Which Murphy Bed Mechanism Should I Choose?

A Guide to Selecting a Murphy Bed Mechanism That Will Check All of Your Boxes.

By Caden Wilding

View Murphy Bed Mechanisms
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Which Murphy Bed Mechanism Should I Choose?

A Guide to Selecting a Murphy Bed Mechanism That Will Check All of Your Boxes.

View Murphy Bed Mechanisms
Shop Mechanisms and Kits →

The Spring Lift Mechanism

Probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a spring assisted bed is the 75 year-old, mousetrap of a murphy bed that was in your great-aunts upstairs closet. Well, technology has come a long ways since then. This mechanism offered by Wilding Wallbeds is state-of-the-art, the mechanism and swing arm mount directly into the all-wood sideboards of the beds. The bed frame is attached directly to the back of the face of the bed. All of this is bolted onto the swing arm ensuring that the frame is sturdy and stable. The steel leg uses a pivoting system that allows the user to pull out the leg as they lower their Wilding Wallbed for use.

We use the spring lift mechanism in all of our Studio series beds, Sofa Murphy beds, and DIY kits. If you are looking to build your own Murphy bed look no further. We sell the spring lift mechanism by itself to cabinet shops who are looking for the best mechanism on the market. It is easy to use and comes with plans and cut lists to show you how to build the Murphy bed properly.

Transform your space and
make your guests feel at home.

Shop Complete Murphy Beds →

Transform your space and
make your guests feel at home.

Shop Complete Murphy Beds →

Features of the Spring Lift Mechanism

This spring lift Murphy bed mechanism is used in residential homes, hospitals, military bases, firehouses, police stations, hotels, and any other commercial use that you can imagine. Our Murphy beds that use this mechanism are tested up to 2000lbs, so weight limit is never an issue. It is designed and tested for everyday used, and provides a spring assisted lift of as little as 5lbs depending on the weight of the mattress and the number of springs you choose to use. This mechanism carries a lifetime warranty and is available in Twin, Full, Queen and Standard King.

Another benefit of the Murphy bed is the adjustability. When purchased it comes with 18 springs (9 on each side), but our Queen size beds generally only require 7 springs on each side. If you choose a heavier mattress you are able to add additional springs to the mechanism. If you choose to use a lighter mattress you can take springs off. This kind of adjustability allows you to create a custom lift that is perfect for you, and for your Murphy bed.

This mechanism is at rest when the bed is in the up position, so you don’t need to worry about the bed falling down on any children playing beneath it. The studio series wall beds don’t come standard with a lock, but if you are concerned about children, or others pulling down the bed without permission, you have the option to add wall bed locks to your Wilding Wallbed. These locks are placed at the top of each sideboard and use a key to unlock the bed.

Spring Lift Vertical Dimensions

	Height	Width	Depth	Projection
King	89.25″	81.5″	16″	90″
Queen	89.25″	65.5″	16″	90″
Full	84.25″	59.5″	16″	86″
Twin	84.25″	44.5″	16″	86″

Spring Lift Side Mount Dimensions

	Height	Width	Depth	Projection
Queen	70.625″	86.5″	16″	70.5″
Full	64.625″	81.5″	16″	65.5″
Twin	49.625″	81.5″	16″	49″

The Piston Lift Mechanism

The first thing that comes to mind when you lift of a piston assisted lifting system is probably the hatch on the back of that 1995 Honda Odyssey. You know, the one that you had to hold up with your left hand while you fished the groceries out of the back with your right, because the pistons couldn’t even manage the weight of the hatch. The pistons that we use are a different kind of quality. They are the kind of quality that comes with a life-time warranty. We use the pistons in all of our HomeFront series and Clinical pro series beds.

The piston lift mechanism is Wilding Wallbeds’ “House Special”. The mechanism features two whisper-quiet charged pistons that counter balance the weight of the face of the bed, and the mattress. The pistons are mounted to the sideboards, and the all-wood bed box. This mechanism also features hardwood legs that can carry the weight of a Volkswagen Jetta. If you don’t believe that, check out the Will it hold it video.

Piston Lift Features

The piston lift mechanism is commercially rated and designed for everyday use. Wilding Wallbeds exclusively uses this system on its Clinical Pro Series. This means that Wilding Wallbeds trusts this mechanism enough to sell it into sleep centers where it is opened and closed multiple times every day! The piston lift system is available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, and Queen sizes.

The piston lift beds come standard with Wilding Wallbeds convenient locking leg design. The bed cannot come down until both of the legs are lifted up. This ensures that the bed will be lowered properly and that the bed can only be lowered by someone who unlocks it first. This safety feature is one of the things that makes it great for time shares, hotels and other locations where unsupervised users may attempt to open the bed. 

Endless style options are available for the piston lift system. Wilding Wallbeds uses an inner frame between the face of the bed, and the mattress deck. This ribcage of support allows the bed to carry over 4000lbs of weight and allows for raised hardwood panels to be used for the face of the bed. Of course the construction of these beds are all-wood, but only with the piston lift system can you have raised panel doors. 

The all-wood bed box creates a classy and finished look allowing the mattress be recessed by 4”. With this mechanism, you aren’t looking at a clunky metal frame, or flimsy slats. You see a fully finished all-wood murphy bed!

Piston Lift Vertical Dimensions

	Height	Width	Depth	Projection
Queen	87.75″	64″	16″	84″
Full	82.75″	58″	16″	80″
Twin	82.75″	43″	16″	80″

Spring Lift Side Mount Dimensions

	Height	Width	Depth	Projection
Queen	67.25″	85.5″	16″	64″
Full	61.25″	80.5″	16″	48″
Twin	46.25″	80.5″	16″	43″

The Murphy Frame

The Murphy Frame is a great simple Murphy bed solution. It is, in essence, a metal Murphy bed that can be used almost anywhere. It is specifically designed to sit in a closet behind closet doors, but we also use it in our Bookcase beds. The Murphy frame doesn’t require any special cabinetry or bracing to function. It is easy to assemble and readily available so there is no wait time. The Murphy frame features white powder coated tubular steel construction, springs to assist with the lift, and European slats for the mattress to rest on. Installation is a breeze making it the perfect solution for a quick and easy Murphy bed.

Which mechanism do I choose?

To answer this question in simple terms, all of our options are the highest of quality available for murphy beds. All of these mechanism create an easy lift for the user. The spring lift mechanism is the only one available in King size, it is also the only one available in the DIY option. The piston lift mechanism offers, locking legs, the fully wooden bed box, and is tested to 4000lbs. The Murphy Frame is perfect for closets and any where else where a cabinet isn’t necessary.

Choosing the right mechanism really comes down to your specific project. For help deciding just give us a call!

Caden Wilding

Director of Digital Marketing

Caden is our in-house guru on all things digital marketing. But, before he was building advertising campaigns he was building Murphy beds and TV Lift Furniture. Woodworking is in Caden’s blood…