A Murphy bed is a two-in-one solution for increasing floor space. After sleeping, it folds into a wall or cabinet. Small homeowners use these wall beds to make the most of their space at home. They come in various styles, such as manual mechanisms and added shelves.
Murphy beds with shelves are excellent space-saving solutions to reduce clutter in your home. They offer additional storage without compromising your existing space. These beds put comfort and practicality into one place, allowing you to use the remaining space in your home however you want.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Murphy beds with shelves, including their benefits, installation, maintenance, cost, and choosing one for your home.
Key Takeaways:
- A Murphy bed with shelves may cost more than the usual bed, depending on the features and materials.
- You can buy a Murphy bed with built-in or separate shelves. Ask the help of a friend or a professional on how to install the shelves that align with the bed.
- Always consider your budget and the construction of the Murphy bed when buying a unit that includes built-in shelves.
INDEX
Murphy Bed with Shelves: Storage Options Compared
What Is a Murphy Bed with Shelves?
Selecting the Right Murphy Bed with Shelves
Introducing: Lori Bed + Shelves
Installation and Maintenance
Creative Ways to Use Shelves on a Murphy Bed
Murphy Bed with Shelves Layout Ideas
FAQs
Final Words
Murphy Bed with Shelves: Storage Options Compared
Use this quick comparison before you choose a wall bed, shelves, cabinets, or extra storage furniture. The goal is simple: pick the option that gives you the function you need without blocking the bed, doors, closet, desk, or sofa.
|
Storage Option |
Best Use Case |
What It Does Well |
What to Check First |
|
Built-in shelves |
A room where you want a finished cabinetry look |
Creates one clean furniture wall with shelves around the bed |
Wall width, shelf depth, ceiling height, and door swing |
|
Separate shelving units |
Renters, changing layouts, or rooms that need flexibility |
Lets you move, replace, or add shelves later |
Clearance around the bed and whether shelves can be anchored safely |
|
Lori Storage |
Lori Beds shoppers who want matching storage designed for the same space |
Gives you coordinated storage without guessing at style, height, or fit |
Bed size, room layout, and which storage items you need most |
|
Sofa Storage Spacers |
Guest rooms, home offices, or living spaces with a sofa upgrade |
Creates hidden storage behind the sofa area and helps the room do more |
Sofa placement, spacer depth, and open floor space when the bed is in use |
What Is a Murphy Bed with Shelves?
A Murphy bed with shelves combines a foldable bed and built-in shelving for additional storage. It's commonly used in spaces that need efficient floor space. The bed works by pulling it up and down, just like the usual Murphy bed. This quality piece of furniture ensures proper storage of your essentials while giving you a good place to sleep.
Unlike traditional beds, Murphy beds can save valuable floor space upon folding. The shelves remain as they are when the bed is stored on the wall, ensuring that the storage space remains within reach. Traditional beds and shelves occupy a permanent space in your room, lessening the space you use for daily activities.
Benefits
A Murphy bed with shelves is a perfect addition to your home. If you're using it as an extra bed, shelves are ready for storage when guests arrive. Here's how these convertible beds benefit your home:
- Space-Saving Advantages: These beds can be vertically folded into a wall to provide enough floor space for your daily chores. They combine comfort and practicality, making them perfect for studios, small apartments, and rooms that serve various purposes.
- Increased Storage and Functionality: This wall bed is more than a place to rest—it's a convenient storage space for everyday items. Purchase other models with added features like charging ports, lighting, and shelves to improve the space's functionality without buying extra furniture.
- Aesthetic Appeal: When kept inside the wall, Murphy beds can blend into the room's design. They give your guest bedroom a clean and modern look while transforming from a living or working area to a bedroom by night.
Types
Bed sizes for Murphy beds include queen and twin. Pick any of these space-saving beds for your home:
1. Vertical Folding Murphy Beds
Use these hidden beds for narrow spaces with available ceiling height. The vertical design fully conceals the bed, and the shelves are on the sides of the bed frame for easy access.
2. Horizontal Folding Murphy Beds
These beds fold out sideways, making them perfect for rooms with limited wall height. Use them under windows, in rooms with sloped ceilings, or narrow guest rooms.
3. Murphy Beds with Built-in Shelves
These beds have shelves built directly into the bed frame or the surrounding cabinet. The shelves are accessible whether you use the bed or not, helping maximize space efficiency for small homes.
4. Murphy Beds with Separate Shelving Units
These shelving units separated from the Murphy bed let you customize or rearrange the entire setup based on your room's layout. Separate shelves provide flexibility in designing your space, allowing you to allocate storage spaces for clothes, pillows, and office supplies.
