When most of us hear the term Murphy Bed, we usually think of a bed mounted to a wall, aka “Wall Bed”. But did you know a Murphy Bed can be installed to the floor OR to the wall?
Deciding styles of Murphy beds and how they best fit into your home is an important choice. As you consider your options, it is important to understand the fundamental differences between a wall mounted Murphy bed or a floor-mount system.
Mounting a Murphy bed unit into the wall:
When deciding on a wall mounted Murphy bed, take into consideration the wall you will be using. A Murphy bed is usually mounted to the wall by locating three studs and attaching the back panel of the Murphy bed to those studs with a drill.
Wall Mounting Pros:
- *Will incur very little damage to the structure of your room
- *Utilizing studs in your wall creates a stable foundation for your Murphy bed
- *Easy to reposition your Murphy bed if needed
- *Utilizes the piston mechanism which provides generous support when raising and lowering the Murphy bed
Wall Mounting Cons:
- *Certain wall types will require additional installation steps (depends on what the wall made of: sheet rock, concrete or bricks)
- *DYI installation may require a more advanced skill level
- *Piston mechanisms cannot be adjusted once installed.
Mounting a Murphy bed unit into the floor:
Some systems require that the unit be drilled into the floor of the room. These are generally systems that rely on spring mechanisms.
Floor Mounting Pros:
- *Floor-mount systems call for a solid mounting surface which provides grounded stability
- *Makes your Murphy bed a fixture in your home
- *Spring mechanisms are counter balanced, and enhance the ease of lowering and lifting your Murphy bed.
Floor Mounting Cons
- *The spring mechanism may require specialized cabinetry to conceal
- *May permanently damage your floor
- *Requires any carpeting to be cut away
- *Difficult to move once installed
Possible ways to avoid floor damage: Look for a “false floor” option, where the Murphy bed is attached to a specifically cut piece of plywood, which is then attached to the wall or baseboards.
So which Murphy bed is right for you? Read our Murphy Bed Buyers Guide to learn more about your options. When you have decided which style is right for you, you will be one step closer to enjoying your Murphy bed.
