Frequently asked questions about our wallbed mechanisms and kits

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Outstanding designs for modern homes, hotels and projects globally from Wallbed Systems

Over the years, we’ve had a fair amount of questions about our unique wallbeds. Below we are happy to address the more common questions.

If you need further assistance or information on any aspect, do contact us.

We produce several different styles of wall beds and ship worldwide. We hold stock in multiple locations internationally to ensure we can fulfil customer orders’ regardless of location. While we are happy to advise you on cabinetry and enclosures for your wall bed, we do not usually supply the cabinet itself. We can however help connect you to cabinet makers in your local area as well as providing advice, cabinet drawings and designs. Our products are designed for particular markets such as furniture manufacturers, contract furniture companies, hardware distributors and retailers, hotel and hospitality contractors and companies who sell via the internet. We supply through a network of international distributors and where we do not have a distributor, we supply directly to the retailer or contract buyer. Contact us for details of your nearest supplier of if you would like to be a partner in your region. Our range is available from stock in all popular sizes at multiple locations around the globe.

Do you provide the cabinet too?

We prefer to specialise in the hardware because we market to many countries, and local sizes / design preferences vary hugely, along with mattress sizes. Contact us and we can usually provide details of local cabinet makers.

Can I buy just the wall bed for immediate use without cabinet or add the cabinet later?

Yes! Your guests will be pleased to know you thinking of their comfort. Have a look at our NeXT bed for an instant solution, can be installed without cabinet and where you can always add a cabinet later.

Can I use my existing mattress?

In most instances you can, but always best to check with your mattress retailer it can be stored for periods in a vertical position. We can suggest good mattresses which are fully approved for use and most are acceptable regardless of where you are.

Can I install it lengthways for use in a narrow room?

Yes! The panel type beds are designed for vertical or horizontal mounting, so can fit odd-sized rooms. Our Beta DIY kit can also create special sizes of bed frame so you can make full use of the space available. We are pleased to be releasing the horizontal NeXT bed soon too – watch this space!

Can I take my wall bed with me when I move?

Yes, all our wall beds can be disassembled and reassembled easily and we imagine any cabinet can be too. The NeXT bed especially, is very easy to both install and remove. Most of our customers will want to take it with them to their new home!

Should I purchase a wall bed, sofa bed or air mattress?

Wall beds typically use a standard mattress whereas sofa bed mattresses tend to be thin with a foldable mechanism so they can fit into the small space inside a sofa bed. Other futons style sofa bed mattresses are also very thin. Newer sofa bed models including the futon style sofa beds use the same seating pads as the mattress pad. With a sleeper-sofa type, often you will find and feel folds, ridges, seams or even the sofa bed hardware and springs itself. While air mattresses / airbeds are an economical solution, they tend to suffer from mechanical breakdown, leakage, mold issues, breathability, durability, and even noise.

Our wall beds all take up to a 250mm (8 inch) deep mattress thus often far more comfortable than many conventional ‘guest bedroom’ mattresses. Since wall beds don’t require the same folding mechanisms, they tend to be more durable. Wall beds are also easier and quicker to pull down and put away, usually with minimal effort especially as the bedding can remain in place. Converting a sofa bed on the other hand, can be quite cumbersome, with having to remove and store cushions, unfold the mechanism and mattress, and remake the bed each time.

Can I install a WBS wall bed myself?

Yes – certain models (e.g. NeXT and Murphy beds) are easier to install as they don’t mount to the cabinets. However, many customers have installed our Alpha and Beta kits as well. Manuals are available which have the complete sets of cabinet parts drawings to enable you to get the panel parts produced.

Why are springs preferred to gas lifts?

Gas lifts are small high-pressure cylinders which are fine for very light duty work. Unless carefully selected and sized to suit the heavy weights involved with balancing a wallbed load, gas lifts can struggle. Wall beds involve a high load and need balancing if they are to be safe and easy to operate. This is why we developed spring technology to meet this requirement and we have produced over one million springs since we started. Because we use up to 18 springs in an installation, it means that the exact number can be used to perfectly balance the load. This means the installation is safe and very easy to lift to close and open.

Gas lifts, on the other hand, are not adjustable, so you have to compromise on selection of mattress, bedding, etc. Also, when they fail, gas springs can be quite dangerous and difficult to replace.

Springs mean you can balance heavier loads. This means that you can use standard, comfortable mattresses and not be restricted to cheap lightweight ones, which tend not to last long. This is important in creating a really comfortable experience. A guest may not realise they are sleeping on a wall bed. This is especially important for hotels too, where they take great care on mattress selection and specifications for their guests.

Are supersize wall beds available?

Yes! Any size of bed frame can be created. For situations where loads are higher than usual, or used intensively, or in areas where they may be overloaded, we have specially strengthened legs and other parts of the frame. Rental apartments often ask for these. We try to find a solution that will meet special needs of any type.

How long do wall beds last?

This depends on frequency of use, but we aim for at least a 10-year life, for regular use in domestic applications. We know many users have them for much longer than this. It is something that will outlast most items of furniture. This is why we try to produce a variety of wall bed hardware that permits freedom to be creative in design, wherever you are and whatever your project.

I produce cabinets and my client wants a wall bed. Since this is my first wall bed project, can you give me some advice?

Yes! Because cabinet design is such an important part of a wall bed system, we provide advice to cabinet makers and have some ideas and suggestions to share on the subject which help speed up production, lower inventory, and ease the whole delivery and assembly process through to a customer. We are aware that often the cabinet cost is much higher than the cost of our hardware depending on where we are operating in the world, so we try and help manage this by continually thinking about design of what we create, and how this impacts cabinet designs to the benefit of manufacturer and customers. We are happy to share these ideas with our cabinet and furniture making clients as well as suggested cut lists and designs. Do reach out to us.

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