Murphy beds?

[ColbyBruce]

Have any of you installed one of these contraptions? A friend has the space above his 24'x30' detached garage to build in a small efficiency size apartment. He was considering installing a Murphy bed in the living area for additional sleep space. These beds are costly, so he was concerned about the comfort and stability of such a unit. Thanks.

 

[gasaman]

Watching-

I've been thinking of setting up a rental cabin on my riverfront property in NH.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Only ever slept in one once.
In a Condo at Ski Durango, CO.
When it was folded up the dining table extended from it.

 

[dockmurgw]

Same here...thinking of getting one for my camp. Its only a 16x20 building so space is in short supply.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

One of the apartment complexes I worked at had Murphy Beds. There were about 20 Efficiency Apartments with an unbrand Murphy Bed. They were in the 20 year old time frame, and the mattresses were pretty lumpy, but my hide a bed sofas are much worse.

The only maintenance issue I saw was at the fold-up pivot point. If there were a few people of good size really bouncing or maybe jumping, they could damage that pivoting mechanism.

The other thing I noticed was, people would have things spread across the bed (Think paperwork) and someone must have shown up, they would fold up the bed and the paperwork would slid to a compartment inside the framework and required minor disassembly to gain access. During clean up I often found one to three sets of pillows and numerous books!

Ivan

 

[Onomea]

My brother had one in his study in his high-rise condo. When guests stayed over, he would pull it down and the study would become a second bedroom. I am a fairly large guy, 6'2"/230 lbs, plus my wife at about half my weight, and we found it comfortable. Very stable.

My guess is like most things there is a range of brands and prices, and one gets what one pays for.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Mark was concerned with the bed breaking as once he gets everything built the furniture is in there forever; unless he removes the large window in the doghouse dormer.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I've seen those "Tiny Houses" that seem to be getting popular. I think one of those beds is in them. But for the stupid high prices they charge for those houses the beds should be sturdy. I think I've had at least 3 of the sofa beds, studio couches, whatever, and every one was junk as far as sleeping. Those beds look like they would at least be more comfrtable, as I don't see a moving part besides the pivot point, eliminating the stupid hinge in the middle.

 

[Onomea]

For a sofa bed, try American Leather. That's the brand name. They have fabric or leather. Very comfortable and well made. Pricey, but comfy. Got one in a guest room.

 

[Bald1]

Lots of vacation rentals ( think small condo) in Florida have them. Lots of furnishings stores down there sell them. Never slept in one but people must like them.

 

[kozmic]

My buddy's Tiffin, Mercedes Class C has one. I found it to be "Meh, just OK". I guess if it were I, I would just get a futon or a pull out bed. They seem to have become a little more back friendly. Same result, less expense and hassle.

 

[URIT]

Ease of installation depends on how handy the people are doing the install and they have the tools for the job. I'm not handy, but my son and his friend did an install without a problem.

My mother-in-law had a double Murphy that folding up and swung into a closet. My wife's brother slept on it until he was a teenager. The Murphy had to have been installed in the late 40's.

There are videos on YouTube showing an install.

 

[SMSgt]

Murphy beds always make me think of a few Three Stooges episodes.

 

[lihpster]

The folks put one in about 20 years ago. Uncomfortable beast. Just a mattress on springs. No support.

 

[Rustyt1953]

No prop department during the silent film age was without them.

 

[Adk.IBO]

We like our Murphy bed kit in our guest bedroom and have not had any comfort complaints.

 

[KAC]

Our neighbor, a woodworking wizard, helped me build one for our den. Very comfortable with the right mattress. Plans and hardware are available online.

KAC

 

[Old 44 Guy]

The old house my folks bought [1909] vintage i the '50's had 2 of them upstairs. Mom wanted them gone so I volunteered, dumb me. The durn thing had a spring in there that like to broke my arm. Good riddance. Dad hauled to the dump.

 

[steelslaver]

I made 2 of them for the step daughters that easily convert from bed to desk and back and the desk top stays level as it rotates down to be covered by the bed portion. Wife bought the hardware and plans ALL I had to do was lay it out, ct it out assemble it, get them in the house and set up. They were made out of MFD and weigh a ton.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I appreciate the replies. I believe I have convinced him to build a banquette that can convert to a bed, like is found in travel trailers. This would allow for a window in the dormer area as well as storage space under the seats.