It's Time To Talk About The Serious Downsides To Murphy Beds

Few pieces of furniture can pull double-duty in your home like the space-savvy Murphy bed. Murphy beds fold away when not in use, tucked neatly into a wall or wardrobe so that you can have built-in bed storage and ample functional space, all while giving guests somewhere other than the couch to sleep. However, no single piece of furniture is perfect, and there are a few potential downsides to consider before investing in a Murphy bed for your home.

Installation is a big part of owning a Murphy bed. For your typical bed setup, you may just need a few screws and tools. Murphy beds, though, often require more advanced mechanisms for folding, so their installation process can be more complex. This leads to two of its more notable downsides: its DIY installation challenges and the price tag that can accompany adding this to your home. Plus, since these beds need to be installed in a space with storage or in a wall, you're also less flexible in designing your room's layout.

If you're looking for ways to make your home more accessible for overnight guests while still having room for your day-to-day life, finding the perfect Murphy bed can be a step in the right direction. However, as with any home improvement project, it's important to pay attention to all the details, including pros such as saving space and cons such as investment costs and complexity.

The installation process for your Murphy bed can depend on the setup you purchase. While many Murphy beds are wall-mounted, some types require fewer skills than advanced beds, making them more accessible for DIYers. This can help save on costs, which can be another potential downside for homeowners to consider. However, that ease of installation can come with a con of its own, as simplicity often means fewer features. This means you may not be able to take advantage of the extra features that make using your Murphy bed a breeze. It may be difficult to find the middle ground between budget-friendly DIYs and the features you need to make the most out of your Murphy bed.

If you don't want to try a DIY Murphy bed or prefer a higher-tech setup, you may need a professional to install it. This is because Murphy beds can be hazardous if not installed properly — and it's completely normal not to feel confident in your DIY skills when it comes to such an important task. According to Homewyse ,as of January 2026, assembly costs alone (excluding the hardware and bed itself) can cost upwards of $500.

Finally, while Murphy beds can give you more space, they have placement limitations. For example, Murphy beds require sufficient wall space for storage, so rooms with irregular layouts or limited space may not be able to accommodate them. It's important to determine whether a Murphy bed will fit in your room before purchasing to avoid problems.