Murphy Bed Pros and Cons: What to Know Before Buying

Decorative throw pillows and scented candles are stylish home accents, but when it comes to long-term investment pieces, practicality matters most. If you have ever wanted to maximize your floor plan by reclaiming space in a spare guest room, a Murphy bed is a design lover’s solution.     

The stowaway wall bed has come leaps and bounds since its invention in the early 1900s. Today’s Murphy beds are credited as practical space-savers. They also integrate seamlessly into small spaces without sacrificing style.    

Murphy bed pros and cons at a glance:

Whether you live in a small 900-square-foot apartment or a house, a Murphy bed offers many more advantages than a traditional bed. These benefits include:

• Transform rooms into multipurpose areas by freeing up valuable floor space

• Blend with your existing décor and even include additional features like shelving or desks

• Offer convenience and easy installation

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AT A GLANCE
Pro: Daily Space Recovery
Con: Limited Placement Options
Pro: Multi-Functional Design
Pro: Built to Last 
Con: Permanent Commitment 
Pro: Aesthetic Flexibility
Con: Upfront & Investment Cost 
Pro: Superior Comfort
Con: Installation & Safety Concerns
Pro: Provides Room for Innovation
Potential Drawbacks of Murphy Beds
FAQs
Final Thoughts

But it’s not all about the practical benefits. Here are some Murphy bed pros and cons to maximize your space.

Pro: Daily Space Recovery

Lift the bed up, and the room stops being a guest bedroom for the rest of the day. That's the entire pitch. A guest room becomes a workout space, home office, living space, or a studio the moment the mattress disappears into the wall.

The Murphy bed was made to allow guest rooms to perform multiple purposes. According to Smithsonian Mag, William Lawrence Murphy came up with the idea for the stowaway bed around 1900 in San Francisco. As the legend goes, a love interest prompted the invention of the wall bed. Murphy was taken by a young opera singer; however, it would be considered deeply immodest to invite her to enter a gentleman’s bedroom. 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.  

Today, Murphy beds are used to transform spare rooms in creative ways. Design gurus Chip and Joanna Gaines renovated a playroom with a Murphy bed to accommodate guests in one episode of their wildly popular HGTV show Fixer Upper.  

Murphy beds are also ideal for transforming underused rooms into designated home offices, home fitness centers, or artist studios. The sky’s the limit when it comes to dreaming up creative ideas when you have extra space to spread out.  

Con: Limited Placement Options

This is the constraint people miss until they're mid-purchase. Murphy beds are designed to be mounted flush to a straight, level, and windowless wall. If you have an unconventional room shape — think odd-shaped angles or low ceilings — you’d likely be unable to use a wall bed. Measure the wall first.

Pro: Multi-Functional Design  

Not only does a wall allow spare rooms to perform multiple functions, but the piece itself is also dual-use. Many of today’s Murphy bed options are equipped with pull-out desks and cabinetry. It is a two-for-one, cost and space-saving investment.    

The Lori Bed, for example, offers Murphy bed upgrades like shelves and desks that are perfect for adding small decorations and a full work-from-home setup - no need to remove small items as the stay-level shelves and desks will keep items safe and sound as you lift and lower the bed. 

For a room that needs to feel more like a living room by day, Lori Beds also offers The Lori Sofa Bed Bundle. This pairs The Lori Bed with the Sofa Upgrade, creating a seating area that stays in place when the bed opens. You simply remove the back cushions, then lower the bed over the sofa base. The upgrade adds deep seating, supportive cushions, performance upholstery, and a more complete lounge setup without needing to move heavy furniture every night.

Maximize your space without sacrificing style.

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Pro: Built to Last 

Credit: Decorist  

One of the biggest differences between older wall beds and many modern versions is build quality. Older models sometimes had a reputation for being flimsy, but a well-built modern option can be sturdy enough for repeated everyday use.

The material quality of the space-saving bed matters. Some lower-priced particleboard options may work for short-term spaces such as a dorm or starter apartment. Higher-quality wall beds are built for repeated daily use and longer-term value. 

Lori Beds products are made with HPL and designed for practical, long-term use. If you are deciding whether a wall bed is worth the investment, durability should be part of the decision, not just the upfront price.

Con: Permanent Commitment 

Wall beds require screwing into studs or drywall. Beds with metal lifting mechanisms often have to be installed on the baseboard or even on the floor. If you’re living in a rental unit, you may not be allowed to mount anything into the wall, which can make a cabinet bed a non-starter. 

Pro: Aesthetic Flexibility  

(Credit: Greg Tilley)  

Many Murphy bed companies offer beds available in different orientations, sizes, and finishes. As featured on HGTV, designer Deborah Gerbis decided on a custom solution for the narrow Ottawa apartment pictured above.   

"We thought about a Murphy-style bed, but positioned the bed horizontally instead of the traditional vertical orientation. We chose maple cabinetry with a medium stain to complement the floor and included frosted glass elements to keep the unit from feeling imposing in such a narrow room," Gerbis told HGTV.    

There’s also the option to add custom hardware to match other furniture or add fun features, like hooks for your favorite cozy bathrobe. If you want a custom color, some companies, like Lori Beds, offer different finishes for The Lori Bed. You can surely pick a color that matches your room.

One thing to keep in mind is that Lori Beds is expanding its pre-finished options, so keep an eye out for new designs!

