Essential Basics to Know Before Installing a Wall Bed

The bed occupies more than half of the bedroom's space. Have you ever thought, "Can't this space be used differently during the day?"

You may relate even more if you live in a small space or a studio apartment.

The most practical solution to this problem is the 'Wall Bed,' which is the product most easily considered.

The wall bed is a structural piece of furniture that transforms a sleeping area into a living space.

However, the fact that it is not common means there are many aspects to consider.

This article provides a complete guide from the disadvantages to advantages of wall beds and A to Z for actual purchases, presenting a perfect guide to protect your valuable space and budget.

Essential Checklist for Safety and Durability Before Choosing a Wall Bed

Since wall beds are furniture that move daily and must support considerable weight, safety is paramount. First! Check the presence of a safety lock, second! Durability and load-bearing capacity, third! Operating mechanism should all be verified. Safety is something that cannot be overemphasized, especially for families with children.

1. Presence of Safety Lock

The biggest concern before introducing a wall bed is the anxiety of 'What if the bed suddenly falls?' Most wall beds have safety locks to prevent this.

Automatic Lock: A method that automatically locks when the bed closes beyond a certain angle.

Manual Lock: A method where you secure the bed with an additional lock after lifting it.

2. Durability and Load-bearing Capacity

It's important to check the frame materials that make up the structure of the wall bed and its weight capacity.

Frame Material: Mainly metal and wood frames are used. Metal frames are durable and relatively inexpensive, while wood frames are more sturdy and provide a luxurious interior effect.

Load-bearing Capacity: The maximum load each product can support is specified. Consider the weight of the mattress and the user's body weight to select a product that can support generous loads.

3. Operating Mechanism: Which Method Is Right for You?

The methods for raising and lowering a wall bed are largely divided into two types. Compare their pros and cons and choose according to your lifestyle pattern.

Spring Mechanism

It uses several strong springs (tension coils) to balance the power. It is relatively inexpensive and has fewer breakdowns, but over time, the tension can weaken and make operation difficult.

Hydraulic (Gas Cylinder) Mechanism

It uses gas pressure to lift and lower the bed smoothly with minimal force. It is very easy to operate and convenient, but pricier compared to the spring mechanism and may require cylinder replacement as the gas cylinder's lifespan ends. Recently, most users prefer the hydraulic method due to its convenience.

Precautions When Installing a Wall Bed

Confirming installation feasibility is as important as safety. Even if you've found a suitable wall bed for your home, it would be impractical if installation is impossible. To prevent such mishaps, pre-check whether installation space is viable.

1. Can It Be Installed on My Home's Wall?

Wall beds must be firmly fixed to the wall, so the type of wall is critically important for installation.

Concrete Wall

This is the most ideal and safe installation environment. Most structural walls (key walls supporting the building's weight) in Korean apartments are made of concrete. Its density is very high and provides secure support for the weight and load during the operation of a wall bed.

Drywall / Gypsum Board Wall

As a rule, direct installation is absolutely impossible. Drywall is only a finishing material wrapped with paper after compressing gypsum, and cannot bear any structural strength. Installing a wall bed here can lead to serious accidents where the drywall breaks and the entire wall bed falls forward. It's mainly used in non-load-bearing walls for partitioning spaces.

Brick Wall

If the bricks are solid, installation is possible. If they are hollow, caution is required. This structure is common in old houses or villas. While the bricks themselves are solid, the mortar between them can be relatively weak. In particular, lightweight or hollow bricks can break when anchors are installed.

Lightweight Foam Concrete (ALC) Block Wall

Extreme caution is required, and expert judgment is absolutely crucial. This material is made into block forms by adding foam to reduce the weight of concrete. It offers good insulation and is often used for non-load-bearing or partition walls. The 'light weight' advantage becomes a major drawback for wall bed installation as it's weak and can break easily.

Wooden Houses / Wood-Finished Walls

Once the position of the 'structural wood' inside the wall is accurately found, a very safe installation is possible. However, installation on thin, visible finishing wooden materials like louvers or plywood is not allowed.

2. Which Mattress Can Be Used?

The range of choice for mattresses for wall beds is very narrow. Due to the folding and unfolding feature of wall beds, very thick or heavy mattresses are difficult to use.

Dedicated Mattress

Many wall bed brands sell or recommend dedicated mattresses optimized for the weight distribution and thickness of their products.

General Mattress

If you wish to use a general mattress, make sure to check the manufacturer's recommended maximum thickness and weight specifications. If exceeded, the wall bed's storage function cannot be used, or there is a risk of safety accidents during storage.

Is a Wall Bed Truly Efficient? (An Honest Pros and Cons Analysis)

Like every product has its pros and cons, so do wall beds. To avoid regret after purchase, we gather user experiences for an honest comparison of advantages and disadvantages.

Pros of Wall Beds

Maximized Space Utilization

You can perfectly utilize space for different purposes - study, home gym, living room - during the day, instead of just the bed. It is the key solution for small room interiors. Recently, Murphy bed styles combining desks, sofas, bookshelves, etc., have become popular, further enhancing space efficiency.

Neat Interior

When not in use, it appears as a wall or is designed to look like a storage unit, allowing very neat and tidy usage.

Cons of Wall Beds

Inconvenient Bedding Arrangement

To use the function of the wall bed, you need to arrange the bedding placed on the bed every day. If you raise the bed without arranging the bedding, the blankets and pillows will tumble down, preventing the wall bed from closing. This is the point most users regret after purchasing a wall bed.

Heavy Bed

Even with help from springs and gas cylinders, the weight of the bed and frame is considerable. The process of opening and closing a wall bed can feel heavy and difficult, leading users to leave the wall bed unfolded and lose its intended function.

Installation Restrictions

As explained above, installation may not be possible depending on the wall's strength, and once installed, it's difficult to change locations.

Alternative to Wall Beds: 'Robotics Bed'

We've thoroughly reviewed the pros and cons of wall beds and purchase checklist so far. Wall beds are certainly items that can efficiently utilize limited space. However, due to the inconvenience of arranging bedding and raising and lowering the bed daily, people end up using it as a permanently unfolded bed.

There is a solution that resolves the inconvenience of wall beds while efficiently using space. It's the Robotics Bed.

The Robotics Bed, with just the press of a button, lifts the bed to the ceiling, revealing the sofa or desk space below that was hidden. It doesn't require arranging bedding or manually folding up a heavy bed like wall beds. Truly elevating the concept of space utilization, it’s a solution that lets you experience genuine 'space transformation.'