While you can build your own Murphy bed, it may be easier for some to buy one instead. To find the best Murphy beds, we researched various models and considered factors like dimensions, mattress size, material, weight capacity, and functionality. We also spoke with Amie Freling, interior designer and founder of Meme Hill Studio, to learn what to look for in a quality Murphy bed. “Not all room sizes can allow for a bed—and quite honestly, it’s hard to find a comfortable pullout sofa,” Freling says. “I love using every speck of a home’s real estate and look for Murphy beds that have built-in storage and ease of bringing down and stowing away the beds.” Our favorite overall was the Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse Osterman Storage Murphy Bed for its thoughtful design that maximizes versatility and functionality. Here are the best Murphy beds. Keep in Mind: A mattress isn’t included and the assembly can be labor-intensive. The bark gray, rustic brown, and oak barrel woods all have their own personalities, but are equally current. That said, the design isn’t so trendy that it will go out of style (especially before the 10-year warranty is up). All of the shelves are adjustable, and you can also add the included hanging rod if you’re short on storage and need more closet space. The built-in headboard makes the Murphy bed look more polished, and you can add art above the headboard or leave the wall blank for a minimalist look. Because the bed doesn’t come with a mattress, you’ll have to purchase one separately. You also have to assemble the 665-pound bed. Before you buy, make sure you have a 90-inch clearance in the room it’ll be in so the bed can open properly. Price at time of publish: From $1,634 Product Details: Dimensions: Full: 88.3 x 98.2 x 80.9 inches; Queen: 93.1 x 104.1 x 85.9 inches | Mattress size: Full or queen | Material: Wood | Weight capacity: Not listed Keep in Mind: It’s only available in one size and finish. In addition to the actual bed, this Murphy bed features two side cabinets with slide-out nightstands, built-in cable management, adjustable shelving, and concealed storage. One of the most thoughtful details of the set is that the main pieces are notched at the base—up to 1 inch thick and 5.9 inches tall—so they fit over baseboards and sit flush against the wall for a more high-end and custom look. If you’re sold on the price and features, you should be aware that this Murphy bed is only available in one color (espresso) and size (queen). The mattress also isn’t included, so you’ll need to pick one up that’s up to 10 inches thick and weighs between 30 and 70 pounds to keep the bed weighted down. The maximum weight capacity is 600 pounds, and assembly is required. Price at time of publish: $1,437 Product Details: Dimensions: 92.06 x 49.62 x 86.54 inches | Mattress size: Queen | Material: Wood composite | Weight capacity: 600 pounds Keep in Mind: While the company keeps a limited stock on hand, custom orders can take up to 16 weeks to arrive. At just a glance, it appears to be a modern bookshelf with six floating shelves, but an effortless rotation of the shelf reveals a bed that folds down. You also won’t have to worry about removing your decor from the shelves—the bed is designed so all your items remain hidden and intact while the bed is in use. Each one is heirloom quality, expertly designed, and manufactured in Italy. Although the company tries to keep popular items in stock, you’ll likely have to weather the 16-week lead time for a custom piece. You can choose from one of eight finishes or decide on a mix of them at no extra cost (samples are available upon request). You can also add on side shelving or cabinets starting at $995. You can choose to add on a mattress to this purchase, and while technically you can save $500 and opt out, we recommend bundling one with the bed. Although the bed is comparable to a queen, it still requires a custom size. Once you finally receive this custom Italian Murphy bed, assembly is required. Price at time of publish: From $6,995 Product Details: Dimensions: 96.85 x 71.5 x 86.7 inches | Mattress size: Custom comparable to queen | Material: Not listed | Weight capacity: Not listed Keep in Mind: The desk surface may not be enough space for some, and the bed only comes in one color. When it’s time to shift the desk into a bed, you don’t have to go through the hassle of packing up your desk—it always maintains its orientation. A potential downside could be the size of the desk, which may not be substantial enough for those who require a more elaborate office setup. The surface of the desk in the queen size is about 17 inches deep and 55 inches wide. Several of the Murphy beds on our list come in multiple finishes, but this one is only available in white. Made from solid and manufactured wood, this bed also comes with a one-year warranty. Whether you purchase the full-size bed or queen-size bed, keep in mind the 94-inch ceiling clearance you need to bring the bed down. This is the floor clearance you should expect as well. The bed doesn’t come with a mattress, so