Not everyone enjoys the luxury of having a big house; that’;s just the way of the world. A few live in houses with several gigantic rooms, while the rest of us make do in cramped apartments and condominium units. Then again, even if that’;s the case, we still find ways to turn that small house into a loving and comfortable home.
Among the simplest ways to create a cozy home for your family is to make sure that everyone has his own bed to sleep in. While this is hard to achieve in a house with limited space, you can always rely on the best Murphy beds to help you out.
Our Top Picks
6 Best Rated Murphy Beds Reviews
1. Lori Wall Bed (Editor’s Choice)
Our Editor’;s Choice in this rundown is the Lori Wall Bed. It makes a great option for anyone who wants a 100% real wood bed with a natural finish, devoid of particle or MDF board. The Lori Wall Bed also offers a variety of customizable features that are sure to suit your home’;s existing setup.
Features
The Lori Wall Bed is available in two sizes, Twin and Queen/Full. Both sizes allow you to choose between vertical and horizontal orientation to help you maximize the space in your room as efficiently as possible. The Lori Wall Bed also comes with either a light natural, or dark natural walnut finish on the bed’;s foundation and main wood structure.
This Murphy bed is proudly made in the U.S.A. and boasts quality craftsmanship. Lori Wall Bed is so confident you’;ll love their product that they provide a 60-day, 100% refund return window with each purchase, minus the return shipping cost. They also ensure purchases with a lifetime warranty on all parts, including the hardware.
When closed, the Lori Walll bed measures between 45-83’’ tall – depending on the size and orientation you choose. It has a slim structure with two shelves to provide extra storage space when the bed is not in use and can accommodate mattresses measuring up to 12 inches thick. Unfortunately, the Lori Wall Bed does not incorporate a lifting mechanism into their design. You will have to rely on your strength alone to open and close this bed. With the heaviest option, you will be required to lift 63 pounds plus half of your mattress’;s weight to use this bed.
- Lifetime warranty and 60-day returns
- 100% solid wood construction
- 3 natural wood finish options
- Horizontal or vertical orientation
- Quality U.S.A. craftsmanship
- No lifting mechanism
2. Atlantic Furniture Nantucket Murphy Bed
Backed by more than three decades of experience in designing and building furniture, you can trust that this Murphy bed from Atlantic Furniture is of the highest quality. This brand is also known to create furniture pieces that are not only functional but also quite stylish.
Features
At first glance, you will immediately notice that this Murphy bed chest has a space-saving design that is easy to pair with existing furniture. You can put this in the guest bedroom or anywhere in your house with enough free space. This arrives with a base that is fully assembled, and you only need a few minutes to assemble the cabinet itself.
This Murphy bed cabinet is designed with a spacious extra-large drawer that measures about 40 inches wide, 17 inches deep, and eight inches tall. Here, you can easily store your beddings and pillows.
This comes with a six-inch queen-size mattress, which is a combination of resilient support foam and CoolSoft gel-infused memory foam. It is also available in a smaller size, which features a twin mattress. In order to open and close the mattress easily, it is equipped with pull handles. The hardware is satin-finished to deliver a classic and elegant look.
Possibly the best thing about this Murphy bed cabinet is that it is equipped with two charging ports. With this, you can make sure that your gadgets are fully charged and ready as soon as you wake up the next day.
- Comes in different color options
- Helps you achieve a cool night’;s sleep
- Perfect as a guest bed
- Very comfortable to sleep on
- Easy to convert from cabinet to bed
- Does not require too much assembly
- Too heavy and not easy to move
- The screws for the hardware aren’;t long enough
- Handle holes aren’;t properly spaced
3. Night & Day Furniture Murphy Cabinet Bed
For about 20 years, Night & Day Furniture has been a company that is well-loved by many. Their experts are dedicated to creating furniture pieces that are designed in such a way that it adds value to any room. They are particularly proud of their dual-purpose and convertible furniture.
