You’re about to discover how Murphy beds can completely transform your living space into something more functional and beautiful.
These clever fold-away beds aren’t just practical space-savers anymore—they’ve become stunning design features that add character to any room.
From colorful upholstered interiors to sleek minimalist designs, we’ve gathered 33 inspiring Murphy bed ideas that’ll make you rethink every square foot of your home.
01. Upholstered Interior Design
Credit: Design byNabi Boyd/ Photo byCody James
You’ll love how a colorful patchwork of pink, mustard, and gray fabric transforms the inside of this Murphy bed into an eye-catching focal point.
Instead of leaving the back of your Murphy bed cabinet bare, consider adding vibrant upholstery that doubles as abstract wall art when closed. Coordinating velvet throw pillows make your space feel incredibly inviting and cozy.
02. Integrated Cabinet Design
Credit: Design byNiche Interiors/ Photo by Thomas Kuoh
Painting your Murphy bed cabinet the same color as your walls creates a seamless, cohesive look that feels intentional rather than like an afterthought.
You can add brass railings on top to create a stylish ledge for displaying your favorite art pieces, books, and decorative objects. This custom approach makes your Murphy bed feel like built-in furniture.
03. Open Concept Layout
Credit: Design byOlson Kundig/ Photo by Tim Bies and Olson Kundig
Your Murphy bed can blend beautifully into your space even when it’s open, especially if you maintain plenty of breathing room around it.
This streamlined approach keeps your room feeling light and airy rather than cramped. The key is choosing a design that complements your existing décor and doesn’t overwhelm the space visually.
04. Minimalist Wall Integration
Credit: Design byFischer Architecture/ Caitlin Atkinson Photography
You can create a stunning minimalist retreat by seamlessly integrating your Murphy bed into pale wood cabinetry that surrounds it completely.
This approach works beautifully in small studios where every square foot counts. Adding a small desk nearby gives you a functional workspace that doesn’t compete with your sleeping area for attention.
05. Dual-Purpose Dining Space
Credit: Design byMKCA/ Photo by Alan Tansey
Transform your dining room into a guest bedroom by hiding a Murphy bed behind your banquette seating area.
You’ll need a folding table that stores upright in the wall to make room for the bed to fold down. Integrated lighting adds a luxurious, polished touch that makes guests feel pampered rather than like they’re sleeping in a makeshift space.
06. Compact Lengthwise Design
Credit: Home Ec.
A Murphy bed that opens lengthwise works perfectly in rectangular rooms where width is limited but length isn’t an issue.
You can wallpaper the back of your bed surround in bold black-and-white patterns to add graphic interest when open. Colorful bedding that echoes your wall paint creates a coordinated look that feels thoughtfully designed.
07. Double Bed Configuration
Credit: Design byMKCA/ Photo by Alan Tansey
You can actually fit two Murphy beds in the same compact space, turning a small apartment into a flexible two-bedroom setup when needed.
This modern approach takes inspiration from ship cabins where every inch matters. Soothing blue accents and clean Modernist lines keep the space from feeling cluttered despite the dual functionality.
08. Pool House Guest Quarters
Credit: Design byStudio Life/Style
A tall white oak cupboard surrounded by display shelving can disguise your Murphy bed while adding beautiful architectural interest to your pool house.
Flanking windows on both sides keep the space feeling bright and open. You can use poufs for extra seating that’s easy to move aside when you need to pull the bed down for overnight guests.
09. Private Bedroom Corner
Credit: Design byMKCA/ Photo by Alan Tansey
Position your Murphy bed in a dedicated corner niche that faces outward toward windows rather than into the main living area.
This thoughtful placement creates a more private, bedroom-like feel even in an open floor plan. Adding a small piece of art inside the cabinet gives you a decorative touch that makes the space feel finished.
10. Rotating Bookshelf System
Credit: Brownstone Boys
You’ll be amazed by rotating Murphy beds hidden behind entire walls of bookshelves that spin around to reveal the sleeping space.
A small lever activates the rotation, and you can pull the bed down with one hand while your books stay perfectly in place. This ingenious design is perfect for book lovers who refuse to sacrifice storage.
11. Functional Floating Shelves
Credit: François et Moi
Adding open floating shelves to one side of your Murphy bed gives you extra functionality and makes the whole setup look more intentional and built-in.
Wall hooks with decorative throws and hats add color and visual balance. A small round stool can transform into a bedside table when needed, giving you a place for flowers or your morning coffee.
12. Studio Office Divider
Credit: Design bySonya Lee Architect/ Photo by Mark Wickens
You can create a flexible bedroom-office combo by dividing your studio with a vertical white oak screen that provides privacy without closing off the space completely.
