Best Murphy Beds For Small Apartments In America — Murphy Bed USA

If you live in a small apartment and want to reclaim floor space without sacrificing comfort, a murphy bed USA is one of the smartest moves you can make. This guide walks you through the best Murphy bed types on the U.S. market, price ranges, real-world pros and cons, how to choose the right model, installation tips, and vendor recommendations — written in plain English and based on current market options (2024–2025). Whether you want a DIY economy unit, a mid-range cabinet bed, or a luxury transformable system, you’ll find practical advice and examples here.

Table of Contents

Quick take (if you’re skimming)

Best overall (value + features): storage + cabinet-style Murphy beds from reliable makers like Bestar and Murphy Bed Depot. (Forbes)
Best premium/transformable: Resource Furniture (high-end wall beds with sofas, desks, and custom finishes). (Resource Furniture)
Cheapest route: entry-level models sold by Wayfair/Amazon and budget kits (expect assembly and thinner materials). (Wayfair)
Typical purchase range: roughly $300 – $5,800 for the bed itself depending on size and finish; installation and delivery add to the cost. Expect mid-range to premium installs to push total to $1,000–$4,000 or more. (HomeGuide)

Why a Murphy bed? The benefits that matter in small apartments

You reclaim daytime floor space. Folding the bed into a cabinet frees up the whole footprint for living, working, or dining. That’s the single biggest reason people choose a wall bed.
They’re flexible. Many modern Murphy beds include extras — built-in desks, sofas, shelving, or even integrated lighting and USB outlets. That turns one unit into several. (Resource Furniture)
Good for rentals and multi-use rooms. If you have a guest room that doubles as an office or a studio, a Murphy bed makes the room useful for both functions.
A wide price range means options for any budget. From basic cabinet beds you assemble yourself to fully installed custom wall systems, you can match the choice to your wallet. (HomeGuide)

Murphy bed types: which style fits your apartment?

1) Cabinet / folding panel Murphy beds

These look like a freestanding cabinet or armoire and pull down to reveal the mattress. They’re the easiest to use in rentals because many are freestanding or only lightly secured to the wall.

Good for: renters or anyone who wants a simple install.
Typical pros: lower cost, easy to hide, attractive facades.
Typical cons: less built-in storage or fewer integrated features than custom wall beds. (Wayfair)

2) Built-in wall beds (full wall system)

These are anchored into studs or the floor and are usually heavier and more durable. They often include shelving, desks, or sofas attached to the unit.

Good for: owners who want a long-term, seamless look.
Pros: cleaner aesthetic, more options (sofa + bed combos, integrated desks).
Cons: higher cost and may require professional installation and landlord approval in rentals. (Resource Furniture)

3) Horizontal vs. Vertical Murphy beds

Vertical mounts with the head against the wall — good for tight widths but taller ceilings.
Horizontal (also called sideways) are mounted with the mattress rolling out from a long, low cabinet — useful when ceiling height is limited but wall length is available.

4) Murphy beds with extras: sofas, desks, storage

If you want your bed to be a full transformable system (sofa by day, bed by night; or desk incorporated in the facade), the premium brands specialize here. These are pricier but give you built-in multifunctionality that small apartments love. (Resource Furniture)

How much will a Murphy bed cost me in the U.S.?

Prices vary widely — here’s a realistic breakdown to help you budget:

Basic DIY / budget cabinet models: $300–$900. These often arrive as flat packs (assembly required) and use engineered wood. Good for guests or occasional use. (Wayfair)
Mid-range prebuilt beds (Queen, nicer finishes): $900–$2,500. Better materials, easier mechanisms, more attractive facades. Many Wayfair and Amazon top-rated models sit here. (Wayfair)
High-end and custom wall systems: $2,500–$6,000+. Premium materials, integrated furniture (sofa, desk), and professional installation. Resource Furniture sits squarely in this range for transformable, designer systems. (Resource Furniture)

Don’t forget extras: delivery, white-glove setup, and professional installation can add $100–$3,000+ depending on complexity and whether carpentry is required. Some estimates put full installation averages higher for custom jobs. (Angi)

Best Murphy beds in the U.S. right now (by category)

Best overall value: Bestar (and similar cabinet-wall hybrids)

Why: solid mid-range price, built-in storage options, reliable mechanisms. Critics and roundups often highlight Bestar-style units as a smart blend of cost and functionality. (Forbes)

Best premium/transformable: Resource Furniture

Why: specialized in transformable furniture — wall beds that pair with sofas or desks and are built with designer finishes. Ideal if you want a turnkey, high-design solution and are willing to pay for it. (Resource Furniture)

Best DIY / budget option: Murphy Bed Depot kits

Why: Murphy Bed Depot offers frame kits and cabinet styles intended for DIY or semi-DIY installers; they’re popular for people who want to save money and don’t mind assembly. Reviews are largely positive on value for money. (MurphyBedDepot)

