If you are like most Americans, waking up in a comfortable bed is something you may take for granted.  That is, until you have to go searching for a new bed.  Whether your search is for a guest bed option, or for your primary bed, a folding bed may be a consideration for you.  Folding beds have become much more popular ion the last five to ten years due to more people looking to save space.  In fact, in larger cities like New York, Toronto, Vancouver and London, folding beds have become very normal in studio apartments.  It used to be that a folding bed was thought of as very uncomfortable and not to be used for regular sleep.  But now, at least partially because of the heightened demand, folding beds are becoming more comfortable and of a higher quality.

There are many kinds of beds that could be called folding beds, in many cases people will call a futon a folding bed, and technically they would be correct. However, most of the time the term “folding bed” is meant to describe a bed that can easily be moved, or stored when not in use.

The first folding bed may very well have been what was then called a “Murphy bed”, a kind of sleeping arrangement that was actually attached to a wall and when needed, flipped down into a horizontal position. Many hotels in the early to mid 1900’s used this kind of folding bed to allow guests to use the room space for meetings or work while not sleeping.

Cheap Folding Beds

Folding beds are also very popular today in dorm rooms.  For many college students locating a cheap folding bed will allow them to sleep comfortably, but also maximize the amount of room in their living quarters.  In several design options with cheaper folding beds, you will be able to actually convert the bed into a work area.  These convertible folding beds generally cost a bit more, but many students say they are worth it when it comes to providing a quiet, comfortable place to work.

Others looking to less expensive folding beds because of the little amount they expect to use the bed.  Many times a family will want to have some sort of guest bed, but don’t expect to be hosting people more than once or twice a year.  If that is the case you should consider a lightweight, twin or full size folding bed that usually can be purchased with a medium width mattress.  These beds usually can be folded and rolled into a regular size closet for storage, allowing you to use the spare room for something other sleeping.

One of the more popular options in the realm of single folding beds, is call a “fold-a-cot” and even though it may not sound like a very comfortable sleeping option, it actually isn’t that bad.  The way the engineers at fold-a-cot have built this item allows it to actually also serve as a chaise lounge style chair for your living or family room.  The mattress on this folding bed is kind of like a mix between a standard futon mattress and a thicker piece of memory foam.  People who have many children who come to visit at a time will put three or four of these folding beds in a room as they are easy to set-up and move around.
Folding Bunk Beds

At first I didn’t think there would be such a thing as a folding bunk bed, but leave it to American engineering to come up with some.  For many a folding bunk bed is used in an RV or other travel type of situation.  In some rooms they can be attached to a wall, and then simply fold downwards to lay flat against the wall, making the room space more flexible.  It is a certainty that no one yet has come up with a super-comfortable folding bunk bed, but time will probably remedy that as more and more parents look for ways to save space in apartments and smaller homes.