What Is a Murphy Bed?

AT A GLANCE
How Does a Murphy Bed Work?
A Wall Bed vs. A Murphy Bed: Is There a Difference?
The Lori Bed Difference
Lori Bed vs. YouLift 2.0 Bed
Wall vs. Floor Mounted
Murphy Bed Mattress Types
FAQs
Murphy Bed: A Clever Solution for Modern Living Spaces

How Does a Murphy Bed Work?

A Murphy bed works using a counterbalance system, either a spring mechanism or a gas-piston mechanism, that offsets the weight of the mattress, making it possible to raise and lower the bed with minimal effort. The bed pivots on a hinge at one end and is secured to a wall-mounted cabinet frame. A locking mechanism holds it in the closed position.

When lifted, it sits flush inside the cabinet or against the wall, and when pulled down, it functions like a standard bed. High-quality Murphy beds also include locking systems, durable slats, and mattress supports to ensure stability, comfort, and long-term performance.

A Wall Bed vs. A Murphy Bed: Is There a Difference?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference between a wall bed and a traditional Murphy bed. A regular Murphy bed is wall- or floor-mounted and uses elaborate springs and metal frames to raise and lower the mattress.   

A traditional wall bed also uses a spring mechanism and includes cabinets on either side of the bed, so the bed appears as a regular wall when in the upright position.  

If you're looking for a Murphy bed company that blends simplicity, practicality, and style, the Lori Bed is your perfect choice. Ready to make the most of your valuable floor space? Choose the Lori Bed today for a perfect balance of form and function!

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The Lori Bed Difference   

Unlike traditional Murphy beds or wall beds, the Lori Bed has a double-chamber gas-piston mechanism that makes it easy to lift, safe, and smooth to lower.

We value safety, which is why we designed an all-new, secure wall-mounting system for the Lori Bed, plus a mechanism that can be locked in both the open and closed positions. This is all to ensure the safety of your kids, pets, and everyone you care about.

If you’re having trouble during installation, Lori Beds provides a comprehensive step-by-step building guide and video tutorial that clearly illustrates the installation process.   

For those with prior experience, assembling the bed with a partner should take under two hours. Most Lori Beds’ customers take 2-6 hours to build and install a bed that lasts a lifetime— that's less time than it takes to clean out and reorganize most closets.    

With the potential of a hidden bed with a simple setup, you can transform your space in no time. Elevate your room's functionality and style with Lori Beds today!

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Lori Bed vs. YouLift 2.0 Bed

The Lori Bed and YouLift 2.0 Bed are high-quality Murphy bed units from Lori Beds that save space for optimal functionality in small homes. The Lori Bed is available in both queen and twin sizes in vertical and horizontal models. The horizontal units are also known as sideways-mounted Murphy beds.

Dimensions and Orientation

William Lawrence Murphy invented the Murphy bed (sometimes called a disappearing bed) in San Francisco in the 1900s to entertain guests in his small apartment. Since then, the many Murphy beds available on the market have improved greatly.

Here’s a look at the dimensions of the Lori and YouLift 2.0 Bed:

Lori Beds are made of 100% high-pressure laminate. On the other hand, the YouLift 2.0 bed doesn’t have a mechanism and is made of lighter components. The Lori Bed can hold a mattress weighing up to 80 lbs for queen models and 50 lbs for the twin ones, while the YouLift 2.0 Bed can hold mattresses up to 12" thick and as light as possible.

Unlike trundle beds, which are stored under a twin bed, Lori and YouLift 2.0 Beds are installed and safely tucked into a wall when not used.

Additional Reminder

If you get a defective Murphy bed, check your warranty terms to save on repairs and contact your manufacturer immediately.

Wall vs. Floor Mounted

The most common Murphy wall bed options are floor-mounted or wall-mounted, depending on where the bed will be secured. Traditional spring mechanism systems require floor mounting, which makes the bed stable, but it usually causes permanent damage to the floor. Floor-mounted units are also more difficult to remove once installed.   

The majority of modern Murphy beds on the market need to be secured to a wall. Wall-mounted units attach to studs and can generally be moved without causing much damage. Traditional wall-mounted Murphy beds rely on gas piston lifting mechanisms to raise the bed platform up and down. 

If you want to preserve your floors, baseboards, and molding, the Lori Bed is a better alternative because it doesn’t create tension near the bed's base to lift the mattress. The bed uses a standalone platform that only attaches to the cabinet when it's in the upright position, meaning there's very little weight, if any, pulling against the wall.

Get your new Murphy bed from loribeds.com now!

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Murphy Bed Mattress Types

People often wonder if you need a special mattress for a Murphy bed. The good news is that virtually any mattress can be used in a Murphy bed. Just keep in mind considerations such as mattress thickness, firmness/comfort, and mattress weight. 

Another distinction to keep in mind is that Murphy beds and wall beds don't have box springs. Instead, the mattress attaches to the original Murphy bed frame with a retention system, like an elastic strap, to hold it in place in the upright position. Slumping (or tucking away a mattress while in the upright position) can be mitigated by keeping the mattress strap tight. A tight strap helps the mattress stay straight when it is stored upright.      

The Lori Bed can accommodate any mattress up to 10 inches thick. To preserve the integrity of the mattress for the long term, the company recommends choosing a thicker mattress. Thicker mattresses are less likely to bend or slump than a thinner option since the wall acts as a support if the mattress is thick.

Lori Mattress vs. YouLift Mattress

The Lori and YouLift Mattresses are made specifically for a wall bed frame. They can be stored vertically without sagging.

Here’s an overview of the bed size, dimensions, mattress thickness, and compatibility.

Lori Mattresses have a pocketed coil base and memory foam layers. They’re hand-tufted so that they can withstand upright storage. YouLift Mattresses are made of memory foam, cooling gel foam, high-density foam core, and organic cotton cover. They’re also CertiPUR‑US® certified and suit most sleepers.

If you're using a custom Murphy bed, ask your manufacturer for the kind of mattresses you need to buy. Both Lori and YouLift 2.0 Beds are ideal additions to your guest bedroom. They function like a sleeper sofa and can last longer using a high-quality mattress. Make sure you have enough wall space to install the bed and mattress before buying them.

FAQs

Is a Murphy bed the same as a wall bed?

The terms are used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference. Murphy bed refers specifically to the original spring-and-frame design patented by William Murphy. Wall bed is the broader modern term, encompassing piston-lift designs like The Lori Bed, which are built as cabinet furniture rather than a metal frame. All Murphy beds are wall beds; not all wall beds are Murphy beds.

How much space does a Murphy bed save?

A closed Murphy bed (queen) typically projects only 15–16 inches from the wall. When open, it requires roughly 85-86 inches of floor depth. That means when closed, a queen Murphy bed reclaims approximately 70 inches (nearly 6 feet) of floor depth in a room.

Murphy Bed: A Clever Solution for Modern Living Spaces

A Murphy bed is the right choice when you need a room to serve two purposes without compromising either. The key decisions come down to: vertical vs. horizontal orientation, assisted vs. manual lift, and whether you need integrated storage space or desk functionality.

Do you have a specific question about purchasing a wall bed? Feel free to reach out to us directly at info@loribeds.com. You can also check out our additional comprehensive guides below.    

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