A built-in niche serves as your nightstand, eliminating the need for additional furniture. This approach works beautifully in brownstone studios where you want to maintain an open feel while defining separate zones.
13. Light-Filled ADU Setup
Credit: Matt Garcia Design/ Photo by Casey Dunn
Position your Murphy bed to face a wall of windows in your backyard ADU, and you’ll wake up to natural light flooding your all-white space every morning.
This orientation makes your compact quarters feel surprisingly spacious and connected to the outdoors. The bright, airy atmosphere helps prevent that cramped feeling that can plague small spaces.
14. Bold Pink Statement Piece
Credit: Carter Design/ Photo by Trevor Tondro
Instead of hiding your Murphy bed, make it a stunning focal point by painting it in a vibrant, mood-boosting shade of pink that demands attention.
Built-in shelving serves double duty as both nightstand and bookshelf, adding decorative appeal. This bold approach proves that Murphy beds can be beautiful design features rather than utilitarian necessities you’re trying to disguise.
15. Wooden Panel Feature Wall
Credit: Design byGeraldine Laferte/ Photo by Stéphane Déroussent
When closed, a Murphy-style loft bed can become a gorgeous feature wall that looks like intentional wood paneling rather than hidden furniture.
This clever design adds warmth and texture to your tiny apartment while keeping your sleeping area completely concealed during the day. It’s perfect for studio living where you want your space to feel like a living room, not a bedroom.
16. Mirrored Niche Design
Credit: Carter Design/ Photo by Trevor Tondro
A dedicated niche for your queen-sized Murphy bed with matching wardrobes creates an elegant, functional solution in historic studio apartments.
When closed, a large mirror reflects light and views, making your space feel twice as expansive. A vaulted timber ceiling adds architectural interest while helping buffer noise, turning your Murphy bed area into a true design feature.
17. Concealed Kitchen Adjacent Storage
Credit: Matt Garcia Design/ Photo by Casey Dunn
Hide your Murphy bed behind a wall of cabinetry next to your kitchenette to maximize every inch of floor space in your bright backyard ADU.
This seamless integration keeps your living area feeling open and uncluttered when you don’t need the bed. The white cabinetry blends beautifully with light, airy interiors and maintains that spacious feeling.
18. Shiplap-Backed Guest Space
Credit: Design byStudio Life/Style
A fold-down Murphy bed backed with shiplap walls transforms your modern pool house into a comfortable guest retreat after the sun goes down.
Integrated drawers on both sides provide convenient storage for personal items, so guests don’t need to live out of suitcases. Shelves lined with art and photography books give your visitors something engaging to browse through before bed.
19. Corner Media Room Solution
Credit: Design byCrisp Architects/ Photo by Rob Karosis
Tuck your Murphy bed into the corner of your media room, and it’ll discreetly vanish when movie night is over and guests head home.
This strategic placement keeps your entertainment space fully functional while providing sleeping quarters when family visits. The corner location maximizes your floor plan without interfering with your primary use of the room.
20. Kid-Friendly Playroom Option
Credit: Design byCurated Nest Interiors/Jacob Snavely Photography
Murphy beds aren’t just for adults—a pull-down kid-sized bed can transform your child’s room into a spacious playroom during the day.
This setup works beautifully for sleepovers in teenagers’ rooms too, adding guest space without permanently sacrificing precious square footage. You’ll love how it keeps the room from feeling cluttered with furniture when playtime rolls around.
21. Cozy Reading Corner
Credit: Tsai Design/ Builder Q Spaces / Joiner Lee Cabinets / Photo by Tess Kelly
When your Murphy bed is open, customizable shelving and integrated lighting can transform it into a cozy reading nook where you’ll actually want to spend time.
The built-in storage keeps bedding organized and accessible. This thoughtful design proves that Murphy beds can be comfortable, inviting spaces rather than just utilitarian sleeping surfaces you tolerate for the sake of saving space.
22. Plant-Topped Cabinet Style
Credit: CM Natural Designs/ Photo by Sam Frost
You can soften the boxy appearance of a freestanding Murphy bed cabinet by decorating the top with a row of trailing plants that cascade down beautifully.
Botanical fabric on the headboard and drapes reinforces the nature theme while adding dimension and color. This approach makes your guest room feel warm and inviting while strengthening the connection to outdoor spaces just beyond your sliding glass doors.
23. Coordinated Headboard Design
Credit: CM Natural Designs/ Photo by Carley Page Summers
Adding a colorful patterned upholstered headboard inside your freestanding Murphy bed cabinet that matches your draperies creates a polished, coordinated look.
