Murphy beds are innovative ways to take advantage of the space in your home. You can use a room for multiple purposes, like an office during the day and a bedroom at night. You can have a place for guests to sleep without dedicating a whole room to it.
As convenient as Murphy beds are, you need to be aware of the weight limitations. Because these beds fold up against the wall, they’re made to be versatile. The frame will determine how much weight the bed can hold, and most won’t be able to handle more than 1200 pounds.
The type of mattress you put on a Murphy bed will also impact how much weight it can comfortably hold. Learn about all of the weight considerations of a Murphy bed and how you can ensure this piece of furniture is right for your home.
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What Is the Weight Limit on a Murphy Bed?
The exact weight limit of a Murphy bed depends on the frame’s size, material, and how it’s built. Some Murphy beds can handle up to 2,500 pounds, but those are usually special orders.
In general, a king-size Murphy bed can handle over 1,000 pounds. This is the largest bed size you can get, so, understandably, other bed sizes will safely handle less weight.
Designers make Murphy beds strong enough to hold a mattress and at least one person, depending on the mattress size. If you buy a twin-size Murphy bed, the weight limit is up to 300 pounds because the mattress is only large enough for one person.
Manufacturers make larger bed sizes to handle more than one person, so it makes sense that they have a higher weight limit. However, the larger a Murphy bed, the harder it is to open and close. If you’re looking for a Murphy bed for everyday use, you might want to choose something smaller but still comfortable, just for ease of use.
There is a little leeway with the weight limit because many people have pets that sleep with them. You also have to consider the weight of the bedding. It might not be a substantial amount, but it does add up. Bedding can stay on a Murphy bed even when it’s closed against the wall, so you also need to consider that weight.
Like standard beds, manufacturers make Murphy beds have four points of contact with the ground. This makes them just as sturdy as regular bed frames. Because the Murphy bed frame doubles as a box spring, they distribute weight equally across the surface of the frame. These factors keep your bed secure and stable.
What Is the Weight Limit for a Queen Size Bed?
Queen size beds can hold anywhere from 800 to 1,000 pounds. These mattresses are large and spacious so that the weight will be evenly distributed across the bed frame. The weight you put on a Murphy bed also depends on how much weight your mattress can handle.
Some mattresses have weight limits because putting too much pressure on them can cause sagging and deterioration of the foundation layers. If a mattress isn’t built to handle your weight, it won’t be comfortable to sleep on.
Luckily you can use any standard mattress with a Murphy bed. Most frames are 12 inches deep, so as long as your mattress isn’t thicker than that, it can fit onto your bed. These mattresses aren’t too heavy because they fit on normal bed frames as well.
Since a Murphy bed frame functions as a box spring, you won’t have to add that weight to your calculations. You’ll only have to buy a mattress to comfortably sleep on your Murphy bed.
Once you find the right mattress for your Murphy bed, it will attach securely with straps. These straps stay hidden underneath the fitted sheet, so you can still put bedding on your mattress and make it look nice.
The bedding can even stay on your Murphy bed when you fold it up during the day. The frames ensure that the mattress and the wall don’t touch. You can leave your blankets and comforter on the bed at all times. You can even hang artwork on the wall, so the room looks cozy when you have the bed folded out.
What Happens if You Put Too Much Weight on a Murphy Bed?
You want to be cautious about the weight limit of your Murphy bed because otherwise, you will compromise your safety. Since you attach the bed frame to the wall, you don’t want to apply too much weight and pull it away from the studs.
If your Murphy bed has shelves along the sides, you’ll have to consider the extra strain this can put on your walls. Anchor them to studs for security, but know that if you put too much weight on the mattress, the whole system could pull out of the wall.
You also don’t want to put so much weight on your Murphy bed that you cause the mattress frame to break. This can make you or your guests fall to the floor and potentially suffer injuries. If you fall through the mattress frame and the unit also pulls away from the wall, many damage could occur both to the room and the people in it.
Interestingly enough, you want your Murphy bed to have a certain amount of weight to keep it open. If the mattress isn’t heavy enough, the bed can close on itself. Most standard mattresses will be heavy enough to hold the Murphy bed open.
If you put too much weight on the Murphy bed, it can also strain the joints and lift mechanism. You can replace some bolts and joints, but the lift mechanism might require a more involved—and expensive—repair. Applying too much weight and pressure can also wear out the entire system, meaning you’ll have to replace the whole thing well before its time.
Can You Reinforce a Murphy Bed to Withstand More Weight?
Some manufacturers build Murphy beds with extra support. They might have additional legs or storage that pulls out to support the mattress. This will allow you to put more weight on the Murphy bed.
Design features like built-in drawers, shelves, and sofas look nice when you have the bed folded up. When you open the bed, these features touch the floor to provide additional support. They make the entire structure heavier since they’re adding wood or metal elements to the frame, but they pay off by allowing you to put more weight on the mattress.
Many people build their own Murphy beds, either to save money or because they want the bed to look a certain way in their homes. With this in mind, you can hack your own Murphy bed to reinforce it so it will withstand more weight.
Adding extra hinges will keep your bed from pulling away from the rest of the frame. It will help stabilize more weight on the mattress when the bed is open. When you close the bed, these extra hinges will streamline the process. Make sure to oil the additional hinges when you maintain the rest of your Murphy bed.
You can add extra legs underneath the bed frame to stabilize it. This will make the bed sturdier and prevent it from pulling away from the wall. You can make legs out of wood and attach them to the bed. You can also craft legs with skid protection and only pull them out when you need the bed open and completely supported.
