by Murphy beds are space-saving beds that can be used in guest rooms as well as in tiny apartments and campers. With murphy beds, one end of the bed is attached to the wall or a cabinet and the bed can be easily folded down when you’re ready to sleep on it. Due to this feature, they are commonly known as fold-down beds, pull-down beds, or wall beds. Make sure to take a look at the Murphy bed pros and cons and our in-depth guide to Murphy bed mattress, frame, and bedding sizes for more information too. Since Murphy beds do not take up much space when they’re in a closed position, they are widely used as alternatives to regular beds in tiny houses or campers. But how do you choose the right murphy bed for a tiny house or a camper?
To choose the right murphy bed for a tiny house or a camper, first determine the ceiling height and floor dimensions for your bedroom. Next, decide whether you want a regular murphy bed or one with multifunctional features to maximize use of wall space. You can also consider DIYing a murphy bed that is specifically designed for your house or camper.
To help you make the most of the limited floor space in a tiny house or camper, we’ll discuss some additional tips and tricks for choosing a suitable Murphy bed for these types of spaces. If you’re looking for a Murphy bed for a room with low ceilings, take a look at this article too.
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- Both murphy beds and sofa beds are great for tiny houses and campers. You can add a mattress topper on a murphy bed or sofa bed to increase comfort.
Multifunctional Space-Saving Murphy Beds Are Great for Tiny Houses or Campers
A multifunctional murphy bed that transforms into a sofa when folded up against the wall. Image from Detect View.Multifunctional space-saving murphy beds are murphy beds that have two or more units that can be used as separate pieces of furniture. Advantages of multifunctional space-saving murphy beds include that they can help you save floor space while providing additional features for your bedroom and that they make it easy to hide a bed behind a wall or cabinet. Some disadvantages of multifunctional space-saving murphy beds include that they can be challenging to match with the design of a house or camper, they might be too bulky to fit in campers, and they are usually more expensive than standard murphy beds.
There are two main types of murphy beds: horizontal and vertical. Both versions can come with additional features and serve as multifunctional space-saving pieces of furniture. Both options work well in small houses, but you might want to think about purchasing a horizontal murphy bed for a camper because many vans aren’t wide enough for a vertical Murphy bed to fit when fully folded out.
Some multifunctional murphy beds can be converted into a regular sofa or closet with additional shelves and storage space. Multifunctional murphy beds are especially handy if you have a tiny house or a camper because you can purchase a murphy bed and get a couch or desk along with it. This will allow you to save some floor space by folding the bed up and using that space for working or lounging during the day.
Below are 3 examples of multifunctional space-saving murphy beds that would work well in a tiny house or a camper. Make sure to check out these 15 Murphy bed ideas for studio apartments, campers and RVs for more ideas (and pictures). Also, these 10 Murphy bed accessories will help utilize your space even more.
| Product Name and Link to Amazon | Why Would This Be Good for a Tiny House or Camper? | Approximate Price |
| Bestar Wall Bed with Desk | This bed can be converted into a fully functional working desk if folded up. This option is especially beneficial for small spaces since it allows you to have storage and a work surface during the day and a comfortable bed at night. | $1800 |
| Bestar Murphy Bed with Cabinets | This murphy bed comes with built in cabinets that can be used for storage so that your tiny house or RV can make the most of wall space. | $2900 |
| Gautreau Parete Letto Murphy Bed (On Wayfair) | This murphy bed comes with two shelves, a mirror, a compact wardrobe, and a bookshelf. This is a perfect option for tiny houses and campers because the bed extends out horizontally and does not require too much space. | $3,700 |
Traditional Murphy Beds Fit Well in Tiny Houses
A traditional murphy bed that is hidden in a cabinet when in a closed position. Image from Amazon.Traditional murphy beds are among the most popular space-saving bed options and can be used in any small house, bedroom, or guest room. They will allow you to free up space during the day and also have a comfortable bed to sleep in at night.
Traditional murphy beds are simple, classic versions of murphy beds that do not have any additional features like side cabinets or shelves, and they can’t be transformed into desks or couches when folded up. Instead, they are simply hidden inside a cabinet or a wall-like surface when put away. Some advantages of traditional murphy beds include that they are simple, give you lots of extra floor space, and are cheaper than multifunctional murphy beds. Some disadvantages include that they lack additional storage, and they might not be suitable for campers depending on their size.
