Hello – Murphy bed – a slick, space-saving solution that simply tilts up into a 40-centimetre deep cabinet bolted to the wall studs at the top and bottom. When its time to tuck the guests in for the evening with a touch of a fingertip, a single, double or queen fully-made bed will float from the cabinet. When they leave, the bed can be lifted back into the cabinet freeing up the much-needed floor space.

“There is limited space in many new homes, especially condos so this is an ideal way for homeowners to be able to get more use out of their rooms,” says Collette Jarvis, a design consultant at Custom Wall-Beds Ltd. “It really makes for a great multipurpose room.”

And that is exactly why William L. Murphy, a 24 year- old living in a one-room San Francisco apartment cramped by his bed came up with an innovative solution. Needing more room to entertain, he decided to recess his bed into a cabinet. That was in 1900, and the Murphy bed is still solving the same dilemma 106 years later.

The technology has evolved since then. There are now upright, where the head of the bed is against the wall, and side-tilt styles where one side of the bed is against the wall. Back in Murphy’s day, the beds were heavy and cumbersome. Now because of an aluminium frame, they are light enough that they can be used by seniors and youth alike. A wall-bed that is balanced properly will weigh between one and two kilograms on the end.

Born to be comic props, the original beds were bolted into the floor, with coiled box springs that leapt from the wall -- bonking Charlie Chaplin in the head and trapping the Muppets. However, Jarvis says while it’s a funny and somewhat indelible image, it doesn’t happen. “And you can’t close people up in it either. Perhaps the only drawback is you can’t hide things under the bed.” That hasn’t stopped sales from soaring, Calgarians, whether they’re in the burbs or downtown are latching on to the concept.

“It really is becoming the popular solution, everyone from empty-nesters to first-time condo owners are coming in to find a bed,” says Jarvis.

The bed and its room-expanding possibilities may be the main attraction, but the ability to customize the systems is a close second. Purchasers can also select cabinets, drawers, desks or shelves to flank the bed, making it a built in piece of functional furniture at all times. The storage possibilities are endless as is the finish option. On the low end, melamine up to a higher-end cherry can be used to complement existing decor. From sleek and modern to traditional country, there really is a style for anyone.

Fred Burley, president of Airdrie’s Innovative Bed Systems, once tucked a lateral wall-bed into a 48-square foot room which doubled as a home office.

“That was a pretty small space; a traditional bed would have filled the room. So really anywhere there is a wall, there can be a wall bed.”

Because a full wall of custom built-ins can accompany a wall bed, many people are putting them in dens -- creating a combined home office/ guest bedroom arrangement with storage for both uses, adds Burley. Others use them in exercise or sewing rooms.

“They really can go anywhere, so it means that condo owners especially, don’t have to commit to having a spare bedroom.”

Costs generally start at about $1,700 for a single, $1,800 for a twin and $2,200 for a queen and range upward depending upon the wood and whether cabinetry, libraries and home offices are included. To protect your investment, wall beds are removable, leaving only five screw holes in the wall to be patched, so even renters can take advantage of the product.

“It really is cheaper than building another bedroom.” adds Jarvis.  CL