Features
You will find this Murphy cabinet bed available in three different neutral colors that are easy to match with any bedroom décor. More than the white and chocolate finish, we particularly liked the cherry. With these options, you can rest assured that you will find a Murphy cabinet bed that can either blend in or stand out as a statement piece, depending on your preferences.
Similar to the first option we looked at, this also converts into a queen-size bed, providing you with plenty of space to sleep comfortably. This mattress is made of gel memory foam, which means that it contours and hugs every curve of your body for added comfort.
As hardworking as you are, it is understandable that you won’;t always have the energy left at the end of the day to convert a Murphy cabinet bed into a bed. Thankfully, this is very easy to use, requiring only a few minutes. It comes with two USB charging points and two power outlets, too.
All in all, this measures 83 by 64 by 41 inches, which is compact enough that you can place it under a window. The item weighs more than 200 pounds, though, so you might need the help of a friend if you wish to move this from one room to another.
- Made of quality hardwood
- Requires little assembly
- Great space-saving design
- Comes with a firm, cozy mattress
- Does not take up too much space
- Requires two people to move
- Only available in one size
4. BESTAR Queen Wall Bed
Bestar is among the market leaders when it comes to designing ready-to-assemble furniture. For more than 65 years, it has been known to specialize in creating office furniture, storage solutions, and bedroom furniture.
Features
When it comes to this Queen Wall Bed from Bestar, you have three choices in colors: dark chocolate, walnut grey, and white. Any one of these would be a great addition to any room, turning it from a dull, useless space to a functional and organized area where you can also sleep in. It is also very easy to match with existing décor.
This wall bed is made using quality materials, from the commercial-grade, laminated, high-density particleboard to the beautiful chrome handles. It comes with a Euro slats that act as support for your mattress, no need for a box spring. With this, you can use any kind of full mattress that is between eight and 10 inches thick and weighs between 60 and 90 pounds.
Truly, this is a piece of furniture that would help you use your space more wisely. The cabinet is 58.6 by 18.2 by 83.7 inches and extends to 85.3 inches from the wall when converted to a bed.
At first glance, it might seem that this wall bed is difficult to operate, especially when compared to the other Murphy beds we reviewed earlier. Thankfully, that’;s not the case. This unit utilizes the dual-piston lift system, which helps the bed fold up and down without any heavy lifting required.
- Can carry up to 1000 pounds
- Easy to fold up and down
- Can be folded up without removing bedding
- Very comfortable to sleep in
- Designed with shelves on either side
- The mattress is not included
- Requires two people to assemble
- Must be attached to the wall
5. Arason Enterprises Creden-ZzZ Cabinet Bed
Arason Enterprises prides itself on making sure that its products help individuals live a more comfortable life. In order to do this, their experts put great focus on designing bedroom furniture that is both functional and affordable. One of their proud creations is the Arason Enterprise Creden-ZzZ Cabinet Bed.
Features
Unlike the other Murphy beds on this list, the Creden-ZzZ is available in three different sizes: twin, full, and queen. In this way, you get options to accommodate your specific needs. You can put this cabinet bed in your office, a guest room, or your kid’;s room for when a friend sleeps over.
This cabinet bed is a low-cost option perfect for those on a budget or those who have recently downsized to a smaller home. This is also the recommended solution to those who do not have free wall space to install a wall Murphy bed.
What’;s great about this is that it is a free-standing cabinet. This means that you won’;t need to bolt it to the wall or floor, making it easy to move it from one room to another. This comes with a roomy drawer to store blankets and pillows.
This already comes with a memory foam mattress, which is a high-quality mattress that is able to support weights up to 500 pounds. This is only 39 inches high and has a usable top surface where you can put décor. You can convert this into a bed without needing to remove the items on the top surface.
