Who’s Murphy?
Compact living requires creative solutions. And Murphy beds – sometimes called foldaway beds, pull-out beds, or wall beds – are one of the oldest space-saving tricks in the book. How this style of bed got its name is a matter of dispute but common lore is that it stems from one of its early inventors, William Lawrence Murphy, who designed a popular model in the 1900s before eventually founding the Murphy Bed Company. Murphy was not the first to ever come up with a bed that could be hidden away (early models emerged in the late 1800s), nor did he even call it a Murphy bed (he wanted to call it “The Disappearing Bed”) – but the name stuck and has become customary way to refer to not only fold-up beds but fold-up furniture in general.
Maximising Space with Murphy Beds in Home Design
Though they can be used anywhere, Murphy beds are far, far more likely to pop up when space is at a shortage. Murphy beds are designed to fold up into a wall or cabinet when not in use, freeing up valuable floor space in small apartments or homes; they are popular for their ability to create adaptable, multifunctional rooms while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Incorporating a Murphy bed into a home design allows people to significantly enhance the functionality of smaller spaces by letting a single room serve multiple purposes: a living room by day becomes a bedroom by night. Or, in the case of Small Grand Apartment by tsai Design, a walk-in wardrobe by day and a bedroom by night. The 50sqm/538sqft space makes good use of a nook tucked into the darkest area of the apartment with an arched timber unit replete with a large full-height mirror – which just so happens to be the bottom side of a Murphy bed.
A foldaway bed can border on being a must-have when you only have one small room to work with, as was the case with CP Apartment, a 29sqm/312sqft São Paulo home design by Studio Papaya that uses the same area for the kitchen, dining, living and sleeping. “The design concept was to use custom furniture in order to create an open space”, architects Samuel Garcia and Delia Sloneanu told Never Too Small. For this we teamed up with a product designer that helped us to conceive a set of slide and fold furniture pieces that can be used for multiple purposes but can also be hidden away when not in use”.
Building in Space for Guests
In small spaces in particular it can be hard to justify setting aside some space for guests. Yet, for most people guests are a welcome fact of life, so it can save a lot of headache and awkwardness if it's planned for in advance. Instead of investing in a bulky guest bed that takes up valuable space, a Murphy bed offers a comfortable sleeping arrangement that can be tucked away when not in use. This makes it easy to host friends or family without needing a permanent guest room.
Some our favourite examples of guest Murphy beds include ones that offer a second function when not being used as a bed. Take the home-office desk turned guest bed of the 34sqm/365sqft home in West Sussex by Jonathan Stanway of Dousters, as example. Stanway’s clever design sees a two metre wide desk converted into a twin bed with a simple pull from the wall – without having to remove anything off of the desk. Over in Verazze, Italy, architect Pierluigi Colombo customised a fold-out mattress from a shelf behind the couch – allowing some added space for guests at the 49sqm/527sqft seaside retreat.
Sleeping in Style
Murphy beds have come a long way since the days of William Lawrence Murphy. Today’s Murphy beds go way further than just being a functional solution for small footprints; they also come in a variety of stylish designs that can discreetly blend with your home decor. We are continually amazed by the inventive and seamless ways architects and designers are incorporating hideaway beds into their designs: From sleek, minimalist styles to more ornate cabinetry, it truly seems there’s an option to suit any aesthetic preference. So whether you’re downsizing or simply seeking a more efficient way to utilise your space, there may be a Murphy bed perfect for you.
