When you invest in a Murphy Bed, you’re adding more than furniture: you’re choosing flexible design that works as hard as you do. Naturally, people ask how long a Murphy Bed will last. The honest answer? It depends on the materials, the mechanism, and how it’s cared for. With quality components and basic maintenance, a Murphy Bed can serve you beautifully for decades.

Hardware Makes All the Difference

The lifting mechanism is the heart of every Murphy Bed. Steel or aluminum systems that have been refined and tested over decades maintain their smooth operation year after year. Our beds have withstood thousands of open-and-close cycles, proof of its strength that lighter, lower-grade kits can’t match.

Cabinetry Quality Counts

Solid materials, precision joinery, and durable finishes all contribute to a bed’s lifespan. Quality cabinetry supports the mechanism and keeps the unit stable over time. Look for industrial grade melamine or a plywood with a wood veneer top rather than heavier options as they are difficult to work with. 

Use and Care Matter

How often the bed is used naturally affects wear. For nightly sleeping, choose hardware designed for daily residential or commercial use. Guest rooms or multi-purpose spaces will see less motion, but quality design still makes the difference between a bed that feels new after ten years and one that starts to sag.

Proper Installation Extends Life

A Murphy Bed’s reliability depends on professional installation. Anchoring the cabinet securely to a stable wall and ensuring the frame is balanced keeps motion smooth and quiet. Over time, a quick inspection, such as tightening fasteners or checking alignment, goes a long way toward preserving performance.

How to Tell if a Murphy Bed is Built to Last

If you’re shopping for a Murphy Bed, a few signs reveal how it will hold up:

• Materials that feel solid. A sturdy, well-finished cabinet feels substantial, not hollow.
• Mechanism quality. Look for spring-balanced or piston-lift systems made from steel or aluminum, not soft metals or plastic.
• Warranty and support. Manufacturers confident in their products offer multi-year or lifetime coverage.
• Proven experience. A company with decades of installations has already tested its systems in real homes.

These details separate long-term furniture from short-term solutions.

Built to Last

We’ve seen Murphy Beds still performing beautifully after decades of daily use. Some of our earliest systems from the late 1970s remain in service today, a testament to durable engineering and thoughtful design.

There’s no single number for how long a Murphy Bed lasts. Lifespan depends on the quality of its design, hardware, and care. When those elements come together, your Murphy Bed won’t just save space. It will stay part of your home for generations.

Explore our Murphy Bed Hardware Systems to see how lasting quality is built into every detail.