- Easy to open and close
- Practical and stylish at the same time
- Perfect for modern rooms
- Has plenty of headroom
- Comfortable to sleep on
- Easy to assemble
- Not made of solid wood
- Poorly done veneer seams
- Arrives with a chemical odor
6. BESTAR Versatile Queen Wall Bed
About several decades ago, Bestar started producing fine craft furniture pieces. These include anything from bookstands and coffee tables to rocking chairs. It then included office furniture, and now, they also make pieces that would help transform any bedroom from boring to chic. Such is the case with the Bestar Versatile Queen Wall Bed.
Features
One of the most exciting features of this wall bed is its melamine finish. With this, you can rest assured that your furniture is safe from scratches, stains, and burns. Apart from that, it also boasts crown molding that is attractive and adds flair to the entire look of your bedroom.
Since this is a wall bed, it would require some assembly before you can use it. Thankfully, it features a new mechanism that makes assembly quick and easy. You would also be thrilled to know that the back panel features a wire grommet so that you can easily access the electrical outlets that might be blocked when this is installed on the wall.
This wall bed fits any queen-size mattress from any brand that follows standard sizing. However, you have to remember that it should not be more than 12 inches thick. What’;s great about this is that you won’;t need a box spring, either.
In order to make this wall bed even more stable when mounted to the wall, and for you to maximize the space in your room, as well, this comes with two fixed and four adjustable shelves. Here, you can put your favorite books on display, a few picture frames, and other décor items.
- Can be folded up with beddings still intact
- Easy to fold up and down
- Fits very well with standard queen mattresses
- Looks great in any setting
- Great value for money
- Requires two persons to assemble
- Takes some time to assemble
- Not all parts were labeled
What Is a Murphy Bed?
A Murphy bed is a type of bed that is perfect for rooms with limited floor space, such as a dorm room, a condo unit, a guest bedroom, or an office. This is designed in a way that the bed can be folded up for storage, freeing up the area to be used for another purpose.
When folded up and stored away, the bed is then converted into a faux cabinet, bookcase, or wood panel. This means that you can have this installed in your room without having everyone know that you have an extra bed for a surprise guest or for that emergency nap.
Compared to a fold-out sofa bed, a Murphy bed offers a more comfortable bed to sleep on. That’;s because it features standard-sized mattresses. You will find Murphy beds in many sizes, from twin to queen, giving you the chance to find the one that would suit your needs the best.
History of Murphy Beds
Are you wondering how Murphy beds came to be? This awesome innovation sprouted into being only a few decades back. It was invented by a man named (yes, you were right) William L. Murphy. Back then, this guy lived in a small, one-room apartment and had problems finding furniture pieces that would fit his home.
When it was first introduced to the market, Murphy beds were embraced by many. Then, people started buying larger houses, and the need for a bed that folds away when not in use declined. However, they became popular once again because of the new trend nowadays, wherein a room serves dual purposes.
The original design of a Murphy bed was that it folds up and is hidden behind the closet. Compared to that original design, most Murphy beds today now feature a more free-standing design, as you would have probably noticed in some of the models we have reviewed earlier.
Since Murphy beds have been around for decades, you will find many companies releasing their own versions. However, there are also a few individuals who prefer making their own so as to ensure that it fits the space they intend to put it in. Thankfully, you will find the fold-down mechanism being sold in many hardware stores.
Types of Murphy Beds
These days, maximizing a small space is easy, thanks to modern furniture options like a Murphy bed. This type of bed is perfect for when you always have someone sleeping over; some even put one in their office for them to have a comfy place to sleep on when there are reports to finish.
Murphy beds come in many different styles, and we have decided to list the most common ones below to help you decide which is the best for you.
- Bi-Fold Murphy Beds
Once opened, the bed is then lowered, and you now have a comfortable place to rest on. More often than not, bi-fold Murphy beds are designed to fit standard-sized mattresses that are no more than 11 inches thick. You would also find that the frame has wooden slats to act as support for carrying the weight of the mattress and your weight.
- Flip-Up Desk Murphy Beds
Like the bi-fold Murphy bed, you will also find flip-up desk Murphy beds that feature shelves and drawers. In this way, you have additional storage for all your belongings.
