What Happens to the Sofa When You Open a Murphy Bed? A Look at How the Design Works

What Happens to the Sofa When You Open a Murphy Bed? A Look at How the Design Works

Imagine turning your living room into a bedroom without dragging the sofa across the floor. A Murphy bed with sofa makes this possible by keeping the sofa frame in place while the bed opens between its arms. The cushions come off first, giving the bed room to lower. The sofa, bed, and storage can also be designed together to suit your room and daily needs.

How a Murphy Bed with Sofa Opens

When the bed is closed, it folds into its wall cabinet, leaving the sofa ready for seating. When it is time to sleep, the bed lowers in front of the cabinet and fits between the sofa arms.

This setup works well in guest rooms, home offices, and multipurpose living spaces. You can keep your seating area in place and open the bed when needed.

What Happens to the Sofa Cushions?

Before lowering the bed, remove both the seat and back cushions. The sofa is designed without a conventional fixed back, allowing the bed to open in front of it.

Once you raise the bed, put the cushions back on the sofa. This small step becomes part of the daily routine when using the room for both sitting and sleeping.

How Sofa Arms and Bookcases Fit Around the Bed

The sofa arms need enough clearance for the bed to open smoothly. Side bookcases must also fit around the sofa and bed without blocking their movement or access.

Two options can create the needed space:

• Inset bookcases: These turn inward toward the bed and provide storage with adjustable shelves. They can also include a charging station with two electrical outlets and a USB charger.
• Vertical spacers: Six-inch verticals offer an alternative to inset bookcases. Four-inch verticals are available for the Modern Arm Sofa.

The right arrangement depends on the sofa style, bed dimensions, and available wall space.

Can a Murphy Bed with Sofa and Storage Include Extra Features?

Yes. A Murphy bed with sofa and storage can combine seating, sleeping, and practical storage in one coordinated design. Options include:

• Drawers built into the sofa base.
• Storage beneath the seat cushions.
• Side bookcases with adjustable shelves or lower cabinets.
• Outset LED lights that work when the bed is raised or lowered.

These features can be planned alongside the bed’s wood finish, sofa fabric, and cabinet style.

Choosing a Sofa Style That Fits Your Room

Five sofa styles are available: Modern Arm, Wood Arm, Mission Arm, No-Arm, and Fully Upholstered.

Wood arms match the bed’s finish, while upholstered arms provide a fabric-covered look. Mission-style arms suit Craftsman-inspired interiors. A No-Arm sofa offers another layout when the design does not require arms beside the bed.

Fabric is also part of the planning process. Customers commonly supply their own fabric, with 14 yards required for the sofa.

What to Check Before Ordering a Murphy Bed with Sofa

Measure the wall width, ceiling height, and space needed when the bed opens. Include the sofa’s width, arm positions, bookcases, nearby furniture, doors, and windows in your plan.

The bed must attach directly to wall studs. Before production, review the detailed drawing packet to check the bed dimensions, sofa clearance, storage, and finish.

Create a Murphy Bed Setup That Works for Your Room

Looking for a Murphy bed with sofa that suits your room? Explore custom sofa styles, storage options, finishes, and bookcase arrangements from WWBeds Custom Furniture to plan a setup around your space and needs.

FAQs

Do you need to move the sofa to open a Murphy bed?

No. The sofa frame stays in place while the bed opens between its arms. Remove the seat and back cushions before lowering the bed.

Can a Murphy bed with sofa include drawers?

Yes. Certain designs include drawers in the sofa base, while other options provide storage beneath the seat cushions.

What sofa styles are available with a Murphy bed?

The options include Modern Arm, Wood Arm, Mission Arm, No-Arm, and Fully Upholstered sofas. Each style offers a different look and arm arrangement.

Can you add bookcases beside a Murphy bed with a sofa?

Yes. Inset bookcases and vertical spacers can provide room for the sofa arms. Bookcases can also include adjustable shelves and charging stations.