Holiday Hours:

With the holiday season fast approaching we would like to remind our customers that orders received between Dec 22nd and Jan 2nd will be shipped starting Jan 5th, 2009. Office hours will be as follows:

Dec 22/23 8am-4:30pm
Dec 24 closed
Dec 25/28 Jan 1/4 8am-12pm
Dec 26/27/29/30/ Jan 2 11am-3pm
Dec 31 9am -12pm
Jan 3 10am-4pm
Jan 5 8am-4:30pm

Above hours are in Pacific Standard Time

Season's Greetings!

Tips for Purchasing a Murphy Bed

If you are looking to add sleeping space to your home but don't have room for a regular bed, you should consider purchasing a fold away bed that can be hidden when it is not in use. Originally invented by William P. Murphy in 1900 as a way to increase the living space in small apartment, these beds have been improved so that they are now extremely comfortable and easy to operate.

If you are thinking of buying a Murphy Bed, consider the following:

• Unlike other types of folding beds (e.g., sofa beds and futons) the mattress in a Murphy bed doesn't fold -- instead, the bed tilts up on end and into a specially designed cabinet. Consequently, look for brands that are manufactured from strong, heavy gauge steel or aluminum frames which are secured to a spring mechanism.
• Because lifting a bed can otherwise be very difficult, choose a model that includes a spring loaded counterbalanced mechanism that allows easy, one handed operation.
• The bed legs should be sturdy and able to hold a minimum of 1500 lbs. They should tuck under the bed cabinet so as to avoid toe stubbing.
• Murphy Beds will accommodate a standard innerspring mattress in twin, double, queen and king sizes. Although these beds can be sold with their own mattresses, you should look for models that allow you to supply your own mattress for greater choice and eventual replacement.
• The most convenient models will fold away completely equipped with sheets, blankets and pillows that can be strapped in place, so the bed does not need to be made up with each use.

Most Murphy Beds fold away into a cabinet that looks like an attractive piece of furniture. These cabinets come in a wide variety of styles and colors and can usually be incorporated into a wall storage system.

International Woodworking Fair

We will once again be attending the International Woodworking Fair taking place from August 20-23, 2008. The IWF is located in the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. We will be featuring our Murphy Bed Hardware as well as introducing several new products. We invite you to come visit us at booth #3622 to view and discuss our Murphy Bed line. Hope to see you there!

Murphy Panel Bed Hardware

The reliability of the Murphy Bed Hardware speaks for itself. Manufactured in Europe, the mechanism is constructed to ISO standards with a Manufacturers Lifetime Warranty. Dependability, safety, and ease of use are some of the reasons we have sold over 125,000 sets worldwide. The mechanism holds over 2200 lbs of weight and is a counter balanced system that allows both young and old to lower the Murphy Bed effortlessly. Additionally, the self-lubricated bushings are also used by BMW and Mercedes manufacturers for the hoods of their vehicles. Furthermore, the mechanism accommodates our new Super Springs for those heavier, customized bed panels. These sleek, unobtrusive mechanisms, barely 1” thick per side, are easy to install and virtually maintenance free. They can be used on their own in our Do-It-Yourself system or in our patented Elite Aluminum or Supreme Steel frame systems. All systems include easy to follow instructions with a detailed cabinetry cut list. Whether you’re building a Murphy Bed for yourself or incorporating them into your line of products, the Murphy Bed Hardware will satisfy your most fastidious customer. We invite you to view our Murphy Bed Hardware and visit our knowledgeable associates at booth #3622 during the International Woodworkers Fair in Atlanta, GA, Aug 20-23rd. Additional information can also be obtained on our website, www.murphybeds.com or by contacting us toll free at 1-800-667-6336.

Murphy Beds are Making a Comeback!

No one enjoys clutter. If you’re like most people today, organizing your space is crucial to the success of your household and family. Being organized leads to a positive environment and allows you more time to concentrate on the important things in life.

Now is an excellent time to address your space needs with a Murphy Bed. Yes, we said “Murphy Bed”. They’re back and more popular than ever. Gone are the days of Laurel and Hardy where the beds were portrayed as a fold away trap for your worst enemies. These days the beds are sleek, reliable and built for comfort.

When you’re renovating, re-organizing or downsizing, a Murphy Wall Bed will provide a unique solution for your storage needs. During the day a room can function as a TV room, home office, playroom, or whatever your needs require. Simply and quickly the room can be converted into a guest room. A standard mattress creates a comfortable sleep for you or your guests and is easily tucked away into a 16” depth bed cabinet when not in use.

The Murphy Bed Hardware used in today’s beds is state of the art. It’s a counter-balanced spring system with a lightweight frame which results in finger-tip operation. Whether you’re six or eighty-six you’re able to open and close the bed with ease.

In addition to the Murphy Bed itself, other furniture pieces can also be designed to function with the bed. For instance, matching side cabinets with wardrobes, drawers, and slide-out night tables allow for storage on either side of the Murphy Bed or a corner desk with overhead cabinetry can be utilized for an office situation. The Murphy Bed systems can be custom designed to best fit your space.

Smaller spaces demand new solutions, storage solutions. Murphy Wall Beds has been creating storage since 1975 using innovative technology and beautifully designed cabinetry. A well executed storage system can transcend form and function into architecture for the art of living better, giving you more room in your life for the things that matter most.

Murphy Beds and the 2008 Economy

A lagging economy in 2008 is likely to have wide ramifications. As was the case this past year, economists once again predict one of the strongest head winds buffeting the economy will be problems in the housing market in 2008. Sales of new homes are expected to continue to fall as builders try to shed inventory.

The question is “How do we survive in an industry where the declining economy has drastic effects?” We must first think about our product. Consumers stop buying as many “toys” when the economy goes sour, like boats, motor homes, jewelry, etc. We as retailers must focus on marketing our product as a necessity not a nicety. Fortunately, Murphy Beds not only function as a “nice to have” but also as a “must have” for many small spaces and situations. With the housing market dropping our opportunities soar. Instead of consumers buying newer, bigger and better homes they are focusing on renovating and optimizing every inch of space in their existing homes. Business owners are moving their offices to their homes so as not to pay rent on two premises. Multi-purposing the office space with a hidden Murphy Bed furthers their ability to conduct business in a professional manner. Even as the economy drops, family sizes have not. Small rooms must accommodate multiple children or function in other capacities. Murphy Beds tucked away during the day allow for functioning floor space and increase the square footage of a room. Similarly, an increasing amount of young adults are staying at home while attending College and University to save overall costs on post secondary education. Their room now becomes a dorm room away from the dorm. They want a desk to accommodate studying, a TV, a sitting chair and a bed to catch a few hours of sleep. The Murphy Bed is a perfect solution and less expensive than living on campus.

Rather than focusing on the expense of a Murphy Bed, we must educate our consumers on the economic savings they receive by maximizing and utilizing their available space. In times of uncertainty, knowing your product and customers will keep your business viable and economically secure.