If you're in the market for space-saving furniture, you've likely crossed paths with the legendary Murphy bed, a surefire winner when it comes to making the most of smaller spaces. But what is a Murphy bed? And what are some Murphy bed designs you can choose from? In this guide, we answer those questions and more.

What Is a Murphy Bed?
Best Murphy Bed Designs
Best Murphy Bed Materials
Best Murphy Bed Sizes

What Is a Murphy Bed?

A Murphy bed, also called a wall bed, is a space-saving bed designed to fold up against a wall when not in use. A hinge is typically located toward the head of the bed that enables the entire bed to pivot upward and fold into built-in housing, usually a large closet, cabinet, or bookcase. Old Murphy beds were a bit of a hassle to fold and unfold, as one often had to muscle the entire bed upward using their strength alone. Nowadays, modern Murphy beds have subtle spring-loaded or piston-operated hinge mechanisms that make folding them up a breeze. There's no need to worry about your Murphy bed falling out of its housing – the bed is held securely in place against the wall by tension or a locking mechanism.

When stowing your Murphy bed, there's no need to undress the entire bed – aside from pillows and some thicker comforters and duvets, most bedding will fit within the bed's housing. The same goes for the mattress – a Murphy bed's housing is designed to secure and store the mattress atop its bed frame. Some Murphy beds come with built-in storage components that make storing your puffier bedding easy and convenient.

A Murphy bed is one of the best solutions to limited space. If you have a small bedroom, live in a studio apartment, or want to furnish a small guest room with a big bed, a Murphy bed is an excellent choice. It's pragmatic – we don't spend all day in bed, so there's no need for it to take up valuable living space all the time! Unlike convertible sofas, futons, daybeds, and some other space-saving sleeping arrangements, Murphy beds have the capacity to hold and store larger, more comfortable mattresses. Opt for a Murphy bed if you absolutely need a space-saving bed but still want to enjoy the comfort and luxury of a large, thick mattress.

Best Murphy Bed Designs

There are a few different designs of Murphy beds to choose from, the main difference between each type being the design of the structure that houses the bed. When completely stowed away, some Murphy beds appear as unassuming cabinet or closet units with doors that fold out to reveal the bed stowed behind them. Others are multifunctional, incorporating different furniture elements into their closed structures. For example, some Murphy beds flip up to reveal a fully functional desk when stowed away. Sofa Murphy beds have – you guessed it – a full-sized sofa or loveseat affixed to them. Multipurpose Murphy bed designs are especially well-suited for small guest rooms in which you want to provide your guests with as many amenities as possible without sacrificing too much floor space.

Another of the more common Murphy bed designs you'll find is a storage Murphy bed that has additional storage components in its frame. Such components may be shelves, drawers, or separate cabinets that may be accessible at all times or just when the bed is stowed away. These storage Murphy beds are useful if you really want to make the most of your space; the additional storage can be used for extra bedding, office supplies, towels, clothing, shoes, and more.

Best Murphy Bed Materials

Wood: Attractive and available in a wide range of tones, wood Murphy beds are some of the easiest to match to your room's existing furniture. When completely stowed, wood Murphy beds also have the most conventional and unassuming silhouette, as they can be disguised as a variety of wood furniture pieces.

Metal: Heavier but sleeker than wood or upholstery, metal Murphy beds are a good choice for industrial or minimalist bedrooms. Some metal Murphy beds have faux wood components that help soften what might otherwise be a stark profile.

Upholstered: Upholstered Murphy beds often take the form of sofa Murphy beds with faux wood housings. These beds are soft and glamorous in appearance, with the obvious benefit of having additional seating built in.

Mixed Material: Mixed-material Murphy beds are often the most stylish and sensible Murphy beds to choose because they have balanced weights and appearances. For example, with a mixed-material Murphy bed made of metal and wood, you can get the benefits of a sturdy metal frame without sacrificing the traditional beauty of wood housing.

Best Murphy Bed Sizes

Murphy beds are available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, and king sizes. Most Murphy beds can also hold mattresses up to 12" thick, making them a great choice for a space-saving bed if you don't want to sacrifice mattress size or thickness.

Tip!

For more space-saving bedroom tips, check out our guide: 9 Bunk Beds That Are Stylish Space-Savers (With Photos!)

So, what is a murphy bed? Now you know and it’s time to save space with this bedroom hack!