Best Murphy Beds
Murphy beds are unique in the sense that they’re hinged to a wall and can be lifted and concealed when not in use. That makes them a very popular choice for small bedrooms, alongside bunk beds and other similar solutions for cramped spaces. So, if you’re debating the idea of buying a Murphy bed, we’re going to tell you everything there is to know before you spend your hard-earned money. Keep reading below as we take a look at some of the best Murphy beds that are currently on the market!
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  Atlantic Furniture Nantucket Murphy Bed Chest
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| #2 |  Night & Day Furniture Murphy Cabinet Bed
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| #3 |  Atlantic Furniture Hamilton Murphy Bed Chest
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| #4 |  Bestar Queen Wall Bed Kit
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| #5 |  Night & Day Murphy Cube Queen Cabinet Bed
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| #6 |  Bestar, Nebula Collection, Queen Murphy Bed
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| #7 |  Bestar, Versatile Collection, Queen Murphy Bed
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Table Of Contents
- Best Murphy Beds
- 1. Editor’s Choice – Atlantic Furniture Nantucket Murphy Bed Chest
- 2. Runner Up – Night & Day Furniture Murphy Cabinet Bed
- 3. Best Color Variety – Atlantic Furniture Hamilton Murphy Bed Chest
- 4. Best Mattress Compatibility – Bestar Queen Wall Bed Kit
- 5. Most User-Friendly Assembly – Night & Day Murphy Cube Queen Cabinet Bed
- 6. Best Compact – Bestar, Nebula Collection, Queen Murphy Bed
- 7. Best Storage Options – Bestar, Versatile Collection, Queen Murphy Bed
- The Murphy Bed Love Story
- Types of Murphy Beds
- — Standard Murphy Beds
- — Murphy Beds
- — Chest Cabinet Murphy Beds
- How to Choose a Murphy Bed
- How to Choose a Murphy Bed Mattress
- Conclusion
- Recent Updates
- Additional Resources
Best Murphy Beds
1. Editor’s Choice – Atlantic Furniture Nantucket Murphy Bed Chest
SPECS:
- Color options: 4
- Size: Twin, Queen
- Features: Storage drawers, built-in USB charging ports
If you’re looking to save some space and invest in a Murphy bed, this option from Atlantic Furniture lets you select between the Twin and Queen-sized version of the Nantucket bed chest. What appears to be a mere wooden cabinet is actually a foldable bed, with elegant doors that conceal the mechanism. This allows you to make an extra sleeping space out of nothing! It comes with its own mattress made from 6 inches of gel-infused memory foam, ready to offer a decent amount of support. This bed is also equipped with two power outlets and two USB charging ports. The Nantucket Murphy bed is a great purchase for people who sometimes have out-of-town guests and want a comfortable bed that can immediately be concealed when not in use.
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2. Runner Up – Night & Day Furniture Murphy Cabinet Bed
SPECS:
- Color options: 3
- Size: Queen
- Features: Storage drawer, easy to move around
Another cabinet bed available in the Murphy style is this one from Night & Day Furniture. From the exterior, it really looks like nothing more than a cabinet designed to hold clothing or books. But as the door opens, it reveals the mechanism to unfold a frame and a gel-infused memory foam mattress. It can serve as a temporary bed for overnight guests, but is also efficient when your kids are having sleepovers, or when relatives are coming to visit and you don’t have a guest bedroom to accommodate them. Available in three colors, this Queen-size bed offers a decent sleeping platform in times of need.
When you host guests that spend the night every once in a while and you don’t have a spare room for them, this Murphy bed that retracts into a cabinet chest is the perfect solution.
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3. Best Color Variety – Atlantic Furniture Hamilton Murphy Bed Chest
SPECS:
- Color options: 4
- Size: Twin, Queen
- Features: Large storage drawer, memory foam mattress
Another excellent Murphy bed that converts to a chest cabinet is this one by Atlantic Furniture. It’s called the Hamilton and is part of the same collection as the Nantucket model we looked at earlier. This bed comes with a large storage drawer underneath, serving as a place for you to store your bedding items or clothing. You can choose between a Twin and Queen size and they’re able to accommodate one or two people, respectively. As far as the bed itself is concerned, you get a foldable Queen-sized mattress that measures 6 inches in thickness and comes with a top layer infused with gel, meant to add extra breathability to the bed.
The Hamilton is a Murphy bed that works really well in an extra small guest bedroom, but you might also want to consider purchasing it for your living room. This may come in handy if you ever have guests spending the night and you don’t want a regular bed that occupies too much space.
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4. Best Mattress Compatibility – Bestar Queen Wall Bed Kit
SPECS:
- Color options: 3
- Size: Queen
- Features: Storage unit, no box spring required
Bestar has made it back on our list with a Murphy bed kit that includes not just an awesome bed frame with slatted support (which eliminates the need for a box spring), but also a 25-inch storage unit. The lifting mechanism is very easy to use, so you don’t have to worry about not feeling strong enough to lift or pull the bed down when it’s bedtime. The anchoring system on this bed kit is also very reliable, with quality screws that support great force whilst keeping the cabinet in place.
