News Bits

Murphy Bed Makes a Comeback

Washington Examiner Article (11/2011) – Invented in 1918 by William L. Murphy to create more space in his one-room San Francisco apartment, the Murphy bed is making a comeback.

More than just a bed concealed in a wall, the modern Murphy bed can morph into an entertainment center, corner desk, armoire, bookcase and even console table.

Prices range from $1,400 to well over $15,000. Cost depends on type of wood, options and accessories, which can include fold-down desk, built-in side tables, and bookshelves.

The Cosmopolitan Panel Bed by More Space Place has a horizontal pull-down, and at 80 inches wide, 49 1/4 inches high and 15 inches deep, when closed it looks like a console table.

“It’s kind of like a cruise ship bunk you pull down, and you sleep side to side instead of head to toe,” said Robert Meyers, owner of the D.C.-area More Space Place franchise. “It’s a really good bed for where there is a vaulted ceiling, dormer or angled ceiling, where you just don’t have enough wall space to install a full Murphy bed.”

The struggling economy and trend toward downsizing may be driving the increased demand for Murphy beds, said Meyers. “I’m seeing a lot of older owners who have parents coming in for extended stays. They put a Murphy bed in instead of having them sleep on a sofa bed.”

The advantage; The Murphy uses regular twin, full or queen mattresses. “We do not bend, fold or crease the mattress in any way,” Meyers said. “We are putting regular bedding on that bed. We are not breaking the line or a spring system the way you would for a sofa bed. … It’s kind of like a platform bed with a spring-assisted lift.”

The spring-assisted lift is designed for easy opening and closing. “These beds can be opened with one finger,” Meyers said.

More Space Place offers a system with a sofa option in front of the bed. The back and seat cushions can be removed and the bed lies on top of the sofa.