Selecting the Right Murphy Bed with Shelves
These are the factors you need to consider when choosing folding beds with shelves:
Space and Needs
Check the size and layout of your room where you plan to install the Murphy bed. Vertical pull-down beds are ideal if your room has a high ceiling, while horizontal cabinet beds work in rooms with low ceilings.
Consider how you'll use the bed. If you use it daily, get a bed that you can easily fold and unfold. This may not be the case if you use the bed occasionally.
Styles and Designs
Murphy wall-mounted beds come in different styles. From clean, minimalist designs to traditional cabinetry, get a style that matches your room's décor. Other designs have extra features, such as integrated lighting and hidden nightstands, that make the bed more useful.
Materials and Construction
Pay attention to the Murphy bed's material. Solid wood is a good material that can ensure the bed's durability. Check if the shelves and the bed's mechanism are sturdy enough for daily use.
Budget
Murphy beds can differ in size based on the materials and added features. Look for a unit with shelves within your budget. Investing in a high-quality bed can ensure durability, satisfaction, and safety over time.
Carefully weigh your options if you want a Murphy bed with shelves. Consider these things first:
Factors Affecting the Price
- Materials: Murphy beds made of solid wood tend to be more expensive than those made of laminate or particleboard.
- Sizes: A queen-sized bed is typically more expensive due to the design's complexity and increased materials.
- Features: The additional features like the built-in shelves and fold-out desks make the Murphy beds more costly.
Average Cost Range
The average cost of a simple Murphy bed can range from $1,000 to $15,000. The highest amount can include customization options to enhance the bed's usefulness. You'll likely spend anywhere in these amounts when you want a Murphy bed. You can add your own mattress you've been using for a long time to save on costs.
Other Affordable and DIY Options
If you're a handyman, you can buy a DIY Murphy bed kit for $500 to 1,500, including the instructions and hardware. However, you need to use your own materials and skills.
Another option is the simple, functional, and sleek Lori Bed. This budget-conscious option costs less than $899 to more than $1,500, depending on the parts you want. It doesn't use springs or hydraulics, making lifting the bed manual.
To save money, you can buy a Murphy bed and separate shelving units. You can create an optimized space for a lower price.
Introducing: Lori Bed + Shelves
As the name suggests, this bed already comes with shelves. It's a budget-friendly option for a Murphy bed if you're looking to use a wall bed that you can fold up and down and store your valuables within reach. The shelving units can come separately or be customized with built-in shelves for an extra cost. The clean look of the Murphy bed is a great choice if you want to be practical while making your room aesthetically pleasing.
Installation and Maintenance
Whether you're using a twin or queen bed, proper installation and maintenance will keep the bed useful for a long time. Here's what you should know about them:
DIY or Professional Help
This may be one of the biggest dilemmas after getting the Murphy bed. Getting professional help to install the bed can cost you more, while DIY is the way to know if you're familiar with bed installation work.
Some Murphy beds with shelves can be installed without help. They come with detailed assembly instructions and important hardware, so if you're comfortable using tools, you can do it yourself.
However, you should consider the bed's weight and the need to secure it on the wall. Professional help can ensure the bed is attached correctly to the wall to avoid injuries, especially if it's a larger or more complex model.
Decide which of the two methods you want to install the bed. If you need professional help, prepare your wallet, and if you're going to do it yourself, prepare your energy.
Tools and Equipment
If you've decided on the DIY route, you may need these tools:
- Screwdrivers
- Power drill
- Stud finder
- Level
- Wrenches or Allen keys
- Measuring tape
Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. If you decide to buy the Lori Bed, here's how you can assemble it.
Maintenance Tips
- Lubricate the moving parts of the bed's hydraulic or spring-assisted mechanisms to maintain smooth operation.
- Check if the screws, fasteners, and bolts are tight and secure. Loose hardware is a risk factor for the bed's instability.
- Make sure the shelves aren't overloaded. Check if the supports and brackets aren't worn out yet.
- Dust and clean the shelves and bed frames to maintain their appearance and function. Use the appropriate cleaning products for the material you have.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Bed Getting Stuck: Issues with the mechanism or improper installation may cause the bed to get stuck in an upright or lowered position. Lubricate all moving parts and remove any obstructions in the mechanism.
- Loose Bed Frame: Check the fasteners and secure the bed to the wall. Tighten the fasteners when needed and ensure the bed is anchored to the wall studs.
- Tilting or Sagging Shelves: Remove excess weight that sags the shelves. Replace the damaged brackets right away.
Before You Buy: Murphy Bed with Shelves Checklist
Use this checklist before adding a Murphy bed, shelves, cabinets, or other storage items to your cart.
Measure wall width
Start with the wall, not the bed.
For Lori Beds, use these room-size ranges:
- Twin: 4 to 8 feet of wall space and 5 to 8 feet of floor clearance, depending on orientation.
- Queen: 6 to 8 feet of wall space and floor space, depending on orientation.
