Murphy bed desk: what is it and how is it used?

I first saw a Murphy bed desk while traveling in Europe.

Some friends I have in Poland invited me to their house and I saw the desk, but I didn’t even notice that there was a bed behind it!

A Murphy Bed Desk Makes Double Use of Available Space

The main use of a Murphy bed desk is to utilize the space available for both a desk and a bed.

In Europe, space is particularly limited. Apartments can be quite small, and making the most of the available space is why Ikea has become so popular. Ikea offers items that save space and are practical.

My friends in Poland, for example, live in a one-bedroom apartment. There is a small kitchen area for cooking, the bathroom, and a living room that doubles as a study, bedroom, dining room, and lounge. Since space is limited, everything in the apartment must serve a useful purpose.

Hence the need for a bed and desk combination.

What does a Murphy bed desk look like?

The desk looks like a typical study area attached to a large cabinet/bookcase. The cabinet houses the queen size bed. When it’s time to sleep, the desk swings down from the cabinet and the cabinet wall falls away, revealing the mattress.

Best of all, with many Murphy bed desks, you don’t have to remove everything from the desk—the desk simply flips down out of the way under the bed, so everything on the desk stays on. instead.

It’s clever! When the bed is folded into the cabinet, no one will know it’s there.

The hidden bed and desk idea is great for avoiding that awkward “I’m entertaining in my bedroom” atmosphere.

Does a Murphy bed desk require a carpenter to install?

Not at all. If you or a friend are handy with simple tools, then you can install your concealed bed/desk unit.

Typically, the bed is mounted to the floor and the cabinet to the wall, so if you can drill a few holes and follow simple instructions, you’ll be able to install the bed and cabinet yourself.

How much does a Murphy bed desk cost?

You can buy the complete bed and desk combo for as little as $1600 and as high as $5000 or even more.

It depends on what you want for your bed and desk unit.

For example, if you are quite handy and want to make your own cabinet and desk, then the folding wall bed hardware costs around $300. The hardware is just the equipment to mount the mattress and make it fold against the wall.

If you want to find a bed and desk combination that is wall-ready, then of course prices will be higher. I have been able to find several very nice units for just over $2000, ready to install and add your own mattress.

Of course, if you want a custom or complex cabinet, you can expect to pay more.

You can find a Murphy bed desk in any size, from double to full, queen or king, and they can be unfolded from the wall, either vertically or horizontally, as desired.