you should plan to purchase one separately. Price at time of publish: $2,870 Product Details: Dimensions: Full: 92 x 61.93 x 89.06; Queen: 96.065 x 67.75 x 89.06 inches | Mattress size: Full or queen | Material: Solid and manufactured wood | Weight capacity: 700 pounds Keep in Mind: Depending on how you like your mattress, the included mattress may be too firm. When folded up, the depth is only 17.25 inches and the height is 47.82, which is impressively lean considering the queen-sized bed inside. When the bed is unfolded, the length is 82.36 inches. This is also one of the best Murphy beds because while a lot of furniture is made from only manufactured wood these days, this one is crafted from solid wood. When you open up the chest, there’s a queen-size mattress with a 500-pound weight capacity made from a cool gel memory foam topper on top of an upholstered base pad. If you prefer a softer bed, simply layer on another topper. Note: What appears like drawers on the bottom of the chest are for decoration only and aren’t functional. Price at time of publish: From $1,619 Product Details: Dimensions: 82.36 x 64.48 x 47.82 inches | Mattress size: Queen | Material: Solid wood | Weight capacity: 500 pounds Keep in Mind: Although the mattress is included, it’s a European size. The bed is made with laminate chipboard and comes in four different color combinations, including white, gray, and oak country wood. Contemporary touches, like LED lights behind the glass shelves, lend a custom look to an already chic piece. Because this Murphy bed is made in Europe, the company uses European mattress sizing: twin, small double, double, and king. They’re fairly similar to American sizing (good news for your bedding) except for the king, which is more comparable to an American queen. Luckily, the mattress is included with the purchase of the Murphy bed. As is standard for Murphy beds this size, assembly is required and will take several hours. A one-year warranty is included with the purchase if any issues arise. Price at time of publish: From $5,342 Product Details: Dimensions: Varies depending on mattress size | Mattress size: European twin, European small double, European double, European king | Material: Laminate chipboard and high-gloss fronts | Weight capacity: 300 pounds Keep in Mind: The couch doesn’t have a backrest, so it should be placed against a wall or the Murphy bed cabinet. The sofa also includes the option to install either stationary or rolling feet, allowing you to choose your preference based on how often you will be moving the couch. However, the sofa needs to rest against a wall or sturdy surface since it doesn’t have a backrest. To pull the Murphy bed down for use, all you have to do is simply remove the cushions and fold out the wall bed. This Murphy bed has a 10-year warranty, not to mention a reasonable price for three items in one. You can choose from a full or queen size, and white/gray or Tuscany brown/tan finishes. Like most of the beds on this list, assembly is required and a mattress isn’t included. The full bed accommodates a mattress up to 10 inches thick and weighing at least 70 pounds, while the queen bed accommodates a mattress up to 12 inches thick and weighing 60 to 90 pounds. Price at time of publish: From $2,855 Product Details: Dimensions: Full: 85.375 x 63.375 x 85 inches; Queen: 93.375 x 69.375 x 89.875 inches | Mattress size: Full or queen | Material: Manufactured wood (frame) and polyester (sofa) | Weight capacity: 1,000 pounds Keep in Mind: It may be too heavy for younger kids to pull out without the assistance of a caregiver. The whole piece is made from solid rubberwood, which is a step up from the manufactured wood we’ve come to expect with furniture. This wood is slightly more durable, and may be more forgiving to any accidental bumps or nicks. The neutral white, walnut, and gray colors with versatile Shaker-style panels are neutral enough to match all a child’s changing decor styling as they grow older. Plus, the pullout cabinet setup looks very similar to a traditional bed so it won’t feel different from other sleeping arrangements they’re used to. The Murphy bed includes a one-year warranty. Keep in mind that although this bed is more kid-friendly than other options, it may be too heavy for younger children to use on their own. The one thing you may not enjoy is assembling the Murphy bed yourself, although it may not take as much time as traditional Murphy beds would. Price at time of publish: From $1,180 Product Details: Dimensions: Twin XL: 80.125 x 41.5 x 40.75 inches; Queen: 80.125 x 62.5 x 40.75 inches | Mattress size: Twin XL or queen | Material: Rubberwood | Weight capacity: Twin XL: 600 pounds; Queen: 800 pounds
What to Know About Murphy Beds Before Shopping
Dimensions
As with any furniture, you want to ensure it fits the room. With Murphy beds, perhaps the most important measurement to keep in mind is clearance—although the base of the bed may fit in your space, you’ll want to verify that there is plenty of room for the actual bed and for you to maneuver around it once it’s been lowered.
