Murphy beds are a wonderful space-saving solution when you need one room to serve multiple purposes. They are often installed in spare guest bedrooms and are folded up when not in use. That can give the impression that a Murphy bed isn’t suitable for everyday use. But you can use a Murphy bed every day! Today, we'll tell you everything you want to know about Murphy beds and everyday use.
Murphy Beds and Everyday Use
Using Murphy beds every day is more common than you might think. Daniel Lubrano, who owns a 425-square-foot studio apartment in Gramercy Park in New York City, told Apartment Therapy that sleeping on his Murphy bed each night is both comfortable and sustainable for his lifestyle.
“I like the convenience and versatility of a Murphy bed. Sofa beds are really uncomfortable so I think a Murphy bed is a great solution,” he said, adding that the key to a comfortable night’s sleep is to “buy the type of mattress that suits you.”
Important Considerations for Murphy Beds and Everyday Use
Types of lifting mechanism and mattress selection are the two most important factors to consider if you plan to use your Murphy bed regularly.
Lifting mechanisms
There are a few types of lifting mechanisms to consider before purchasing. Traditional wall-mounted Murphy beds rely on air piston or metal spring lifting mechanisms to raise the bed platform up and down. These lifting mechanisms tend to get worn after 5-7 years, according to Go Downsize.
The Lori Bed’s lack of a lifting mechanism presents an advantage for daily users. Unlike other Murphy beds on the market, the Lori Bed has no mechanical aids for lifting and lowering the platform. It's a mechanism-free solution that can be lifted and lowered by hand using your and your lifting partner's strength.
(Read about how much weight a Murphy bed can hold next)
With no metal spring or pistols that wear down over time, the Lori Bed has longevity.
Lori Beds are made from real wood, and are strong, sturdy and meant to last a lifetime. In fact, the company is so confident in the quality of their Murphy beds that every purchase comes with a Lifetime Warranty on all of its components.
The bed can certainly withstand lifting and lowering the platform each day. Because it’s made from real wood, and with the addition of a mattress, it’s going to feel heavy for many. Lori Beds always recommends having an adult partner to assist in safely lifting.
(Don't miss our ultimate buying guide to determine if a Murphy bed is right for you!)
Mattresses
If you decide to purchase a Lori Bed, it will be helpful to know the platform is a firm, 100 percent supported surface. It should be more like a foundation or platform than a box-spring that might have a little bounce to it.
We recommend using a light-weight mattress that is 12-inches thick or less, such as a conventional inner-spring or latex foam mattress. Memory foam mattresses are heavy and will make lifting more difficult.
The lighter your mattress, the easier the bed will be to lift. With very little wear and tear throughout the year, your mattress will sleep like new for several years.
Need help choosing the right mattress for your bed?
Contact us and we’ll walk you through it! Or, we have an entire blog post on choosing a mattress for your Murphy bed here.
Did you learn a lot about Murphy beds and everyday use today?
Here are three more posts to read next:
- How to Choose a Murphy Bed Mattress
- Does a Murphy Bed Need to be Mounted to a Wall?
- Murphy Bed Guide: Can a Wall Bed Ruin a Mattress?
This article was updated in 2022.
