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Murphy Beds: Some people love them, some people are confused by them, and anyone with a tiny space should consider them. These furniture pieces can easily transform a daytime office into a nighttime guest room, or a living room into a comfy bedroom. There are even Murphy bed designs that can double as a sofa or a workspace when not being used as a spot to sleep.
While every room’s layout is different, the biggest advantage of a Murphy bed over a smaller traditional bed or a sleeper sofa is simply that it takes up a lot less space when not in use. And maybe most importantly, Murphy beds are usually a lot more comfortable than sleeper sofas since most are compatible with traditional mattresses.
Here, the best Murphy beds, no matter what your needs are.
Best Overall: Zipcode Design Colquitt Murphy Bed
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Wayfair
Clean and simple, the Colquitt Murphy Bed from Wayfair is an affordable option that works with any décor style. It’s available in four different finishes (white, brown, gray, and gray/white) and, when open as a bed, the back of the unit has a “window” open to the wall behind it that’s the perfect place to hang some art.
It's sleek and not too imposing, and comes in both Full and Queen sizes. You'll have to purchase a mattress, but since it's a platform bed you won't have to buy a box spring to go with it. The dual piston system ensures an easy open and close, and the 20-inch depth when closed prevents it from being an eyesore.
Best Budget: Zipcode Design Rogelio Storage Murphy Bed with Mattress
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Courtesy of Wayfair
Murphy beds are space savers to begin with, but if you're working with a particularly small space (or budget) you should focus your search on even more compact options. Take this Twin-sized style, for example, which is both budget-friendly and leaves a small footprint.
The Rogelio Storage Murphy Bed is a folding bed that's equipped with wheels, so unlike other designs, you can move it around your home with ease. When the bed is in use, the storage cabinet doubles as a headboard, so it's easy to use multiple pillows.
Best Horizontal: West Elm Murphy Wall Bed
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Courtesy of West Elm
For a more clever take, consider West Elm’s Murphy Wall Bed. The design is offered as either a bunk bed or a single bed, so you can take advantage of as much wall space as you'd like. The compact design is offered in three colors—white, light wood, and graphite—and can be either a Twin/Twin XL or Full/Full XL bed or Twin/Twin XL bunk bed.
Regardless, this bed can accommodate foam mattresses up to 6-inches thick ands fold up horizontally, similar to a bed you'd find on a sleeper train. When closed, the bed extends less than 15-inches away from the wall, so it works well in even the smallest spaces. Though a mattress is not included, it comes with easy-to-use mounting brackets so you can assemble with quickly.
Best With Desk: Latitude Run Loyalton Storage Murphy Bed
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If you want a more versatile style, Latitude Run's Loyalton Storage Murphy Bed has got you covered. Available in Full or Queen sizes, the unit doubles as a workstation and offers plenty of storage for office supplies, books, or bedding on either side.
The bed can accommodate mattresses that are up to 12 inches thick, so you'll have more mattress options to choose from than you would with more other Murphy beds out there. What's more is that it also has integrated lighting above the desk (or bed, when it’s open) and cabinets on each side, so you don’t have to worry about investing in any new bedside lamps or task lighting.
Best Customizable: BredaBeds Horizontal Urban Murphy Bed
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Unlike most Murphy beds, this design folds horizontally—but that's not the only thing that makes this design so special. The bed comes in tons of options for color, hardware finish, and baseboard notch, so you can create your dream piece.
The bed is available in every size from Twin, Twin XL, Full, and Queen, and has a lower profile when it folds. It’s compatible with mattresses up to 11 inches thick, so it could be just as comfy as any standard platform bed. It's made to order, which does mean you’ll have to wait a few weeks for it, but you'll also get to hand pick each detail, so it's certainly worth the wait.
Best With Couch: Murphy Bed NYC Murphy Bed with Couch & Shelves
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When it comes to this Murphy bed, there's more than meets the eye. That's because in addition to folding out into a bed, this piece also comes with a sofa, so you're getting two pieces of furniture for the price of one. The bed is offered in either Full or Queen, as well as two colors (blue and gray). The unit features two slim sets of shelves on either side of the bed as well, so you'll have plenty of room for books or bedtime essentials.
When open as a bed, the back of the sofa essentially becomes a headboard, and the sofa arms create a little field of privacy. The unit is ideal for a compact studio apartment, small bedroom, or anywhere else that you're pressed for space.
Best Chest: Loon Peak Giannini Queen Murphy Bed
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While traditional Murphy beds fold down from the wall, there are also versions that fold up into a mobile chest that can be moved from room to room. The Giannini Murphy Bed is one of these; it looks like a chest of drawers but somewhat magically unfolds into a Queen size bed with an (included) cool gel memory foam mattress. This is definitely a more flexible option since it can be stored in one room and then be wheeled out to another whenever you need an extra bed.
Final Verdict
Overall, we recommend the Zipcode Design Colquitt Murphy Bed (view at Wayfair), because it's sleek and modern, available in multiple finishes, and is fairly easy to use and install. For a more affordable option, consider the Zipcode Design Rogelio Murphy Bed (view at Wayfair), which is a much more compact option that has wheels for easy movement.
What to Look For in a Murphy Bed
Size
Unlike a traditional bed, Murphy beds are typically only available in smaller sizes, with the largest usually being Queen. This shouldn't be too much of a problem, unless you're sharing your Murphy bed with a partner. Though they're meant to be space-savers, some units include shelving and other features that will make them much larger, so make sure you double check the total width and depth of your bed when it's both open and closed. If you're working with a really small space, consider styles that are mobile, just in case you need to store it elsewhere when it's not in use.
Mattress
Some Murphy beds come with a mattress, but many don't, so be sure to pay attention while you browse. While purchasing a bed with a mattress makes things a bit easier, you might prefer to make your own choice, especially if you have back problems. Take note of the specific mattress size and thickness that can work with your bed, and double check whether or not you need a box spring as well.
Price
Murphy beds can be anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000, more or less, depending on the size, features, and other details. This makes them much more expensive than your average platform bed, especially if you also have to buy a mattress separately. If you're working with a budget, you'll probably need to buy a Twin-sized bed or even a foldable cot bed that's unattached to the wall.