The main advantage of a traditional murphy bed is that its simple and classic design will work well with any bedroom. Traditional murphy beds can save lots of floor space, and they are typically hidden inside closets or cabinets, making them completely invisible when they’re put away. Having extra space in your bedroom can make your bedroom environment more pleasant and even affect your mental health (for more information about how environments affect mental health, see this study). Another advantage of traditional murphy beds is that they are usually cheaper than multifunctional ones.Â
Did you know you can use a Tempurpedic mattress with your Murphy bed? Also, take a look at how to replace a Murphy bed mattress for more information.
However, since there are no shelves or side cabinets included in a traditional murphy bed, you will probably need to purchase them separately from the bed. Additionally, while traditional murphy beds will usually be suitable for tiny houses, they might not be that handy for campers. Since you’ll need to make the most of your space in a camper van, you might want to consider purchasing a multifunctional murphy bed instead of a traditional one. However, since traditional murphy beds come in both horizontal and vertical styles, horizontal murphy beds will work well in campers due to the space constraints. Make sure to take a look at how to use a Murphy bed in a closet for more ideas too.
Below, we’ve listed 3 examples of traditional murphy beds from Amazon that would work well in a tiny house or camper.
| Product Name and Link to Amazon | Why Would This Be Good for a Tiny House or Camper? | Approximate Price |
| Stellar Home Minimalist Murphy Bed | This option is especially useful for tiny houses. The bed’s classic and simple design makes it suitable for any type of room. Since this is a vertical murphy bed, make sure you measure the ceiling height of your room or camper. | $1,200 |
| Leo and Lacey Murphy Bed Chest | This murphy bed can be used in any tiny house or RV. When folded, it looks like a chest (so it doesn’t need a tall ceiling) and when unfolded it functions as a Queen bed. | $1,850 |
| Dicus Horizontal Murphy Bed | The horizontal arrangement of this murphy bed makes it suitable for houses with low ceilings. The bed is hidden in a cabinet when it is folded up, making it look like a regular closet. This horizontal murphy bed is also perfectly suitable for any type of camper. | $2,500 |
How To Choose a Murphy Bed for a Tiny House or Camper
As we have discussed in this article, murphy beds are ideal for tiny houses or camper vans because they allow you to maximize your floor space during the day. Some Murphy beds even provide additional features like a large workspace, storage, or even a sofa. But how do you choose the right murphy bed for a tiny house or camper? There are several quick tips you might want to consider when choosing a suitable murphy bed.
To choose a murphy bed for a tiny house or camper, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Measure the exact dimensions of your tiny house or camper prior to purchasing a murphy bed
- Step 2: Decide whether you want a traditional murphy bed or a multifunctional one
- Step 3: Choose a murphy bed with dimensions and characteristics that will perfectly fit your house or camper
- Step 4: Consider making a murphy bed that’s specifically designed for your tiny house or camper
Step 1. Measure the Exact Dimensions of Your Tiny House or Camper Prior To Purchasing a Murphy Bed
Before purchasing a murphy bed, you should know the exact dimensions of your tiny house or camper. You should also measure the specific area where you’ll be putting the murphy bed. By doing this, you can avoid purchasing a murphy bed that’s either too large or too small for your house or camper. To properly take the measurements of your house or camper, you just need a regular measuring tape and someone to help you. This will make it easier for you to get accurate measurements.
Here’s a guide to murphy bed frame sizes. Key dimensions you need to know about your room are:Â
- Ceiling Height: This determines if you can purchase a horizontal or vertical murphy bed. Remember that murphy beds have a folded and unfolded state so you need to know the dimensions of both states.
- Floor Space: This determines the maximum size of murphy bed you can purchase
Step 2. Decide Whether You Want a Traditional Murphy Bed or a Multifunctional One
For this second step, you should decide what type of murphy bed would best suit your needs. For example, you might already have a couch in your tiny house or camper; therefore, it would be better to go with an option that does not include a sofa. In this case, you may want to select a traditional murphy bed or a multifunctional murphy bed with a side cabinet.
If you use your room as an office during the day, you might want to choose a multifunctional murphy bed that can be transformed into a desk when folded up against the wall. This will let you save floor space as well as give you the ability to work productively without leaving your home.
