It can be hard to find extra space when living in an NYC apartment. You don’t want to feel like you’re living in a shoe box, but it seems like all your stuff is leaving you very little room to move around. This problem is hard to fix, but there’s a solution that many New Yorkers are well aware of, and have been utilizing for decades: The Murphy Bed. Murphy beds, or wall beds, can fold up into your wall, allowing you a ton of extra space when you’re awake. It is possible that these beds can solve some of your storage woes as well, but how do you know if they’re right for you?
Apartments Perfect for Murphy Beds
Murphy beds often have the reputation of being found solely in studio apartments as a way to make the home more spacious. The truth is that a Murphy bed can work in any type of home as they can save you space regardless of how many rooms you have. These multi-bedroom homes can benefit from these sleeping arrangements, making space for exercise or a home office while residents are awake during the day or even ensuring extra sleeping space for guests when they come to visit.
There are many New Yorkers who have apartments where someone is forced to sleep in the living room. With a Murphy bed, you can turn that bedroom back into a living room anytime you need. Murphy beds are also usually cheaper than regular bed frames, and many more even come with attached storage units, making them extra convenient. Concerned they’ll be a pain to install? Not a problem, as many Murphy beds these days are free standing, meaning that you don’t have to install them directly into a wall. Even ones that can be attached to your walls are easy to remove, making them a terrific option when you’re moving.
Over all, Murphy beds are affordable, easy to maintain, and extremely convenient. Given all that, it’s surprising that you don’t see them more often. However, as times change and storage needs become greater, these beds will be making a comeback, so it’s good to invest in one sooner rather than later. You’ll love how much additional space one of these bad boys gives you. You’ll likely never buy a standard bed frame again. So now that we’ve peaked your interest, let’s take a look at some of the best Murphy beds on the market.
Best Murphy Beds for NYC Apartments
Hults Murphy Bed from Wayfair
This wall bed comes in three stylish colors, making it capable of matching any décor. The wood paneling and subtle design make it a stylish addition to your home without sticking out too much. This unit does need to be assembled and attached to a wall, but it’s a sturdy unit because of those features. It can hold up to 70lbs of mattress and doesn’t require a box spring, which is one less item you have to worry about storing. The best part? The frame has an empty space in the middle, allowing you to see your wall behind it. This makes it a great place to hang a picture.
Horizontal Urban Murphy Bed from BredaBeds
This Murphy bed folds horizontally rather than vertically, which means this piece works perfect as a medium height shelf for books, plants, and family photos. The wood comes in a variety of colors, making it easy to choose the right one for your home. When the bed is folded up, it looks just like a set of classy wardrobes, so people won’t even know it’s a bed to begin with. Sizes range from twin to queen beds, and the unit is capable of holding mattresses up to 100lbs. Assembly is required, but is also extremely easy. The website even has a video to assist you.
The Nelson from Murphy Wall-Beds
This wall bed is perfect for those who love subtle design and extra storage space. When the bed is up, it resembles a wardrobe with some side drawers and shelving. When the bed is down, however, the side shelf becomes a nightstand, and the side drawers are still available for extra space. This classy piece is ideal for smaller homes, or children’s rooms thanks to the large amount of storage space. Sizes range from twins to queen size beds and the sturdy steel frame allows it to hold even heavy mattresses.
Kimsey Solid Wood Storage Murphy Bed from Red Barrel Studio
This wall bed comes with everything you could need, including a mattress, storage units, and even outlets with USB ports. This piece is meant to resemble a cabinet or dresser, and even have actual drawers at its base. It doesn’t have to be attached to the wall either, making this freestanding marvel very easy to move around. Coming in several different colors this piece of furniture is extremely classy, and is made from incredibly durable materials. Plus, it’s on the shorter side, meaning the top of it is a great place for plants, pictures, and other décor.
Avalon Bed from Xtraroom
This wall bed is so versatile that it can transform your bedroom into a home office. When this bed is up, it becomes a desk, making this unit one of the most versatile on the market. This unit comes in either a full or queen size mattress, and the desk always stays upright, so you never have to move your laptop or books from the top. Easy to assemble and move, this piece of furniture is also extremely sturdy, and looks extremely classy. This piece is a great addition to any home and is able to fit in well with all décor in your home.
The Murphy Beds from The Lori Bed
This bed set is simple, versatile, and extremely stylish. Beds can come in either vertical or horizontal wall beds, and range between twin and queen frames. When the bed is up, the unit turns into shelving that’s perfect for showcasing your decorating skills. When the bed is down, there’s still a shelf on the head board that is perfect for plants and other pieces. The design is simple and subtle, and makes a great addition to any child’s room, allowing them to sleep well, and express themselves by having a set of shelves they can decorate however they wish.
Metropolitan Murphy Bed from BredaBeds
Another wall bed with storage features, this is one of the only units that has an option for a king sized bed frame. The side hutch is one of the coolest features, and is fully customizable, with options to have all drawers, all shelves, or a combination of the two. In fact, a lot of features on this bed are customizable, from the location of the hutch, to the color of the unit, to the fact that you can order a light kit to come with this bed for some added flair and ambiance. This is a bed you can have made to your specific tastes.
Panel Bed DIY Frame Kit from Murphy Bed Depot
This is one of the cheaper beds on the list, which is incredible considering the amount of features this thing has. It has two sets of shelving and drawers, making this a storage behemoth. The bed can be stored either vertically or horizontally, and can be ordered for twin to king sized mattresses. The best part of this amazing deal is that shipping is completely free! You can even order the necessary tools to build the bed should you need. A ton of storage, an easy build, and a great price are hard to beat.
Murphy Bed with Storage Drawer from Walmart
This bed is able to fit a queen sized mattress, and has a drawer that’s perfect for storage whether the bed is up or down. When the bed is up, it looks like a classy white cabinet, very inviting and perfect for any room in your home. When the bed is down, it becomes a cozy sleeping arrangement, perfect for kids and guests. It even has a small night stand to the side for a bit of extra convenience.
Modern Folding Wall Bed from AliExpress
If you want to splurge on the king of wall beds, then this is the unit for you. Customizable with a ton of storage options, this piece is great for any home. It even has a desk and extra shelf so you can convert your bedroom into a home office during the day. This unit can range from twin to queen sizes, and comes in several colors so it can fit into any home. This piece is easily one of the best Murphy beds around, so don’t feel bad about spending a little more on it.
NYC apartments can be small, even if you have multiple bedrooms. It’s good to find an affordable way to increase your space and storage options, making Murphy beds a good investment. These beds are sturdy, affordable, and stylish if you find the right ones, so begin your search by looking at the options above.
