Mr. Murphys design was constructed of steel bolted to the door jamb of a closet. The lifting mechanism consisted of two steel springs that were strong enough to do most of the work of lifting and tight enough to keep the bed in a vertical position when out of use. The unit was counter-balanced to also keep it in the horizontal, open position when needed. Early improvements allowed the mattress to pivot so it would glide from one position to another. Many of these beds are still in use, especially in the older apartments of San Francisco and New York City.

During World War II, steel was in short supply. Consequently, fewer beds were constructed, even though replacement parts continued to be made. After the war, people moved from their small apartments in the cities to roomier houses in the suburbs. Interest in the Murphy bed waned until the movement back to city living in the 1980s.

Meanwhile, the mechanism itself was gradually improved as new patents were granted. The basic Murphy bed mechanism, two springs that needed periodic adjustments, was modified until the unit can now function well without any adjustments for years, and can be guaranteed for ten years or more. Many units are no longer attached to the floor or to the back of a closet, but are part of custom cabinetry. The unit now locks in place in both the vertical and horizontal position. There are even mechanisms that are gas-piston driven or electric, especially useful for the handicapped and elderly.

The Murphy bed mechanism can be purchased and installed separately in preexisting or custom cabinetry, or will be delivered fully assembled with a purchased Murphy bed. Murphy Beds provides detailed information on murphy beds, murphy bed plans, wall beds, bed libraries, and antique beds. Murphy Beds is the sister site of Bunk Beds Web.

Written By: Dave Lavinsky

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During World War II and directly afterwards, the beds dropped in popularity, first because of the scarcity of steel, and then because people were moving out of the city to larger, suburban homes, and space was not at such a premium. In the decades of the fifties and sixties, the beds were mainly remembered as props in slap-stick comedy, or the place to hide the body in a mystery story.

Now, Murphy beds are experiencing resurgence, as professional people move back into the cities and make their smaller living spaces more functional. Many apartment dwellers are finding these beds already existing in older buildings, especially in places like San Francisco, where the Murphy bed was invented, and where many Murphy beds were sold for the apartments built between the 1906 earthquake and World War II. Antique Murphy beds are now much sought after conversation pieces and design focal points, as well as practical, still-functioning pieces of furniture.

Antique Murphy beds are also being sold in fine antique stores all over the country. Many of the original mechanisms still function and the cabinetry used to create the units can be quite beautiful. Buyers should remember, however, that a true Murphy bed is not going to be older than the invention, patented in 1900. The piece may be housed in a cabinet that is older than the patent, but the mechanism cannot be older than that. The buyer should be knowledgeable about the furniture of the period as a whole, and about the mechanism itself. Intelligently purchased, these beds can be an investment and a functioning piece of furniture. Murphy Beds Info provides detailed information on murphy beds, murphy bed plans, wall beds, bed libraries, and antique beds. Murphy Beds Info is the sister site of Bunk Beds Web.

Written By: Eddie Tobey

In addition, futon mattresses have improved in quality, and are now nearly as comfortable as traditional mattress. These factors, along with their versatility and space-saving functionality, have made futons and futon bunk beds more appealing.

Futon bunk beds are two futon beds stacked one on top of the other. The only real difference between futon bunk beds and traditional bunk beds is that the former has the dual functionality of serving as a couch. As such futon bunk beds represent the ultimate in space savings. They allow you to have two beds and a couch all within just a few square feet of floor space.

These benefits are obviously appealing to certain demographics. For instance, college dormitories are a natural fit for futon bunk beds. Likewise, in areas such as New York City and San Francisco, where apartment sizes are small and expensive, there is a great impetus for futon bunk beds to be purchased.

In addition to differing from traditional bunk beds due to their added functionality, futon bunk beds typically appeal to an older demographic, rather than kids. Futon bunk beds are also appealing to older individuals since they often have modern styling and offer a wide array of customization options such as covers and pillows.

Many futon bunk beds are built with a wooden finish which can easily match accompanying furniture such as dressers, desks, etc. Be sure that the guard rail extends to all sides of the upper bunk. This is a critical safety feature which must not be overlooked.

