A Murphy bed is a two-in-one solution for increasing floor space. After sleeping, it folds into a wall or cabinet. Small homeowners use these wall beds to make the most of their space at home. They come in various styles, such as manual mechanisms and added shelves.
Murphy beds with shelves are excellent space-saving solutions to reduce clutter in your home. They offer additional storage without compromising your existing space. These beds put comfort and practicality into one place, allowing you to use the remaining space in your home however you want.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Murphy beds with shelves, including their benefits, installation, maintenance, cost, and choosing one for your home.
Key Takeaways:
- A Murphy bed with shelves may cost more than the usual bed, depending on the features and materials.
- You can buy a Murphy bed with built-in or separate shelves. Ask the help of a friend or a professional on how to install the shelves that align with the bed.
- Always consider your budget and the construction of the Murphy bed when buying a unit that includes built-in shelves.
INDEX
What Is a Murphy Bed with Shelves?
Benefits
Types
Selecting the Right Murphy Bed with Shelves
Space and Needs
Styles and Designs
Materials and Construction
Budget
Introducing: Lori Bed + Shelves
Installation and Maintenance
Creative Ways to Use Shelves on a Murphy Bed
What Is a Murphy Bed with Shelves?
A Murphy bed with shelves combines a foldable bed and built-in shelving for additional storage. It's commonly used in spaces that need efficient floor space. The bed works by pulling it up and down, just like the usual Murphy bed. This quality piece of furniture ensures proper storage of your essentials while giving you a good place to sleep.
Unlike traditional beds, Murphy beds can save valuable floor space upon folding. The shelves remain as they are when the bed is stored on the wall, ensuring that the storage space remains within reach. Traditional beds and shelves occupy a permanent space in your room, lessening the space you use for daily activities.
Benefits
A Murphy bed with shelves is a perfect addition to your home. If you're using it as an extra bed, shelves are ready for storage when guests arrive. Here's how these convertible beds benefit your home:
- Space-Saving Advantages: These beds can be vertically folded into a wall to provide enough floor space for your daily chores. They combine comfort and practicality, making them perfect for studios, small apartments, and rooms that serve various purposes.
- Increased Storage and Functionality: This wall bed is more than a place to rest—it's a convenient storage space for everyday items. Purchase other models with added features like charging ports, lighting, and shelves to improve the space's functionality without buying extra furniture.
- Aesthetic Appeal: When kept inside the wall, Murphy beds can blend into the room's design. They give your guest bedroom a clean and modern look while transforming from a living or working area to a bedroom by night.
Types
Bed sizes for Murphy beds include queen and twin. Pick any of these space-saving beds for your home:
1. Vertical Folding Murphy Beds
Use these hidden beds for narrow spaces with available ceiling height. The vertical design fully conceals the bed, and the shelves are on the sides of the bed frame for easy access.
2. Horizontal Folding Murphy Beds
These beds fold out sideways, making them perfect for rooms with limited wall height. Use them under windows, in rooms with sloped ceilings, or narrow guest rooms.
3. Murphy Beds with Built-in Shelves
These beds have shelves built directly into the bed frame or the surrounding cabinet. The shelves are accessible whether you use the bed or not, helping maximize space efficiency for small homes.
4. Murphy Beds with Separate Shelving Units
These shelving units separated from the Murphy bed let you customize or rearrange the entire setup based on your room's layout. Separate shelves provide flexibility in designing your space, allowing you to allocate storage spaces for clothes, pillows, and office supplies.
Selecting the Right Murphy Bed with Shelves
These are the factors you need to consider when choosing folding beds with shelves:
Space and Needs
Check the size and layout of your room where you plan to install the Murphy bed. Vertical pull-down beds are ideal if your room has a high ceiling, while horizontal cabinet beds work in rooms with low ceilings.
Consider how you'll use the bed. If you use it daily, get a bed that you can easily fold and unfold. This may not be the case if you use the bed occasionally.
Styles and Designs
Murphy wall-mounted beds come in different styles. From clean, minimalist designs to traditional cabinetry, get a style that matches your room's décor. Other designs have extra features, such as integrated lighting and hidden nightstands, that make the bed more useful.
Materials and Construction
Pay attention to the Murphy bed's material. Solid wood is a good material that can ensure the bed's durability. Check if the shelves and the bed's mechanism are sturdy enough for daily use.
Budget
Murphy beds can differ in size based on the materials and added features. Look for a unit with shelves within your budget. Investing in a high-quality bed can ensure durability, satisfaction, and safety over time.
Carefully weigh your options if you want a Murphy bed with shelves. Consider these things first:
Factors Affecting the Price
- Materials: Murphy beds made of solid wood tend to be more expensive than those made of laminate or particleboard.
