A Murphy bed is a staple in old movies and television shows, usually as part of a comic routine. And it’s easy to see why they were such comedy favorites: a Murphy bed, unlike a traditional bed with a box spring and bed frame, is hinged at the head end and folds up against a wall for storage. In movies, this usually happens at unexpected moments, trapping someone between the bed and the wall. While it may have been a real problem when Murphy beds were in their prime, modern Murphy beds don’t really spring back into vertical position and spontaneously trap their occupants upside down. Fortunately, they are usually equipped with a counterbalance mechanism that prevents unprovoked retraction. It’s certainly less funny, but much safer this way!
Murphy beds may not be as common as they once were, but they can still be found in homes with limited space. For example, people who live in small apartments and mobile homes can benefit from a Murphy bed; when the bed is in its upright position, it leaves a lot of usable space. Some Murphy beds are concealed by closet doors, while others merely fold into a sort of pocket in the wall. This latter type usually has some kind of solid panel on the bottom of the mattress that resembles the rest of the walls in the room. Sometimes that panel is equipped with modular cabinetry so the space can be used for additional storage, computer desks, entertainment units, or other purposes. The mattress is attached directly to the bed frame so everything stays in place when the bed is vertical. Rather than resting on a box spring, the mattress usually sits on a tightly stretched wire mesh. Because they would get in the way during storage, a Murphy bed does not have a headboard or footboard.