About the Author

E Bunk Beds is dedicated to providing comprehensive background and product information on various types of bunk beds. E-BunkBeds.com presents an accessible interface where users can determine what bunk bed products are best for them.

Written By: Dani Martin

In addition, futon mattresses have improved in quality, and are now nearly as comfortable as traditional mattress. These factors, along with their versatility and space-saving functionality, have made futons and futon bunk beds more appealing.

Futon bunk beds are two futon beds stacked one on top of the other. The only real difference between futon bunk beds and traditional bunk beds is that the former has the dual functionality of serving as a couch. As such futon bunk beds represent the ultimate in space savings. They allow you to have two beds and a couch all within just a few square feet of floor space.

These benefits are obviously appealing to certain demographics. For instance, college dormitories are a natural fit for futon bunk beds. Likewise, in areas such as New York City and San Francisco, where apartment sizes are small and expensive, there is a great impetus for futon bunk beds to be purchased.

In addition to differing from traditional bunk beds due to their added functionality, futon bunk beds typically appeal to an older demographic, rather than kids. Futon bunk beds are also appealing to older individuals since they often have modern styling and offer a wide array of customization options such as covers and pillows.

Many futon bunk beds are built with a wooden finish which can easily match accompanying furniture such as dressers, desks, etc. Be sure that the guard rail extends to all sides of the upper bunk. This is a critical safety feature which must not be overlooked.

About the Author

Bunk Beds Info provides information on the types of bunk beds that are available, and how and where to buy a bunk bed. Bunk Beds Info is the sister site of Murphy Beds Web.

Written By: Seth Miller

Murphy wall beds are the ultimate in sleeping convenience. These beds are locked safely out of the way when the owner needs the space to work, entertain, or play. However, they are available instantly when its bed time, and are quite comfortable. Standard or pillow-top mattresses are used, and can be of any size from twin to king. Even the pillows and bed linens are fastened securely in place in their wall or cupboard, ready to be curled up on when the bed is lowered to the horizontal position.

These beds have come a long way from the original bed, which was hidden in a closet when not in use. Now they are more than likely a part of an elegant built-in cabinet made of fine wood or gleaming stainless steel. The part of the wall that hides the bed in its vertical position may be recessed, but that is not necessary. Most walls are not deep enough to hold the entire depth of the mattress, so a cabinet makes the better choice.

The steel mechanism and hardware of the original bed has been vastly improved upon as well. A finger touch can lift or lower the bed, and the bed can be locked in either position. These features make Murphy wall beds safe and convenient for people of all ages and sizes. They are also popular as space savers and emergency beds in fire stations, emergency housing, and hospitals. These beds have become a fashionable way to have your room and sleep in it, too. Murphy Beds provides detailed information on murphy beds, murphy bed plans, wall beds, bed libraries, and antique beds. Murphy Beds is the sister site of Bunk Beds Web.

Written By: Dave Lavinsky

One such idea, Murphy beds, is resurfacing. The idea of the Murphy bed was born in San Francisco around 1900. The inventor, William L. Murphy, was a young, single gentleman who lived and slept in a one-room apartment. Because he wanted to entertain his girlfriend in his room, and because proper young ladies did not enter a gentlemans bedroom in those days, he found a way to hide the bed while he was entertaining. He invented a means of easily and automatically flipping the fully-made bed on its end into a closet, so it could be safely stored out of sight, but brought out again when he needed it.

Mr. Murphy patented his idea in 1900. He began manufacturing the beds as others heard of Murphy beds and wanted to take advantage of their space-saving properties. After the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, his invention became even more popular. Much of the city had suffered extensive damage, and the available living space was utilized to the utmost. Murphys business prospered as he continued to improve his product.

Murphy beds rapidly spread across the country as more people moved into the cities and apartment life became a popular trend. Mr. Murphy moved his flourishing business to New York in the 1920s, where it still is today. Many of the original beds are still in use today. Now, they can be found all over the world, in apartments, hotels, hospitals, offices, fire stations, and any other building where efficient use of space is vital. Murphy Beds Info provides detailed information on murphy beds, murphy bed plans, wall beds, bed libraries, and antique beds. Murphy Beds Info is the sister site of Bunk Beds Web.

Written By: Eddie Tobey