Check shelf depth
Shelf depth matters more than most people think. Deep shelves can hold more storage, but they can also make the room feel tight.
For books and small decor, shallower shelves usually work well. For bins, linens, or larger items, choose deeper shelves only if the walkway still feels open.
Check the door swing
Open every door in the room before deciding on the layout. That includes the bedroom door, closet doors, cabinet doors, and any storage doors.
A good layout lets the bed move smoothly while still allowing you to reach the closet, shelves, drawers, and night items.
Check closet placement
If the closet is next to the Murphy bed wall, leave enough space to open it fully. Don’t place shelves where they block closet access.
A better layout may be to place shelves on the opposite wall or use lower storage that does not compete with the closet.
Check desk or sofa upgrade compatibility
If the room is also a home office, decide where the desk goes before choosing storage. If the room includes a sofa, confirm the sofa depth, spacer depth, and walkway.
The room should still feel easy to use when the bed is open and ready for sleep.
Match storage to real needs
List what you actually need to store:
- guest bedding
- pillows
- books
- office tools
- workout gear
- phone chargers
- night items
- décor
- seasonal items
- extra mattresses or mattress accessories
Then choose shelves, Lori Storage, cabinets, or Sofa Storage Spacers based on that list. This keeps the room functional instead of simply adding more furniture.
Creative Ways to Use Shelves on a Murphy Bed
Use the shelves of these fold-down beds for the following purposes:
Storage for Books, Clothes, or Décor
Store your books, neatly folded clothes, and other decorative items on the shelves of your Murphy bed. These items can add personality to your room. You can also add picture frames and vases with houseplants to give your room some greenery.
Display Shelves for Artwork or Collectibles
The shelves can be the perfect display space for your artwork, music albums, and figurine collections. Arrange the items in an attention-grabbing way that matches the room's décor. The shelves are accessible whether the wall bed is folded or pulled down, so your items will always be seen.
Nightstand Alternatives
Murphy hideaway beds with shelves can fill the gap for traditional nightstands. These shelves can hold nighttime essentials, such as an alarm clock, a book, or even a glass of water. You can easily reach your necessities without using too much floor space.
Work or Study Space
The shelves can be used to organize your work essentials, like your laptop, books, and office supplies. Some designs may have an additional fold-down desk, giving you a compact space to work and a place to sleep at the same time.
Murphy Bed with Shelves Layout Ideas
Here are a few simple ideas that work in real rooms.
Small bedroom layout
Place the bed on the longest clear wall. Add shelves on one side only if both sides feel too tight. Use the shelves for a lamp, books, and night items. Keep the opposite wall simple so the room has breathing space.
Home office layout
Place the desk away from the bed path. Use shelves near the desk for work items and closed storage for bedding. This lets the room switch from business hours to sleep mode without a full cleanup.
Guest room layout
Use shelves as a nightstand alternative. Leave one shelf open for guests. Add a small basket with towels, a phone charger, a Wi-Fi sign, and a water bottle.
Workout room layout
Keep shelves higher on the wall or along one side to keep the floor open. Use bins for bands, yoga blocks, and small tools. Keep heavier items low and away from the bed path.
Library layout
Use shelves for books and display items, but leave enough clearance for the bed. If the room has many books, separate shelving units may be easier to balance than deep built-in shelves.
FAQs
Can you add shelves to a Murphy bed?
Yes. You can add shelves around a Murphy bed if the layout allows enough wall width, floor clearance, and safe anchoring.
Are Murphy beds with shelves safe?
Yes, when they are installed correctly and anchored as required. For Lori Beds, every bed must be anchored to the wall, and installation is a two-person job. Shelves should also be stable, level, and used within their intended weight limits.
How much does a Murphy bed with shelves cost?
The cost depends on bed size, materials, shelves, cabinetry, drawers, doors, hardware, and installation. A basic Murphy bed with separate shelves usually costs less than a custom wall bed with built-in cabinets. Check the current product pages for the exact price, stock, shipping, and storage options before adding items to the cart.
Can horizontal Murphy beds have shelves?
Yes. Horizontal Murphy beds can have shelves, but their layout is different from that of a vertical bed. Shelves may go above, beside, or near the bed, depending on the wall height, bed size, and room layout.
Do shelves block the Murphy bed mechanism?
They should not. Shelves, cabinets, doors, and decor should be placed where they do not touch the bed, mattress, or hardware while the bed is moving.
Final Words
A Murphy bed with shelves is a versatile and worthy investment if you need a storage space for your belongings and a foldable bed. This quality piece of furniture can elevate and be one with your home's design with its clean look. With this kind of bed, you can find a home for your personal items and sleep on a comfortable bed every night.
Explore more Murphy beds on our website. Each bed we have can give you the comfort you need. Get one today!
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before being published.
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.