Step 3. Choose a Murphy Bed with Dimensions and Characteristics That Will Perfectly Fit Your House or Camper
After taking measurements and deciding which type of murphy bed would work best with your tiny house or camper, now it’s time to choose the right murphy bed. You should choose a murphy bed with specific features and dimensions that will fit perfectly in your house or camper.
If you don’t follow this step properly, you might end up buying a murphy bed that is not suitable for your specific space. Since murphy beds aren’t cheap, you should be careful to pick the correct one. Make sure you read about all the costs involved in purchasing a murphy bed.
Step 4. Consider DIYing a Murphy Bed That’s Specifically Designed for Your Tiny House or Camper
While it’s pretty easy to choose the right murphy bed for a tiny house, it might be quite challenging to find a suitable murphy bed for a camper. Therefore, you may want to consider DIYing a murphy bed specifically for your camper.
If you are good at woodworking, you can take the required measurements and craft your own murphy bed. If not, you can hire a professional to do it for you. This way, you can ensure that the murphy bed will fit in your camper and you’ll be able to make the most of your space. To get more details on how to DIY your own murphy bed without using expensive tools, you can follow this link to a YouTube video by Justin Built. Make sure to be careful if you choose to make your own DIY murphy bed (for more information about preventing injuries at home, see this study).
5 Ideas for Murphy Beds in Tiny Houses and Campers
To help inspire you to find the right murphy bed for your tiny house or camper, we’ve put together 5 exciting ideas for murphy beds in tiny houses and campers. Keep reading to learn more!
Idea #1: Use a Traditional Vertical Murphy Bed in a Tiny House with a High Ceiling
A traditional vertical murphy bed will work perfectly in a tiny house with a high ceiling. Image from Amazon.Traditional murphy beds are perfect for tiny houses with high ceilings and will help you maximize your floor space. Some vertical murphy beds are too high for houses with low ceilings and may not fit into a relatively narrow camper. To make sure that you are choosing the right vertical murphy bed for your house or van, be sure to take accurate measurements and consider them when selecting a bed.
Idea #2: Use a Horizontal Murphy Bed in a Tiny House or Camper with Low Ceilings
A horizontal murphy bed is ideal for tiny houses and narrow camper vans, especially those with low ceilings. Image from Wayfair.While vertical murphy beds might not be suitable in some situations, horizontal murphy beds work well in houses with low ceilings and in narrow campers. Horizontal murphy beds will not only save floor space but they will also allow you to use the wall surrounding the bed for other purposes; for example, you can add shelves or hang some pictures above your horizontal murphy bed. With some camper vans, you can simply fit your horizontal murphy bed below your cupboards or cabinets.
Idea #3: Use a Multifunctional Murphy Bed with Side Cabinets To Get Additional Space for Storage
A multifunctional murphy bed with side cabinets will allow you to store essential items close to your bed. Image from Amazon.Using a multifunctional murphy bed with cabinets on one or both sides of the bed will make it easier for you to store things right next to your bed. You also won’t have to purchase a closet separately; instead, you’ll have a 2-in-1 piece of furniture that will save space and provide extra shelving.
Idea #4: Use a Multifunctional Murphy Bed with a Sofa or Desk ComboÂ
A murphy bed with desk on the other side can be used to save space in a tiny house or camper. Image from Amazon.Some murphy beds can be transformed into another piece of furniture when the bed is folded up and put away. Multifunctional murphy beds with a sofa or a desk are ideal for both tiny houses and campers. These murphy beds will allow you to maximize floor space and make the most of your tiny house or camper.
Idea #5: Use a Murphy Bunk Bed for a Kids’ Room or in Your Camper
Murphy bunk beds have bunks that can be folded up and out. Images from Wall Bed Place and Miles to Style.If you have kids, you might want to consider purchasing a murphy bunk bed for your tiny house or camper. Murphy bunk beds have bunks that can be folded up and out when needed, just like a regular murphy bed. When the lower bunk is in a closed position, there is additional space below the upper bunk for kids to play. The lower bunk can even be converted into a desk or a small couch.
Even if you don’t have kids, a murphy bunk bed might be the perfect option if you need two separate beds in your tiny house or camper. The bunk bed will take up the space of a regular murphy bed, but it will have two separate bunks for sleeping.
Not sold on a Murphy bed? Take a look at our comparison between Murphy beds, daybeds, sofabeds, and futons for more ideas.