Mattress Size
There are three reasons to pay attention to mattress size. The first is, of course, to make sure it’s right for wherever the bed is going. You should also take into consideration who’s actually going to use the bed—a basketball player won’t be comfortable in a twin like a toddler would. Finally, if you need to purchase a mattress separately, be sure to consult the guidelines on the company’s website or included with the assembly instructions. Typically, most mattresses should be between 10 and 12 inches thick and between 60 and 70 pounds. This is to prevent the bed from breaking or being difficult to bring up or down.
Material
It’s no secret that what a product is made with is an important consideration. That said, the material of choice for Murphy beds may surprise you—it’s not solid wood. “Materials are important to have a squeak- and vibration-free experience,” explains Adam Joubert, co-founder and owner of Expand Furniture. “Some woods or materials can warp over time, which is why engineered panels have become popular.”
Weight Capacity
Murphy beds have a more sensitive weight capacity than other beds and ignoring it can make the bed wear down much more quickly, break the lifting system, or even collapse. In general, Joubert says that “you want to be able to hold two adults at minimum and have variance. For example, if a child decides to jump on the bed, you want to make sure the system is strong.” He goes on to explain that a solid welded metal bed frame will help increase weight capacity versus a flat pack assembly frame. The extras can either help or hinder weight capacity as well. Legs, sofas, and side shelves or cabinets are often helpers, while desks are often a hindrance.
Your Questions, Answered
How do you install a Murphy bed?
Since most Murphy beds weigh at least several hundred pounds and require assembly, it’s recommended that at least two people help install the bed. Most need to be wall mounted, which means once the bed is built, you need to attach the furnishing to studs in the wall. To do this, attach angle brackets to both the bed and the wall, using a stud finder to locate studs. Once the brackets are in place, connect the wall brackets to the bed brackets by moving the bed until they fasten together. Mounting the bed to the wall will make it more secure and stable. Some Murphy beds recommend mounting to the floor instead of the wall, but since it involves more work and can damage the floor, it’s not as common anymore.
What are the benefits of a Murphy bed?
Traditional beds take up a lot of space, while Murphy beds make rooms more functional by creating extra usable space. This may simply mean being able to walk around in your studio apartment, or it could mean you’re able to turn bedrooms into multi-purpose rooms and cut down on necessary square footage. Many Murphy beds are designed to include other elements, like a desk or sofa, and all of them are designed to blend in with their surroundings.
Are Murphy beds easy to use?
In general, piston lift mechanisms, which is the most popular system for Murphy beds, make it easy to bring the bed up and down with their ability to lock and self-adjust. This, according to Joubert, allows people to lift and lower with just one finger. Older and less mechanically advanced options might take some heavy lifting, which can be especially unsafe for children, who aren’t tall or strong enough to comfortably reach and pull it down.
Who We Are
Quincy Bulin is a writer with a year’s experience reporting home stories, who has spent the last six years researching home products. To make this list, she considered dimensions, mattress size, material, and weight capacity, as well as design and functionality. She also talked with Amie Freling, interior designer and founder of Meme Hill Studio, and Adam Joubert, co-founder and owner of Expand Furniture.
