by If you don’t have any extra space in your bedroom, but you need an additional sleeping space for guests, there’s one bed that can help you get what you want: a Murphy bed. This is a very comfortable type of bed, which takes up no space when it’s not in use. With a Murphy bed, you can create a stylish sleeping space for you or your guests. The best thing is, you won’t need a spare room.
A Murphy bed can fit in a closet that’s built into the wall or into a closet that’s free-standing. Putting a Murphy bed in your closet provides space in your bedroom and hides away the bed when not in use.
Murphy beds are ideal for mixed-use spaces, like an office/bedroom, gym/guest bedroom, or home theater/guest bedroom, and they’re great for occasional-use sleeping areas. Such beds work well in small homes where living and sleeping spaces are connected, and give your home a unique style.
A lot of people opt for Murphy beds, particularly ones that fit in a closet. The best thing is, it’s very simple to build this type of Murphy bed. If you have the right tools at home, you can even try building it yourself!
What is a Murphy Bed?
A queen-size Murphy bed that can fit in a closet if there is enough space. (Image from Amazon).Murphy beds are ideal for small and multi-use spaces.
A Murphy bed is a bed that can be folded up against the wall or into a closet to save floor space, making it a great alternative to a traditional guest bed. When closed, Murphy beds look like a bookcase, closet, or wood panel. When folded down for use, they become a standard bed.
The bed can fold down from the wall in the standard vertical way, or along one side in the horizontal fashion. Since no support bar is needed and a standard mattress can be used in a Murphy bed, they are more comfortable than fold-out sofa beds. They can be stored fully made up with sheets and blankets, so you don’t have to rush to make up your guest bed before your guest arrives. To secure a mattress to a murphy bed, utilize mattress straps. We’ve discussed which bed straps to get and how to use them, in our article.
You should consider using a Murphy bed in rooms that lack space and which you typically use for another purpose. Adding a Murphy bed to a home office, an open loft space, a studio apartment, a family room, exercise room, or even a child’s bedroom adds another sleeping space to your home.
Murphy beds can also be extremely useful in cabins or vacation homes, where extra sleeping space is often required for guests. They are also quite comfortable for studio apartments and RVs. If you don’t think a Murphy bed is right for your home, make sure to take a look at our comparison guide to Murphy beds, daybeds, sofa beds, and futons for more guest bed ideas. When all else fails, you can always add an air mattress to your space. Make sure to also take a look at our article explaining if an air bed is good for your back and how to choose the best one.
Can a Murphy Bed Fit in a Closet? Murphy Bed Closet Dimensions
Murphy closet beds are becoming a more and more popular option for customers. They add even more functionality to an already multi-purpose piece. Your Murphy bed can easily become the cornerstone of your room.
Murphy beds can fit into closets that have dimensions equal to the length, width, and depth of the murphy bed when it is folded up. For a vertical queen sized murphy bed, the closet must be at least 64 inches wide and 83 inches tall.
Murphy closet beds can appear as a wide dresser or as an array of closets mounted on the wall. You can store towels, clothing, toys, sheets, and extra items in the closet and shelf space provided by this type of Murphy bed.
Here are some murphy beds that fit in closets:
| Murphy Bed Size and Dimensions (LxWxH) | Minimum Closet Dimensions (height, width, & depth/length) for this Murphy Bed Size | Product Name and Link to Amazon | Approx. Price |
| Twin size (76” x 43” x 39”) | 24.5”L x 43”W x 39”H | Atlantic Furniture Nantucket Murphy Bed | $1,000 |
| Full size (75” x 54” x 16”) | 20”L x 58.6” W x 83.6” H | Bestar Universal Full Size Bed | $1,100 |
| Queen size (83” x 64” x 41”) | 25”L x 64”W x 41”H | Nantucket Queen Sized Murphy Bed Chest | $1,300 |
| King size (see kit) | See kit | Any Size Murphy Bed Kit | $290 |
If you want to add more storage and style to your horizontal Murphy bed frame, side closets are perfect for you.
To account for the total width of a Murphy bed with a side closet, simply add together the widths of the side cabinets and the Murphy bed frame. Side closets can be installed easily on either side of the horizontal Murphy bed, with doors that swing away from the bed frame.
Make sure to learn more about Murphy bed safety too. Are Murphy beds safe? Take a look at our related article to find out.
Murphy Bed Room Dimensions
If you’ve decided to get yourself a murphy bed, make sure you know the dimensions so you can determine the size of the closet you need to fit it inside.
The minimum Murphy bedroom dimensions include the height, width, and depth of the bed when it is closed, along with the projection from the wall when the bed is open. You need enough space around the murphy bed to move around as well.
All vertical and horizontal Murphy bed sizes are designed to accommodate standard mattress widths: twin, full/double, and queen size. As long as the innerspring mattress you choose is no thicker than 12”, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect fit for your Murphy bed frame. You can find more information on murphy bed mattress sizes in our article.
A general rule is that twin designs have ample sleeping room for a single adult or child. The queen- and full-size Murphy bed designs can comfortably fit two adults.
