What is a Murphy Bed?
If you’re not familiar with the Murphy bed, this is a fold-down bed that has often been depicted as a prop in movies and television shows almost since its invention more than 100 years ago. When it comes to the Murphy bed name, do you know where it came from?
The Murphy bed is coined after its inventor, William Lawrence Murphy. He patented the bed's foldaway design in the early 1900s and called it Murphy beds. This space-saving bed can be tucked into a cabinet or a wall, freeing space in compact homes. Even if the original patent has expired, many people still use the term "Murphy bed" due to its popularity.
Over the years, Murphy beds have ebbed and flowed in popularity, but are now considered back in vogue, especially for people living in smaller-than-normal apartments, according to Apartment Therapy. Chances are that you’ll be seeing many Murphy beds, so why not expand your knowledge of this space-saving furniture?
Key Takeaways:
- A Murphy bed is a convertible bed that folds up against a wall or hides inside a cabinet when not in use.
- There's a popular story that Murphy's invention was motivated by wanting to impress a woman in his small apartment.
- Despite other names existing, the bed became widely known as the Murphy Bed due to the inventor's association.
Check out our latest Murphy bed units here.
AT A GLANCE
What Is a Murphy Bed?
Who Invented the Murphy Bed?
Murphy Bed Name Origin
Where Did the Term “Murphy Bed” Come From?
Murphy Bed Evolution
Enjoy Comfort and Convenience with Murphy Beds
Who Invented the Murphy Bed?
William Lawrence Murphy (1876-1959) was an American inventor who invented the Murphy bed, a foldable unit that saves space in small apartments. Here’s a short biography of his life:
Short Biography of William Murphy:
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Murphy was born in 1876.
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Took jobs as a horse-breaker, stagecoach driver, and pioneer town sheriff.
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Moved to San Francisco to develop his famous invention.
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Got a patent for the “Disappearing Bed” on June 18, 1912.
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Got another patent for a “Design for a Bed” on June 27, 1916.
Why Is It Called a Murphy Bed?
William Lawrence Murphy patented the Murphy bed in the early 1900s, which is why it is called that way. Murphy popularized the concept of a foldaway bed design, making it an excellent solution to save space. The term "Murphy bed" has since become a generic term for foldaway beds.
The bed's hinged frame folds vertically into a wall or cabinet, making a room serve more functions. This is a practical solution if you live in small spaces where you can convert a bedroom into a living area at any time.
The most unique feature of Murphy's invention is the pivot and counterbalance mechanism, which makes it easy to lift and lower the bed. Murphy patented the "Disappearing Bed" and other designs in the early 20th century.
Murphy Bed Name Origin
If you’ve ever wondered how the Murphy wall bed got its name, the answer may surprise you. According to Smithsonian Mag, William Lawrence Murphy came up with the idea for the folding cabinet bed around 1900 in San Francisco.
They say necessity is the mother of all inventions, and that is certainly true in this case. As the legend goes, a love interest prompted the invention of the wall bed. Murphy was taken by a young opera singer. However, in that era, it was considered deeply immodest to invite a woman to enter a man's bedroom.
(Read about what makes real wood Murphy beds the future of furniture here)
To get around this, he placed a full-size mattress on a metal frame that could be folded up when not in use. The wall bed allowed Murphy to stow his bed in his closet, hence transforming his one-room apartment from a bedroom into a parlor where the young singer could enter.
The invention was successful in more ways than one. Murphy would later marry the woman who inspired the wall bed, according to More Space Place. Then, in 1911, Murphy filed a patent to launch his own booming business, the Murphy Bed Company.
If you want to learn more, read the full history of the Murphy bed here.
Save space in your room with our sideways-mounted Murphy beds!
Lori Beds and YouLift Beds: A Short Guide
|
Feature |
Lori Bed |
YouLift Bed |
|
Murphy Bed Frame |
Made of high-pressure laminate |
Made of furniture-grade wood and veneer finishes |
|
Bed Mechanism |
Spring mechanism for easy lifting |
No springs or pistons; manual lifting by two people |
|
Safety Features |
StayOpen locks (prevents accidental entrapment), keyed platform lock (controlled access) |
Locking pins to secure the bed in the closed position |
|
Mattress Support |
Supports mattresses up to 10 inches thick; weight capacity up to 2,000 lbs |
Supports mattresses up to 12 inches thick; weight capacity up to 1,000 lbs |
|
Sizes Available |
Queen and twin sizes; available in vertical and horizontal orientations |
Queen size only; available in vertical and horizontal orientations |
|
Shipping Cost |
Free shipping within the lower 48 U.S. states |
Same with Lori Beds |
|
Delivery & Warranty |
Delivered to your door with a 60-day return policy and lifetime warranty |
Same with Lori Beds |
|
Assembly Process |
Step-by-step instructions are available in online, PDF, and printed formats |
Same with Lori Beds |
|
Tools Required |
Screwdriver, power drill, level, stud-finder |
Wrench, drill, stud-finder, screwdriver |
Where Did the Term “Murphy Bed” Come From?
Murphy originally called his invention “The Disappearing Bed.” It has also been called a pull-out bed, hideaway bed, foldaway bed, or wall bed. But it’s ultimately best known by the inventor’s moniker: The Murphy bed.
(Discover the difference between a cabinet bed and a Murphy bed here)
National Museum of American History's Assistant Collections Manager Robyn J. Einhorn said the invention was a quick success "because of a combination of good timing, a quality product, and an inventive marketing strategy.”
Gene Kolakowski, who runs the Original Murphy Bed Company on Long Island, told CBS News that what makes the Murphy bed the Murphy bed is really the mechanism.
"He was a tinkerer, inventor, and he came up with the idea, 'If I could put the bed away, then she can come into my living room," Kolakowski said. "And it's only a bedroom when she leaves — that was the concept, and that's what got him started."
According to Smithsonian Magazine, newspaper advertisements for apartments used the Murphy bed as a selling point throughout the 1920s. Today, the Murphy bed remains popular for its space-transforming abilities.
Murphy beds “continue to fill a need in living spaces of today, whether it is for small city apartments or suburban homes of empty nesters turning a college student's old bedroom into an office/guest space," Einhorn said.
Get your premium and stylish Murphy bed here!
Murphy Bed Evolution
Technology for modern Murphy beds has improved vastly since its invention a century ago. The Youlift Bed from Lori Beds doesn't use cumbersome metal frames or springs at all. Instead, its platform rolls up and down along rounded wooden rockers on the floor. It is a clever yet simple system.
Curious about finished vs. unfinished Murphy beds? Learn more here.
The Lori Bed is made from HPL (High-Pressure Laminate) which ensures its stability and durability. The company offers a range of pre-finished modern Murphy beds. You can also choose an unfinished model of a closed Murphy bed that can be painted or stained to the color you want.
In case of a defective Murphy bed, contact your retailer for repairs.
Enjoy Comfort and Convenience with Murphy Beds
The Murphy bed design has been improved since William Lawrence Murphy came up with the idea for the fold-out bed a century ago. However, the concept of this space-saving furniture has ultimately stood the test of time.
Buying a Murphy bed saves valuable floor space in the guest room or in any room. You can choose from vertical Murphy beds to horizontal Murphy beds, depending on your needs. And if you choose the Lori Bed, you can purchase it with our Murphy bed mattresses.
