Questions & Answers

What’s new with Murphy Beds?
How do Murphy Beds go up and down?
So why does Smart Spaces use a spring-loaded mechanism?
Do the beds have a warranty?
What materials do you use to make the bed?
Why would I want my bed to be made with melamine?
Should I choose a vertical or side bed?
What is the lead time for ordering and installation?
Should I choose a 15 or a 20 inch depth bed cabinet?
Can the furniture exactly fit my specific dimensions?
What about the baseboards where the bed will be installed?
How are the Murphy Beds attached to the wall?

What’s new with Murphy Beds?

You will be surprised and impressed with how Murphy beds have evolved since they were introduced 100 years ago. The biggest transition has been to attach the beds’ frame to the decorative front panels rather than hide the bed in a closet. This allows Smart Spaces to create interesting ways to use the front vertical face for your particular needs. A few uses for the face are to mount a picture, integrate a sofa, add a drop table, and attach sliding book shelves.

How do Murphy Beds go up and down?

In the world of Murphy Beds, the mechanism that allows the bed to go up and down come in two types: Spring-loaded and piston. Smart Spaces uses a spring-loaded mechanism manufactured by Murphy Wall Beds Hardware, Inc. When maintained, both types are equally safe and reliable but our mechanism is one of only two that are manufactured to exacting ISO 9001 specification. All of our beds can easily be operated with a single hand.

So why does Smart Spaces use a spring-loaded mechanism?

Our mechanism has several important advantages. First, the mechanism is a significant component of the beds’ total cost, and ours can be significantly less than piston models. Second, the beds’ cabinet can be as little as 15 inches deep, reducing its footprint in the room. Third, the mattress is recessed 10 inches into the shallower cabinet so that when the bed is in the down position it will take up much less space on the floor. In smaller rooms this fact alone could be decisive. Lastly, the rubber tipped legs are inward-angled to reduce painful toe stubs and prevent the bed from slipping when in use.

Do the beds have a warranty?

Yes. The mechanisms have a 25 year warranty, the mattresses that are included in the package are warrantied for 5 years (upgrades for 10 years), and Smart Spaces warranties our product for 1 year – similar to other fine furniture retailers.

What materials do you use to make the bed?

Smart Spaces uses a variety of materials. We use the highest quality thermally fused ¾” industrial grade melamine, wood veneers, metal laminates, Thermofoil and solid wood. Melamines and veneers present a flat fronted surface while woods and their look-a-like – Thermofoil – can have a Mission or Raised Panel design.

Why would I want my bed to be made with melamine?

This is not your Mother’s melamine (rhymes with “bean”). Modern melamine is highly cost effective and comes in many more colors and wood grain finishes and textures than unstained and prefinished wood veneers. It is resistant to heat, moisture, stains, abrasions and delamination. We use a ¾ inch industrial grade particleboard core that has proven itself year after year. Particleboard is made from forestry byproducts and residuals, thus aiding the environment by recycling this raw material into higher value-added products that would otherwise be discarded.

Should I choose a vertical or side bed?

A vertical bed that comes down so that the head of the mattress is against the wall is typically the first choice if ceiling height and room dimensions allow. However, if a low ceiling or a narrow room makes that impossible a side bed where the length of the mattress is against the wall may be the answer. Also, a lower side bed may allow some shelving or cabinetry to be put on top.

What is the lead time for ordering and installation?

That depends on what you are ordering and its material. Things that take more time include real woods, Thermofoil, unique construction, drawers, and staining. If none of these are included, lead times can often be measured in days.

Should I choose a 15 or a 20 inch depth bed cabinet?

The larger depth allows a shelf to be installed inside the cabinet next to the wall to hold small items such as glasses, books, and clocks. Also, if a closet is included in a side cabinet, the closet rod can run in a conventional side-to-side manner rather than a valet rod that pulls out back to front.

Can the furniture exactly fit my specific dimensions?

Yes. Smart Spaces is a production furniture maker with custom capabilities and can produce products that go wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling, or whatever else you want. While the dimensions of the beds’ cabinet are fixed, the dimensions of any side cabinets, closets and home offices can be unique and made to fit your requirements.

What about the baseboards where the bed will be installed?

Standard baseboards generally do not present a problem and you have two choices:

1. Remove them. Our crews can do this on-site and this presents the cleanest look.

2. Leave them on. We can either put the cabinets over the baseboard or we can notch the cabinet so that its back side lies flush against the wall all the way up.

How are the Murphy Beds attached to the wall?

The top of the Murphy bed cabinet is attached to the studs in the wall with “L” brackets. In almost all cases, nothing goes into the floor. Side cabinets are attached to both the wall and to the bed.