When you have a guest bedroom that you want to use for other things when you’re not having guests over (like turn it into a study or crafts room, for example), this Bestar Murphy bed set is the perfect space-saving solution for you.
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5. Most User-Friendly Assembly – Night & Day Murphy Cube Queen Cabinet Bed
SPECS:
- Color options: 3
- Size: Queen
- Features: Assembly service included, memory foam mattress included
There are plenty of things to love about this Night & Day Murphy bed, but we’re going to start with what we most loved about it. Before shipment, skilled SDS Cabinet Beds technicians will take care of the entire product assembly to ensure that you have a fully assembled and functional cabinet bed that only has to be unpacked and placed into your home. This compact cabinet opens to reveal a Queen-size bed that ships together with a mattress made of gel memory foam. The mattress promises a cooler night’s sleep compared to what regular memory foam mattresses can offer. There are also four color options to choose from, and the bed takes up no more than 10 square feet of floor space when closed.
If you want to invest in a hassle-free Murphy bed that takes up as little floor space when closed as possible, this option is the right one for you.
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6. Best Compact – Bestar, Nebula Collection, Queen Murphy Bed
SPECS:
- Color options: 3
- Size: Queen
- Features: No box spring needed, supports 1,000 pounds in weight
If you’re a fan of Bestar, we have great news for you: we’ve added more of their Murphy beds on our list because they’re just simply amazing, particularly considering what they cost. This model happens to be one of our favorites because it’s a compact unit that can be unfolded to a Queen-size bed, suitable for master and guest bedrooms. It also works in the living room because it truly looks like an enclosed bookcase when the bed is lifted. It comes with a slatted foundation, so you don’t have to invest in a box spring. It can support up to 1000 pounds in weight, but make sure you include the weight of the mattress when you’re calculating that total.
The Bestar Nebula bed is a Murphy system worth purchasing for a master bedroom, but your placement options aren’t limited to just that. However, consider that you may need two more people to help you out with assembly.
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7. Best Storage Options – Bestar, Versatile Collection, Queen Murphy Bed
SPECS:
- Color options: 1
- Size: Queen
- Features: Storage units included, sofa included
Some of you might argue that we saved the best for last. And we have to admit, even if it’s far more expensive than the other options we’ve looked at today, this is certainly a Murphy bed that you’ll want to take home. This bed comes with an entire ensemble of items that you’ll want to have in your living room, and it conveniently converts into a bed at night. It comes with a sofa made with a quality hardwood frame and cushions made with cotton and foam to be as comfortable as possible. On the sides of the cabinet you get two storage bodies that are mostly open-design bookcases, each offering two fixes and four adjustable shelves.
This is the perfect solution for those looking for a Murphy bed to place in the living room, as the side shelves can be used for books and storing other items, while the sofa can be used for lounging during the day.
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The Murphy Bed Love Story
You may not find a better origin story than that of the Murphy bed. Around the turn of the 20th century, William L. Murphy had a problem. He was living in a studio apartment in San Francisco and was in love with a young opera singer. In those days, there was a strict moral code that looked down on a young, unmarried woman entering a man’s bedroom. Since Murphy lived in a studio apartment, that meant his whole apartment was his bedroom. Longing for some time with his love, he designed a bed that could fold up and away into a closet space, thus turning his studio into a parlor. This story has a very happy ending as he married the opera singer and founded the Murphy Wall Bed Company, patenting his product in 1911.
So there are two major types of Murphy beds: the wall-mounted bed and the freestanding one. The wall mounted beds are anchored into the wall and sometimes the floor, and require a bit more technical assistance. The freestanding ones are out-of-the-box beds that require much less in terms of assembly, and are a much better option for renters. The key to a successful Murphy bed, and its longevity, is making sure your mattress will work well with a Murphy bed when it’s folded into an upright position.
Types of Murphy Beds
Just like everything else in the furniture industry, Murphy beds have come a long way since their original design. Today, you’re able to find different types of Murphy beds, so let’s have a closer look at the most common categories:
— Standard Murphy Beds
These don’t come with a mattress, which is ideal in a sense that you get to choose the mattress that you sleep on (instead of being stuck with whatever model is included with your purchase). These beds are available in Full or Queen sizes and, before bedtime, require lowering the bed to a horizontal position. The problem is that the mattress thickness options are pretty limited when it comes to standard Murphy beds.
— Murphy Beds
A particularly designed foldable mattress can frequently fit into smaller cabinets. Because memory foam is moldable and malleable, it’s also the material of choice for most Murphy bed manufacturers that include a mattress with the purchase. However, it’s also possible to find Murphy beds made from latex, innerspring or hybrid materials. Sleepers often can’t choose the material, firmness or design of their mattress because these sorts of Murphy beds are pretty strict when it comes to mattress compatibility. For sleepers with unique preferences, such as those who want a mattress from a specific brand, this could pose a problem.