This finishing touch makes the room feel intentionally designed rather than haphazardly furnished. When the bed is open, guests will appreciate the thoughtful details that make the space feel like a real bedroom rather than a makeshift sleeping area.
24. Disappearing Studio Solution
Credit: Design bySonya Lee Architect/ Photo by Mark Wickens
When closed, your Murphy bed can virtually disappear, shifting focus to your built-in floating desk and open shelving that defines your home office workspace.
This transformation makes your studio apartment layout feel airier and more spacious throughout the day. You’ll love how the room serves completely different purposes depending on whether the bed is open or closed.
25. Multi-Functional Entertainment Space
Credit: Design byCrisp Architects/ Photo by Rob Karosis
Create a versatile media room with a wall of cabinetry that conceals both your large flat screen TV and a Murphy bed behind double doors.
The doors blend seamlessly with wall paneling throughout the room, making everything disappear when not in use. This clever design lets your entertainment space transform into guest quarters without any visual clutter or obvious furniture pieces dominating the room.
26. Writer’s Retreat Design
Credit: Design byOlson Kundig/ Photo by Tim Bies and Olson Kundig
A streamlined glass house with a hidden Murphy bed can serve as both a private writer’s retreat and guest cottage that feels deeply connected to nature.
Hanging a painting on the closed Murphy bed makes room for an airy lounge chair facing the windows and fireplace. Raised wooden slat decks that close to secure the space add architectural interest while protecting your retreat when you’re away.
27. Integrated Architecture Approach
Credit: Design byNabi Boyd/ Photo byCody James
You can transform a one-bedroom condo into a one-and-a-half bedroom space by adding a custom built-in Murphy bed that looks like original architecture.
This careful integration is key to making Murphy beds feel intentional rather than like afterthought additions. When done right, guests won’t even realize the bed wasn’t part of the home’s original design, which adds value and functionality seamlessly.
28. Adult Loft Configuration
Credit: Design byGeraldine Laferte/ Photo by Stephane Daroussent
A custom Murphy-style adult loft bed accessed by a wood ladder can maximize space in tiny apartments where every square foot is precious.
The bed folds away completely when not in use, giving you full floor space during the day. This elevated approach works beautifully in studio apartments where you need your living area to serve multiple purposes throughout the day and night.
29. Transformable Family Room
Credit: Brownstone Boys
You can turn your family room into a hybrid guest space using Italian transformable furniture with a Murphy bed that folds down over a comfortable sofa.
A hydraulic system lets you lower the queen-size bed without removing decorative items from the shelf above. Flanking open shelving and a fold-down desk add even more functionality, making this setup perfect for historic carriage houses.
30. Clean White Built-In
Credit: Marie Flanigan Interiors
A clean white built-in Murphy bed offers a space-saving solution that helps it blend into the background whether it’s open or closed in your guest house.
This neutral approach works with any décor style and keeps your space feeling bright and airy. The simplicity ensures your Murphy bed never overwhelms the room or draws unwanted attention when you want other design elements to shine.
31. DIY Murphy Bed Kit
Credit: François et Moi
If you’re handy, you can purchase a Murphy bed kit and assemble it yourself along the far wall of your home office guest room.
This DIY approach ensures plenty of open floor space for working on big projects when guests aren’t visiting. Installing it yourself can save you significant money while giving you the satisfaction of creating a functional piece that transforms your space.
32. Staggered Double Layout
Credit: Design byMKCA/ Photo by Alan Tansey
When both Murphy beds are open in a staggered layout, each sleeping space gains a sense of privacy even though they’re in the same room.
You can use integrated lighting and contrasting color schemes on inner walls, headboards, and bedding to define each space individually. This thoughtful design makes shared sleeping quarters feel more personal and less like you’re cramming guests into one room.
33. Warm Wood Interior Lighting
Credit: Design byNiche Interiors/ Photo by Thomas Kuoh
Finishing the interior of your Murphy bed in warm natural wood adds beautiful contrast while echoing nearby furniture pieces like architect’s desks.
Integrated lighting provides a built-in reading light that highlights the wood’s natural beauty and grain. This attention to interior details transforms your Murphy bed from a purely functional piece into something you’ll actually enjoy using every single night.
Final Thoughts
Murphy beds have come such a long way from the basic fold-away beds you might remember—they’re now stunning design features that add both beauty and functionality to your home.
Whether you’re working with a tiny studio apartment, creating a multi-functional guest room, or maximizing space in a backyard ADU, there’s a Murphy bed solution that fits your style and needs.
The key is choosing a design that complements your existing décor while providing the flexibility you need to make every square foot of your home work harder for you.
