Murphy Bed Buying Guide

WHY NOT HAVE A REGULAR GUEST ROOM?

In most homes, a guest room only gets used a few times a year. Why keep that room set up with just a bed when you can use it for a home office, exercise space, craft room, playroom, etc., AND a bedroom? With a space-saving Murphy bed, you can regain that space, use it all year long, and still be ready to entertain a guest when needed.

WHY PURCHASE A MURPHY BED INSTEAD OF A SOFA BED?

For years, the sofa bed was the default choice for a multipurpose room. However, as we all know, they are extremely uncomfortable to sleep on. Sofa beds typically use a thin mattress, and because the springs don’t provide adequate support for most people, the metal bar digs into your back at night.

With an Xtraroom Murphy bed, you get a great night’s sleep and the comfort of sleeping on a standard mattress. We designed our beds with a Euro Slat system that provides fantastic support without using a box spring or that dreaded metal bar. You’d never guess you’re sleeping on a bed that moves. Sounds great, right?

WHAT DO I HAVE TO CONSIDER BEFORE PURCHASING A MURPHY BED?

There are several things you need to take into consideration when purchasing a Murphy bed.

What is the ceiling height in the room you want to install the bed?
What is the room configuration? It's important to note the location of doors, windows, baseboard heaters, HVAC vents, and outlets. How much wall space do you have available?
Does the room have bulkheads or beams that will be in the way?
How low does your lighting fixture/ceiling fan hang from the ceiling? Do you have the clearance to open the bed?
What is the thickness of the baseboards in the room?
What size bed do you need? Queen, Full, Twin?
What features do you need? Do you need a desk, extra storage, or both?
What is your budget?
When do you need the Murphy bed to be installed and ready to use?

WHY ARE THE HEIGHT OF MY CEILING AND THE LAYOUT OF MY ROOM IMPORTANT WHEN SELECTING A MURPHY BED?

Your room’s ceiling height and layout can determine what type and size of Murphy bed will work in the space. Low ceilings or awkward bulkheads? A traditional vertical-oriented bed may not be an option. Do you have baseboard heaters on the wall where you want to install the bed? You will have to remove the heater before you can install a Murphy bed in that space. A Murphy bed should not be installed over or in front of an existing baseboard heater.

The good news? Understanding these restrictions upfront can help you choose the right Murphy bed for your space—and avoid surprises during installation. Things to keep in mind...

Although your room may have an adequate ceiling height for the fully assembled Murphy bed, you will need additional working space above the unit to secure the top of the cabinet to the wall with the L-brackets that are required for safety. (The metal frame is also secured to the wall, but the L-brackets are a secondary anti-tip precaution.)

Take note of the dimensions of the bed when the cabinet is open. Will you have enough space to comfortably move around the end of the bed? Even if your ceiling height is adequate for a vertical-style bed, perhaps a horizontal-style bed is better suited for the size of your space, since it doesn't protrude into the room as much when open.

The locking mechanism on all Xtraroom Murphy beds is located on the top right-hand side of the cabinet. The bed should NOT be put into a corner, effectively blocking the ability to lock/unlock the cabinet.

You should also avoid blocking any HVAC vents or electrical outlets.

Do you have a ceiling fan or light fixture that hangs down from the ceiling? If you have any kind of light fixture or ceiling fan that is not mounted flush to the ceiling, it must be far enough away from the wall where you want to install the cabinet that you can open the bed without hitting the fixture.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HORIZONTAL AND A LANDSCAPE MURPHY BED?

They are the same thing. A horizontal Murphy bed rotates away from the wall, pivoting from the side of the bed instead of the head. If the ceiling height in your home is low and prevents you from installing a portrait/vertical bed, a horizontal Murphy bed is a great way to get the benefits of a Murphy bed despite the spatial limitations.

* Something to keep in mind: if two people are sleeping on the bed, one person will be sleeping next to the wall.

White Murphy bed with a desk in a room with a gray wall and carpeted floor.

Horizontal Orientation

Bed pivots open from the side of the bed

A modern white Murphy bed in a bright, minimalist bedroom. The bed is open to show a light gray quilted bedding set with a black throw blanket.

Portrait Orientation

Bed pivots open from the head of the bed

WHAT TYPE OF MATTRESS DO I NEED TO USE WITH A MURPHY BED?

