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Even though Murphy beds are far removed from their heyday, they are still among the best space-saving options you can find on the market. The best Murphy bed alternatives are usually easier to install and less expensive, which means that they save both space and money.
Wall beds may be a great option for studio apartments that don’t have a separate bedroom, but there are plenty of other solutions that can fit the minimalistic home decoration style.
Living in a small apartment doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to sleep on an uncomfortable bed since it takes just a little creativity to find a bed that suits you perfectly. Let’s go through some of the best Murphy bed alternatives and take a closer look at what they have to offer.
10 Best Murphy Bed Alternatives
| Best Overall: Savvy Furniture Cranston Sofa Bed | Check price |
| Most Portable: Vivere Double Cotton Hammock | Check price |
| Best for Kids: StorkCraft Marco Island Captain’s Trundle bed | Check price |
| Best Space Saving Alternative: Walker Edison Premium Twin Loft bed | Check price |
| Most Compact: LUCID Rollaway Bed | Check price |
| Lightest Alternative: IKEHIKO Japanese Traditional Tatami Mat | Check price |
| Best Recliner: Homall Recliner Chair | Check price |
| Best Mattress: Zinus Portable Folding Mattress | Check price |
| Best Futon Sofa: Novogratz Brittany Futon Sofa | Check price |
| Best Waterproof: SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress | Check price |
Savvy Furniture Cranston Sofa bed – The Best Murphy Bed Alternative
Sofa beds come in all shapes and sizes, and they are a great fit for both small and large apartments. The Savvy Furniture Cranston Sofa bed is stylishly designed, and fully customizable as the manufacturer lets you choose the color, fabric of the body, as well as pillows or piping.
This model comes with the 60 x 72-inches Dreamsleeper mattress but you can choose between several models and pick the one that seems the most comfortable. You can also decide to purchase this sofa bed without a mattress if you want to get a hybrid or foam mattress.
Sofa beds are a great Murphy bed alternative, as they are comfortable enough to ensure high sleep quality and yet compact so that they don’t take up too much space. Read through our guide through the best foundations for foam mattresses to learn more about your options.
Pros
- Elegant design that matches different home décor styles
- A spacious mattress that can accommodate up to two sleepers
- Suitable for studio apartments or living rooms and guest rooms in large apartments
- Sofa beds are usually very durable
Cons
- It may not be suitable for people with strong allergies
- Sofa beds can be expensive
Vivere Double Cotton Hammock – The Most Portable Murphy Bed Alternative
A hammock is probably not the first association that comes to mind when thinking of Murphy bed alternatives, but it is certainly an intriguing option. A model like the Vivere Double Cotton Hammock can carry up to 450lbs of weight which is almost as much as most mattresses can offer.
This 87-inch hammock comes with a carry bag that can be used to store it or take it with you to your next outdoor adventure. This model has a 9-foot steel stand you can use in case you don’t have any other way to install it in your apartment.
Hammocks can save a lot of space, especially in apartments that are too small for a conventional bed. However, they are not as comfortable as Dynasty mattresses for instance, and sleeping on a hammock for a long time can cause chronic back pain and other health problems.
Pros
- Quick and easy assembly
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor spaces
- Hammock’s portability enables you to carry it with you
- Less expensive than a Murphy bed
Cons
- Can be uncomfortable
- Easily damaged by frequent use
StorkCraft Marco Island Captain’s Trundle bed – The Best Murphy Bed Alternative for the Kids’ Room
Families that have two or more children may struggle to fit all beds they need into a kids’ room. Although a Murphy bed can be a great space-saving solution it is also an expensive option that is not very practical if you are living in a rental.
A StorkCraft Marco Island Captain’s trundle bed or any other trundle bed will enable you to make the most of a tight space. Besides the kids’ room, you can also use StorkCraft’s model in the guest room, but you should keep in mind that this trundle bed doesn’t come with mattresses.
Our best mattress for guest room guide can help you find a mattress that best fits this trundle bed. Fitting a trundle bed in a small room might be challenging despite its single-bed size as you will need additional space to use the bottom bunk.
Pros
- Offers the same amount of comfort as the Murphy bed
- Suitable for two sleepers
- A great addition to kids or guest rooms
- Compatible with different types of mattresses
Cons
- Trundle beds can be expensive
- Occupies more space than a single bed
Walker Edison Furniture Premium Twin Loft bed – The Best Space-Saving Murphy Bed Alternative
A loft bed is any bed that is elevated from the ground so that the space beneath it can be used for a broad range of purposes. The Walker Edison Furniture Premium Twin Loft bed is made of steel and it can carry up to 250lbs of weight.
