The Murphy Bed can be easily concealed in any room without sacrificing aesthetics or floor space. It’s fairly easy to build one, but where did this piece of furniture originate? Who invented the Murphy Bed? Here’s how to build your own using wood and steel, as well as the history of this famous piece of furniture.
The History of Murphy Beds
William Lawrence Murphy was a man with a dream: to have a bed that could fold up and hideaway. He set out to make his idea into reality in 1916, selling his first folding bed within months of launching his business, Murphy Bed of Wichita, Kansas. Since then, hundreds of thousands of these ingenious pieces of furniture have been sold throughout North America and overseas.
Thanks to modern technology and techniques for mass production (plus some serious advertising), consumer demand for Murphy beds has soared — every year, more than 200,000 are sold at retailers across Canada and The United States. Today you can buy your own folding bed online or at any major furniture retailer across North America or other countries around the world, including such as Australia and China, where they are especially popular.
Now almost 100 years after their invention, many people still enjoy having Murphy beds in their homes. Many of today’s Murphy beds even come with added features like memory foam mattresses, massage units, and so much more! And don’t forget about all those who use them in apartments because it’s easier to keep them hidden when not needed! You can read more about what kind of mattress works best for a murphy bed here if you’re looking to get one!
William Lawrence Murphy and the Invention of the Murphy Bed
It was William Lawrence Murphy who invented and patented the bed in 1916. Born on May 23, 1856, in Portland, Maine, to Irish immigrant parents James A. and Hannah (Dunne) Murphy, William grew up to become a self-made millionaire who bought his first factory at age 21, with just $400 he’d saved from his job as a railway clerk. Today, we know that factory as Slumberland Furniture; it was one of many manufacturing businesses he built over his lifetime. However, it is for his innovative idea that most people remember him: a bed which can be folded into its own cabinet when not in use.
This revolutionary invention came about by accident, actually. After receiving complaints about his furniture being damaged during shipping, William decided to design a bed that could be broken down easily and shipped flat. He put together two beds – one with drawers under it and another without -and left them overnight so he could examine them in the morning. When he returned, he found that someone had tried to steal both of them! Thinking quickly, he realized that if thieves wanted them badly enough, there must be a market for such an item. The first Murphy bed was manufactured in 1916; it was designed to fold up into its own cabinet when not in use.
The Modern-Day Murphy Bed
As a new homeowner, you probably have an idea of what you want in your living space. However, some decisions may be harder than others. One important question that needs to be answered is whether or not to install a Murphy bed. If you’re unfamiliar with what a Murphy bed is, it’s basically a piece of furniture that can fold into itself and disappear when not in use. This allows for more room for other things, such as additional seating and entertainment options. With all these benefits, it’s easy to see why so many people are choosing them over traditional beds.
Even if you have an ample amount of space at home, it’s still beneficial to get one because they give you greater flexibility and add functionality to your living space without taking up much room at all. When you host guests at your place rather than a nearby hotel or resort, you’ll save money. If you get a Murphy bed, you can do that easily. Think about how convenient it would be if your next house guest doesn’t even need their own bedroom—they could simply sleep in yours! Most families will fit quite comfortably on just one large bed no matter how big their house maybe, especially if they know about its ability to pull out.
How To Save Space with a Murphy Bed?
Many people struggle with finding space in their homes to sleep at night. With limited space, sometimes a bedroom becomes a place for more than just sleeping, and it can be challenging to create any privacy when you need it most. A Murphy bed can be a good solution for making your house feel like home without sacrificing necessary areas or taking up too much space.
You might not know it, but there are many versions of these beds, including ones that fold down from nearly any wall surface and one that doubles as an entertainment center in your living room. These beds have been around since 1916, and they’re still popular today because they’re functional, affordable, easy to install, and can save space in small apartments or houses.
More Information on Where to Get One
The number of people who realize their need for extra space is increasing by the day. Homeowners are running out of room and turn to flexible furniture solutions to solve their problems. A classic example is a Murphy bed, which allows a bedroom in a small home to accommodate two beds (normally one).
Depending on the type of Murphy bed, it can fold into an alcove (also known as a Wall bed) or resemble a wardrobe (or Nightstand) or even totally disappear into the wall. They have become a popular choice over the years because of the variety of options available to them! Before deciding on your perfect choice of folding bed, you should know what it takes to build one from scratch…
This can be achieved by purchasing detailed plans online. Most Murphy bed plans come with complete instruction manuals, including pictures and blueprints for each step of construction. This will allow you to complete any project quickly and easily without hiring an expensive contractor. Another benefit is that most companies offer kits where everything you need comes ready to assemble right out of the box!
So if you’re interested in learning how to make a Murphy bed yourself, just follow these simple steps:
1. Choose your design
2. Purchase your materials
3. Follow your instructions
4. Enjoy your new space-saving furniture!
In addition to that, it is important to remember that Murphy beds are not intended for everyday use; they are designed to fold up into a wall or cabinet when not in use.
Conclusion
Obviously, there is a lot of controversy over who invented or first thought of a Murphy bed. I know that one of these names is correct, but I am not able to prove it just yet. However, I plan on continuing my research until I can find out who was first! This information should be public knowledge, and it is imperative that we figure out who deserves credit for such an incredible invention. Who do you think deserves credit for inventing/first thinking of a Murphy bed? Let me know in the comments section below!