A little extra space never hurt anybody, especially in rooms that are more than just a bedroom. Getting creative with your storage opens up a world of potential new design choices — like pulling a bed out of thin air. Murphy beds make space for the rest of your life when you or your guests aren’t sleeping.

Not sure how to style a Murphy bed in a guest room, home office, or studio apartment? Read on for Murphy bed ideas that make sense for your design aesthetic and daily routine. 

What’s a Murphy bed, and how does it work?

A Murphy bed is a hinged bed that folds up into a closet or cabinet unit against a wall. Most modern Murphy beds use pistons or spring systems, making them easy to take out and put away. They’re comfortable space-saving solutions for cramped floor plans, and often include built-in desks, shelves, or other smart features to make the most of square footage. 

12 Murphy bed designs to transform any room

From a guest room that doubles as a home gym to a studio apartment that does it all, there are many ways to squeeze hidden beds in small spaces for any interior design style. 

1. The home office hybrid

A home office needs to stay functional during the day, but that doesn’t mean it should feel like a cubicle after hours. A Murphy bed with a desk shifts gears so you don’t feel like you’re on the clock 24/7, even in a small bedroom-office combo. 

A desk is a natural extension in a modern home office with a Murphy bed, especially one with a built-in storage unit for extra linens, files, and office supplies. Keeping the desk against an adjacent wall means it’ll stay put when the bed is down for clean Zoom call backgrounds. A simple design, styled with an unassuming desk chair, will keep it from clashing with the relaxed feel of the bedroom. 

2. The living room library

A living room should feel, well, livable — even when it doubles as a guest room or sleeping area in a studio apartment. Some Murphy bed designs revolve for a mounted television or artwork on the exterior panel. It’s a smart way to exist in a small space without giving up the comfort or character of your living room. Full-height shelving units are also wise ideas, as they provide space for books, indoor plants, and personal objects you might want during the day. 

Look for finishes that match the rest of the furniture, like a light wood finish that pairs perfectly with the legs of an armchair and top of a coffee table in a mid-century modern space.

Find the perfect mid-century modern armchair on Onton

3. The hidden storage haven

A Murphy bed fits cleanly into a wall full of sleek cabinetry, with plenty of space for extra bedding, off-season clothes, or whatever doesn’t fit elsewhere. Cabinet beds are a comfortable small bedroom setup that makes room for guests without sacrificing functionality. Fold the bed up and spread out in the empty space — perfect for yoga, Zoom calls, or watching a movie with your friends.

4. The horizontal fold-out

Not every room has enough space to unfold a bed. A horizontal Murphy bed folds out sideways to leave more open floor and fewer layout compromises. 

Many horizontal Murphy bed designs look like streamlined cabinet sets, making them an easy fit for any room. You can also look for designs with built-in desks on the exterior panel or built-in shelving on the interior, giving extra functionality to your precious wall space. 

5. The sofa combo

A Murphy bed with a sofa works well in guest rooms that double as media rooms or libraries where you want a comfortable place to sit. Like a daybed, the sofa feature provides a cozy spot for reading or watching TV without spending the whole day in bed. Some Murphy bed designs have a couch around the bed, but there are also hidden bed designs where a regular sofa supports a fold-down bed frame. Either way, you’ll get seating and sleeping use in a single setup. 

6. The minimalist panel

Whatever ideas you might have for your temporary sleeping place, your Murphy bed should fit with the rest of your interior design. Murphy beds in soft neutral colors with little-to-no decorative twists on a panel are flexible enough to match most styles. A clean-lined platform bed fits perfectly with a minimalist, Japandi, or Nordic aesthetic, especially when paired with a simple area rug and matte black pendant lamps. 

Even if your style leans more maximalist, a minimalist panel can still work with the right styling, like a bold wallpaper on the exterior panel, a loud graphic rug, and a sculptural armchair in the corner. 

