A Murphy bed is installed vertically on a wall and can be folded out when you want to have a place for yourself or your guests to sleep. The primary purpose of such a bed is to help you save space in your room.
However, many things must be considered when buying a Murphy bed. For example, what size is right for you, what materials the frame is made of, and the weight capacity of your Murphy bed are all essential to consider.
First, let’s look at an example of how a typical wall bed looks like:
In the pictures above you can see the Hults Murphy Bed when it’s open, has a mattress on top, and when it’s closed. According to the manufacturer, the weight capacity is 600 lbs for both the full and queen size beds.
How Much Weight Can A Murphy Bed Hold?
The average weight a typical Murphy Bed can hold varies from 250 lbs. to 1,000 lbs. The exact weight limit depends on the manufacturer and size of the bed.
- A typical twin sized Murphy bed will have a maximum weight capacity of 250 lbs to 400 lbs.
- Meanwhile, a queen to full sized bed can hold about 600 lbs to 1,000 lbs.
- King sized Murphy beds have a weight capacity of more than 1,000 lbs.
Keep in mind that this includes the weight of the mattress also, so you’ll need to calculate in that as well.
King sized Murphy beds and custom sizes are also available at some stores. However, these are rare to find because they are heavy and difficult to lift up. Read our guide on buying king and California king Murphy beds.
What Happens If You Put Too Much Weight On A Murphy Bed?
If you exceed the weight limit of your Murphy Bed, it may break or become unsafe for you to use it. This is because the lifting mechanism of the bed can stop working properly. It may become too hard to pull out the bed from the wall or place it back up.
If the weight is excessively high, the frame can also detach from the wall. This means you will not be able to store your Murphy bed in the wall again and you need to repair or replace the frame.
Another issue that you may face is the breaking the frame while sitting or sleeping on the bed. When the frame breaks, you or the people on the bed may fall to the floor. Depending on the fall, you or your guests may suffer an injury.
Besides that, extra weight also affects the durability of your Murphy bed significantly. It can accelerate the wear and tear of the hydraulic pistons of the item. This means that you will have to replace the entire bed faster than the standard lifespan or duration of warranty.
Other Things to Consider When It Comes To Weight
Besides the weight capacity, many factors such as size, bed frame material, and mattress weight also affect your Murphy bed.
1. Size of Murphy bed
Murphy beds have specific weight capacity according to their size. Twin-sized beds are the smallest and are intended to be used by one person only. As a result, they have the lowest weight limit. Such a wall bed generally cannot accommodate more than 400 lbs.
On the other hand, full and queen sized Murphy beds are designed to sleep two people there. This is why they have a relatively higher capacity than twin sized beds. The maximum weight they can generally hold is between 600 lbs and 1,000 lbs.
Meanwhile, king-sized beds always have a greater ability to hold more weight than other sizes. You can also get a custom-sized Murphy bed with a specific capacity through some stores.
Check out our guide on Murphy Bed Dimensions if you want to learn which size is right for your home.
2. Material of Bed Frame
Bed frame material affects the weight capacity of a wall bed significantly. The materials used to build the bed offer strength, support, and durability. This is why they affect the overall capacity more than other factors.
Solid wood frames can hold high weight and withstand wear and tear better.
On the other hand, there are some beds that are made from plywood, industrial strength particle boards, or medium density fiberboard (MDF). They might not offer the same stability and durability as solid wood frames.
Additionally, check the hydraulic folding mechanism. If the bed has dual hydraulic pistons, this will ensure the bed can be folded and closed properly.
3. Weight of Your Mattress
The final thing that affects the weight capacity of a Murphy bed is the mattress weight. Some beds have a limit on how much the mattress can weight and it shouldn’t be exceeded. For example, the Hults Murphy Bed should not exceed more than 60lbs (full size) or 70lbs (queen size).
Generally, it is best to purchase a lightweight mattress. This will ensure the remaining weight capacity of the bed remains high. It will also make it easier to pull out the bed from the wall.
It is also better to avoid memory foam mattresses when using a Murphy bed. These mattresses are heavy and may affect the lifting mechanism negatively by making it harder to pull out of the bed without proper support. For example, Purple mattresses are not recommended for Murphy beds.
Conclusion
This is everything you need to know about the weight capacity of a Murphy bed. These beds can generally hold 250 lbs. to 1,000 lbs. depending on the size you choose.
You must also consider factors such as frame material and mattress weight. Remember that Murphy beds are offered by various brands, so the weight capacity of a specific size may vary.
Make sure you check with the manufacturer what is the weight limit for the exact Murphy bed model and size you want to buy.