— Chest Cabinet Murphy Beds
Chest Cabinet Murphy beds actually look like cabinets when the bed is stored away. The exact procedure for switching the bed varies by model, but in most cases the top lifts off and serves as a support for the mattress, which unfolds from within. Because the measurements of the chest govern the way the mattress should be constructed, these usually come with their own mattresses. This type of Murphy bed takes up very little room on the floor, and may often be used as accent furniture.
Murphy beds can also be horizontal or vertical, depending on how they fold or unfold. Horizontal Murphy beds were introduced as an alternative to vertical options and have become quite a popular choice. The horizontal bed is appropriate for compact rooms regardless of their nature, and is quite a common choice in situations where ceiling height is very low. The majority of bunk Murphy beds open horizontally. The shape and size of the space need to be taken into consideration prior to making a purchase, as well as the height of the ceiling. Planning the layout of the room before installing a Murphy bed is essential because you need to consider how much space the unfolded bed occupies.
How to Choose a Murphy Bed
Knowing the different types of Murphy beds that exist is important, but it’s just one of the aspects that a shopper must consider. Other important considerations include:
— Materials
Solid wood is a very popular choice in Murphy beds as it’s one of the strongest forms of wood, with the most common varieties being cedar, pine, mahogany and oak. It’s important to keep in mind that solid wood will naturally deform over time. Plywood is resistant to warping, but may come with knots that cause structural problems. This sort of material, often known as a “layered board,” is made up of numerous thin layers of wood. Particle board is made using compressed wooden particles and has the appearance and feel of real wood. Particle board is less expensive than other types of Murphy bed materials, but it may not last as long. MDF, as opposed to particle board, is made up of finer wood particles.
— Safety
Murphy beds have been upgraded with several safety features since they first saw the light of day in the 1900s. Modern Murphy beds usually have a hinged counterbalance system that makes it easy to fold them up and down. The bed is held in place by a spring-balanced hinge mechanism, which prevents it from opening or folding on its own when someone is using it. When packed, built-in straps usually keep the bed in position, with the construction also uses a method to firmly attach it to the wall or floor, which can prevent collapsing.
— Style
Modern Murphy beds include cupboards, shelving, desks and fold-up platforms. With unique exterior wall coverings, you may effortlessly merge a Murphy bed into the wall, or opt for several other styles that integrate different types of storage solutions.
— Size
Murphy beds are typically available in different sizes, but they’re most commonly found in the Twin or Queen size.
How to Choose a Murphy Bed Mattress
While some of the things that you already know about mattress shopping still apply here, there are a few differences when it comes to the shopping decision for a mattress that’s compatible with a Murphy bed. So, if you have the opportunity to purchase your own mattress instead of using one that may come with your frame, here are some things to keep in mind:
— Height
The ideal mattress height is no more than 12 inches. Anything thicker may prevent the Murphy bed from fully closing, unless you actually remove the mattress from the frame each time (which would be a nuisance). A slightly bulging bed is unattractive, and there’s also a chance that it will fall down because it can’t fold all the way up. You’ll want to measure the bed first, and especially the mattress’ depth.
— Mattress
As far as mattress types are concerned, you don’t have the same versatility as you do when choosing a mattress for a regular bed frame. Memory foam is one of the best materials to consider when it comes to Murphy beds. Even when placed in a vertical position for an extended period of time, memory foam maintains its shape and doesn’t sag. Memory foam is known for its contouring qualities, which offer optimal pressure relief. If you have painful joints or back problems, a memory foam mattress can help you get proper rest every night.
Latex is a fantastic alternative for a Murphy bed because it’s similar to memory foam. Latex molds to the natural curves of your body and can relieve pressure in the same way that memory foam does, although latex is bouncier and more responsive compared to memory foam. Innerspring mattresses, on the other hand, are a bad choice in this specific situation. When the bed is positioned vertically, the steel coils won’t stay in place. The mattress’ shape may be lost as the coils travel downward. Hybrid beds combine foam/latex and coils, but they’re not a good choice for Murphy beds, either. When the bed is lifted vertically, the steel coils might still move downwards, causing damage to the mattress.
— Capacity
A Murphy bed is identical to a standard bed frame and may sustain up to 1000 pounds. You should always ensure that the mattress can hold your weight comfortably. Most models will usually include an estimate of how much weight a bed can hold.
Conclusion
There are plenty of benefits of choosing a Murphy bed, even if your mattress options are quite limited due to thickness requirements and considering not all mattresses are designed to stay in a vertical position. Other than that, Murphy beds can be lifted to free up a lot of floor space, which could be used during the day. Murphy beds can also be concealed to look like regular pieces of furniture or can be converted into desks or tables, giving you multiple uses out of something that’s meant to be used as a primary sleep option.
Recent Updates
March 4, 2022: Verified availability of all products. Additional Resources and FAQs have been included to refer readers to related content, as well as address popular consumer queries.