

At the same time, foam is notoriously known for its poor thermoregulating properties. This material tends to retain heat and wouldn’t be ideal for chronic hot sleepers. Still, there are models that can combat the issue. They include foam mattresses that have an open-cell structure or use gel infusion.

Main Types of Wall Bed Designs and Their Features

After the invention of wall beds in the second decade of the XX century, the diversity of their designs increased significantly. Instead of just one design available earlier, today you can choose among the following designs:

• Vertical. That’s what all Murphy beds have started with. Being the most common option until recently, vertical beds, however, require high ceilings and more floor space to be used (1). So, if you decide to go with this option, be sure to make the measurements beforehand.
• Horizontal. These models feature the same mechanism as vertical but require less space to be deployed because they’re facing the longer side upwards when closed. Horizontal wall beds fit perfectly into smaller spaces.
• Freestanding. The main feature of a freestanding bed is that you don’t have to secure it to the wall and can place it wherever you like. Speaking of the size and shape, a freestanding bed can either look like a cabinet or have the standard vertical Murphy bed look with a folding desk, which is another bonus for multifunctional rooms.
• Revolving. The fanciest one. Revolving beds require both high ceilings and large floor space. Also, they need to be secured to the wall, so they may not work for a rented apartment.

If you’re shopping for a kid’s bedroom, you may want to consider a transforming bunk bed. It uses the same space-saving idea and can be very multifunctional.

Things to Check Before Purchasing a Murphy Bed

Now, there are a couple more things left to consider before you will be fully equipped to choose the right Murphy bed:

• Wall measurements. Since the wall bed is secured to the wall, you need to find out how much space you will actually need and how to measure it properly (2). Depending on the size and type of a Murphy bed, the required space may vary significantly. Also, don’t forget to count in the space for a storage cabinet, if your model has one.
• Materials. Wall bed frames are typically made of different types of wood. And to be honest, it doesn’t really matter whether you choose particleboard or hardwood. Because once your Murphy bed is secured to the wall, it won’t move anywhere (assuming that you did everything right). Hardwood just has a more luxurious look, so if you want your bed frame to be aesthetically pleasing, you may go for hardwood.
• Lift mechanism. Modern wall beds feature either torsion springs or piston lifts (3) to help you pull down and lift them. The piston lift option is more advanced: beds using it are quiet, more durable and require low maintenance. Springs, on the other hand, might start to squeak and typically need to be tightened up every 3-5 years.

• Purpose. Murphy beds can be a lot of help when the bed part isn’t in use. Some models reveal a desk when the bed is folded, others can transform into a couch or may offer storage shelves. This feature may come in handy for owners of small apartments and fans of minimalism. After all, buying one multi-purpose Murphy bed means there’s no need for extra furniture. And figuring out how shoppers will be using their Murphy bed in the future can help them narrow down the list of options.
• Weight capacity. Murphy beds vary in materials and construction. That’s why they differ in how much weight they can bear. To ensure durability in use, shoppers need to consider the recommended weight capacity before buying their new Murphy bed. Going beyond the limit could lead to damage.

How Much Do Murphy Beds Cost?

Murphy bed prices can vary depending on many factors (including warranty, materials used, mattress type, folding mechanism, and more). However, on average, most Murphy beds fall somewhere between $800 and $3,000.

Size is one of the main decisive factors when it comes to Murphy bed pricing. Here are the general numbers to give users at least a rough idea of what to expect when shopping:

What Is the Best Frame Material for a Murphy Bed?

The materials used for a Murphy bed can determine its durability (and looks, of course). That’s why shoppers might find it helpful to learn more about different Murphy bed materials and figure out which one would work for them the best.

Now, the most common options on the modern market are:

• Metal. Metal beds are usually quite heavy and sturdy. They have a sleek look and work great in minimalist or industrial interiors. Some of them use combined materials (upholstery or wooden elements, for example) to create a softer look. Metal Murphy beds aren’t that popular, but there are still quite a few options to choose from.
• Solid wood. This is one of the strongest material types used for Murphy beds. Solid wood is durable, widely available, and often has a unique look thanks to its natural patterns. However, shoppers need to remember that solid wood Murphy beds can be quite pricey. 
• Upholstered. Typically using a wooden or a metal frame, upholstered Murphy beds also have a layer of fabric encasing it. These beds look cozy and usually work in all kinds of interiors. Upholstered Murphy beds give users more options color-wise, especially for those looking for lighter or neutral shades. 
• Plywood. This material is made of thin layers of wood combined together. Plywood Murphy beds are usually more affordable than solid wood or metal ones. At the same time, they are more prone to structural damage.
• Particleboard. As the name suggests, this material type is made of compressed wood particles. Such Murphy beds look and feel like real wood but are much more affordable. Naturally, with a lower price comes a shorter lifespan.
• MDF. Similar to particleboard, MDF also uses wood particles, but they are much finer. As a result, MDF is a bit stronger, which makes these Murphy beds slightly more durable.

FAQ

Conclusion

If you’re limited in space, don’t despair. 

A decent wall bed — like one of the models I’ve reviewed for you above — can easily substitute for a standard bed and offer you a good night’s sleep without taking a lot of space.

And while the modern market has quite a lot to offer, there is one Murphy bed that managed to impress me the most. The Wall Bed by Lori is a Murphy bed that can make almost any sleeper happy. It’s a top-quality model that promises durability in use and can handle even active sleepers. Plus, it simply looks great, with that natural wood finish and sleek lines. I’m sure the Lori wall bed can become an excellent addition to any household.

All in all, it’s a perfect pick for anyone who wants a long-lasting, stylish Murphy bed. And what about you? What model among the thre seems the most suitable fit for you? Share your thoughts below!