Best retail convenience (many price tiers): Wayfair / Amazon / Costco

Why: broad selection, frequent sales, and easy returns. Wayfair has everything from sub-$600 models to pricier cabinets. Costco and HouseBeautiful coverage show Costco occasionally offers well-priced cabinet Murphy beds on promotion. Expect variable quality — read reviews and check mechanisms. (Wayfair)

What to check before you buy (practical checklist)

Measure delivery route and final location. Doorways, stairwells, elevators, and hallway turns matter. Many buyers fail here and have to return large pieces.
Check wall studs and mounting requirements. Built-in wall beds must be anchored to studs or the floor; landlords may require permission.
Verify mattress thickness and size compatibility. Some cabinet beds restrict mattress height. Typical max thickness is 10–12 inches for many models; premium systems can handle thicker mattresses.
Test the opening mechanism if you can. Spring and piston systems behave differently — pistons are smoother but cost more.
Ask about mattress retention and safety features. Anti-tip kits, locking mechanisms, and secure latches are important, especially in family homes.
Confirm returns, warranty, and installation options. Read fine print about damaged shipments and assembly support. (The Spruce)

Installation — DIY vs professional: what to consider

DIY assembly (for cabinet kits): doable for DIY-savvy folks; saves money but takes time and tools. Budget extra for helpers — a Murphy bed is heavy and awkward to move. Murphy Bed Depot sells kits for everyday use that people assemble at home. (us.amazon.com)
Professional installation (recommended for built-ins): safer and often required for custom wall systems. Pros will anchor the unit properly, level it, and handle the heavy lifting. Angi and other trade sites show that full professional installation for wall systems can be a sizable line item in your budget. (Angi)

Real-life examples & case studies

Example A — Studio renter in New York City

Problem: A 360 sq ft studio had no separate living area; the bed dominated the room.
Solution: Renter installed a queen cabinet-style Murphy bed (mid-range) from a national retailer; the cabinet facade matched the wall paint, and a small sofa was positioned where the bed used to sit.
Result: The studio gained a daytime living room and a neat guest option; the project cost (bed + delivery + basic install) landed around the mid-range bracket.

Example B — Homeowner converting a den into a guest room

Problem: A den needed to double as an office and guest room.
Solution: Owner invested in a Resource Furniture wall-bed with a built-in desk that folds away when the bed comes down. Premium finish and professional install.
Result: Seamless multi-use space; higher upfront cost but long-term durability and convenience. (Resource Furniture)

Common problems people face — and easy fixes

Problem: Mattress is too thick to close the cabinet.
Fix: Choose a mattress specified for wall beds (10–12” max) or confirm the model’s max mattress height before buying.
Problem: Bed wobbles or feels unstable when in use.
Fix: Ensure proper anchoring to studs and that the locking/anti-tip hardware is installed correctly; call a pro if in doubt. (The Spruce)
Problem: Delivery boxes damaged or missing hardware.
Fix: Inspect packaging at delivery, refuse heavily damaged boxes, and photograph everything for claims; check vendor reviews for shipping reliability (Wayfair, Amazon vary by seller). (Wayfair)

How to choose the best Murphy bed for your needs (step-by-step)

Define use-case: everyday bed (solid mechanism, daily mattress) vs occasional guest bed (basic cabinet okay).
Measure carefully: mattress size, mattress height limit, wall width, ceiling height, and delivery path.
Decide on extras: storage, desk, sofa, shelving — do you need them? Extra features add cost and weight. (HomeGuide)
Pick a trusted vendor: check recent reviews on multiple platforms (Wayfair/Amazon for retail models, Murphy Bed Depot for kits, Resource Furniture for premium). (MurphyBedDepot)
Budget for installation and contingencies: add delivery and installation to the bed price. Expect bigger installs to push total into the thousands. (Angi)

Where to buy in the U.S. — vendor list with quick notes

Resource Furniture — best for high-end transformable systems (sofa+bed+desk options). (Resource Furniture)
Murphy Bed Depot — well-known for kits and a range of options; good for DIY installers. (MurphyBedDepot)
Bestar — mid-range, widely recommended in roundups for value and built-in storage. (Forbes)
Wayfair / Amazon — broad selection across price tiers; read reviews and seller policies carefully. (Wayfair)
Costco (select promotions) — occasional well-priced cabinet-style Murphy beds; good value when in stock. (House Beautiful)

Final buying checklist — 10 things to do before you click “buy”

Measure the room, doorways, elevator, and corners.
Confirm mattress size and max thickness for the model.
Check mounting requirements and landlord rules if renting.
Read the return policy and warranty.
Inspect product reviews for long-term reliability and shipping feedback.
Budget for installation and delivery.
Decide whether you’ll DIY or hire pros.
Verify the mechanism type (spring vs piston) and how it affects daily use.
Ask about anti-tip hardware and safety features.
Measure clearance when bed is down to confirm walkways. (HomeGuide)