The best Murphy beds are among the most versatile, space-saving furniture items on the market, giving people the choice to have a discreet sleeping area in a guest bedroom, home office, or playroom. They’re kind of like the mullet of the interior design world: Business in the front, slumber party in the back.When it’s closed, a Murphy bed looks like a desk, cabinet, or chest, and frees up plenty of floor space. Sometimes referred to as wall beds, these have handles or some other feature you can pull down to reveal a bed frame and mattress.“Murphy beds are all the rage once again, but with a different take on design and function,” says Ania Agárdy, a Miami-based interior designer who runs the AD PRO Directory firm Luxury Living by Ania Agárdy. “Actually, they have become much more multifunctional than in the past, providing not only additional shelving and storage, but also integrated sofas and desks.”Daniella Hoffer, AD PRO Directory designer and owner of Daniella Hoffer Interiors, says custom is preferred, but you can elevate any Murphy bed sold online by color washing the entire wall, enlisting trim and millwork experts for retrofitting, or adding cohesive decor.“Creating millwork on the wall or making it look like cabinetry—similar to how we approach pantry doors in the kitchen today—is a beautiful way to incorporate a Murphy bed into the space, and frankly, hide it,” she says. “Or even putting a piece of artwork that you can remove easily before pulling down the bed.” Ahead, find all of our expert-approved picks for your home.Our Top Picks for the Best Murphy Beds:Best Overall Murphy Bed: Bestar Pur Murphy Bed, $1,500A Wooden Option: PVWIIK Murphy Bed with Desk and Removable Shelves, $599The Budget Pick: Merax Size Murphy Bed with Sofa, $555Most Stylish Murphy Bed: Wildon Home Solid Wood With Rattan Murphy Bed, $1,400For Spacious Storage: RealRooms Paramount Murphy Bed Bundle, $1,400Please note that prices reflect queen-size beds. However, most of the featured frames are available in additional sizes and finishes.Browse by CategoryThe Best Murphy Beds, OverallBestar Pur Murphy BedSpecsDimensions: 64.6”W x 20.3”D x 87.9”H (closed); 64.6”W x 92”D x 87.9”H (open)Mattress included? NoFrame material: MetalWeight capacity: 1,000 poundsWarranty: 10 yearsFor a Murphy bed that’s versatile enough to fit practically any interior design concept, trust in this best-seller from Amazon. The shaker-style trim is the perfect fit for a modern farmhouse or craftsman home, and more rustic interiors can welcome one of three engineered wood stains.PVWIIK Murphy Bed with Desk and ShelvesSpecsDimensions: 62.4”W x 33.5”D x 45.2”H (closed); 62.4”W x 80.5”D x 45.2”H (open)Mattress included? NoFrame material: Pine and composite woodWeight capacity: 500 poundsWarranty: Not listedAt first glance, we could totally buy that this was an antique cabinet passed down from generation to generation. In reality, it’s an under-$600 Murphy bed with high-tech features like built-in charging stations with USB ports. The walnut stain is ideal for a midcentury modern space, but more contemporary colorways like white and gray could work best to provide cohesion or contrast in a classic children’s room or living room.Merax Murphy Bed with SofaSpecsDimensions: 66.4”W x 40.6”D x 87.4”H (closed); 66.4”W x 81.5”D x 87.4”H (open)Mattress included? NoFrame material: MDF and plywoodWeight capacity: 600 poundsWarranty: Not listedCarve out a reading or resting nook with a Murphy bed that doubles as a loveseat or sofa—simply remove the cushions, open the cabinet doors and pull out the bed for overnight guests. The trim is reminiscent of board and batten molding, and it can add character and dimension to an empty wall in a contemporary playroom, home office, or other small space.Wildon Home Rattan Murphy BedSpecsDimensions: 65.2"W x 15.9"D x 88.4"H (closed); 65.2"W x 87.6"D x 88.4"H (open)Mattress included? NoFrame material: WoodWeight capacity: 600 poundsWarranty: 60 daysCoastal oases aren’t excluded from the Murphy bed conversation, especially when there are pieces like this one. Deviating from the basic Murphy bed design, it stands out with a natural, textural combination of solid wood and rattan. Pair it with a tropical wallpaper from Serena & Lily for a coastal grandmother-approved guest bedroom.RealRooms Paramount Murphy Bed BundleSpecsDimensions: 125.2”W x 16.4”D x 86.5”H (closed); 125.2”W x 85.9”D x 86.5”H (open)Mattress included? NoFrame material: MetalWeight capacity: 600 poundsWarranty: 60 days“I like to look for Murphy bed setups that resemble cabinetry with minimal clean lines,” says Sarah Storms of Styled by Storms. “Functionally cabinets flanking either side also allows for a nightstand when the bed is down and storage when it is tucked away.”There’s no shortage of storage in this Murphy bed, which has built-in cabinetry and pullout nightstands. The wood finishings lean toward the rustic aesthetic, but it could also provide warmth and texture to a more modern-minimalist space. Unlike most of the Murphy beds featured on this list, this version only fits a full-size mattress.Harper & Bright Designs Murphy BedSpecsDimensions: 94.2"W x 15.4"D x 88.5"H (closed) 94.2"W x 91.2"D x 88.5"H (open)Mattress included? NoFrame material: Engineered woodWeight capacity: 600 poundsWarranty: Not listedWhile some Murphy beds look like they provide extra space, most of them are cabinet doors that are only there to provide the framework for the bed itself. This