Living in a small apartment or house can sometimes feel a little suffocating, especially if you’re not good at making the most of your space. A common space-sucking mistake many people make is to place a permanent bed in a spare room that could otherwise be used as a WFH office, a home gym or other functional space. So if you regularly host overnight guests but still want to make the most of the space when a bed isn’t needed, consider a futon or invest in one of the best Murphy beds.
Murphy beds, which are sometimes known as wall beds, can be stored in an alternative space, such as being leaned up against a wall or folded up inside a chest. While this process doesn’t actually change how much space the bed takes up, it does change which space it takes up. This difference can be hugely important if you want to maximize your floor space when the bed isn’t needed.
What to Consider Before Buying a Murphy Bed
Murphy beds are not small additions to the home. At the very least, they are the size of a mattress plus a surrounding frame. With this in mind, it’s important to make sure you correctly plan the placement and style of your temporary bed. To help you make the right decision, consider the following elements:
- Bed Size – The majority of Murphy beds are either full or queen size. Be sure to check the space in question, ensuring that a bed will fit when it’s laid out.
- Additional Storage – Some Murphy beds simply lean up into a wardrobe-style space and offer nothing more. However, other models include additional storage space. Most commonly, this space comes in the form of a set of shelves on one or both sides of where the bed is stored. Other models may also include additional drawers. Extra storage space is particularly useful if you want to store the bedding nearby.
- Style – Given that your Murphy bed is going to spend a lot of time packed up and not in use, it’s worth choosing a piece that fits in and doesn’t draw unwanted attention. Luckily, there’s a range of available styles and colors, meaning it’s easy to find an option to suit your existing decor.
How We Chose the Best Murphy Beds
Murphy beds usually favor one of two designs. We have included both of the styles in our list. We have also ensured that every bed is durable, reliable and capable of fulfilling your temporary bed needs when required. Where possible, we’ve also chosen models which have been tried and tested by users and have numerous positive reviews in support of the bed’s monetary and physical value.
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Below you’ll find our top picks for the best Murphy beds which are available for ordering online. Scroll down to find the right Murphy bed for your living space.
1. Red Barrel Studio Crossfell Murphy Bed
BEST OVERALL
If you have the space to accommodate this Red Barrel Studio Crossfell Murphy Bed, we’re confident you won’t regret choosing it. In addition to the fold-out, full-size frame, this extensive furniture piece includes a large storage space on either side. These spaces include two fixed shelves and three adjustable ones, giving you plenty of room for storing books, decor pieces, remote controls, bed sheets and plenty of other items. For ease of use and greater comfort, the bed also includes built-in handles, a dual-piston mechanism and a Euro slat mattress support system. All in all, this high-quality bed is ideal for short or long-term transformation of any guest room, office or living space.
2. Atlantic Furniture Nantucket Murphy Chest Bed
BEST CHEST
If you’re looking for a temporary bed but aren’t looking to commit as much wall space as a traditional Murphy bed requires, this Atlantic Furniture Nantucket Murphy Chest Bed could be your answer. The smartly designed furniture piece includes a pull-out face which becomes the queen-size frame for the accompanying gel-infused, memory foam mattress. You’ll also find a handy drawer which is ideal for keeping pillows and bed sheets in. For added convenience, the chest includes a built-in USB and 120-volt charging station. Plus, it’s available in three colors.
3. Bestar Nebula Collection Queen Murphy Bed
BEST BUDGET
This Bestar Nebula Collection Queen Murphy Bed is a great way to turn any room in your home into a multifunctional space. When needed, the full-size bed folds down, assisted by the dual-piston mechanism, giving you a comfortable place for overnight guests to rest. The bed, which is constructed from laminated particleboard, also sports a Euro slat mattress foundation to provide greater comfort for sleepers. It also eliminates the need for a box spring underneath whatever mattress you install, which can be between eight and 12 inches thick. Additionally, it’s available in either bark, gray or white.
4. Bestar Full Wall Bed
BEST DESK
Get double duty from your new furniture piece by choosing this Bestar Full Wall Bed. As well as a full-size bed, this smartly designed furniture addition incorporates a desk that can be used when the bed isn’t down. At 18.11 by 50.39 inches, the desk provides plenty of work space. It’s also worth noting that the wall bed isn’t supplied with a mattress, but it can accommodate any full-size mattress which measures up to 10 inches deep. In addition, the hinge mechanism includes dual pistons for greater user convenience.
5. Bestar Cielo Bark Full Murphy Bed
BEST MECHANISM
This Bestar Cielo Bark Full Murphy Bed features an advanced dual-piston mechanism to ensure raising and lowering the bed is effortless and secure. It sports an attractive two-tone appearance and incorporates two LED lights for convenient illumination, ideal for those moments before you go to sleep. The frame is capable of accommodating any standard full mattress up to 10 inches thick. Furthermore, the sturdy yet minimalist design offers sleepers a generous amount of under-bed storage space.
6. Zipcode Design Colquitt Murphy Bed
BEST COLOR RANGE
In addition to either a full or queen bed size, this Zipcode Design Colquitt Murphy Bed comes in four colors, meaning there’s an option to suit almost any bedroom decor style. The frame, which doesn’t come with a mattress, is made in Canada from engineered wood and features a Euro slat mattress support system to negate the need for a box spring. The design also includes a dual-piston system to make raising and lowering the bed easy. It’s also capable of accommodating up to 1,000 pounds and has 9.6 inches of under-bed clearance.
7. Bestar Versatile Full Wall Bed
BEST FULL
The Bestar Versatile Full Wall Bed is a simple yet effective answer for temporarily transforming a space into a bedroom. When up, the bed draws minimal attention and looks just like any everyday wardrobe. When down, overnight guests get to enjoy a full-size mattress (which isn’t included but can be up to 10 inches thick). The white, clean finish also makes it capable of fitting in with a range of decor styles, whether that’s in an office, guest room or even a living room.
8. Brayden Studio Walley Murphy Bed
ALSO CONSIDER
This Brayden Studio Walley Murphy Bed beautifully balances an attractive modern design with functional storage space and a fold-out bed. Adding this furniture piece to any office, guest room or living room will allow you to transform the room into a sleeping space in a matter of seconds, while the three shelves and three drawers give you plenty of space for storing bed sheets and other unrelated items. Furthermore, this bed comes in three colors so you can match your choice to your existing decor style.
9. Bestar Versatile Collection Queen Murphy Bed
BEST ALL-IN-ONE
By incorporating a Murphy bed, a two-seat sofa and an impressive amount of storage space, this Bestar Versatile Collection Queen Murphy Bed is one of the most versatile pieces on our list. When the queen-size frame is in its upright, hidden position, users can enjoy a comfortable sofa, which comes with 7.9-inch thick cushions. On either side of the centrally mounted bed/sofa, you’ll find two storage towers. Each tower is made up of two fixed shelves and four adjustable shelves, giving users plenty of space for storing all kinds of items. Additionally, the dual piston-assisted frame can accommodate mattresses between eight and 12 inches thick.
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