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Forbes VettedBed Frames
ByMonica Petrucci, Commerce Writer, Home & Mattress
I have years of experience testing top home and kitchen products.
Reviewed byBridget Chapman, Sr. Mattress & Sleep Editor
No longer just a feature of antique homes, Murphy beds are becoming popular again for their clever, space-saving designs. The best Murphy beds not only tuck out of sight when not in use, they also work as functional storage cabinets, desks or other pieces of furniture when the bed isn’t needed. Our top pick, the Bestar Pur Queen Murphy Bed, is an expert-recommended model that combines convenient storage with durable construction.
“With the trend of spaces becoming more flexible to adapt to different living and family needs, the Murphy bed is seeing a return to popularity,” says Mark Nichols, founder of MNichols Design. “When executed with high-quality construction and operation hardware along with comfortable bedding, they serve not only as a proper bed but also as a design statement that can add interest to a room.” Based on expert guidance and thorough research, these are the best Murphy beds to suit a variety of design and functional needs.
Best Murphy Bed Overall: Bestar Pur Murphy Bed (Queen)
Best Budget Murphy Bed: Detravious Fold Out Murphy Bed (Full/Double)
Best Murphy Bed For Small Spaces: Pemberly Row Dual-Mount Wall Bed (Queen)
Best Murphy Bed With A Couch: Bestar Murphy Bed With Sofa And Shelving (Full)
Best Murphy Bed With A Desk: Xtraroom Avalon Murphy Bed (Queen)
Best Luxury Murphy Bed: Expand Furniture Compatto Murphy Bed (Queen)
Best Horizontal Murphy Bed: Expand Furniture Hover Murphy Bed Desk (Queen)
Best Murphy Bed Overall
A Sturdy Build With Ample Storage
Bestar Pur Murphy Bed (Queen)
Type: Engineered wood, steel | Mattress: Queen (8-12 inches thick) | Delivery: Free | Trial: 30 nights | Warranty: 10 years
What we love:
- Plenty of open and hidden storage
- Variety of color finishes
- Dual-piston system designed for smooth opening and closing
Keep in mind:
- Two-person assembly required
- Not recommended for children or pets under 50 pounds
This unassuming, stylish cabinet transforms into a queen-sized bed with an easy tug. Experts like Barbara E.Tanaka, strategic home design and organizing advisor at Real Estate Bees, recommend the Bestar brand—and this model in particular—for its reliable performance in real-world settings. Tanaka recommends this model because of its modern design and built-in efficiency, saying it’s “great for home office/guest room combos.”
This spacious model is more than just a guest bed; it features six closed drawers, four fixed shelves and six adjustable shelves for ample storage you can take advantage of whether the bed is in use or not. The bed itself is made of a durable steel frame and flexible slats that are designed to absorb pressure and curve with the body. It can house a standard queen-size mattress and can hold up to 1,000 pounds of weight.
Keep in mind that this is a substantial piece of furniture, so the brand requires mounting it to both the floor and wall for maximum stability. Also, at least two people are recommended for assembly.
Best Budget Murphy Bed
A Space-Saving Option With Convenient Features
Detravious Fold Out Murphy Bed (Full/Double)
Type: Solid and manufactured wood | Mattress: Full/double | Delivery: Free | Trial: 30 nights | Warranty: 30 days
What we love:
- Small footprint when closed
- Included storage for linens
- Built-in power outlet
Keep in mind:
- Not available in queen or king sizes
- Foldable mattress not included
If your home is short on space and you need a functional piece of furniture for infrequent guests, this fold-out Murphy bed ticks a lot of boxes. When the bed is stowed away, the white cabinet has a modern, minimalist look that doesn’t take up much space and features a functional bottom drawer (great for pillows or linens). You can also take advantage of the open shelf for plants, frames and other decorations in between guest visits.
When it’s time to open the bed, just open the front panel and pull out the folded mattress that gets stored right in the cabinet. There’s also a built-in outlet for easy guest access, plus bottom wheels for convenient rearranging as needed.
Just keep in mind that the folded mattress doesn’t come with the bed, so you’d have to purchase that separately. Also, the bed board capacity is 440 pounds—including the mattress—so it may not be suited to couples of all sizes.
Best Murphy Bed For Small Spaces
Chic, Convenient and Minimalistic
Pemberly Row Dual-Mount Wall Bed (Queen)
Type: Particle board, metal | Mattress: Queen (max height 12 inches) | Delivery: Free | Trial: 100 days | Warranty: Monthly paid protection plan (optional)
What we love:
- Made of high-quality materials
- Sleek and space-saving
- Different colors available
Keep in mind:
- No included warranty
- No built-in storage
For a more simplistic option, this Murphy bed functions solely as a housing piece for the bed. There’s no storage included, so it’s best for anyone looking for a queen-sized Murphy bed that’s easy to fit in an office or home gym without monopolizing too much space.
