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What follows
are answers to some
Frequently
Asked Questions...
Are
you the company whose ads we see in the Orlando newspaper?
Yes,
we advertise regularly in the Orlando Sentinel. Additionally, we place ads in
several other Florida publications. Many of you have also seen our TV
promotions, or have visited our displays at Home Shows in the Orlando Convention
Center. Through the years we have had many imitators, but no equals.
What
exactly is a Murphy Bed?
Murphy
Beds are beds that are stored vertically inside a wall cabinet, opening downward for
use when needed. Originally
invented for the urban cities of the North in the early 1900's, the space-saving
features of Murphy Beds have led to their rediscovery in the last decade,
especially when combined with matching cabinetry to form complete Murphy Bed
Systems. Generically they are referred to as wall beds.
Are
these the same beds we've seen in old movies and TV shows?
Not quite (thankfully), although the
concept hasn't changed. Today's Murphy Beds have been improved both for comfort
and in ease of use.
Are
Murphy Beds comfortable?
Absolutely. Unlike sofabeds and
futons, Murphy Beds do not require any folding of the mattress. Therefore you
are sleeping on a quality innerspring mattress without the bars
and lumps associated with sofabeds or futons. We've had customers tell us their
Murphy Bed is more comfortable than their Master Bedroom bed!
Are
Murphy Beds difficult to open and close?
Not
at all. Most people are surprised at how little effort is required. Our Murphy
Frame mechanism is spring-balanced for easy operation.
What
sizes do Murphy Beds come in?
All
the same sizes as conventional bedding: Twin, Full, Queen, even King!
Do I
have to buy special sheets or bed linens for my Murphy Bed?
No.
Since Murphy Beds use normal size mattresses, all your existing sheets and
linens should work just fine.
What
finishes do Murphy Beds come in?
Everything
from sturdy laminates and raised panel foils to custom solid hardwoods, in a
variety of colors and wood tones.
What
is meant by the terms Panel Bed and Bi-Fold Bed?
Although
there are multiple manufacturers of Murphy-type beds, the main styles of bed
cabinets and mechanisms fall into two major categories: Panel Beds and Bi-Fold
Beds. For an in-depth discussion on this subject click
here.
Do
most people buy just the Murphy Bed?
Rarely.
Virtually all of our sales and installations are for Murphy Systems,
which include the Murphy Bed and matching vertical storage cabinets,
often with Home Office companion pieces. This not only makes more sense from a
visual and decorating standpoint, but adds to the space-saving functionality of
the furniture.
What
kind of prices can I expect for Murphy Bed Systems?
With
the hundreds of pieces, combinations, options, and finishes available it can be
pretty tough to give an "average" price for a Murphy Bed System.
As an example though, we currently offer a basic system for $1888 which consists
of a complete, full size Murphy Bed with all the cabinetry, hardware,
frame, and foundation plus 2 matching vertical storage cabinets on either side.
Included in this price is the deluxe, innerspring, full size mattress plus
professional local delivery and installation in your home, and the tax! This
starter system is
complete and "ready to sleep in", with no hidden extras required.
Total wall space is less than 8 feet. To view a photo click
here, which will send you to our Specials
page.
Do you
have any other sales or special promotions going on now?
Depending on the time of year, we
usually try and feature at least one segment of our line-up with special
savings. For the most up-to-date information be sure to visit our Specials
page. In addition, because of the long lead times required by some of our
advertising sources we often have unadvertised, in-store specials which begin
and end without prior notice, and may not even be listed on our web site.
Can I
customize a Murphy System for my own particular needs?
Yes, that is the beauty of the
modular cabinetry, which can be mixed and matched in hundreds of different
combinations to suit your individual requirements.
How do
I know what pieces will fit in my room?
Although there are hundreds of combinations available, most of the basic
components fall within 5 or 6 size categories. We'll
be happy to sit down with you and make suggestions as to what your options are.
This is best done in our showrooms, where we can show you the actual pieces and
various alternatives. For this reason it can be very helpful if you bring your
room measurements with you.
How
much time should I allow between buying a new Murphy Bed and actual
installation?
Although we keep an extensive
product inventory in our Altamonte Springs warehouse, on average our installers are scheduled out
3 to 4
weeks in advance. Please keep this in mind as you plan your Murphy Bed purchase
and delivery date.
Custom wood units and certain thermafoil finishes generally take about 6 weeks as they are done on a special
order basis.
What
is involved in the installation of a Murphy Bed?
A
typical Murphy Bed installation takes from 4 to 6 hours to complete, somewhat
longer for Home Office Systems. We have
without question the best installers in the business, and they do most assembly
work on site. The Murphy Frame itself is bolted into the floor (it doesn't
matter what material the floor is), and all cabinetry is squared up and held in
place with minimal attachments to existing studs. We do not recommend customers
attempting to install units themselves, as there can be hundreds of parts and
improper assembly or installation could result in a poorly functioning system.
Can I
use my own mattress?
In
some cases this is possible, but generally not recommended. We have found from
experience that regular mattresses are not capable of being stored in an upright
position for any length of time. The "stuffing" all tends to fall to
the bottom, and the edge-banding wire is not strong enough to support the weight
of the mattress standing on end. Our mattresses are specially designed to be
stored vertically, are the correct depth to fit in the cabinet, and are the
correct weight for optimum counter-balancing of the Murphy mechanism.
I live
outside of your Florida trading area. Do you ship Murphy Beds to other
parts of the country?
This
is always a tough question. Quite frankly, our Murphy Beds are not
designed for consumer assembly. Having said that, we have shipped units to just about every
state in the U.S., and even some overseas. Our assembly documentation is limited
because we assume most Murphy Beds will be installed by our trained
professionals. There can be hundreds of parts involved, but a basic
understanding of the European "cam-lock" system and some handyman
know-how of assembly techniques is usually adequate for basic systems. Home
Office Systems are somewhat more difficult, especially if there are upper
cabinets involved. For these systems you would want to be capable, or have
someone who is, in hanging kitchen type wall cabinetry. Most of the systems we
ship are to people who have visited our showrooms in person and have seen the
different finish and layout combinations. We ask that you
call our Altamonte Springs store to discuss your particular situation: (407)
339-5077.
Can
our Murphy Bed be moved at a later time if we move to a new address?
Sure.
Most anything that can be installed can be "un-installed". However,
many of our customers have found that selling their Murphy Bed with the
house enhances their home's "salability". The vast majority of these
customers have then come back and bought another Murphy System for their new
home. Quite a testament to the popularity of Murphy Beds among current
owners.
Do you
also do Closet Systems?
Yes,
we are experts in custom closet organizer systems. Please visit one of our
showrooms to see our closet displays and tell us your needs.
Have a question about Murphy Beds
that does not appear here? Please e-mail your questions to: answers@murphybedsorlando.com
and we will try to provide a prompt, knowledgeable response.
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