The 8 Best Murphy Beds of 2023

Commerce Photo Composite — BHG / Lecia Landis

Whether you have a small bedroom, live in a studio apartment, or just like to maximize the space in your home, Murphy beds can help you make the most of your square footage. These foldable beds allow you to easily store your bed when it’s not in use, and the best Murphy beds even have features like storage options or additional seating.

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.”

Here are the best Murphy beds.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse Osterman Murphy Bed at Wayfair

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Best Budget:

Signature Sleep Wall Bed Cabinet Bundle at Amazon

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Best Splurge:

Expand Furniture Compatto Wall Bed at Expandfurniture.com

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Best with Desk:

Xtraroom Avalon Bed at Wayfair

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Best Horizontal:

Foundstone Caribou Queen Murphy Bed at Wayfair

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Best with Cabinets:

Maxima House Invento Wall Bed at Overstock

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Best with Couch:

Red Barrel Studio Thane Upholstered Bed at Wayfair

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Best for Kids:

Canora Grey Audet Murphy Bed at Wayfair

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Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse Osterman Storage Murphy Bed

Wayfair

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Why You Should Get It

A modern design with mid-century influence, this is one of the best Murphy beds for a more contemporary aesthetic.

Keep in Mind

A mattress isn’t included and the assembly can be labor-intensive.

Our top pick for the best Murphy bed is this storage-friendly bed. Some mass-produced modern pieces can look generic, but not this Murphy bed. The clean lines set the stage for contemporary details to shine, including two LED lights and a sleek mixed media panel. The LED lights are useful for those who like to read or knit in bed.

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

Amazon

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Why You Should Get It

This bed has an impressive amount of storage, and is significantly cheaper than other Murphy beds.

Keep in Mind

It’s only available in one size and finish.

Murphy beds can be expensive, especially if you want extra features. This option is not only the least expensive bed on our list, but it also includes plenty of storage, which is why it’s the best Murphy bed for those on a budget.

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

Expand Furniture

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Why You Should Get It

This modern and discreet shelf doesn’t look like a traditional Murphy bed.

Keep in Mind

While the company keeps a limited stock on hand, custom orders can take up to 16 weeks to arrive.

Even the most perceptive house guest won’t be able to tell there’s a bed hidden behind this shelf. For a more high-end and luxurious look, this is the best Murphy bed to splurge on because of its innovative design.

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

Wayfair

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Why You Should Get It

The desk portion always remains flat so you don’t have to move your laptop or books.

Keep in Mind

The desk surface may not be enough space for some, and the bed only comes in one color.

Ideal for a studio apartment or a room that doubles as both a guest room and home office, this Murphy bed is designed with functionality in mind. When it’s being used as a desk, the three panels have the appearance of cabinets, and the curved desk sides look chic and stylish.

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

Foundstone Caribou Queen Solid Wood Murphy Bed with Mattress

Wayfair

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Why You Should Get It

This bed has wheels that allow you to move it from room to room with ease, and there’s no assembly required.

Keep in Mind

Depending on how you like your mattress, the included mattress may be too firm.

When you don’t have much space to work with, the furniture and decor you select for a room matters that much more. This Murphy bed (that looks like a chest off-duty) is designed with convenience in mind—not only does it arrive fully assembled, but it also has wheels on the feet so you can move the bed wherever you want. This flexibility can be a huge bonus when guests are over or you need to rearrange a room to fit the expanded bed. It’s available in several finishes, including caramel and white, and its classic design blends in with a variety of styles.

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

Overstock

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Why You Should Get It

Not only does this Murphy bed have a cabinet on either side (that can be separated), it also has shelves and drawers for convenient storage.

Keep in Mind

Although the mattress is included, it’s a European size.

While most Murphy beds feature shelves, not all of them offer discreet storage options. If you need more storage but don’t want all your stuff out in the open, this is the best Murphy bed for you. It features an abundance of storage options with two cabinets, six drawers, and four shelves. The cabinets can also be separated and used elsewhere—you’re getting three pieces in one.

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

Wayfair

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Why You Should Get It

It’s essentially three pieces of furniture in one.

Keep in Mind

The couch doesn’t have a backrest, so it should be placed against a wall or the Murphy bed cabinet.

If you are wanting your Murphy bed to double as a seating area, this is the best Murphy bed for you. This two-piece bed set includes a sofa so you can still have somewhere to sit when the bed is not being used. The couch isn’t connected to the actual bed, so you can move the sofa to another area to customize your space for your exact needs.

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

Canora Grey Audet Solid Wood Storage Murphy Bed

Wayfair

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Why You Should Get It

Many Murphy beds are typically tall with handles at the top, but this one is short and pulls out instead of down, making it easier and safer for kids to use by themselves.

Keep in Mind

It may be too heavy for younger kids to pull out without the assistance of a caregiver.

If your kid has a small or shared bedroom, a Murphy bed may be essential to give them plenty of room for play. However, many Murphy beds are designed for adults to reach up and pull down the bed, which makes it difficult, or even impossible for children to use. This Murphy bed is not only on their height level, but it also pulls out instead of down, making it easier for kids to maneuver. It also features a 6-inch folding memory foam mattress and drawers for extra storage.

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

The Bottom Line

Our pick for best Murphy bed is the Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse Osterman Storage Murphy Bed. The classic Shaker-inspired design fits in with most decor styles, and the adjustable bookshelves offer various storage solutions. If you’re on a budget, we recommend the Signature Sleep Wall Bed Cabinet Bundle, which has similar features for a more affordable price.

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.