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Con: Upfront & Investment Cost  

Basic, quality-built Murphy beds typically start near $2,000, and fully custom or high-end builds can run $5,000 and up, depending on materials and add-ons. You generally get what you pay for. 

At Lori Beds, we offer high-quality Murphy beds made to stand the test of time, which means fantastic cost savings for our customers. If you’d like to learn more about our high-end products, click here to see more.   

Pro: Superior Comfort

 Credit: Addicted 2 DIY 

People in the market for a Murphy bed often question if it’s going to be comfortable. Unlike traditional beds, a Murphy bed holds a real mattress, and almost any standard mattress will work. No box spring is required.  

The majority of Murphy beds can accommodate mattresses up to 12 inches thick. If you are not familiar with mattresses in terms of thickness, they are easy to find, and it's likely you already have one since standard thickness ranges from 9 to 12 inches.  

For Lori Beds products:

•The Lori Bed: Use a mattress no more than 10 inches thick, and choose one that is as lightweight as possible.

•The YouLift 2.0 Bed: Use a mattress no more than 12 inches thick.

Avoid latex mattresses for this type of setup because they can slump and flop over when stored upright.  

Follow our guide for choosing a Murphy bed mattress  

Con: Installation & Safety Concerns

Wall beds don’t arrive fully assembled. Thus, installation is one of the clearest drawbacks. A space-saving bed has to be set up correctly, anchored securely, and matched to the structure of the room.

For Lori Beds, installation is a two-person job. All our space-saving beds must be anchored to the wall. That secure attachment is what keeps the bed stable during normal use.

If you do not have the right tools, do not know where the studs are, or are not comfortable with the setup process, plan for help before the bed arrives. If you rent, confirm permission before buying. 

Murphy bed installation is not just a matter of convenience. It is a safety issue.

Pro: Provides Room for Innovation   

Credit: Home Design Lover 
 

If you love to entertain or invite loved ones to stay for holidays, Murphy beds are great for creating ideal sleeping spaces in unexpected places. Some creative homeowners maximize space by using multiple wall beds to improvise sleeping quarters when needed. Because Murphy bed models come in various sizes and orientations, they can easily be tucked away in a finished basement or family room.  

Murphy beds are among the most practical and stylish pieces of furniture available. Wall beds are a design lover’s space-saving solution, whether it's to maximize space in a small apartment or transform underused spaces into multifunctional rooms. 

Potential Drawbacks of Murphy Beds

While Murphy beds are incredibly functional, you need to weigh the downsides before investing:

• Requires Wall Installation: Most Murphy bed models must be anchored to studs or drywall, which may not be permitted in rentals.

• Upfront Cost: Higher-quality wall beds are high-priced, though they deliver better durability.

• Limited Placement Options: Rooms with slanted walls, odd corners, or low ceilings may not be compatible.

• Assembly Complexity: Expect a DIY project or professional installation for many models.

FAQs

What are the main pros of a Murphy bed?

The main benefits are space savings, flexibility, comfort, and better room use. A wall bed lets one room serve more than one purpose.

What are the main cons of a Murphy bed?

The main cons are placement limits, installation, upfront cost, and renter restrictions. Most wall beds need a clear wall, enough floor clearance, and secure anchoring into studs. If you rent or cannot drill into the wall, this may be a dealbreaker.

Is a Murphy bed worth it?

Yes. A Murphy bed is worth it when a room needs to serve multiple purposes. It can turn a guest room into a home office, a workout room, a playroom, or a living space during the day. The investment makes the most sense when you will use the extra space often, not just once or twice a year.

Can you sleep on a Murphy bed every night?

Yes, many wall beds can be used every night if they are well-built, installed correctly, and paired with the right mattress. Comfort depends on the mattress, bed size, support system, and ease of raising and lowering the bed as part of your daily routine.

Which is more comfortable, a sofa bed or a Murphy bed?

A Murphy bed is usually more comfortable than a sofa bed because it can use a real mattress instead of a thin pull-out cushion. A sofa bed may work for occasional guests, but a wall bed is often the better choice when comfort matters, or the bed will be used more often.

Are Murphy beds safe?

Murphy beds are safe when they are assembled correctly and anchored as directed. For Lori Beds, installation is a two-person job, and every bed must be anchored to the wall. Always follow the installation instructions and confirm that the wall can support the bed before use.

How long does a Murphy bed last?

Lifespan depends on the materials, construction quality, installation, and how often the bed is used. A higher-quality wall bed built for repeated movement should last much longer than a lower-priced option made for short-term use.

Final Thoughts

Murphy beds remain one of the smartest space-saving furniture solutions available. They can transform spare rooms into multifunctional spaces, offer long-term comfort with standard mattresses, and even enhance your home’s style with customizable finishes.

However, they’re not without trade-offs. They require wall installation, cost more than basic alternatives, and demand careful planning to fit your limited space. Still, the pros often outweigh the cons.

If you’re looking for a modern, durable, and customizable option, check out the Lori Bed. It is designed to solve common space-saving bed pitfalls while seamlessly blending into your home.

Related: Does a Murphy Bed Need to be Mounted to a Wall?

Related: How to Downsize to Small Space Living: Best Pro Tips & Tricks

Related: How Much Does a Murphy Bed Cost?