- Murphy Bunk Beds
In fact, this could be a great piece of furniture for adults, as well. Murphy bunk beds are designed to be strong enough to carry the weight of not just children but also adults. Just make sure that you follow the weight capacity limit, as stated by the manufacturer, to ensure safety.
- Cabinet Murphy Beds
As you close the door behind it, the bed is transformed into a cabinet. This type of Murphy bed eats up way less wall space compared to a wall Murphy bed.
Advantages of Using Murphy Beds
Are you still having doubts about buying a Murphy bed for your home? Well, allow us to help clear things up for you then. Below, we list some of the advantages that you would get to enjoy if you invest in a good-quality Murphy bed:
- Saves you a lot of space
If you don’;t have enough space to accommodate a full-sized, traditional bed throughout the day, then a Murphy bed is the answer. After all, you only need a bed for eight to 10 hours each night, so there’;s really no need for it to eat up too much space every minute of every day.
- Saves you money
What’;s more, there are Murphy beds that are stand-alone types. This means that you can easily move it from one room to the next, allowing you to organize your home exactly the way you want to.
- Allows you to have a multi-purpose space
Alternatively, if you already have a room of your own, you can turn your home office into a guest bedroom for when a family member or friend sleeps over.
- Adds character to an otherwise boring room
There are Murphy beds that include shelves, desk space, drawers, and even tables. These, in turn, would help add personality to the overall look of your room. What you have to do, then, is determine what you want to use the space for (when the bed is folded up), and look for a Murphy bed that will work for your needs.
How to Choose the High-Quality Murphy Beds
If you’;ve got a small space, then you know that there are a lot of things to think about when buying furniture. You can’;t just run around and grab anything and everything that you think would look good in your room.
When it comes to buying Murphy beds, you have to follow the advice of those who know how it is to live in a house with a limited floor area. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when buying a Murphy bed:
- Functionality
- Size
More often than not, the manufacturer would declare the Murphy bed’;s dimensions, both when folded up and when transformed into a bed. In this way, you can be sure that it would fit in your room. You can find Murphy beds in varying sizes, from twin to full and queen.
- Overall Style (Horizontal or Vertical, Freestanding or Wall Mounted)
If you are planning on moving the bed from one place to another from time to time, then what you need is a free-standing Murphy bed. This does not require installation but would need to be assembled. There are also Murphy beds with beds that open horizontally or vertically. It is up to you to decide which type would work best with the available space you have in your room.
If your room has a high ceiling and is big enough to accommodate the bed when opened, then go for a Murphy bed that opens vertically. On the other hand, for rooms with low ceilings, like an attic, a horizontal Murphy bed is the better choice.
- Lift Mechanism
In order to determine this, you must look at its lift mechanism. Check not only how convenient it is to use but also how you can maintain it so that it will last for years. In almost all models, you will find either of these two lift mechanisms:
- Piston Lift
Nevertheless, there is little to no effort needed when opening and closing a Murphy bed with this type of lift mechanism.
- Spring Lift
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Murphy beds safe?
- Can Murphy beds be used every day?
- Is a Murphy bed more comfortable than a sofa bed?
On the other hand, a wall Murphy bed does not have this kind of restriction. In fact, you can use a mattress as thick as 12 inches, depending on the model that you buy.
- Can you move a Murphy bed?
However, you would need the help of someone who is experienced in doing such things, like a handyman. In this way, you can be sure that the risks for accidents are lowered and that your furniture is also safe.
Conclusion
Not everyone is amazed by how a Murphy bed functions and how it can transform the overall personality of a room, but you can’;t deny the fact that it is indeed a great invention. It provides those with limited floor space with the option to turn their boring room into a multi-purpose guest bedroom.
Hopefully, we have provided you with enough knowledge and information so that you can easily choose the right Murphy bed for your needs. If you still need more help, just go to your local furniture store and ask about the Murphy beds in their collection. Surely, you’;ve got the right questions to ask now. Good luck!