- Sizes: A queen-sized bed is typically more expensive due to the design's complexity and increased materials.
- Features: The additional features like the built-in shelves and fold-out desks make the Murphy beds more costly.
Average Cost Range
The average cost of a simple Murphy bed can range from $1,000 to $15,000. The highest amount can include customization options to enhance the bed's usefulness. You'll likely spend anywhere in these amounts when you want a Murphy bed. You can add your own mattress you've been using for a long time to save on costs.
Other Affordable and DIY Options
If you're a handyman, you can buy a DIY Murphy bed kit for $500 to 1,500, including the instructions and hardware. However, you need to use your own materials and skills.
Another option is the simple, functional, and sleek Lori Bed. This budget-conscious option costs less than $899 to more than $1,500, depending on the parts you want. It doesn't use springs or hydraulics, making lifting the bed manual.
To save money, you can buy a Murphy bed and separate shelving units. You can create an optimized space for a lower price.
Introducing: Lori Bed + Shelves
As the name suggests, this bed already comes with shelves. It's a budget-friendly option for a Murphy bed if you're looking to use a wall bed that you can fold up and down and store your valuables within reach. The shelving units can come separately or be customized with built-in shelves for an extra cost. The clean look of the Murphy bed is a great choice if you want to be practical while making your room aesthetically pleasing.
Installation and Maintenance
Whether you're using a twin or queen bed, proper installation and maintenance will keep the bed useful for a long time. Here's what you should know about them:
DIY or Professional Help
This may be one of the biggest dilemmas after getting the Murphy bed. Getting professional help to install the bed can cost you more, while DIY is the way to know if you're familiar with bed installation work.
Some Murphy beds with shelves can be installed without help. They come with detailed assembly instructions and important hardware, so if you're comfortable using tools, you can do it yourself.
However, you should consider the bed's weight and the need to secure it on the wall. Professional help can ensure the bed is attached correctly to the wall to avoid injuries, especially if it's a larger or more complex model.
Decide which of the two methods you want to install the bed. If you need professional help, prepare your wallet, and if you're going to do it yourself, prepare your energy.
Tools and Equipment
If you've decided on the DIY route, you may need these tools:
- Screwdrivers
- Power drill
- Stud finder
- Level
- Wrenches or Allen keys
- Measuring tape
Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. If you decide to buy the Lori Bed, here's how you can assemble it.
Maintenance Tips
- Lubricate the moving parts of the bed's hydraulic or spring-assisted mechanisms to maintain smooth operation.
- Check if the screws, fasteners, and bolts are tight and secure. Loose hardware is a risk factor for the bed's instability.
- Make sure the shelves aren't overloaded. Check if the supports and brackets aren't worn out yet.
- Dust and clean the shelves and bed frames to maintain their appearance and function. Use the appropriate cleaning products for the material you have.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Bed Getting Stuck: Issues with the mechanism or improper installation may cause the bed to get stuck in an upright or lowered position. Lubricate all moving parts and remove any obstructions in the mechanism.
- Loose Bed Frame: Check the fasteners and secure the bed to the wall. Tighten the fasteners when needed and ensure the bed is anchored to the wall studs.
- Tilting or Sagging Shelves: Remove excess weight that sags the shelves. Replace the damaged brackets right away.
Creative Ways to Use Shelves on a Murphy Bed
Use the shelves of these fold-down beds for the following purposes:
Storage for Books, Clothes, or Décor
Store your books, neatly folded clothes, and other decorative items on the shelves of your Murphy bed. These items can add personality to your room. You can also add picture frames and vases with houseplants to give your room some greenery.
Display Shelves for Artwork or Collectibles
The shelves can be the perfect display space for your artwork, music albums, and figurine collections. Arrange the items in an attention-grabbing way that matches the room's décor. The shelves are accessible whether the wall bed is folded or pulled down, so your items will always be seen.
Nightstand Alternatives
Murphy hideaway beds with shelves can fill the gap for traditional nightstands. These shelves can hold nighttime essentials, such as an alarm clock, a book, or even a glass of water. You can easily reach your necessities without using too much floor space.
Work or Study Space
The shelves can be used to organize your work essentials, like your laptop, books, and office supplies. Some designs may have an additional fold-down desk, giving you a compact space to work and a place to sleep at the same time.
Final Words
A Murphy bed with shelves is a versatile and worthy investment if you need a storage space for your belongings and a foldable bed. This quality piece of furniture can elevate and be one with your home's design with its clean look. With this kind of bed, you can find a home for your personal items and sleep on a comfortable bed every night.
Explore more Murphy beds on our website. Each bed we have can give you the comfort you need. Get one today!