Most Murphy bed cabinets accommodate mattresses between 8 and 12 inches thick. Xtraroom Murphy beds accommodate mattresses up to 12 inches thick, so you can purchase a mattress that suits your sleep preferences and budget. Please note: we do not recommend using pillow-top mattresses with Murphy beds. Xtraroom’s Murphy bed mattress support uses a euro slat design with curved wood slats that provide support where you need it and eliminate the need for a box spring.

ARE MURPHY BEDS EASY TO OPEN AND CLOSE?

Yes, they can be. However, not all lifting mechanisms are the same. Some manufacturers use a spring system, while others use pistons. In many cases, these lifting systems attach directly to the cabinet side panels. Over time, this connection point deteriorates and becomes unsafe.

What sets Xtraroom's beds apart is that the pistons connect to the steel frame and steel mattress support, not the cabinet panels themselves, making for a safer and more durable connection over time. Xtraroom’s Murphy beds use 2 or 4 pistons to maximize the ease of operation and safety. In addition, the pistons have 2 stages that provide maximum lift when you need it and prevent the bed from falling open or slamming shut.

In your search for the perfect Murphy bed for your family, you need to carefully examine this hidden yet vital part of the Murphy beds you are considering. Remember, not all mechanisms are engineered the same.

Spring Mechanism

close up image of the Xtraroom dual stage piston connecting the mattress frame to the cabinet frame.

Xtraroom's Dual-stage Hydraulic Pistons

DO YOU HAVE TO ATTACH A MURPHY BED TO THE WALL?

The short answer is yes.

Some Murphy Beds on the market require securing them to the floor as well, which unfortunately damages the floor. However, all Xtraroom bed frames are attached directly to the wall studs for maximum security. Our beds are designed for homeowner installation with basic tools (for homes with standard construction and wood studs); our step-by-step instructions are easy to follow, and they don't require drilling into the floor.

DO I HAVE TO REMOVE THE BASEBOARDS WHEN INSTALLING A MURPHY BED, OR CAN I LEAVE THEM IN PLACE?

Whether or not you need to remove the baseboards behind your new Murphy bed depends on the bed you choose. As mentioned above, for safe installation, Murphy beds must be secured to the wall studs (and occasionally the floor). Some Murphy beds include a spacer you can install between the frame and the wall to move the bed slightly away, providing space for the baseboards. Other models do not include a spacer and require you to remove the baseboards so the cabinet sits flush against the wall.

For reference, Xtraroom's Alegra, Adonis, Aegis, and Azores Murphy beds include a spacer that you can use during installation if you prefer not to remove your baseboard moldings. Xtraroom's Euro Collection beds do not include a spacer and require that you remove the baseboards.

We are often asked if Xtraroom's beds are "notched" for moldings. No, they are not. The Alegra, Aegis, Adonis, and Azores models all have a reinforced steel frame that sits against the wall unless you install the spacer that is included with the parts. Even if you cut the side panels to make space for the moldings, you cannot cut the steel frame. If you want the built-in look where the bed sits directly against the wall, you must remove the moldings. The Euro Collection beds also have a reinforced steel frame, but it is designed differently and attaches to the wall at the top of the cabinet and at two points in the middle. (See below) The Euro Collection beds sit flush against the wall from top to bottom, but a customer could "notch" the cabinet panels for their baseboard moldings. While it's possible, we don't recommend customers do it because the likelihood of damaging the finish on the wood panels is extremely high.

Alegra, Adonis Aegis, and Azores Steel Frame

Euro Collection Steel Frame

WHAT OTHER FEATURES ARE AVAILABLE WITH MURPHY BEDS?

Today, Murphy beds solve many space-saving problems. The most popular Murphy beds, however, include desktops and/or a variety of storage solutions.

DESKS: Some manufacturers offer a simple shelf attached to the cabinet's front panel. This is not ideal because you’ll have to remove everything from the shelf before you pull down the bed. We designed Xtraroom’s Murphy Beds with Desks with a unique self-leveling desk. This means that you don’t have to unload the desk before opening the bed. Even your cup of coffee will not spill, as the desk stays perfectly level throughout the opening and closing motion. The wide desks provide ample space for your laptop and other work materials.

A white Murphy bed in a bright bedroom setting, shown with the bed frame open, partially showing the desk staying level. The room features light beige walls, a wooden floor, and a small white nightstand with a lamp on the left.

closeup of alegra queen murphy bed with desk and storage desk level under the bed hidden hide away hide-a-way diy murphy bed kit home office guest bed wall bed cabinet

STORAGE SOLUTIONS: Nearly everyone can use extra storage, and Murphy beds come with a variety of options. Whether you need shelves, drawers, hanging space, open and/or hidden storage, or even a pull-out desk, there is something available for you.