one, however, has integrated storage shelves to function as a bookcase, display toys and baskets with baby clothes for a kid’s room, or awards and binders for an office.Merax Murphy Cabinet BedSpecsDimensions: 62.2”W x 21.9”D x 41.3”H (closed); 62.2”W x 80.5”D x 41.3”H (open)Mattress included? NoFrame material: Pine wood and MDFWeight capacity: 400 poundsWarranty: Not listedIt might look like you can use those frosted glass cabinet doors and ribbed drawers, but they’re all for show. Best for a contemporary home with gold accents, everything pulls down as a singular unit to reveal a Murphy bed.Atiyah Murphy Bed by Lark ManorSpecs:Dimensions: 62.5”W x 24.38”D x 40.75”H (closed); 62.5”W x 80.13”D x 40.75”H (open)Mattress included? YesFrame material: Solid woodWeight capacity: Not listedWarranty: Not listedFor a small but mighty Murphy bed, this chest is thoughtfully integrated with a usable storage drawer and built-in charging port. Some customers updated the hardware to coordinate with other metals in the room, but if you already have silver or brushed nickel throughout, feel free to leave it as-is.Xtraroom Avalon Murphy BedSpecs:Dimensions: 67.75”W x 33.5”D x 93.34”H (closed); 67.75”W x 96.625”D x 93.34”H (open)Mattress included? NoFrame material: Metal and solid and manufactured woodWeight capacity: 700 poundsWarranty: 1 yearTake purchasing a desk off your to-do list when you invest in this dual-purpose bed. The curves that bookend the desktop give it more personality, but the overall structure is a simple, traditional Murphy bed. The three-panel “cabinet” folds down, but nothing left on the desktop will require moving (a convenient feature if you have last-minute guests and don’t have time to declutter!).Wade Logan Wexford Murphy BedSpecs:Dimensions: 125.2”W x 16.4”D x 86.5”H (closed); 125.2”W x 85.9”D x 86.5”H (open)Mattress included? NoFrame material: Metal and manufactured woodWeight capacity: 600 poundsWarranty: 1 yearYou probably didn’t expect a modern-minimalist Murphy bed would also have the largest footprint on this list. There’s open shelving and drawers on either side, but the sleek finish and clean lines are all you need to furnish one wall in your home.Clei Vertical Murphy Bed Penelope 2 Standard P.35SpecsDimensions: 69.7”W x 13.8”D x 86.6”H (closed); 69.7”W x 84.1”D x 86.6”H (open)Mattress included? YesFrame material: MelamineWeight capacity: Not listedWarranty: Not listedModern-minimalism and functionality collide with a motorized Murphy bed. Agárgy prefers the sophisticated designs from Italian brand Clei. “Their systems are very stylish, customizable, and high quality,” she says. “I also like the fact that many of their models are motorized, making them easy to convert back and forth.”How We Chose the Best Murphy BedsFor a comprehensive understanding of Murphy beds, we turned to designers Ania Agárdy, Daniella Hoffer, and Sarah Storms for their shopping tips and specific product recommendations. From there, we explored best-selling, top-reviewed products on the market today and analyzed a number of accounts from real customers. We prioritized the functionality and style of each piece, and took note of special features that could appeal to homeowners.FAQsWhat to look for in a Murphy bedHere are the key components to assess while you’re shopping for a Murphy bed, per our research and feedback from Agárdy, Hoffer, and Storms.Function: Think about the space and your expectations. Who will use this room, and is there an alternative purpose for it? “I have been using them frequently in empty-nester households where the children’s rooms have been redesigned to serve as multi-purpose spaces like a guest room/office or guest room/gym, or both,” Agárdy says. Hoffer also sees Murphy beds in secondary homes, such as a summer house.Style: Evaluate your home and the overall design elements you’ll need to coordinate with prior to purchasing your Murphy bed. Fortunately, there are plenty of styles to choose from, so you’ll find one for a midcentury modern guest room, bright and eccentric children’s room, and so on. “I always look for ones that can be customized to blend with the overall look of the room,” Agárdy adds.Size: While Murphy beds are space-saving by nature, sizes can range depending on the functionalities. For instance, a Murphy bed with a cabinet or desk attached will take up significantly more room (closed or open) than a classic Murphy bed without those bonus bells and whistles. You’ll also need to factor in the size of the mattress you’d like, since there are Murphy beds that can accommodate twins to kings. Make sure to measure your space prior to checkout.Installation: The customer reviews don’t lie—even the best Murphy beds are a pain to install, and some even require a specific type of wall for proper mounting. It’s technically one piece of furniture, but it comes with lots of parts and most manufacturers (and our design experts) recommend a professional installer. If you feel up to the DIY challenge and the manufacturer gives you the okay, follow the instructions and exercise as much patience as possible. Otherwise, enlist a pro to help you out. Because of the installation requirements, this is not considered a renter-friendly solution.What’s the best type of mattress for a Murphy bed?“There isn’t any reason to sacrifice quality sleep and wall beds can be just as comfortable as a traditional frame, as long as the platform and mattress are solid and supportive,” Storms says.