Designers Say Murphy Beds Are 'Space-Saving Magic' — Here's How to Get Yours (2024)

Available in six different finishes from linen white to chocolate brown, this Murphy bed is pretty unassuming whether it's up or down. Here's the deal: This Murphy bed looks and feels just like a traditional bed when it's folded down, courtesy of the slatted support system, standard full or queen size, and headboard. It doesn't come with a mattress, but we'd consider that a plus because you can opt for whichever one suits your fancy: memory foam, natural latex, or polyester, to name a few. The best feature, however, is included: the dual piston system, which allows you to fold the bed up and down smoothly and quickly (read: within seconds). Just be sure to have a professional do the installation because, if assembled incorrectly, Murphy beds can actually be pretty dangerous.

"I love this Murphy bed! It looks beautiful and fits my space perfectly. I had a friend put it together for me and it took him about five hours to put together," one reviewer says. "Very happy with my purchase! This will be in our guest room/workout/craft room, so it won’t be used all the time. It looks really nice and frees up a lot of space!"

You may be questioning how this queen-size memory foam mattress can possibly fit inside the box that, when closed, is disguised as a chest of drawers, but it does. It's designed to fold into thirds and tuck neatly within the chest. Luckily, there's no need to start your search for such a niche product; it's included with the Murphy bed, as are the two USB charging ports.

Let's get back to the mattress, though. It features five inches of highly resilient foam and one inch of cooling memory foam. "This cabinet bed is just what we needed! Granddaughters are coming for a visit this summer and this works perfectly in the room that is usually an office," one reviewer says. "The girls are going to love it as much as we do! Everyone that has come by our home is amazed at how compact it becomes when all closed up. We did pay to have it assembled and I am glad we did. It came in several boxes."

When it's closed, this Murphy bed looks like a seven-and-a-half-foot tall armoire, but rather than pull the metal handles outward, as you would a double-door chest, you simply pull them down, et voilà, your faux armoire turns into a full or queen-size bed. All you need to complete your guest accommodations is a mattress and some stylish bedding. If you want to make your pull-down bed extra luxurious, opt for a mattress topper too.

"Illustrated instructions are very good, and they shorted us only 2 dowels & 2 screws that was easy to substitute," a reviewer says. "The room we installed it had very little extra space thus the need for the Bed. More room would have made it easier."

When you're on the hunt for a stylish Murphy bed, there are a few things to consider.

Size: When we say size, we're referring both to the Murphy bed and the mattress. Regarding the former, know that Murphy beds are often a touch taller than they are long, so if you're dealing with low ceilings, be sure to measure before investing in your new bed. Equally as important as the frame size is the mattress size. Most of the options on our list are available in both queen and full, but since you're already saving space by employing a Murphy bed, we suggest going with the queen.

Mattress: Not all Murphy beds come with a mattress, so check whether or not it's included before you click "add to cart." If you want to save as much money as possible, you may want to buy one of the beds that come with specialized mattresses designed specifically for that model. We think it's actually a pro to choose your own mattress; that way, you know it'll be comfortable. Typically, box springs are not required, as it's best to keep a low-profile setup. It's also better to opt for a thinner mattress (around 12 inches or slimmer) to ensure it'll fold up easily. Some beds will require a tri-fold mattress, so pay extra attention. Though you can use any type of mattress for a Murphy bed, memory foam is often considered the best because it holds its shape better than springs or latex, which, after so much shifting up and down, can slump to one side or sag in the middle.

Installation: Murphy beds are small-space heroes, but they are not for DIY amateurs because they can be quite dangerous if installed incorrectly. They need to be mounted to both the wall and the floor for maximum security, and doing this requires some construction skills. (Most important, knowing how to find a stud or mount heavy objects in a masonry wall.) If you don't want to be crushed by your Murphy bed while you doze, enlist the help of a professional.

The main difference between a Murphy bed and a wall bed is the way it folds. The former utilizes a spring system that holds the bed locked in the upright position, while the latter employs a set of locking legs that do the same thing. Honestly though, the two are so similar you may not be able to tell them apart. When installing either, Beckstedt instructs, "You don’t need to go down to the studs. Just directly attach the wall but anchoring into the studs. This approach is definitely for a more permanent situation, but if you do move, you can unsecure it and take it with you into your new home as well."

Opt for Murphy beds that pull or fold out for ease. When you think about the room a Murphy bed will be installed in, try to choose furniture and decor that can be easily moved, so the transition from spare room to guest room is as seamless as possible. You'll never use it if you have to move a couch every time.

Our interior designer sources recommend integrating a Murphy bed into a room's design. You can do this whether you're buying one off the shelf or having one custom made. "We can flank the bed with bookshelves, cabinetry, and lighting and integrate it into the Murphy bed design," says O'Brien. "This creates a nice look when the bed is stored away and a cozy nook when the bed is being used."

If you're going the custom route, have some fun with your Murphy bed and give it a few more bells and whistles than a bed you'd simply buy online. "An added bonus is that we can build additional storage and function into the wall holding the Murphy bed. Murphy beds can turn rooms like a home office or nursery into a welcoming guest room with just a quick pull," O'Brien adds.

House Beautiful editors are small-space experts. We're well-versed in finding the best ways to utilize everything from small bathrooms to small laundry rooms, and we love finding multipurpose pieces that transform a room in one-step. When we decided to find the best Murphy beds on the market, we really scoured the internet. Luckily, we didn't come up empty-handed. All of our favorite finds are safe, stylish, and in a budget-friendly price range. Just don't try to install one yourself—call a professional.

We also worked our connections with the best interior designers in the business to bring you specialized shopping and design advice for Murphy beds. The designers who contributed their expertise to this review all work in urban areas where Murphy beds are prevalent and very useful.

Jennifer Jones is the principal designer and founder of San Francisco-based Niche Interiors. The native Californian studied art history in Rome, so all of her spaces boast a specific attention to detail and artfulness that her clients adore.

Pamela O'Brien is the principal at Houston-based Pamela Hope Designs. Her impressive portfolio includes beautiful homes decorated in her signature Texas look: soft textures, cool tones, and an undeniable warmth.

Andrea Schumacher is the founder of Denver-based Andrea Schumacher Interiors, whose hallmark look is regal in all the right ways. Think muted gold tones, delicate patterns, and a Marie Antoinette-inspired palette of cool neutrals and gentle pastels.

Neal Beckstedt owns his boutique design firm, Neal Beckstedt Studio, based in New York City. His iconic warm modernism, a phrase he coined to describe his work, has appeared in various types of projects, including bungalows, mansions, and even residential yachts.