What Is a Murphy Bed and Is It Worth It?
If you've ever wished your spare room could double as a home office, a lounge, or a hobby space — you're not alone. Space is one of the biggest challenges in modern homes, especially in cities like Auckland, Sydney, and London where square footage comes at a premium. That's exactly why Murphy beds have been making a comeback.
But what exactly is a Murphy bed, and is it actually worth buying one? Let's break it all down.
What Is a Murphy Bed?
A Murphy bed — also known as a wall bed or fold-down bed — is a bed that folds up vertically into a wall-mounted cabinet when not in use. Named after inventor William Murphy, who patented the design in the early 1900s, the concept has been refined significantly over the decades.
Today's Murphy beds are sleek, sturdy, and surprisingly easy to operate. Most use a counterbalanced piston or gas strut mechanism that makes folding the bed up and down effortless — even for one person.
How Does a Murphy Bed Work?
The mechanism is the heart of the Murphy bed. A good quality Murphy bed kit uses gas struts or spring-loaded pistons to counterbalance the weight of the mattress. This means:
• You can fold the bed up or down with minimal effort
• The bed stays securely in place when raised — no risk of it dropping unexpectedly
• The mechanism is designed for long-term, repeated use
With a kit like Easy Fold Murphy Bed, you build the surrounding timber frame yourself using plywood, then attach the hardware mechanism. The result is a custom-built wall bed that fits your exact space and style.
What Are the Benefits of a Murphy Bed?
The biggest benefit is obvious: space. When the bed is folded away, you reclaim the entire floor area of your room. But the advantages go beyond that:
Space saving: A queen-size bed takes up roughly 4.5 square metres of floor space. A Murphy bed gives that back to you every morning.
Versatility: Your spare room can become a home office, playroom, gym, or creative studio — and convert back to a bedroom in under 60 seconds when guests arrive.
Value for money: A DIY Murphy bed kit is significantly cheaper than buying a purpose-built unit, and adds real value to your home.
Aesthetics: When folded up, the cabinet looks like a clean piece of furniture — not a bed at all.
Is a Murphy Bed Comfortable to Sleep In?
Yes — because you use a regular mattress. Unlike sofa beds, which often have thin, uncomfortable fold-out mattresses, a Murphy bed uses a full-sized mattress of your choosing. You can use a foam mattress, a pocket spring mattress, or any other type you prefer, as long as it fits within the recommended thickness (generally up to 32cm).
Most people report that sleeping in a Murphy bed feels exactly the same as sleeping in a standard bed — because it essentially is one.
Who Is a Murphy Bed Right For?
Murphy beds work particularly well for:
• Apartment and small home owners looking to maximise space
• Homeowners who want a guest room that doubles as something else
• Airbnb hosts who want to accommodate guests without sacrificing usable space
• People working from home who need a dedicated office space
• Anyone wanting to add value and functionality to their property
So, Is It Worth It?
If space is a challenge in your home — yes, a Murphy bed is absolutely worth it. The combination of practicality, comfort, and cost-effectiveness makes it one of the smartest investments you can make in your living space.
A DIY kit from Easy Fold Murphy Bed gives you everything you need to build a high-quality wall bed yourself, at a fraction of the cost of buying a pre-built unit. The assembly is straightforward, the mechanism is built to last, and the result looks and functions beautifully.
If you've been sitting on the fence, the question isn't really whether a Murphy bed is worth it — it's why you haven't got one yet.