As my husband, Tupper, settled on design and installation of Murphy beds as his new business, I was intrigued by the efficient creative use of space. We commissioned an Oak wall bed cabinet, cam lights, bookcase with drawer base, corner desk and file cabinet to create a beautiful home office/exercise area/guest bedroom.
I use the office daily and our holiday guests gave rave reviews on the full-size Murphy bed’s comfort and beauty — especially when compared to the room’s previous eclectic mess of futon, tiny desk, mismatched chairs, bookcase, and storage bins.
Now for the rest of the story. As an occupational therapist, I have explored the principles of universal design to advise clients on elements of play, self-care, and work areas to maximize accessibility and usability in their homes. I am always pleased to promote the Murphy bed as a home design element which aligns with many of the principles of universal design.
What Is Universal Design?
Universal design is the concept of creating spaces which are accessible to the broadest population over time and is currently the biggest design trend for contractors and architects. So, related to your home, spaces planned using universal design should work for you now and in the future regardless of aging or changes in physical ability.
Universal Design and Your New Murphy Bed
The seven Principles of Universal Design were developed in 1997 by a team of architects, designers, engineers and environmental design researchers in North Carolina State University. Lenker and Perez (2014)* report the benefit of using universal design in living spaces to support personal routines, cultural practices, and meaningful environments for persons across the lifespan.
Here is how our Murphy bed systems fit these principles:
Equitable Use
Of course any one can sleep on the bed. The bed is a standard height and is available in four sizes accommodating a standard mattress.
Flexibility
The Murphy bed system supports use of a room for multiple purposes – bedroom, den, office, kitchen or playroom. This maximizes small spaces for persons of all ages. While the bed is in the cabinet, open floor space promotes activity and accessibility.
Simple and Intuitive
Nothing complicated about the Murphy bed, simply open the easy glide cabinet doors on right and left sides then pull down the bed. A variety of hardware is available for easy opening of doors and drawers!
Low Physical Effort
Pulling down or pushing up the bed requires minimal strength. Because of the unique EZ Rest frame which includes tension springs, the bed will not fall from upright position.
Size and Space
A custom designed Murphy bed cabinet and accessories meet the size and space requirements of the buyer. Beds can be twin, full, queen or king sized and oriented to pull down horizontally or vertically.
How to Buy a Murphy Bed for Your Home
I am so excited to introduce the Murphy bed to you for consideration in your home. We are the only Kentucky area Murphy bed dealer who personally designs and installs your wall bed. All cabinetry is hand-crafted by Amish Craftsmen with the highest quality materials and construction for years of durability whether you use your bed daily or only occasionally. Contact Murphy Beds of Central Kentucky today (or call us at 859-325-9875 for an appointment) to design your Murphy bed system — “The bed that gives you space to live.”
*Sources: Lenker, J. & Perez, L. (2014). The role of occupational therapists in universal design research. Occupational Therapy Now, 16.5, 13-15. https://www.caot.ca/default.asp?pageid=4270
