Murphy bed and closet FAQs

Murphy beds are stored vertically inside a cabinet and fold down when needed. They were first used in northern cities in the early 1900s, and they are also called wall beds. Coordinating cabinetry can turn the bed into a complete system.

The spring-loaded mechanism is built for one-handed use. A support leg extends and retracts automatically. The mattress is supported by a foundation or wooden slats.

A panel bed uses doors that drop with the bed and disappear under the mattress, so optional bedside cabinets stay easy to reach. The mechanism is spring-loaded with a steel casing. Both styles can be designed in thousands of style and finish combinations.

Not quite. The concept has not changed. Today’s Murphy beds have been improved for comfort and ease of use.

Yes. Unlike a sofa bed or futon, the mattress does not fold, so there is no bar and no lump. Customers have told us the Murphy bed is more comfortable than their every-night bed.

No. Most people are surprised how little effort it takes. The Murphy bed and panel bed mechanisms are spring-balanced.

It depends on the model. The line includes twin, twin long, full, queen, and king.

No. The beds use standard mattress sizes, so your sheets and linens should fit.

Sometimes, but it is generally not recommended. Stored upright, the fill tends to settle to the bottom, and the edge wire is not built to hold that weight on end. The Serta mattresses sold with the beds are made and warrantied for vertical storage. They are the right depth for the cabinet and the right weight for the mechanism.

The modular system runs from laminates and thermofoil to solid hardwood, in a range of styles and finishes.

Typical lead time is 6 to 8 weeks for the laminate line and 8 to 10 weeks for some wood options. Some products are available sooner. Plan the delivery date with that in mind.

A typical Murphy bed install takes about 6 hours, longer if cabinets or a home office are included. The crew does most assembly on site. The frame is bolted to the floor or the base plate, and cabinetry is attached to existing studs. A panel bed frame attaches to the cabinet, and the cabinet attaches to the studs. We do not recommend installing it yourself. There can be hundreds of parts, and a poor install will not operate correctly.

Yes. It has to be uninstalled and reinstalled. Wall damage is usually minimal. With notice, the install team can do it. The cost depends on the job. Ask for a quote through the contact form. Many customers sell the bed with the house, then come back for one in the new home.

In Clearwater, Florida. Murphy beds and closet systems are American-made in our own facility, not imported or resold.

The mechanism is engineered, tested, and built in Clearwater, and it includes a lifetime warranty. You buy from the manufacturer, so support and parts are direct. The business has been in Florida for more than 30 years. Every bed includes white-glove delivery and professional installation. Online beds are usually flat-pack, shipped curbside, and assembled by the customer. Finishes and cabinets here are sized to the room, in laminate, thermofoil, or solid hardwood.

They are safe when installed and used correctly. The spring system is calibrated to the mattress and cabinet, so the bed does not drop open or slam shut. Support legs lock when the bed is down and do not retract while weight is on the mattress. The frame is bolted to studs or joists that can carry the load. We decline a wall that cannot. The mechanism includes a lifetime warranty.

Yes. A collapsible desk can fold up with the bed, so the room is an office by day and a guest room at night. The desk attaches to the frame and folds out of the way when the bed comes down. Shelves, files, drawers, and lighting can be added in laminate, thermofoil, or solid hardwood.

Most rooms, if the floor has clearance when the bed is down and the wall can take the mount. A vertical tilt needs about 75 to 80 inches in front of the wall. A side tilt only needs the mattress width, about 38 to 60 inches. Guest rooms, condo living rooms, dens, children’s rooms, and finished basements are the usual fits.

A designer measures the room, ceiling height, and floor clearance, and notes outlets, vents, and windows. You talk through how often the bed will be used and whether you need a desk or storage. The design sets the size, Murphy or panel, and the cabinets. You choose laminate, thermofoil, or hardwood from samples. The quote covers cabinetry, mechanism, mattress if you buy one, delivery, and white-glove install. Lead time is typically 6 to 8 weeks for laminate and 8 to 10 weeks for wood.

Yes. Carpet, hardwood, tile, vinyl, and laminate are all fine. The subfloor and a level floor matter more than the surface. On carpet, the crew cuts openings so the base plate bolts to the subfloor. On a hard surface, mounting holes are drilled and the frame bolts through to the structure.

A standard wood subfloor over joists is enough in most houses. Concrete can be used with different hardware. The floor should be reasonably level. A slope can throw off the mechanism, the cabinet, and the door fit. The crew checks that before install.