A guest bedroom is a wonderful space to have, especially if you love hosting family and friends, but dedicating an entire room to a bed that only gets used a handful of times a year isn’t always the best use of square footage in modern homes. For urban dwellers and homeowners looking to maximize their floor plans, a Murphy bed offers a clever and stylish alternative. Originally touted as "The Disappearing Bed" in the early 20th century, the innovative foldaway design eventually took on the name of its inventor, William Lawrence Murphy. More than a century later, it continues to help homeowners transform home offices, playrooms, home gyms, and other hardworking spaces into comfortable guest rooms at a moment’s notice.
And while the primary appeal of a Murphy bed is largely practical, contemporary interior design proves there is plenty of room to get creative. Some modern designs come with built-in storage or shelving, while others offer a blank canvas for paint, trim, or custom cabinetry. Daniella Hoffer, an AD PRO Directory designer and owner of Daniella Hoffer Interiors, prefers a custom approach but notes that even a Murphy bed purchased online can be elevated with thoughtful, personalized details.
"Creating millwork on the wall or making it look like cabinetry—similar to how we approach pantry doors in the kitchen today—is a beautiful way to incorporate a Murphy bed into the space, and frankly, hide it," she explains. "Or even putting a piece of artwork that you can remove easily before pulling down the bed."
Ultimately, the right Murphy bed proves that a little less furniture on the floor can open up a lot more styling and functional possibilities in any given room. Whether you are seeking a complete all-in-one system with integrated shelving, a sleek unit that doubles as a workspace, or a vintage statement piece with historical character, the market offers solutions tailored to diverse aesthetic preferences and spatial constraints.
Our Top Picks
Please note that prices reflect queen-size beds. However, most of the featured frames are available in additional sizes and finishes to suit different room dimensions.
Best Overall Murphy Bed: Oakland Living Easy-Lift Full Murphy Bed
Boasting a sleek design and dual bookcase towers, the Oakland Living Easy-Lift Murphy bed gives the appearance of custom built-ins when unfolded. It can easily replace your primary bedroom furniture thanks to its clean lines and ample storage capacity. Although the installation process requires baseboard removal, sturdy wall-mounting hardware adds extra security to the build, which is a crucial consideration if you have little ones or pets running around the house.
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The dual-piston lift mechanism allows for easy lifting and lowering by virtually any family member, removing the heavy lifting typically associated with wall beds. And unlike most standard Murphy beds, this model gives buyers the flexibility to choose between a twin, full, queen, or even a king-sized base size to accommodate different mattress dimensions and room layouts.
Best for Home Offices: The Lori Bed With Desk
Lori Beds offers some of the most versatile Murphy bed customization options on the market. Whether you are looking for a vertical pull-down or horizontal fold-out orientation, a desk or shelving attachment, or a manual lift instead of an assisted mechanism, you can mix and match components to create a system that best suits your space.
Ideal for an elevated work-from-home setup, the desk upgrade adds a 16-inch-deep work surface that spans the entire width of the bed, regardless of whether it is vertically or horizontally oriented. Seven distinct finishes allow the unit to complement your existing interior design rather than creating an unintentional focal point. Furthermore, if you are in need of a mattress that will seamlessly fit the enclosure, Lori offers specialized add-ons, including their signature mattress or an organic option utilizing recycled coils and New Zealand wool. If you opt for a manual lift, a lighter-weight version of the Lori mattress is available so that it does not put excessive strain on the base or your upper body during operation. Careful craftsmanship is at the heart of their manufacturing process, utilizing durable cabinet-grade plywood.
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Best Affordable: Mjkone Murphy Bed With Storage Shelf
While many Murphy beds feature shelving or cabinetry flanking either side of the unit, this budget-friendly option makes smart use of the bed’s underside, cleverly turning it into open shelving when folded away against the wall. The light wood finish provides a warm, tactile touch that feels right at home in Scandi-inspired interiors.
The staggered compartments offer plenty of room to display books, trailing plants, and larger pieces of artwork. The only operational catch is that you will need to clear the shelves before pulling the bed down, but it represents a small trade-off for valuable storage you would otherwise have to source elsewhere in a small room. Available in both vertical and horizontal configurations, both versions comfortably accommodate a queen-size mattress, allowing you to choose the exact layout that optimizes your available floor space.
