Architectural Digest has published a guide to the best Murphy beds for small homes in 2026. The list highlights modern wall beds that transform home offices into guest rooms, featuring options from Oakland Living, Lori Beds, and VINGLI.
What happened
The early 20th century saw the invention of “The Disappearing Bed.” It later took the name of its creator, William Lawrence Murphy.
Today, modern wall beds fold directly into walls to reveal hidden frames and mattresses. AD100 designer Mandy Cheng utilizes bespoke cabinetry to hide a wall bed in her Los Angeles home.
Interior designer Daniella Hoffer prefers custom builds. However, she notes that buyers can upgrade standard online purchases.
Hoffer suggests color washing the wall or hiring experts to add trim and millwork. She says making the bed look like cabinetry helps hide it within a room.
Owners can also hang removable artwork over the closed frame.
The publication named the Oakland Living Easy-Lift Full Murphy Bed as the best overall choice. It costs $1,640 and uses a dual-piston lift mechanism for easy operation.
The Oakland Living model features dual bookcase towers and clean lines. Buyers can choose between twin, full, queen, or king base sizes.
For home offices, the Lori Bed with Desk took the top spot at $3,159. It includes a 16-inch-deep desk surface that spans the entire width of the bed.
Lori Beds builds its frames from cabinet-grade plywood. The company offers seven different finishes.
Buyers can customize their order with a vertical pull-down or a horizontal fold-out design.
The most affordable option is the VINGLI Rattan Murphy Bed with Storage. It costs $525 and features a wood frame.
When closed, the cabinet measures 43. 3 inches high and 61.
4 inches wide.
Why it matters
Beds consume a massive amount of floor space. Wall beds offer a practical solution for maximizing square footage in small homes.
These systems allow a single room to serve multiple purposes. A pull of a covert handle can instantly turn a workspace into a guest bedroom at night.
Modern designs have moved past basic utility. Current models mimic custom built-in furniture and integrate seamlessly into existing room layouts.
The catch
High-quality wall beds require a significant financial investment. The Lori Bed with Desk costs over $3,000.
Mattresses are often sold separately.
Installation frequently requires modifying the room. The Oakland Living model requires owners to remove their baseboards before installation.
These beds must be securely mounted to the wall. Heavy-duty hardware is necessary to prevent accidents, especially in homes with pets or children.
Manual lift options can be heavy. Lori Beds offers a lighter mattress specifically to reduce strain on the user’s upper body.
Furthermore, the weight capacity for the Lori Bed remains unknown.
What to verify
Check the exact dimensions of the room before buying a wall bed. The VINGLI model measures 81.
2 inches deep when fully open.
Confirm the weight capacity of the frame. The VINGLI model supports 800 pounds, while the Oakland Living bed holds 1,000 pounds.
Inspect the mattress requirements. Lori Beds offers specific add-ons, including an organic mattress made with recycled coils and New Zealand wool.
Source trail
Architectural Digest published the original guide to the best Murphy beds on June 25, 2026. The piece was written by Julia Harrison and Blake Bakkila.
The article features design insights from Daniella Hoffer and Mandy Cheng. Information on the history of the Murphy bed provides context for the modern designs.