You can replace individual wooden slats with a solid flat board. If the board is at least two inches thick, it will safely support more weight. It will also be more comfortable than slats if you’re using a foam or thin mattress. Depending on the type of wood you use, this option might add more weight to your overall Murphy bed system, but it will pay off in personal weight capacity.
To keep the Murphy bed from pulling away from the wall, you can secure it with wall anchors and ensure it’s attached to a stud. You can use angle brackets along the tops and sides for additional support.
Some Murphy beds even have kits that allow you to secure them to the floor. This can be difficult and might leave more of a mark than only installing it against the wall, but it might be worth it for additional reinforcements.
Even if you take steps to reinforce your bed, you’ll still want to be careful going over the weight limit. Purposely applying too much weight and pressure to your Murphy bed can void your warranty.
Murphy Bed Weight Considerations
The type of Murphy bed you choose will impact how much weight it can handle. Factors like the size of the frame and mattress, as well as the material of the frame, will allow your bed to safely support more weight.
Size
The size of the Murphy bed you choose will determine the base amount of weight it can handle. The general guidelines are:
- Twin bed can hold up to 400 pounds
- Full bed can hold up to 800 pounds
- Queen bed can hold 800 to 1,000 pounds
- Kng bed can hold 1,000 to 2,500 pounds
The size and type of mattress you buy depend on the size of the bed frame. The mattress will have its separate weight capacity, so make sure you purchase the right mattress for your needs. The mattress will weigh anywhere from 40 to 100 pounds, which will add even more weight to your Murphy bed system.
Heavier people will want mattresses that are medium-firm or firm because they better support the weight. If you prefer a softer mattress, you can always add a pillow top cover to a firm mattress. There are two extra inches of space between a Murphy bed mattress and the wall, so you’ll be able to make the mattress suitable for your needs.
Larger bed sizes will be better for heavier people. Not only are they built to handle more weight, but they will also be more comfortable because you have more room to spread out.
If you’re a heavier person who wants to find the best bed frame, keep in mind that many Murphy bed manufacturers can customize frames for you. You can ask for a deeper frame and other reinforcements so the bed can handle your weight.
Material
You can find Murphy bed frames made from wood or metal. Wood can either be fiberboard, plywood, or solid wood. Each different type of wood changes how much weight the bed can hold, but in general, wood frames support less weight than metal frames.
Fiberboard can be sturdy when it’s supported by other wood or metal pieces. Plywood contains many layers of wood, so it provides a more substantial base than fiberboard. Solid wood, however, is the best type of wood to use for a Murphy bed frame.
Since solid wood is so strong and heavy, it does impact how hard it is to open and close the bed. If you’re getting a Murphy bed for a guest room that you won’t use often, a solid wood frame is a great choice.
Another thing to consider is, since wood is natural, it can warp over time. It can also bend when you apply pressure, so you might have to secure it to the wall in more places than you would a metal frame.
Metal is strong enough to handle thousands of pounds of weight, so it’s the best solution for a bed frame. If you want the strength of metal but prefer the look of wood, you can always choose a metal bed frame that will hold more sleeping weight.
You can cover the frame of the Murphy bed that shows the most, which is the top and outsides, with wood to fit in with your other furniture. Many Murphy beds have metal frames but include wooden shelves or cabinets, so they look like regular furniture.
Though metal Murphy bed frames can handle a lot of weight, they are a lighter material. This makes them easier to open and close. If you’re using a Murphy bed for everyday use, you’ll want to get a metal frame so you don’t hurt yourself when you’re making the bed.
How Much Does a Murphy Bed Weigh?
While you’re considering how much weight a Murphy bed can handle, don’t forget to think about how much the bed itself will weigh. This will help you determine where and how to install the bed against the wall. It will also give you an idea of how easily you can open and close the frame.
Most Murphy bed frames weigh anywhere from 250 to 550 pounds without a mattress. Murphy beds that include a desk, shelves, or storage will weigh more. Side cabinets and shelves weigh anywhere from 50 to 150 pounds each.
The factors mentioned above, like size and material, will also influence how much the bed itself weighs. Metal is lighter and easier to move. Solid wood is heavy, bulky, and can be awkward to move into position.
Sometimes you can install a Murphy bed in pieces by securing the frame to the wall before adding the shelves or storage on the sides. Some frames might come in large units, which would require you to have help installing and securing them.
Once you have the frame attached to the wall, you can add the mattress. This will save you some effort because you won’t have to move the frame with the mattress in place. Mattresses can add anywhere from 40 to 100 pounds to the total weight of your Murphy bed.
Because you can leave bedding on your Murphy bed even when it’s closed, you’ll have to add this weight as well. Comforters, quilts, and duvets weigh anywhere from three to six pounds. Pillows weigh one or two pounds each. Make sure you calculate for every blanket and pillow you’ve added to your bed.
Using these numbers, the average weight of an entire Murphy bed would be:
- 350 pounds for the frame
- 75 pounds for the mattress
- 100 pounds for a side shelf or cabinet
- eight pounds for bedding
This means your Murphy bed will weigh 533 pounds on average. An average bed frame weighs about 100 pounds. When you add in the same weights for the additional items, you’ll see that an average bed setup weighs 283 pounds on average.
Though the Murphy bed setup is almost twice as heavy as a regular bed, you have to consider the benefits you get. Because it folds up nicely, you’ll get to take advantage of space in your home. You won’t have to use one room as a guest room because it can double as an office or home gym.
A Murphy bed is an investment, but because it can safely hold a lot of weight, it’s worth it. You and your guests will be comfortable on a Murphy bed with its sturdy frame and comfortable mattress.