Most Ornate: Keiki Murphy Bed Cabinet
This furniture piece is technically a cabinet bed—a close relative of the traditional Murphy bed, but distinct in that it looks more like a bohemian credenza or sideboard than an occasional sleeping platform for visitors. This aesthetic camouflage is achieved largely thanks to the woven cane accents integrated into the cabinet doors. Until it unfurls, dinner guests may never suspect that it contains a mattress rather than a collection of fine dinnerware or household linens.
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Unfolding to reveal a comfortable queen-sized bed, this piece also features two practical storage drawers that further support the underlying slatted base, along with convenient charging ports built into both sides for overnight device plugging.
Best All-in-One: Ebern Designs Athena Murphy Bed Chest
With its understated arched detailing and a range of sophisticated finishes, such as rich walnut and light toffee, the Ebern Designs Athena Murphy bed could easily pass as a traditional high-end sideboard. A roomy bottom drawer efficiently tucks away spare pillows and bedding, and the inclusion of a six-inch folding queen mattress means one less separate purchase to worry about during the room-furnishing process.
Reviewers frequently note that the included mattress feels quite soft, suggesting it is best suited for side sleepers or anyone who prefers a cushy, enveloping bed to sink into at the end of the day. Meanwhile, built-in charging ports ensure that overnight guests won’t have to hunt around the room for an awkward outlet in the middle of the night.
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Best Farmhouse: BEQAI Murphy Bed With Storage Cabinet
A rustic wood finish gives this Murphy bed the distinct character of traditional farmhouse cabinetry, making it a natural fit for a cozy guest room or a country-inspired home. If your aesthetic leans more toward minimalism, a clean white finish is also available. Unlike fixed shelving units, the adjustable shelves let you play with different heights and arrangements as your storage needs evolve over time. It represents an efficient way to achieve the high-end look of custom built-in cabinetry without having to commission expensive custom millwork.
Best Vintage: Murphy Bed by Hans J. Wegner for Ry Mobler
For those seeking historical pedigree and unique craftsmanship, this vintage Murphy bed was designed by renowned Danish furniture master Hans J. Wegner for Ry Mobler. Dating back to the 1960s, the bed features warm oak construction and charming caning details on the front facade. Available through premier furniture specialists at Wyeth, inventory is strictly limited to a single piece in stock, requiring prospective buyers to act quickly.
How We Chose the Best Murphy Beds
To develop a comprehensive understanding of Murphy beds, we turned to interior designers Ania Ágárdy, Daniella Hoffer, and Sarah Storms for professional shopping tips and specific product recommendations. From there, we explored best-selling, top-reviewed products on the modern market and analyzed a wide range of accounts and feedback from real customers. We prioritized the functionality, durability, and overall style of each piece, paying close attention to specialized features that offer genuine value to homeowners navigating spatial limitations.
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FAQs
When shopping for a wall bed system, experts emphasize the importance of evaluating structural integrity, clearance requirements, and mattress compatibility. According to Sarah Storms, there is no reason to sacrifice quality sleep, as wall beds can be just as comfortable as a traditional frame provided the platform and mattress are solid and supportive. While any high-quality mattress can technically work, Ania Ágárdy frequently suggests hybrid mattresses for balanced support and comfort, noting that getting the right thickness is essential. She advises choosing a mattress on the thinner side, typically 10 inches or less, to ensure it properly clears the mechanism when folded, and recommends following the specific manufacturer guidelines for each model.
Safety and structural reliability are also common concerns for buyers. While historical recalls have occurred due to unexpected unit detachment and potential crush hazards, modern Murphy beds are engineered with secure locking mechanisms to keep them safely in place whether deployed or stowed away. Experts agree that for homeowners working with small rooms who need to reclaim functional floor space, a quality Murphy bed represents a worthwhile investment.
When comparing wall beds to traditional Murphy beds, distinctions typically lie in the construction and integration. Wall beds historically utilized simpler wood frames and pistons, while Murphy beds often integrated metal frames and springs as part of a complete cabinetry system featuring fold-down desks or side shelving. Lifespan depends heavily on materials, with solid wood systems lasting 15 years or more, while particleboard options offer a more budget-friendly entry point with a shorter structural lifespan. Ultimately, whether you select an accessible online brand or a fully bespoke architectural millwork solution, modern Murphy beds successfully bridge the gap between daily utility and comfortable guest hospitality.