A Murphy bed is the ultimate answer for anyone who needs to maximize available space in a home. They fold up and disappear into a wall, turning any room into a multi-functional space.

Whether you live in a tiny apartment or just need to optimize a guest room, installing a Murphy bed can change how you use your space. Proper installation ensures that your Murphy bed works safely and efficiently.

INDEX

• How to Install Your Murphy Bed

• Pick the Right Spot

• Check Your Wall's Strength

• Bed Size

• Prepare for Installations

• Additional Features

• Be Smart about Safety

• Layout the Room

• Right Tools

• Conclusion

How to Install Your Murphy Bed

If you want to make any area of your house flexible and cozy, here are some tips for the installation process of your Murphy or wall bed.

Pick the Right Spot

Start with the right location. This is the first of the necessary conditions to ensure your bed fits and functions as desired. When choosing a convenient location, consider the space needed for the bed to lie down and all its parts to ensure nothing will interfere with the bed's expansion capability.

Measure your room carefully. Ensure that your bed can fold down without hitting furniture or walls. You will also need space in front of the bed, so measure twice to avoid problems later. But if you have a multifunction room, such as a home office, you will want the bed placed in an area that doesn’t interfere with your use of the room during the day.

Check Your Wall's Strength

A Murphy bed needs wall strength. Because Murphy beds are mounted directly to the wall, most of the weight of your bed rests on the wall. So, your wall needs to be capable of having strength and showing resistance when exerted by holding your bed securely in place.

Tip: More than drywall alone is required; you will need heavy anchors if you do not have or cannot locate wall studs. If you are still trying to figure it out, hiring a professional to ensure it is done safely will be best.

Bed Size

Murphy beds come in different sizes, the most common being twin and queen. The size you choose depends on the space available and the user of the bed.

Before you purchase the Murphy bed frame, measure your mattress. Some beds require a particular size or thickness of the mattress. Make sure it fits the right size so everything runs smoothly later on.

Additionally, consider the room's function. For example, a twin Murphy bed works for a small guest room, but a queen-size bed might be selected for larger rooms or regular overnights.

Prepare for Installations

Installation is much more complicated than assembling an ordinary bed model. First, there are a lot more steps, and second, the frame needs anchors to ensure it can support the weight and be securely placed in position.

Tip: Pay close attention to the manufacturer's instructions. Get all your tools laid out and ready to go—the most notable would include a level, drill, screwdriver, and stud finder. Having a second pair of hands is beneficial because bed frames can be heavy.

Additional Features

Most Murphy beds have additional features, like storage or a desk, that make the room multi-functional.

Tip: If you need maximum space utilization, try using a Murphy bed design with a built-in shelf or a bed cabinet. That's where you can store bedding and pillows or lots of other stuff you will need to keep the room clean and free from clutter.

A desk or additional shelving is a smart home office choice. You can use the desk when you've folded the bed up; when it's time for guests, the bed folds down easily without invading your workspace.

Be Smart about Safety

Murphy bed installation tips must always begin with safety. The bed should fit perfectly against the wall so that nobody gets hurt when it falls, and must also move without squeaking.

Try the bed's mechanism before using it, so make sure it folds up and down without sticking. In some models, safety locks ensure the bed is in the right position when folded; thus, there is no unexpected movement.

Layout the Room

After mounting the bed, you can consider how you will lay out the room. Murphy beds help save floor space, giving you increased flexibility in picking furniture.

Use light, roll-around furniture. Items such as a rolling chair or a small foldable table will readily shift out of the way when it's time to lower the bed. You can now make a room layout that's workable by day and night.

For instance, in a small studio, you can place a foldable couch or storage ottoman in front of the bed. Those can be easily moved at the end of the evening hours to make space for sleep.

Right Tools

Proper equipment for the setup can create all the difference between a good and poor setup job. Most Murphy bed kits will include the hardware needed to complete the installation. However, some kits may require tools other than what you would have otherwise.

Conclusion

Installing a new Murphy bed can make any room in your house more functional, versatile, and valuable. It is designed to maximize the possible functionalities of a room with limited square footage or to add flexibility to a guest room. 

From the location selection to wall support, on your way to safety, these steps promise to guide you to a successful installation. Murphy beds are great investments if you want to optimize your living space. Once done, you will wonder how you ever lived without one!