7. The double-duty bunk beds

Great for shared kids’ rooms, vacation homes, or hosting multiple guests in a small space, bunk-style Murphy beds double the sleeping capacity. Bunk bed Murphy beds typically use a horizontal design with built-in ladders, guardrails, and sometimes even desks (which are often tucked next to a vertical bottom bunk). That way, the room stays functional for studying, playing, and moving around. 

8. The wardrobe illusion

For short walls in small spaces, a Murphy bed that blends into a full-height wardrobe — which functions as real storage — is a smart idea. It reads like a clean wall of cabinetry with the bed tucked away, keeping bulky furniture from overwhelming the layout. Add low-pile rugs, floating shelves, and a wall-mounted mirror to maximize your use of the space.

9. The built-in niche

At first glance, it might look like another set of built-in cabinets and bookshelves in a traditional living room style. But behind the paneling is a twin Murphy bed that folds down when you have a last-minute guest and nowhere else to put them up for the night. It blends right in with the millwork in a formal living room, preserving the room’s polish while secretly adding function. 

This built-in Murphy bed is a subtle design hack to make space for guests without changing the way the room works day to day. 

10. The upholstered interior

Murphy beds might be utility furniture, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be stylish. Padded panels on the interior create a headboard effect when the bed is down, making the setup feel less like a fold-out and more like a full bedroom. Go with velvet or tufted fabric for a luxe look, or try linen upholstery for a more relaxed farmhouse vibe. It’s a small detail that will shift the entire mood of the room. 

11. The colorful statement piece

Murphy beds can pack a punch in maximalist bedrooms without taking up too much space. Use a bold color (or two) on the panels to make the room’s personality shine. When the bed is folded up, it acts like a statement wall, adding energy and amplifying the interior design aesthetic. It’s a smart way to reinforce your style, especially with matching decor, like patterned throw pillows and flower arrangements. 

For a more luxe approach, add mirrored panels or high-gloss finishes. And for a coastal feel, try light blue or sandy-toned panels with simple, slatted details. 

Compare bold orange area rugs on Onton

12. The rustic charm

If your home is more like a rustic cottage than a sleek city apartment, a standard paneled Murphy bed could break the rhythm. Embracing natural materials, like floor-to-ceiling paneling and dark wood grain, doesn’t have to mean sacrificing ways to save space. A wood platform bed in the same finish will blend in when folded up, disappearing into the wall like just another panel. Pair it with textured bedding and warm strip lighting (or inset overhead lights) to keep the room cozy.

How Onton helps you imagine the perfect Murphy bed

Ready to purchase a Murphy bed? Onton’s AI-powered search engine helps you explore modern Murphy bed ideas — from sleek minimalist platform beds to sofa-bed combos — with decor details that make sure your hidden bed stays hidden. Try prompts like “mid-century modern chair,” “retro table lamp,” or “traditional console” to discover pieces to create a cohesive style. 

Once you find a few favorites, use Onton’s Imagine tool to preview how your items will look with a Murphy bed. Just upload a photo and start experimenting with layouts, materials, and decorative accents.

Dream up your ideal Murphy bed setup with Onton. 

FAQ

Can I DIY a Murphy bed?

With the right tools, you can — but it’s not a project for beginners. Securing a Murphy bed to the wall requires some carpentry skills, as you’ll need to locate studs and anchor the bed frame into them securely. If you have concrete, brick, or metal walls and studs, installation can be more complex, requiring special anchors. Getting this part right is what keeps the bed (and you) safe. 

What are the downsides of a Murphy bed?

Murphy beds still take up floor space when in use, leaving little room for coffee tables, armchairs, or exercise equipment. The room might look bare when the bed is folded up or cramped when it's down. Style the empty space with lightweight or flexible pieces — like nesting tables, stools, or a rolling ottoman — that can shift easily when you pull the bed down. 

What's more comfortable: a sleeper sofa or a Murphy bed?

Murphy beds use real mattresses over a bed frame, not a foldable mattress over a metal bar. If comfort is your priority and you have the wall space, a Murphy bed is probably the better choice.