Flexible Murphy Bed Cabinet

A Murphy bed cabinet provides a practical sleeping area without keeping a full size bed open all day. When closed, it looks like a compact cabinet, chest or console. When needed, the front section opens and the mattress unfolds to create a comfortable guest bed.

This design works well in apartments, home offices, guest rooms, studios, living rooms and multipurpose spaces. It allows one room to support work, relaxation, storage and overnight guests without feeling permanently crowded.

A Bed Hidden Inside a Cabinet

Unlike a traditional wall bed that folds vertically into a tall wall unit, a Murphy bed cabinet usually stores the mattress inside a lower freestanding cabinet.

The mattress may fold into two or three sections. To prepare the bed, the user opens the cabinet, pulls out the support frame and unfolds the mattress across the extended base.

When the bed is closed, the top surface may be used for:

• A lamp
• Framed photographs
• Books
• Decorative objects
• A television
• Small plants
• Everyday accessories

The cabinet should remain partly clear so the bed can be opened easily.

Useful for Rooms With More Than One Purpose

A permanent guest bed can take up valuable floor space, especially when it is only used occasionally. A cabinet bed allows the room to remain functional during the day.

It is suitable for:

• Home offices
• Small guest bedrooms
• Studio apartments
• Living rooms
• Basement rooms
• Craft rooms
• Holiday homes
• Rental properties
• Family rooms
• Student accommodation

A home office can stay open for work most of the time, then become a guest room when someone stays overnight.

Materials and Construction

Murphy bed cabinets may be made from:

• Solid wood
• Plywood
• Engineered wood
• MDF
• Metal support frames
• Mixed wood and metal construction

Solid wood can provide strength and natural character. Engineered wood may offer a smooth finish at a lower price.

The internal frame, hinges, support rails and moving parts should feel stable because they carry the weight of the mattress and sleepers.

Suitable Finishes for Different Homes

Common finishes include:

• White
• Natural oak
• Walnut
• Grey
• Black
• Espresso brown
• Weathered wood
• Light ash
• Painted finishes

Cabinet Bed or Traditional Murphy Bed

Although the names are often used together, cabinet beds and traditional Murphy beds are different.