Murphy beds have evolved significantly since their late 19th-century origins. Murphy beds today can now incorporate desks, bookshelves, and clever storage solutions, making them ideal for small spaces or multi-functional rooms.
This article explores five creative Murphy bed ideas that combine functionality with aesthetic appeal, helping you make the most of your living space.
1. Murphy Bed With a Desk
A Murphy bed with a built-in desk is an excellent solution for those who want to combine a home office with a guest room. When the bed is tucked away, you can use the desk as a workspace. Then, if you have overnight guests, you can fold into into bed.
Some models are designed to resemble an upright piano, with the desk surface extending outward and the rest of the structure concealing the mattress and frame. Advanced versions even allow items on the desk to remain in place when you lower the bed, tucked safely under the bed frame.
This type of Murphy bed is a great choice for students, freelancers, and remote workers who need a dedicated workspace that can quickly turn into a comfortable sleeping area for guests. Additionally, this design can enhance productivity by providing an organized and dedicated work environment, separate from other household distractions.
2. Murphy Bed With a Sofa
While standard sofa beds are suitable for occasional guest use, a Murphy bed with a sofa component gives your guests a more comfortable solution. This hybrid design combines the space-saving benefits of a Murphy bed with the functionality of a sofa, making it perfect for studio apartments or small living rooms.
The design usually has a sofa that sits against the wall when the bed is tucked away. To use the bed, you remove the sofa cushions and pull out the front panel. This allows the mattress and bed frame to unfurl from the wall.
Unlike traditional sofa beds, which can become uncomfortable and prone to mechanical issues with frequent use, Murphy beds with sofas offer a more robust and long-lasting solution. They provide better back support and maintain their comfort level even with regular use.
3. Murphy Bed with Bookcases
A common concern with Murphy beds is how they’ll look when they’re in the upright position. The large, plain surface of a bed frame often looks unappealing against a wall. However, a Murphy bed flanked by bookcases offers an elegant solution to this problem.
This design typically features built-in bookcases on both sides of the Murphy bed, creating a balanced and attractive wall unit. When you hide the bed, the bottom of the bed frame looks like cabinet doors. This makes the whole structure look like a fancy armoire or built-in shelving unit.
The bookcases provide valuable storage space for books, decorative items, and personal belongings. This design is particularly beneficial for those who want to maximize both sleeping and storage space in a single room. It’s an excellent choice for home libraries, studies, or guest rooms that double as reading nooks. Moreover, some models incorporate lighting and glass cabinet doors, adding an extra layer of sophistication and practicality to the unit.
4. Murphy Bed in a Chest
A Murphy bed concealed within a compact chest or bureau offers a brilliant blend of form and function. It is perfect for smaller spaces or rooms where a full-sized wall unit might be overwhelming. When not in use, the bed is hidden inside a chest of drawers, keeping the room clean and uncluttered.
To use the bed, pull the face of the cabinet down to reveal the bed frame and mattress. Some models come complete with a built-in mattress, while others provide just the frame, allowing you to pick one yourself. The chest design also often includes functional drawers or storage compartments, further maximizing the utility of the piece. Additionally, many models have wheels, which helps if you decide to rearrange your room.
5. Murphy Bed Bunk Beds
Murphy bed bunk beds are a fun twist on the traditional Murphy bed. They are perfect for children’s rooms, vacation homes, or any space where multiple beds are needed. This design has two stacked beds with a ladder leading to the top bunk. It has sleeping space for two while still allowing for daytime floor space when the Murphy bed is closed.
When you’re not using it, the bed frames align vertically against the wall, creating a compact unit that takes up minimal floor space.
The Murphy bed bunk system offers several advantages over traditional bunk beds. It provides more floor space during the day for play or study. Plus, you can quickly collapse the bunk beds away to create a more open feel in the room. The Murphy bed bunk system also often includes additional storage options within the unit. Some models even incorporate desks or shelving units or safety features like secure locking mechanisms and sturdy ladders to make it safer.
Our Conclusion
Murphy beds allow you to maximize the space in your home, no matter its size. From desk combinations to bunk bed designs, these versatile pieces of furniture provide comfort and functionality without sacrificing style. When you add a Murphy bed to your living space, you create multi-functional rooms that you can adapt on the fly when you need space for a guest to sleep over.