Beds That Come Out of Closets

History of the Murphy Bed

• When William L. Murphy moved into a one-room apartment in San Francisco in the late 1800s, he was disappointed that his bed took up most of the floor space. He developed a bed that would fold up and against a wall or inside a closet, so that he could better use the space for entertaining. William applied for his first patent in about 1900 and formed the "Murphy Wall Bed Company" of California. His company is one of the oldest furniture companies in the United States, and it has enjoyed continuous production since its inception. While sales waned during the 1950s and 1960s, the Murphy Bed has seen increased popularity since the 1970s, when buying a large home became a challenge once again for some.

How and Why the Murphy Bed Works

• A patented spring-loaded counter-balancing mechanism securely fastened to the floor makes the latest Murphy Beds safe and easy to operate. Mattress supports within the beds accommodate standard mattresses in twin, full, queen or king. A Murphy Bed is no longer a built-in; the bed disappears into a piece of furniture. A modern line of ready-to-assemble cabinetry, including decorator wall units that contain additional storage, are available in numerous styles and finishes. Murphy Beds lift, fold and store out of sight quickly and fashionably.

Application in the Home, Office and Elsewhere

• In today's mobile society, a bed that can transition from studio apartment to family home (and perhaps back again) is an asset. In addition, a Murphy Bed is ideal for converting a den or dining room into an extra bedroom or converting a bedroom into a home office or computer room without losing the sleeping area. Blankets and pillows strap conveniently into place for storage. The Murphy Bed also can provide space-efficient sleep accommodations in a variety of other settings such as business offices, firehouses, dormitories and hotels.

Acquiring a Murphy Bed

• Now Murphy Bed Company, Inc, the company's manufacturing, warehouse and corporate headquarters are located in Farmingdale, New York. Murphy Bed Co. has distributors in most major cities in the United States and also exports to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and other countries if requested. A Murphy Bed can be shipped directly to customers who do not live in an area that has a retail dealer. See Resources section for contact information.