You can find additional information on murphy bed sizes from Create a Bed.
| Murphy Bed Size and Dimensions (LxWxH) | Minimum Room Dimensions for a Murphy Bed (LxWxH) | Product Name and Link to Amazon | Approx. Price |
| Twin size (80” x 46” x 16”) | For a Vertical Murphy Bed82” x 46” x 82” For a Horizontal Murphy Bed82” x 47” x 47” |
Murphy Bed Twin Size Hardware Kit | $260 |
| Full size (82” x 61” x 16”) | For a Vertical Murphy Bed82” x 61” x 82” For a Horizontal Murphy Bed82” x 61” x 61” |
Full Size Deluxe Murphy Bed Kit | $290 |
| Queen size (67” x 87” x 16”) | For a Vertical Murphy Bed87” x 67” x 87” For a Horizontal Murphy Bed87” x 67” x 67” |
Murphy Bed Queen Size Hardware Kit | $260 |
| King size (see kit) | See kit | Any Size Murphy Bed Kit | $290 |
3 Alternative Beds that Can Fit in a Closet or Around It
Here are three alternative beds that can fit in a closet: Japanese Futons, Loft Beds, and Platform Beds. Let’s take a look at each bed.
Japanese Futons can fit inside closets when rolled up
Japanese Futon beds easily fold up into closets. (Image from Futon Company). Futon is the Japanese traditional style of bedding. A complete futon set consists of a mattress and a duvet.
Although they are not as popular as other styles, Japanese futons can fit in a closet and save space for other things in your room. A futon set is normally stored in a closet during the day and used during the night time.
Here’s one interesting Japanese futon for you to check out: EMOOR Compact-Sized Japanese Futon Set.
Loft Beds Provide Space for a Murphy Bed Closet Underneath
Loft beds allow for storage space or even another Murphy bed underneath. (Image from Wall Street Journal.) Instead of placing your bed inside a closet, why not have a bed on top of your closet? That’s what’s possible with loft beds.
Although loft beds are a bit bulky, they can provide a great dose of comfort. Here’s one that’s worth checking out: South Shore Tiara Loft Bed with Desk.
Platform beds can fit into closets using murphy bed kits
Raised platform beds can house closets underneath them. (Image from Dornob) Platform beds are standard beds that can also include a lot of storage. With some clever tricks you can convert a platform bed into a Murphy bed that fits inside a closet. We’ve written an article on how to convert a platform bed into a murphy bed for just this reason! For platform beds you might need a bigger closet space, but it will be worth it because of the extra space this design can save you.
Platform beds are not only useful for saving space, but they are also quite comfortable. Here’s one that’s probably a good fit inside your closet – DHP Cambridge Upholstered Faux Leather Platform Bed.
5 Ideas for Murphy Beds for Small Rooms
Here are a few creative Murphy bed ideas for smaller rooms that you can copy in your own home. You might also want to take a look at these 15 Murphy bed ideas for studio apartments, campers and RVs and also our article on choosing the right Murphy bed for a tiny house.
1. Murphy Bunk Bed
Murphy bunk beds fold up against the wall. (Image from idesignarch). How can you transform a bed that stacks on top of itself into a Murphy bed? Well, there are a variety of options available to make your Murphy bunk bed perfectly functional. A popular idea is to mount them as separate units so that you can use one bed at a time.
They can be used as cabinets or functional wall decorations when not in use, and the ladder can tuck neatly behind them. Here’s one Murphy bunk bed that caught our attention, which you can check out here.
2. Horizontal Murphy bed
Horizontal Murphy beds are best for low-ceilinged rooms. (Image from Overstock). The classic Murphy bed style is one that folds vertically, allowing you to pull the head or foot of the bed down when you are ready to go to sleep. However, horizontal Murphy beds are a viable option to conserve space and add a different kind of dimension to your home.
Horizontal Murphy beds fold in at the side, rather than at the top or bottom, and can fold directly into a closet. This is a great idea to transform your Murphy bed into cabinetry, shelving, closets, or even a sofa, when not in use.
There is an advantage in using the bed’s width over its height when planning space to mount it into a Murphy bed. Check this one out: Atlantic Furniture Deerfield Murphy Bed Chest.
3. Murphy Desk Bed
Murphy desk beds turn your bedroom into a home office. (Image from Amazon). Combine your office and spare bedroom with a Murphy desk bed. When the bed is folded up against the wall, a desk folds down. When you have overnight guests, the desk folds up against the bed, which can then come down.
Using Murphy desk beds saves a lot of space in small rooms, by combining your bedroom and your office into a single, multi-functional space.
We really like the design of this Bestar Lumina Queen murphy bed with desk, which is available through Amazon.
4. Murphy Bed with Integrated library or shelves
Murphy beds with integrated libraries or shelves add style to your bedroom. (Image from Wall Bed Factory). If you’re looking for extra storage or display space, this design option may appeal to you. The open shelving around the bed is always visible. Some options feature additional bookcases that slide out of the way when you want to fold down the bed.
Murphy beds with integrated libraries or shelves are a great idea for adding style and storage space to a small room.
When you put the bed away, the bookcases slide back in front of the bed so it looks like a normal library bookshelf. A lot of people who are keen on saving space opt for this kind of Murphy bed.
Here’s one that caught our attention: Violetta Queen Murphy Bed
5. Vertical Cabinet Murphy bed
Vertical cabinet Murphy beds offer lots of storage. (Image from StackPath). If you are looking to save space and make your guest room multi-purpose as a home gym, office, or studio, then this Murphy bed will work great for you.
Tall cabinet Murphy beds are perfect for small rooms because their narrow width allows them to fit snugly against virtually any wall, and their height adds depth and dimension to your room.
Here’s one that’s really worth checking out: the Night & Day Furniture Murphy Cabinet Bed.