Murphy beds, also known as foldaway beds, pull-out beds, or wall beds, are a classic space-saving solution. These on-demand sleep solutions allow you to have both a living room and a bedroom, or a home office and a guest room, without having to choose between them.
Compact living requires creative solutions, and Murphy beds are one of the oldest tricks in the book. The name “Murphy bed” is believed to have originated from William Lawrence Murphy, who designed a popular model in the 1900s and later founded the Murphy Bed Company.
Murphy was not the first to invent a bed that could be hidden away, as early models emerged in the late 1800s. However, his design became popular, and the name “Murphy bed” stuck, becoming a customary way to refer to not only fold-up beds but also fold-up furniture in general.
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They are designed to fold up into a wall or cabinet when not in use, freeing up valuable floor space in small apartments or homes. Murphy beds are popular for their ability to create adaptable, rooms while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Incorporating a Murphy bed into a home design allows people to significantly enhance the functionality of smaller spaces. A single room can serve multiple purposes, such as a living room by day and a bedroom by night. For example, the Small Grand Apartment by tsai Design features a walk-in wardrobe by day and a bedroom by night, using a Murphy bed tucked into a nook with an arched timber unit and a large full-height mirror.
A foldaway bed can be a must-have when working with a small room, as seen in the CP Apartment, a 29sqm/312sqft São Paulo home design by Studio Papaya. The design concept was to use custom furniture to create an open space, and the architects teamed up with a product designer to conceive a set of slide and fold furniture pieces that can be used for multiple purposes and hidden away when not in use.
In small spaces, it can be hard to justify setting aside space for guests. However, a Murphy bed offers a comfortable sleeping arrangement that can be tucked away when not in use, making it easy to host friends or family without needing a permanent guest room.
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Some examples of guest Murphy beds offer a second function when not being used as a bed. For instance, a home-office desk turned guest bed in a 34sqm/365sqft home in West Sussex by Jonathan Stanway of Dousters can be converted into a twin bed with a simple pull from the wall, without having to remove anything from the desk.
Today’s Murphy beds come in a variety of stylish designs that can discreetly blend with your home decor.
Murphy beds have come a long way since the days of William Lawrence Murphy. Today’s Murphy beds go way further than just being a functional solution for small footprints; they also come in a variety of stylish designs that can discreetly blend with your home decor.
