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I work as a blogger for businesses although I do a variety of different types of writing. I particularly enjoy writing about all aspects of design and creativity. I think that your home should reflect your personality and that it should change as you change. More about me at www.kathrynvercillo.com and http://diaryofasmartchick.com.

Murphy Beds: Making the Most of your Space (8 comments)

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Murphy Beds are a wonderful design option that you don't see nearly as often as you should. These beds are built into the wall and fold down (although more modern versions actually retract into the wall using a remote control). This allows you to maximize your space and make your rooms multi-functional.

The Murphy Bed is an ideal choice for homes that are limited in their square footage. Loft spaces and other urban areas are places where we're likely to see Murphy Beds built into the design of the home. However, Murphy Beds can be used in all different types of homes.

How many people have a guest room that they never even enter? Imagine turning that space into a home office or art studio and yet keeping the option of easily turning it into a bedroom again as needed? That's what a Murphy Bed allows you to do.
This is a really basic design for a Murphy Bed. Think the exterior isn't too pretty? That's okay because that tall bookcase is on wheels and can be rolled right in front of it when the bed is tucked away.
by Alla Kazovsky Architects  
This is a really common design for the murphy bed. It's designed to fold up inside of a closet. I love a few things about this particular room though. For one thing, I love the storage space around the closet. I also love the fact that the bed opens down next to a window. Lovely!
by Birdseye Design  
You wouldn't even know it but there's an electronic, remote-controlled retractable bed in that wall. Just move the furniture aside, press a button and the bed comes out. This is a great modern "Murphy Bed" option for easily turning living rooms into guest rooms.
by Peter Medvin
Here's another retractable bed. That bed slips right back into the wall behind it. It's a great idea and of course this is a great unique color choice for the room. Wonderful!
by Peter Medvin  
What we're looking at here is interesting ... it's a desk in a home office but there's a twist. That desk actually folds down. Why? Because there's a Murphy Bed on the opposite wall that needs a bit of room to come down for use. What a great flexible design!
by Tracy Murdock Allied ASID
This is another home office. It's wide open and totally functional as a big office space. But guess what? There's a retractable bed hiding underneath those book shelves.
by Peter Medvin
This is a small space that is designed to maximize functionality. This guest bed folds back up into the wall when it's not in use and the whole area is open. As you can see, it has curtains around it to create privacy when it is in use. Wonderful idea for a small space!
by Roger Hirsch Architect
A sleeping porch is a terrific place for a Murphy Bed. Keep it down for use during nice weather and tuck it back up during seasons when you won't be using this extra room as much.
by Frederick + Frederick Architects
This room can be used as a yoga room or dance room since it has a lot of space, hardwood floors and a big mirror. As you can see, the Murphy Bed easily turns it into an extra bedroom as needed.
by Harrell Remodeling
There's no Murphy Bed in this picture but wouldn't it be a great idea to create one this way? Just swing the bookcase out and pull the bed down from inside. A library and bedroom in one!
by Gast Architects
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sewgran says:
Theses are all great ideas but what about info as to where to get the beds in the photos and how these ideas could be acomplished??
sewgran says:
I guess what I was getting at is a shopping or source guide to the pictures
Wow...love these examples you've shown us! Murphy beds have come a long way, haven't they? Love this idea for a sleeping porch. :-)
Susan
patlukes says:
On HGTV episode HSSBS #113 - Little Home, Big Results, they showed a wall bed on rollers. One side had exposed shelving the other was a bed. It rolled out of the wall and around 180 degrees and reinserted into the wall unit. It is made by:
www.clei.it

Another company who designs interesting Murphy Beds is linked below:
www.flyingbeds.com
I think the pictures would be more effective if they showed the murphy beds hidden, then exposed.
As a fan of small homes and older homes where they don't have a handy office, I LOVE LOVE LOVE all these solutions that allow one to multi-purpose. Thanks! Where do the retractible beds get stored? What is the room behind that wall that it can accomodate the bed there?
jbinca says:
Several of these beds come from a company called Zoom Room.
4shannon says:
Resource Furniture in NYC carries this Italian line that has the best Murphy bed system I've seen out there. It allows you to have a wall of books or accessories without having a blank wall space as most systems have- it rotates and the bed drops down. Wonderful in this exercise room slash guest room. There are components to add to fill the wall space. I added a closet, storage and drawer units.
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