Tips for Designing Your Perfect Murphy Bed

Serving the Vancouver-Portland Metro Area

If you’re trying to optimize space in your house or find a comfortable sleeping solution for overnight guests, a custom-designed Murphy bed is one of your best options. This versatile space-saving solution, also known as a wall bed, transforms any room into a multi-functional area.

We often hear from clients who love the idea but worry a Murphy bed might look out of place. The truth is, modern Murphy bed systems from Portland Closet Company are sophisticated pieces of furniture tailored to your style. This guide provides expert tips for designing your perfect Murphy bed, from choosing features to ensuring you get a wall bed that looks great, feels great, and fits your style perfectly.

5 Essential Tips for Designing Your Perfect Wall Bed

To help you get started, here are five of the most important considerations for creating the ideal Murphy bed system for your home:

1. Analyze Your Space and Needs: Before anything else, determine the primary function of the room and the ideal size of the bed. This will dictate key decisions, like whether a vertical or horizontal orientation is better suited for your layout.
2. Focus on Build Quality: A Murphy bed is a piece of moving furniture that must be safe and durable. Prioritize high-quality materials, construction that’s built to last, and professional expert installation.
3. Choose a Design That Complements Your Home: Your wall bed should be a beautiful piece of furniture. We offer finishes, hardware, and cabinet styles that integrate perfectly with your existing decor, whether it’s modern, traditional, or transitional.
4. Incorporate Features for Functionality: It’s more than just a bed. Consider integrated features like side shelving for storage, a fold-down desk for a workspace, or built-in lighting and power outlets for convenience.
5. Rely on Professional Service and Installation: Expert design consultation and professional installation are crucial. This guarantees the system is designed correctly for your space and, most importantly, installed safely and securely for years of use.

How Will You Use Your Murphy Bed?

Thinking about the primary use case for your Murphy bed is key to selecting the right features. Here are some common scenarios:

• The Dual-Purpose Home Office: If your office must also serve as a guest room, a Murphy bed is the perfect solution. You get a dedicated workspace that can be converted for guests in seconds.
• The Flexible Spare Room: Turn a seldom-used guest room into a functional space for hobbies, fitness, or play. With a Murphy bed hidden away most of the time, the room will always be ready for visitors.
• The Living Area Maximizer: In a studio or small apartment, a Murphy bed can be integrated into an entertainment or storage unit, freeing up critical floor space for daily living without sacrificing a comfortable, real bed at night.
• The Finished Basement or Bonus Room: Make a large, open space more functional by adding a sleeping area for kids’ sleepovers or visiting family without permanently dividing the room.

Design Your Perfect Murphy Bed by Answering These Questions

Choosing the perfect Murphy bed involves several key decisions that affect its look and function. Here’s how each factor impacts your choice:

1. What size bed do you need? We offer Twin, Full, and Queen sizes, so you don’t have to compromise on comfort.
2. Vertical or horizontal orientation? This choice depends entirely on the dimensions of your room. Vertical requires a higher ceiling but takes up less horizontal wall space. Horizontal is ideal for rooms with lower ceilings or narrow layouts.
3. How important is quality craftsmanship to you? We offer high-quality cabinetry and lifting mechanisms, ensuring your bed is easy to use and lasts for decades.
4. What do you want your bed to look like? We offer a wide array of finishes and hardware to match the style of any room in your home.
5. What extra features do you need? From integrated storage options to built-in lighting, the right features add immense functionality.

Choose the Right Murphy Bed Features

The last step is choosing the right features that truly make it your custom Murphy Bed. Here are some of the most popular options:

• Lifting Mechanism: A simple spring mechanism, or a state-of-the-art piston mechanism that’s counterbalanced to your mattress weight?
• Flip-Up Desk: If you’re placing your wall bed in an office, you may want to add a flip-up desk, perfect for a laptop or homework.
• Storage: Side cabinets can accommodate clothing, books, collections, and much more. They can be customized additional drawers, doors, and shelving.
• Power Grommets: Built-in outlets and USB charging ports. A must-have in the modern home.
• Pull-Out Nightstand: A simple drawer pulls out to become a convenient nightstand.
• LED Lighting: Energy-efficient lighting right where you need it.

For more information and design inspiration, be sure to check out our Murphy bed gallery.

How Much Does a Murphy Bed Cost?

Murphy Bed prices vary depending on many of the factors and features we’ve discussed on this page. For more information, check out our Murphy Bed pricing page.

If you’re ready for a free estimate, with free in-home installation included, reach out to us anytime. We’ll ask you a few questions about what you’re looking for and provide the quote. Or, if you’re not quite sure, we’d be happy to schedule a complimentary design consultation, in your home or here at our showroom.