In North America, wall beds are typically called Murphy beds, after the man who invented them, William Lawrence Murphy. An Irishman born in 1876, the story goes that he fell in love with an opera singer while living in a small apartment in San Francisco.
As
Smithsonian Magazine recounts the story: “Courting customs at that time would not permit a lady to enter a gentleman’s bedroom. But according to family legend, Murphy’s limited finances and a strict moral code didn’t spoil his chance at love. His invention allowed him to stow his bed in his closet, transforming his one-room apartment from a bedroom into a parlor. They married in 1900.”
There were similar fold-up beds in use at the time, but Murphy’s ingenious bed included modifications for which he was awarded multiple patents, including a patent for a “disappearing bed.”
Today’s designs are even more ingenious and elegant, with silky smooth operations and modern, comfortable
mattresses that give you a good night’s sleep even though the mattress may be a bit thinner due to the design of the wall bed itself. Plus, some wall beds also include space for desks and cabinet storage.
Maximize your space without sacrificing either style or comfort with a high-quality Murphy wall bed from Broadway Furniture. Most are made to orders, and we love to customize! Ask us about available colors, shapes, sizes, and other amenities.
Happy bed hunting!