Its underneath clearance is 54.5 inches which leaves you plenty of space to fit a desk, a bookshelf, or use that space in any other way you want. Although this loft bed is not large enough to accommodate two sleepers, many other models are.
It is worth noting that not all loft beds have stilts, as some models can create additional sleeping space in a room with an inserted ceiling. The only downside is that it will take some time to adjust to climbing the ladder or stairs every time you have to get out of bed during the night.
Pros
- Allows you to use the space functionally
- Provides additional sleeping space in a small room
- Compatible with different types of mattresses
- Suitable for children and adults
Cons
- The assembly process can be difficult
- Growing accustomed to the stair or ladder can take time
LUCID Rollaway Bed – Most Compact
If you are looking for an affordable way to save space, you should consider getting a LUCID Rollaway bed. This model has a soft mattress that contains 1 inch of memory foam and 3-inch support foam, while the bed frame has a 350lbs weight capacity.
Like all other rollaway beds, this LUCID’s model can be assembled quickly, and it is a perfect solution if you have guests staying overnight. You won’t need a lot of storage space for this rollaway bed, since its mattress can be folded.
Rollaway beds are often uncomfortable to sleep on, despite having foam mattresses that are known to provide a great level of comfort. Consequently, these beds can only be a short-term solution, since sleeping on them for a long time can impact the quality of your sleep.
Pros
- Minimal storage requirements
- Great weight capacity
- Sturdy bed frame construction
- Suitable for all sleeper types
Cons
- Not a great long-term option
- The quality depends on the manufacturer
IKEHIKO Japanese Traditional Tatami Mat – Best Lightweight Murphy Bed Alternative
This option may sound strange for anyone who is not familiar with Far East cultures, but it is arguably one of the best space-saving bed options available. The IKEHIKO Japanese Traditional Tatami Mat serves as a support for a traditional Japanese futon like the Shiki Futon.
In addition to being affordable tatami and futon, mats may be a great way to save space as they can be folded quickly when they are not in use. These mats are made from organic materials that ensure sleepers remain comfortable regardless of the position they are sleeping in.
Both the Shiki Futon and IKEHIKO Tatami mat are large enough to accommodate both children and adults, but you should keep in mind that the materials from which these mats are made can have a strong smell and you may have to ventilate them for a few days before you can sleep on them.
Pros
- Easily assembled and folded
- Offers the comfort of a conventional bed
- Helps keep the body in a natural position
- Great for hosting overnight guests
Cons
- Not a great choice for people who like to have some separation from the floor
- Tatami mats have a strong smell
Homall Recliner Chair
Although a recliner is not an ideal alternative for a Murphy bed, sleeping recliner models like the Homall Recliner Chair are comfortable enough to accommodate a person overnight.
This Homall’s model has three different positions that are suitable for taking a nap, watching a movie, or just sitting in the upright position.
The quality of the footrest contributes to the recliner’s comfort level, which is the reason why the Homall Recliner Chair features the thick foam padding that keeps your legs comfortable.
Most sleeping recliners are only designed for napping, which is the reason why you can’t really use them to host friends who are staying in your home for few days or more.
On the other hand, they are a great fit for differently sized apartments as they don’t occupy a lot of space and you can fit them in almost any room.
Pros
- Suitable for afternoon rest or an overnight stay
- Great for small and large rooms
- Easily adjustable positions
- Sturdy and durable construction
Cons
- Can’t accommodate more than one sleeper
- Less comfortable than most beds
Zinus Portable Folding Mattress
As suggested by its name a folding mattress can be folded to preserve space while it is not in use. Getting the Zinus Portable Folding Mattress will ensure that your guests can sleep well during their visit.
This Zinus model contains memory, responsive, and support foams that enable it to adapt to the sleeper’s position and distribute its weight equally across the surface. Most folding mattresses can be folded three times and used to provide an additional sitting place in a room.
These mattresses can be placed onto a bed frame, but most manufacturers don’t include foundations or bases in their offers. Affordability is one of the greatest advantages folding mattresses have to offer, but you should keep in mind that their foam density decreases over time.
A folding mattress will provide you with an extra sleeping space during an emergency, but it is far from being a good long-term sleeping option.
Pros
- Made from foams that are compliant with CertPUR-US standards
- The folding option enables you to free up space quickly
- Fits even small rooms
- Affordable
Cons
- Accumulates dust particles quickly
- Accommodates just one sleeper
Novogratz Brittany Futon Sofa
It is difficult to tell a difference between a sofa bed and a futon sofa just by looking at them, as their most notable difference is hidden within them. The mattress of a sofa bed is placed below the seat cushions, while the futon sofas have foldable backs that enable them to turn into a bed.
