All About The Murphy Bed

Last month LPI completed the renovation of the Linden Project, our Charitable Works project for 2019, and our reveal of the living room led to a lot of questions from readers specifically about the Murphy beds we chose to include in the design. How do they function? How did we determine the right size for this project? Are there more options out there? Today we answer all of your questions, so read on!

How does a Murhy bed work?

To start, a Murphy bed is an excellent option in any space. We not only use them in small rooms that lack sufficient space for a traditional mattress and its foundation, but they are also a great option in larger areas whose function change during the day or that need to sleep many. While all Murphy beds vary in style and size, they do function in a similar manner. Depending on the bed, a handle or button will release the locking mechanism that allows the user to pull it out and down until it locks in an open position. Typically the mattress doesn’t fold and remains in place within the structure, but there are some Murphy beds where the mattress folds out to create one flat surface. I’ve listed a couple of examples of the different types of beds below:

Horizontal Murphy bed

Vertical Murphy bed

Murphy bed with folding mattress

Bunk Beds – Murphy Style

How do I determine the right size?

As with any other large piece of furniture, determining how much space is available is essential before making a decision. Murphy beds come in all sizes, but there are some measurements that you will need to keep in mind.

Height and Width: As you can imagine, these are important. While mattress sizes are pretty standard, (Twin size mattresses typically measure 39″ by 75″, Full 54″ by 75″, Queen 60″ by 80″, and King 76″ by 80″), the Murphy frame is significantly larger. When ordering a Murphy bed, it is crucial to ensure that you have enough clearance for the frame rather than the mattress.

Additionally, it is important to pay attention to the dimensions listed for the Murphy bed when it is open. The frame will need to extend without any obstructions to ensure that it is safe to sleep in at night. This means ensuring that any furniture that usually resides within this area is easy to move and tuck away when the bed is open. At our Linden Project, the area directly in front of the Murphy bed is used as a living room during the day. We chose lightweight accent chairs that can easily be moved out of the way when the Murphy bed is in use.

Are there many different styles?

Yes! There are so many different options and price points that allow you to choose what works best for you. We have listed below some of our favorites.