Murphy Beds Explained:
Wall Bed Styles, Storage, and Buying Tips
A room doesn't have to serve only one purpose.
Your home office can also be a guest room. A craft room can provide a comfortable place for visiting family. A finished basement can offer overnight accommodations without permanently losing valuable floor space.
A Murphy Bed makes these combinations possible by providing a full sleeping area when you need it and allowing you to reclaim the room when you don't.
But Murphy Beds are no longer limited to plain cabinets or purely practical designs. Today’s options can include handcrafted solid wood, built-in shelving, storage drawers, cabinets, decorative sliding doors, and finishes selected to complement the rest of your home.
Here is what to know before choosing one.
What Is a Murphy Bed?
A Murphy Bed—also commonly called a wall bed—is designed to fold into a cabinet or wall unit when it is not being used.
When closed, the bed takes up far less floor space than a traditional bed. When it is time to sleep, the bed lowers into the room using a specially designed lifting mechanism.
Some models have a simple, streamlined cabinet. Others resemble a complete built-in furniture system with bookcases, drawers, enclosed cabinets, display shelves, or sliding doors.
This flexibility allows a Murphy Bed to become both a practical sleeping solution and an attractive piece of furniture.
Why Choose a Murphy Bed?
The most obvious benefit is additional floor space, but that is not the only reason homeowners choose Murphy Beds.
Make a Room More Versatile
A traditional bed can dominate a room even when it is used only a few times each year. A Murphy Bed allows that same space to remain useful between visits.
Depending on your needs, the room might function as:
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A home office
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A craft or sewing room
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A playroom
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A home gym
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A library or reading room
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A basement living area
When visitors arrive, the room can quickly return to its second purpose as a comfortable sleeping space.
Create a More Welcoming Guest Area
Air mattresses and temporary sleeping arrangements may be useful in a pinch, but they do not always provide the comfort or finished appearance you want for visiting family and friends.
A Murphy Bed allows you to provide a dedicated sleeping surface without keeping the room arranged as a bedroom year-round.
Add Useful Storage
Many Murphy Bed designs include more than the bed itself.
Built-in shelves can hold books, photographs, or decorative accents. Lower cabinets can conceal office supplies, bedding, or personal items. Drawers can provide convenient storage for sheets, blankets, and guest essentials.
Choosing the right configuration can help the entire room feel more organized.
Common Murphy Bed Styles
Murphy Beds are available in several configurations. Understanding the differences can help you decide which style fits your room and how you plan to use it.
Traditional Wall Bed
A traditional wall bed focuses primarily on the fold-down bed and its surrounding cabinet.
This streamlined option may be best when you have limited wall width, already have enough storage in the room, or prefer a simple appearance.
Murphy Bed With Bookcases
Bookcases can make a Murphy Bed look more like a complete built-in wall unit.
Open shelves provide space for books and decor, while lower cabinets can conceal items that you would rather keep out of sight. Some models allow you to choose between the bed alone or a larger configuration with one or more bookcases.
This style works especially well in home offices, libraries, dens, and finished basements.
Murphy Bed With Drawers and Storage
For rooms that need additional organization, consider a design with integrated drawers or cabinets.
Storage drawers can keep bedding close to the bed while reducing the need for a separate dresser.
Shelving and enclosed cabinets can also help one room transition more easily between its everyday use and its role as a guest room.
Barn Door Murphy Bed
Sliding barn doors conceal the bed while adding character to the closed cabinet.
Depending on the design and finish, this style can feel warm and traditional or clean and contemporary. Side bookcases and cabinets can complete the appearance of a substantial furniture wall.
Murphy Cabinet Bed vs. Tri-Fold Dresser Bed
A tri-fold dresser bed offers a different approach to space-saving furniture.
Instead of extending from a tall wall cabinet, the folded bed is contained within a lower cabinet that resembles a dresser or storage piece. This may be helpful in rooms with lower ceilings, limited wall height, or a layout that does not accommodate a traditional wall bed.
Some tri-fold models also include drawers, giving the closed piece an additional everyday function.
Choosing a Murphy Bed:
What Should You Measure?