The cabinet is made from durable wood that’s available in three different colors, and the bed features a EuroSlat system (flexible, arched slats) that’s designed to enhance comfort and support. There’s also a dual-piston system that makes pulling the bed open and closed a breeze.
There’s no mattress included, but this bed can accommodate any queen mattress, sized between eight and 12 inches thick. It’s also sturdy enough to hold up to 1,000 pounds, which is a plus for most guests and mattresses alike.
Best Murphy Bed With A Couch
A Dual-Function Piece For Multipurpose Rooms
MOST POPULAR
Bestar Murphy Bed With Sofa And Shelving (Full)
Type: Engineered wood, steel, cotton | Mattress: Full (max height 10 inches) | Delivery: Free | Trial: 30 nights | Warranty: 10 years
What we love:
- Several colors to choose from
- Heavy-duty materials
- Multipurpose piece of furniture for small spaces
Keep in mind:
- Assembly by a professional recommended
- Not for kids or pets under 50 pounds
There are sleeper sofas, then there’s the Bestar Murphy Bed With Sofa: a single piece of furniture that combines lounging, storage and sleeping. When the bed is stowed away, this piece looks like a couch placed against a large cabinet, with ten adjustable shelves for convenient storage. The sofa is made with heavy-duty materials including a hardwood frame, sinuous springs and a cotton filling. The cabinets are made from recycled engineered wood, and the bed has a stable steel frame.
Opening the cabinet to set up the bed is easy, thanks to sturdy metal handles and a dual-piston system that makes for a quick and smooth transition. There’s also a separate hook included to easily reach the handles when it’s time to open the bed.
This mammoth piece of furniture weighs over 750 pounds, which means the assembly should not be done by a single person—or beginners. The brand recommends at least two people, including a professional or otherwise qualified person.
Best Murphy Bed With A Desk
A Space-Saving Home Office Solution
Xtraroom Avalon Murphy Bed (Queen)
Type: Pine wood, metal | Mattress: Full or queen (max height 12 inches) | Delivery: Free | Trial: 30 days | Warranty: 1-year, optional 5-year protection plan offered
What we love:
- Sturdy build
- Desk stays in place with bed open
- High-quality design
Keep in mind:
- Desk space is narrow
- Heavy and difficult to build
Converting your home office into a guest room (when needed) is common and pretty efficient, especially if your guests come to visit during weekends or holidays when the workspace isn’t needed. Streamlining this space even more means investing in a Murphy bed with a built-in desk, which means less bulky furniture and more open space.
Although this piece appears to have three cabinets above the desk space, these are just design elements used to pull down the queen-sized bed. When the bed is opened, the desk stays in its current position, which means you don’t have to remove any objects from it before setting it up.
This Murphy bed is made from both solid and manufactured wood along with a metal bed frame. It’s sturdy enough to hold up to 700 pounds, and its four hydraulic piston mechanisms means opening and closing is painless.
Keep in mind, though, that the built-in desk has a depth of just 16 inches, which means it may not be big enough to house several screens or other tech equipment.
Best Luxury Murphy Bed
An Italian-Crafted Piece With Customization Options Available
Expand Furniture Compatto Murphy Bed (Queen)
Type: Wood, metal and memory foam | Mattress: Queen (included) | Delivery: $499 | Trial: 7 days | Warranty: 5 years
What we love:
- Memory foam mattress included
- Designed and manufactured in Italy
- Sleek look with nine finishes to choose from
Keep in mind:
- Assembly required
- 16 to 20 week delivery window to U.S. and Canada
For a Murphy bed that meshes effortlessly with the rest of your home design, the Compatto is one of a kind. This piece of furniture looks like a chic bookcase, equipped with six long and sturdy shelves to display your book collection or decorative elements like plants and picture frames. You don’t need to clear off your decorations when it comes time to set up the bed; the shelf rotates, maintaining an upright position, and delivers the bed from the opposite site. The transition is seamless and requires no strenuous lifting.
Although this piece is an investment, it comes with a memory foam queen mattress that’s hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial, with a removable lining for easy cleaning. The Compatto is also made in Italy from durable materials—including the mattress—and each piece is built to order.
Keep in mind, though, that that makes for a longer delivery waiting period. The website estimates a 20-week turnaround from ordering to delivery (when you’ll then have to assemble it on your own).
Best Horizontal Murphy Bed
Multipurpose For Small Spaces
Expand Furniture Hover Murphy Bed Desk (Queen)
Type: Wood, metal | Mattress: Queen (under 10 inches) | Delivery: $199 | Trial: 7 days | Warranty: 5 years
What we love:
- Modern design
- Ultra compact for small spaces or low ceilings
- Video assistance offered for setup
Keep in mind:
- Bed partially tucked into cabinet
Horizontal Murphy beds offer different space-saving attributes than their vertical counterparts, as they take up less vertical space on the wall and room space when they’re opened. Tanaka recommends this horizontal Hover Bed as being “perfect for rooms with limited ceiling height,” as it’s only five and a half feet tall.