Novogratz Brittany Futon Sofa, for instance, has a reclinable back that can either be closed, half-closed, fully open. In addition, the split-back option enables you to have one part of the back in the open position and the other in the closed position.
This futon sofa’s weight limit is 600lbs which means that it can accommodate all sleepers regardless of their weight or height. What’s more, the Novogratz’s model is much less expensive than any Murphy bed you can find on the market.
Pros
- Dual-functionality
- Matches different home décor styles
- Durable and stable frame
- Less expensive than most Murphy bed alternatives
Cons
- Doesn’t adjust to the sleeper’s position
- No hypoallergenic properties
SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress
Even though it is not the most stylish solution, an air mattress is definitely one of the easiest options in situations when you urgently need an extra bed.
SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress utilizes the ComfortCoil technology to support the sleeper, while the SureGrip bottom prevents the mattress from sliding. The mattress is large enough to accommodate two sleepers and its weight limit is set at 500lbs.
This SoundAsleep’s model comes with a 1-click internal pump that can inflate the mattress in just four minutes, which allows for quick and easy setup. This air mattress weighs just 0.19 pounds and you can either use it as an emergency bed in your home or take it with you whenever you go camping.
The top of this air mattress is waterproof and you can’t damage it by spilling water or beverages on it.
Pros
- Lightweight and easily portable
- Quick setup
- Air mattresses can support a heavy person
- Doesn’t need a lot of storage space
Cons
- Temporary sleeping solution
- Pets can damage an air mattress
The most important factors to consider while choosing Murphy bed alternatives
The spectrum of alternatives to a Murphy bed is incredibly broad as you can use anything from a futon and tatami mat to a loft bed to replace it.
Each alternative can be a good fit for a specific space or context but there is no universal guideline you can follow while searching for an alternative to a Murphy bed. We’ve shortlisted several factors that may help you determine which option best matches your demands.
Let’s take a look at some of the things that can help you decide which of the Murphy bed alternatives is best for you.
Room size and layout
Whether you should opt for a sofa bed or a loft bed depends on how large the room is, how tall is the ceiling, and how much space you have at your disposal. In some cases, a trundle bed may be a great choice as it will enable you to accommodate two sleepers and it won’t occupy more space than a single bed.
The functionality of the alternative
Can the alternative you’re considering be quickly assembled or folded? Does it allow you to use the space in your apartment more efficiently? Is it difficult to move the bed or mattress you’re considering once you’ve installed it?
These are some of the questions that can make it easier to decide which Murphy bed alternative is your best option.
Comfort level
Not all Murphy bed alternatives are equally comfortable, since sleeping on an air bed or a recliner chair may get uncomfortable. Also, some of the alternatives are only meant to be short-term solutions and they are not designed for frequent usage.
For example, a rollaway bed can be a good alternative for a Murphy bed if you are not hosting guests often, but it is not a great choice for anyone who needs to sleep on it for more than one night.
Space-saving capacity
Nearly all Murphy bed alternatives enable you to save space in one way or the other, but ultimately they are designed for different types of spaces.
Consequently, a loft bed will only help you save space if the room has a high ceiling, while you must calculate how much space a futon sofa is going to take when it is in the open position.
Frequently asked questions
Answer: Loft beds or sofa beds are all equally comfortable, but they don’t meet everyone’s preferences despite featuring comfortable mattresses.
Answer: The durability of any bed depends on the manufacturer and the model, but it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a space-saving bed that can last for a long time.
Answer: You can spend anywhere between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars on a Murphy bed alternative, depending on the option you choose.
Answer: Once you install a Murphy bed you will not be able to move it, as you will have to remove the screws and find another suitable location in your apartment for it, which isn’t always easy.
The Final Verdict: Are the alternatives better than the Murphy bed
Finding ways to declutter your living space or organize it more effectively may improve your quality of life. A Murphy bed makes the space that would normally be occupied by a bed usable for other purposes.
There are a number of reasons why opting for a loft bed like the Walker Edison Furniture Premium Twin Loft bed or the IKEHIKO Japanese Traditional Tatami Mat and the Shiki Futon can be a more space-efficient solution.
Rather than thinking if a Murphy bed is better than its alternatives you should try to figure out if it’s more suitable for the space in which you want to use it. Which of the Murphy bed alternatives do you prefer?