Xtraroom’s free-standing storage cabinets have several customizable options. You can set up the top section with 3 adjustable shelves or a bar for hanging clothes. The bottom sections feature 3 pull-out drawers and a pull-out nightstand. Our Desk Cabinets include a hidden pull-out desk in the lower cabinet and a built-in power bar for charging your devices. Many of our Murphy beds include one or two storage cabinets.

Customizable Storage Tower

Pull-out nightstand and drawers

Storage tower with pull-out desk

Nightstand with pull-out desk

Xtraroom also offers Murphy beds featuring 2 integrated towers. The Alegra Queen Murphy Bed with Integrated Storage has closed storage in the lower cabinet, perfect for storing pillows when not in use, and glass shelves in the inner upper sections for small decor items and a place to store your devices overnight. The units also feature integrated wire management so you can set up your phone charger or alarm clock. The Aegis Queen Murphy Bed with Desk and Integrated Storage has closed storage in the lower cabinets and adjustable shelves in the upper section.

Alegra Queen Murphy Bed with Integrated Storage

aegis queen murphy bed with desk cabinet closed adjustable shelves self leveling desk wall bed cabinet hidden bed home office guest bed pull down bed fold down

Aegis Queen Murphy Bed with Integrated Storage

close up of aegis queen murphy bed with desk integrated storage cabinet with adjustable shelves hidden bed hide away bed hide-a-way pull down fold out diy murphy bed kit

close up of the aegis queen murphy bed cabinet lock and top moldings hidden bed hide away hide-a-way fold out pull down diy murphy bed kit

WHAT MAKES A MURPHY BED "THE BEST"?

The best Murphy beds share several essential characteristics.

Reinforced steel frames
Multi-point wall anchoring systems
Smooth, durable lifting mechanisms
Compatibility with a real mattress
High-quality materials and finishes

Xtraroom meets and surpasses these standards. Every Xtraroom Murphy bed has a reinforced steel frame and a multi-point wall anchoring system. They must be secured to the wall at six points; three must be into the studs. Xtraroom lifting mechanisms use either 2 or 4 pistons that assist with the opening and closing of the beds. These dual-stage pistons create a "pause" at about 30 degrees, preventing the bed from falling open or slamming shut. Our beds accommodate most standard mattresses up to 12 inches thick, so you can use whatever mattress meets your sleep preferences and budget. We never use Melamine on our Murphy beds. Our cabinet panels are made of engineered wood, and our moldings and trim are solid wood. Our cabinets have a multi-step painted lacquer finish and come in warm or bright white.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO SPEND ON A MURPHY BED?

That's a difficult question to answer because the cost can vary greatly depending on the quality of the design and materials. Murphy beds can range in price from $700 on Amazon to $10,000+ for a custom-built wall bed. In general, most Murphy beds fall into one of two groups: the economical or the custom-built high-end groups. The pros of the economical group include the price is low, the delivery is fast, and the homeowner can install the bed. The cons are that they are made with cheaper materials, have inferior finishes, and offer fewer features. Custom-built Murphy beds offer endless features and high-quality materials, but they are extremely expensive and take months to be installed. Xtraroom’s Murphy beds sit right in the middle, offering high-quality design, materials, finishes, and great features. Customers can install the beds themselves if they want, and they are available at a moderate price.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR DELIVERY?

Delivery times vary significantly depending on where you live. If you live in or near a major city, delivery can take as short as 2-3 weeks. However, if you live far from a major shipping hub, it will take longer. The carriers generally run routes to remote areas only once or twice a month. To be safe, we tell customers to expect a 3- to 5-week shipping time.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PUT TOGETHER AND INSTALL A MURPHY BED?

It's difficult to answer this question because it depends on the bed you choose and how comfortable you are building furniture. No matter which bed you buy, you will need a bare minimum of 3-4 hours and a second person to help out. We've heard people say it took them a day or two (taking big breaks) to complete the installation, though that is definitely not the norm.

DO I NEED A PROFESSIONAL INSTALLER TO PUT UP A MURPHY BED?

No, you do not need to hire a professional to install most Murphy beds. Most, including Xtraroom beds, are designed for customer installation and come with detailed assembly instructions. However, if you are uncomfortable building and installing furniture, we recommend hiring an experienced professional to ensure the bed is built and installed correctly and follows all safety guidelines. Hiring a professional does add to the overall cost of a Murphy bed, but it is well worth it for your safety and peace of mind.