This piece has a sleek modern design, with a white gloss exterior and built-in desk to take advantage of when the bed is closed. Similar to other Murphy beds with desks, you don’t have to remove any objects from it when setting up the bed (so long as they’re not too tall), since the desk stays in its horizontal configuration the entire time. The bed can accommodate queen-size mattresses up to 10 inches in thickness, but the brand recommends 8- or 9-inch mattresses if you’d like to close it with linens on.
Once it’s open, part of the bed remains tucked into the frame of the structure. Although this is part of the space-saving design, it may be uncomfortable for some, so it’s worth taking note.
RECOMMENDED BYFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted sleep team is committed to spending countless hours testing and researching the best sleep products on the market—from pillows to bed frames—so we can offer the best and most reliable recommendations.
- Monica Petrucci is the author of this article and a commerce writer at Forbes Vetted. She’s covered a variety of sleep topics, from hotel pillows to mattress cleaning, and she’s committed to sharing the best sleep products and guidance with our readers.
- This article was overseen by Bridget Chapman, the senior mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted. Chapman is a certified sleep science coach with several years of experience testing and reporting on the best products to help you get a good night’s sleep.
- We interviewed Barbara E. Tanaka, strategic home design and organizing advisor at Real Estate Bees, for this article. Tanaka provided expert recommendations on the best Murphy beds, as well as guidance on how to shop for the right one.
- We also interviewed Mark Nichols, founder of MNichols Design and interior design advisor at HouseCashin, who has over a decade of experience in the field. He provided insight on what features to prioritize when shopping for a Murphy bed.
- We’re committed to keeping our content relevant and up to date. This article was last updated in May 2025.
How We Chose The Best Murphy Beds
We performed in-depth research and consulted industry experts in order to develop a trusted list of the best Murphy beds.
- We consulted experts’ advice and made sure to include Murphy beds that are made from durable materials, feature uniform slat platforms and include hardware that makes for easy opening and closing.
- We scoured top retailer websites to find Murphy beds with high ratings from a large number of reviewers, only featuring products awarded with 4 stars or higher.
- We prioritized expert-backed picks for Murphy beds that have proven reliable performance, including from brands like Bestar and Expand Furniture.
- Each pick was approved by our editors, who are certified sleep science coaches with years of experience researching sleep and mattress categories.
What To Consider When Shopping For The Best Murphy Beds
Before you start your search for a Murphy bed, consider how much space you’re willing to give up—both when it’s opened and closed. Depending on ceiling height and open floor space, some rooms are better suited to vertical Murphy beds, while others benefit from horizontal. Then, consider whether you prioritize options with included mattresses, as well as what other features you’d like—such as shelving, couches or desks.
Size
Size is the most important feature to consider when shopping for a Murphy bed. You should measure length, width and height—both when it’s opened and closed—to consider how it will impact your existing space. Be sure to incorporate all aspects of the furniture, including desks or opening drawers, when measuring.
Installation
Many Murphy beds are large, heavy and require multiple people for assembly. Be sure to read manufacturer instructions and plan accordingly. In addition, keep in mind that these pieces often need to be mounted into the wall or floor—or, in some cases, both. Make a plan for installation, including potentially hiring an expert, before making a purchase.
Materials
Materials are a key feature of the best Murphy beds, especially when considering they are heavily reliant on regular opening and closing, which can come with wear and tear.
“The main downside to the Murphy bed is its past stigma as being uncomfortable or cheap,” Nichols points out, emphasizing that this isn’t an inherent downside of the Murphy bed in general. “It is the fault of poor construction, cheap hardware and substandard bedding.” He emphasizes the importance of beds that are made from high-quality materials like wood frames and durable hinges, which directly contribute to longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
According to multiple experts, the best Murphy bed is the kind that’s made from durable materials. Although this bed style gets a bad rap for being flimsy or uncomfortable, a high-quality Murphy bed should withstand the test of time when it has a heavy-duty frame, slats and hinges. It’s also important to include a high-quality (and appropriately sized) mattress, even if it’s used infrequently.
Experts and consumers alike commonly recommend Bestar as an accessible and reliable brand that offers a wide variety of Murphy beds at a reasonable price point. But if you’re looking for something more customized to suit your unique space, Nichols recommends California Closets for economical options, as well as Resource for a selection of luxury Murphy beds.
More often than not, these two terms are used interchangeably to describe the same space-saving style. “Technically, a wall bed is a piece of furniture mounted to the wall,” explains Tanaka. But, she adds, “Since the late 1900s, Murphy beds have taken on that design too.”
The main difference between the two styles comes from the mechanics. “Murphy beds usually have a metal frame and work with springs, while wall beds tend to use wooden frames and piston systems,” Tanaka says.
Nichols says not to focus too much on the terminology, especially since they’re so often used interchangeably now. Instead, he says to focus on the bed itself. “I would pay attention to the frame and platform support for the mattress, then the quality of the hardware that is used to operate the bed,” he says.
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