5 Creative Ways to Use Murphy Beds in Small Spaces

Did you know a Murphy bed can double your usable space without sacrificing style or comfort? Let’s explore how.

Exploring creative ways to use Murphy beds in small spaces can transform your living area into a multifunctional paradise.

These innovative bed frames are designed to fold up against the wall when not in use easily. With the rise in the cost of housing, maximizing the square footage you use has never been more critical. 

This post will explore the practicality of modern Murphy beds and how they make an excellent choice for smaller spaces like studio apartments, container homes or tiny homes that often need a multipurpose area.

We’ll discuss how you can seamlessly incorporate them into various rooms, such as home offices, guest rooms, and children’s playrooms.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I can earn commissions. If you decide to purchase through my links, it is at no cost to you.

Why do people love Murphy Beds?

Murphy beds offer a smart solution for making the most out of limited living spaces. Here’s why they’re a great choice:

• Saves Space: Murphy beds fold up against the wall, freeing up room in small spaces.
• Flexible: They come with built-in desks, shelves, or sofas, turning one room into many uses.
• Stylish: Murphy beds fit any decor style and can be customized to match your furniture.
• Comfortable: They fit full-sized mattresses for a good sleep, just like regular beds.
• Organized: Many have extra storage like cabinets or shelves to keep things tidy.

What are 5 Creative Ways to Use Murphy Beds in Small Spaces

1. A Home Office in A bedroom

You probably won’t be working and sleeping simultaneously, but each is just as important as the other.

If you can’t dedicate an entire room to be your office, why not use a Murphy Bed to transform a bedroom into a workspace when you need to.

A Murphy Bed with a built-in desk option can give you multiple functions. You can also use a plain Murphy Bed and have a desk in the space.

By folding the bed during the day, you can free up the space to work and spread out as needed.

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To keep your work environment productive even when it doubles as a multipurpose space, consider incorporating built-in shelving or floating shelves above where the bed folds out.

This provides plenty of storage without taking up valuable floor space. Also, ensure there’s adequate lighting available for both tasks – working and reading in bed. 

The beauty of a Murphy Bed is they will anchor a space and could even serve as a feature in the space. I can see a creative type taking a plain cabinet and turning it into an art piece.

2. A Guest Space in your Living Room

If you would like to host a guest but don’t have an extra room, try a Murphy Bed in your living room.

Selecting a bed disguised as a chest during the day will give you a secret guest room when needed.

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This concept has been expertly utilized by those with small or studio apartments and those living in other small spaces such as Tiny Homes or Container Homes.

By installing this type of Murphy Bed, you can maximize living areas during the day and provide a cozy sleeping space at night when you may not have a spare room to dedicate to guest use.

3. In Studio Apartments Or Micro Apartments

In small residences or studio apartments, Murphy beds provide an innovative solution for creating a separate living room and sleeping area. The flexibility of these transformative pieces of furniture can make a significant difference in the functionality of your space.

Homeowners have cleverly put their coffee tables and sofas on casters, allowing them to easily move out of the way when it’s time to lower the bed.

In a microapartment, there may only be space for one function at a time since these spaces have very little space to utilize.

4. Open Floor Plans and Loft Spaces

If you have a large open floor plan, using a Murphy Bed could help define the sleeping area by serving as a room divider.

Beyond just providing a place to sleep, some Murphy bed designs incorporate built-in shelving around the bed frame, integrating it seamlessly into the interior architecture.

These shelves serve as storage solutions and room dividers, helping separate different zones within open floor plans without obstructing light or views.

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• Sofas: Some models come with sofas attached that flip down when you pull down the bed – perfect for studio apartments where seating is at a premium.
• Dining Tables: Others feature drop-down tables ideal for dining or working from home. The drop-down table design can save floor space when not in use. 
• Cabinets: There are also options with integrated cabinets offering additional storage space.

The key is finding what works best for your needs – more storage, extra seating area, workspace requirements, etc. There’s likely a Murphy bed design tailored precisely toward those needs.

5. For Kids’ Rooms & Playrooms

Designing children’s bedrooms is a delicate balance between creating a fun, engaging play area and ensuring ample space for restful sleep.

One innovative solution that meets both these needs is the Murphy bed. When you use the Murphy Bed in a children’s space, you can give them a massive amount of space during the day.

In a children’s space, you will likely want to use a small Murphy bed. A twin or full size will do well for children.

Optimizing Play Areas and Sleep Spaces

A twin-sized Murphy bed can be an excellent choice in this regard. During the day, it can be stowed away against a wall to create more space for entertainment.

At night, it pulls down quickly to provide a comfortable sleeping area.

Safety Considerations

You can’t just explore creative ways to use Murphy beds in small spaces without also considering the safety of the bed.

Murphy beds explicitly designed for kids come with safety features such as locking mechanisms to prevent accidental opening or closing of the bed. There are also wall anchors so the structure is firmly attached.

Designing a Dual-Purpose Space

The key to designing a successful dual-purpose or multipurpose (why limit yourself to just two purposes) space is ensuring each function does not compromise the other.

A Murphy bed lets you maintain an organized workspace during the day without sacrificing comfort for overnight guests.

By choosing furniture pieces with multiple uses, such as desks with ample storage or convertible sofa beds, you can maximize productivity and relaxation within one room.

Here are some questions to help you think through creating your dual-function space.

1. What are the primary functions needed in this space? (e.g., sleeping, working, playing)
2. How often will each function be used? (Daily, occasionally, seasonally)
3. What is the size of the space available? (This determines the scale of furniture and storage solutions you can incorporate.)
4. Who will be using the space? (Adults, children, guests, etc., which may influence safety and ergonomic considerations)
5. What are the storage requirements? (For office supplies, bedding, toys, etc.)
6. Is there a need for privacy or separation between the functions? (Consider visual and acoustic privacy needs.)
7. What is the budget for transforming the space? (This will guide the choice of furniture and any custom solutions.)
8. Can existing furniture be repurposed or adapted? (To save on costs and maintain a cohesive look)
9. What lighting is needed for each function? (Task lighting for work, ambient lighting for relaxation, etc.)
10. How can the space be quickly and easily transformed from one function to another? (Ease of conversion is key for daily changes.)

Storage & Organization Solutions in Murphy Beds

Specialty Murphy beds with built-in storage and cabinets provide an excellent solution for storage and organization in kids’ rooms.

These innovative beds offer hidden compartments and shelves, allowing you to neatly store toys, books, and other belongings while maximizing the available space in the room.

With the convenience of a Murphy bed and the added benefit of integrated storage, these designs help create a clutter-free and functional environment for children.