The Pros and Cons of Having a Murphy Bed

Did you know that a man named William Lawrence Murphy invented the Murphy bed in the 1910s? For over 100 years, people have been seeking space-saving furniture and bed options for their homes.

If you’re not 100% sure what one is, a murphy bed is also known as a wall bed, a pull-down bed, or a fold-down bed. It’s attached to your wall via a hinge so that you can fold it up when you don’t need it and fold it down when you do.

But there are lots of types of beds out there that also make great hideaway beds. Should your new bed be a murphy bed? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.

 

Pro: Save Floor Space

One of the main reasons why people choose to get a murphy bed is to save space. Double, queen and king-sized beds take up a lot of floor space. If you have a small home or a studio apartment, that space is precious.

Murphy beds mean you can do things like yoga or play with your children with that extra space during the day.

Con: Take up Wall Space

But if your home doesn’t have a lot of floor space, it might not have enough wall space either. Murphy beds cannot attach to walls with windows. And you can’t put any other furniture against the wall your murphy bed is on because then it wouldn’t be able to fold down.

Pro: Blend in When Not in Use

Unlike futons, pull-out couches, and other hideaway bed alternatives, some murphy beds don’t even look like beds at all. You can choose a modern style murphy bed that has shelving or a desk built into it so it looks like a simple wall unit. If you care about aesthetics and decor in your home, this will be a big pro for you.

Con: Can Be Dangerous

Murphy beds are big and heavy. Only a simple hinge is what is keeping them attached to your wall. If it isn’t installed or put away in the correct way, then it could fall and injure someone.

And if the wall you’ve attached the murphy bed to isn’t 100% sound, then it could even damage your home.

Pro: Great Guest Bed Option

Most homeowners who have a murphy bed don’t use it as their main bed. They use it as a guest bed in a playroom, basement, or home office.

This is perfect because murphy beds are almost invisible when you don’t need them. But when you do, you can then offer your guests a full-sized bed as opposed to a single-sized futon or an uncomfortable blow-up bed.

 

So, Is Having a Murphy Bed Right for You?

Whether a murphy bed is right for you or not depends on the type of space you have available in your home. If you have enough wall space and are willing to learn how to use it in a safe way, then a murphy bed could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Need more tips to help you design your guest bedroom or multipurpose space? Check out our website for lots of decor ideas!