Over this past year, we have sold more wall beds than in the previous five years. I believe it is because there are more one-bedroom and studio condo units being built in Nuevo Vallarta. Smart condo owners realize they can maximize their investment with space-saving furniture. When they have family or friends come to stay, they can accommodate them. When their guests leave, they can use the space for themselves. It sure makes sense to get the most from what you pay for your monthly homeowner association (HOA) fees.

Another benefit of a wall bed is that it can generate incremental rental revenue. Most condo units in Nuevo Vallarta are used by their owners when they have holidays, and for rental because they are not ready yet to retire. A queen or king wall bed accommodates two more adults and, in most condos in Nuevo Vallarta, will drive an extra USD100 per night. There is no question that a wall bed can provide a great return on investment.

A wall bed, also called a pull-down bed, fold-down bed, or Murphy bed, is hinged to the wall, and concealed in a cabinet when not in use. For those with visitors only a few weeks a year, this is a great solution. You can custom-build shelving around the bed cabinet, a bench, or even a desk for when friends and family are not here.

The Murphy bed is named after William Murphy from San Francisco. He was the first person to patent this space-saving solution in the early 1900s. Legend has it that he was smitten with a lovely opera singer. Unfortunately for poor William, it was not considered proper to invite a woman back to your studio apartment with the bed in the middle of the room.

To address this, William improved what was in existence at the time (apparently, Sears Roebuck & Co. were already selling a type of bed that folded away). He patented a disappearing bed with a pivot and counterbalance. Whether he was successful in wooing the opera singer is unknown. What we do know is that his invention became a favorite piece of furniture.

Murphy beds have two essential components. The first is the mechanism, and the second is the cabinetry that stores the mattress.

The mechanism, arguably the most crucial part of the bed, is sold in a kit. You get the mechanism, screws, nuts, and bolts, cut list and instructions. The same size mechanism works for individual (twin), matrimonial (double) and queen. A king-size bed requires a more robust mechanism due to its weight.

Cabinetry, the slats, and the frame are built with your preference of wood. Liston wood is the recommended wood species in Mexico for a Murphy bed. You can also get slats and frames in aluminum or steel if you prefer a king-size bed or for frequent use, like in a hotel. The aluminum and steel kits cost more than the standard kit.

You can take the cut list supplied in the kit to your local wood supplier or carpenter. It details every piece of wood you will need along with its dimensions. The wood supplier or carpenter will cut your preference of wood species to these specs. If you are a handyperson, you can quickly put together the Murphy bed with step-by-step instructions. Make sure the instructions come in both English and Spanish if you want to hire a local carpenter to assemble the bed for you. Assembly generally takes a couple of hours to about half a day.

Once the bed and cabinet are assembled, you can add extras such as shelves and drawers to make a complete wall unit.

Although a special mattress is not required for a Murphy bed, it is crucial the depth of the mattress not be larger than the depth of the cabinet. If it is, you will not be able to close the cabinet properly.

Most people don’t realize that Murphy beds can fold down horizontally or vertically. Almost all rooms can accommodate a wall bed either one way or the other.

If you consider a wall bed for your home in Nuevo Vallarta, here is the most important thing to know. Purchase one that has a mechanism that will not rust. It may sound simple, but you would be amazed by how many times people have purchased the wrong mechanism. There are different types on the market, and most are not meant for our climate.

Want a Murphy bed that will not rust, for your new condo in Nuevo Vallarta? Visit us at our Nuevo Vallarta/Bucerias store: Heroes de Nacozari 126 about three blocks south of CMQ Hospital on the southbound lateral. (Open Mon through Fri 10 to 4). If you are not currently in Mexico, email us at furniture@solutionsmexico.com or Whatsapp us at +52 322 136 5156.