Proper measuring is one of the most important parts of selecting a Murphy Bed.
Do not consider only the size of the cabinet while it is closed. You also need to understand how far the bed will extend into the room when open.
Measure and consider:
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The total available wall width
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Ceiling height
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Cabinet depth
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The bed’s open length
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Walking space around the open bed
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Baseboards and trim
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Windows and window coverings
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Doors and their swing direction
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Electrical outlets, switches, and vents
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Ceiling fans and light fixtures
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The path needed to bring the furniture into the room
Use painter’s tape to mark the closed cabinet and open bed dimensions on the floor and wall. This provides a much clearer picture of how the furniture will affect the room.
Remember to account for nearby desks, chairs, tables, and other furniture that may need to move before the bed can open.
Need a custom Murphy Bed designed to fit you room? Our design team can suggest sizes and styles that would work best.
Which Size Bed Is Best?
The right size depends on who will use the bed, how frequently it will be used, and how much space is available.
A Twin Murphy Bed may be appropriate for one guest, a child’s room, or a particularly narrow space.
Full and Queen sizes offer more sleeping room and are popular choices for couples and adult guests. Some dresser-bed models may also be available in King sizes.
Do not assume that every Murphy Bed design is offered in every size. Available dimensions and configurations vary by model, so review both the closed and open measurements carefully.
Are Murphy Beds Safe?
A quality Murphy Bed uses a lifting mechanism designed to control the movement of the bed as it opens and closes.
Correct installation is essential. The cabinet must be properly secured according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and the mechanism should be operated only as intended.
Our professional White Glove Delivery and setup can be particularly valuable for a large, solid-wood Murphy Bed because the installers can position, assemble, and secure the furniture correctly in your home.
Children should be supervised around any moving furniture, and no one should climb, hang, or play on the bed while it is being opened or closed.
The Right Storage Configuration
It can be tempting to choose the design with the most shelves and cabinets, but more storage is not automatically better.
Begin by thinking about what the room needs to hold.
For an office, you may want enclosed cabinets for files and equipment. For a guest room, drawers for sheets, towels, and blankets may be more useful. In a library or den, open bookcases may provide the right combination of function and display space.
Also consider visual balance. A large wall unit can become a beautiful focal point in a spacious room, while a simpler cabinet may be a better fit for a smaller wall.
Choosing Wood and Finish
Because the Murphy Bed remains visible when closed, its exterior design deserves just as much attention as its sleeping function.
Solid wood gives the cabinet the warmth and presence of real furniture. Different woods can create very different appearances, from the flowing character of Wormy Maple to the deeper tones of Walnut or the grain patterns of White Oak and Hickory.
Painted finishes can create a lighter or more built-in appearance, while stained wood allows the natural grain to remain visible.
Consider the room’s flooring, trim, existing furniture, and overall style before selecting a finish. Ordering samples can help you see how different colors respond to your home’s lighting.
Questions to Ask Before Ordering
Before choosing a Murphy Bed, make sure you can answer these questions:
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How will the room be used when the bed is closed?
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Who will sleep in the bed?
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How often will it be opened?
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Which mattress size will provide enough comfort?
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How much wall width and ceiling height are available?
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Is additional shelving, cabinet space, or drawer storage needed?
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What furniture will need to move before the bed opens?
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Which wood and finish will complement the room?
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What are the mattress requirements?
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How will the unit be delivered, assembled, and secured?
Answering these questions early can help you choose a design that works comfortably in both its open and closed positions.
Handcrafted, American-made Murphy Beds from Rustic Red Door
At Rustic Red Door, our Murphy Beds are designed to save space without looking temporary.
Choose from traditional wall beds, bookcase configurations, storage designs, decorative sliding barn doors, and compact dresser-bed options. Depending on the model, beds are available in multiple sizes, solid woods, stains, paints, and configurations.
Each made-to-order Murphy Bed is created with everyday function, lasting craftsmanship, and the needs of your room in mind.
Our design experts can help you review room measurements, compare storage options, and select a wood and finish that complements your home.
Ready to make one room work in more ways?
Explore our Murphy Bed collection or contact our design team to begin creating a bed that fits your space, style, and family.