Space-Saving Furniture

 by Rob Long, Editor

Beds for your small apartments and guest rooms.

When you need more beds or live in a small apartment, you may need to make some space more deficient. Because you spend one-third of your life sleeping, forgoing a bed is not an option. And limited square footage means you'll need to get creative with your sleeping space. If you're not in the know about space-saving beds that are also comfortable, there are tons of choices that serve more than one purpose.

From Murphy beds to daybeds to rollaway beds to trundles, there's a small-space bed that's sure to fit perfectly in your tiny apartment. If you're a minimalist, then it probably goes without saying that it's important your apartment appear airy and clutter free. Furniture that's too large for the space, or too much furniture, can make your home feel claustrophobic.

Fortunately, modern designers have created a variety of space saving and hidden beds for all types of rooms. Whether you live in a small apartment or conventional house, space saving beds can add function and convenience. Sofa Wall Beds combine a couch and Murphy bed to work in harmony as well as Table & Desk Murphy Beds. Lifting beds with storage are essential for apartment living providing you with that extra bit of storage room to make things more comfortable. Specialized hidden Bunk Beds fold up into a wall are compact hidden beds perfect for occasional guests. .

Not all small rooms are created equal. Some are narrow, others low-ceilinged, and most are just totally square (figuratively and literally). In keeping, the best beds for small rooms are a varied bunch, with different attributes depending on what problem needs solving in your space. Maybe your room truly is minute—and you'd like to have at least somewhere to stand in the room—in which case you could consider a twin bed, a Murphy, a sleeper sofa, or a loft. Something that disappears when it's not in use! But what if you're dead set on squeezing a queen bed in there? You might get one with storage stashed inside, so you don't have to buy a dresser—or even a platform bed (a great option if low ceilings are the thing cramping your style). And if, all storage and floor space concerns aside, you just want a bed that makes you feel like it's a much bigger room than it really is, there are a few heroic options: Sleigh beds look very intentional when placed longways against a wall; and canopy beds, against all odds, will make a tiny room feel expansive. The point is that there's more to life than a mattress on top of a basic $70 metal bed frame.

Low ceilings got you down? It's time to get a platform bed, which will automatically make the room feel bigger since it's flush with the floor

If you're on a budget, cozy rollaway beds that look like elegant chaise lounges are actually attractive options for both comfort and style. The bottom line is this: Opting for a small, space-saving bed doesn't mean your grown-up apartment has to look like a dorm room. There are plenty of options that are not only perfect for your small apartment, but when you eventually upgrade to a larger space these space-saving beds can serve as additional sleeping space for guests.

 

If you want both a sofa and a bed, but you don't want to cram both pieces into your tiny pad, you're going to want to choose something that does double duty. For example, daybeds can be dressed as sofas during the day and transform into comfy beds at night. You can also opt for a daybed with a trundle so you don't have to take apart your makeshift sofa each night. Simply pull out the trundle, climb in, and snuggle in for a good night's sleep.

Beds take up a lot of space, but they're also non-negotiable because sleep is pretty important. If you live in a tiny studio, and you want to make the most of your small space, select a daybed that can also double as a sofa when you're not drifting off to dreamland.

Daybeds do double duty so you can skip the couch and opt for accent chairs instead. "Because daybeds often have a backboard that runs the full length of the bed, you have a wide space for sitting and relaxing during non-sleep hours. This feature is especially advantageous for studio apartments, or if the bedroom is small and you don't have extra space for a chair, sofa or love seat in the room," Home Guides noted.

 

Amazon's choice for a versatile small-space sleep solution is the DHP Franklin Mid-Century Daybed. A 1950s style with clean lines, slim wooden legs, and upholstered in gray linen, this daybed is a fan favorite for those who cherish casual, creative style that doesn't sacrifice comfort. "This daybed is perfect for lounging around, chatting with friends, or studying during the day," Amazon noted in its product description.  "Then at night, it becomes the perfect extra bed —with its slim form making it ideal for even the smallest spaces, from dens to living rooms, and every room in between." Reviewers claim that this daybed is easy to assemble so you'll be lounging on it in no time at all. "I  assembled the entire bed by myself with the allen wrench provided. It took me about two hours," one buyer commented. "It is very sturdy — I've slept on it for about 10 nights now. No squeaks and it feels solid."

If you don't want to mess with converting your daybed into your actual bed, then a daybed with a trundle is a creative compromise. Decorate the top of the daybed as a sofa and pull out the bottom to sleep on. "The DHP lina Daybed and trundle is the optimal solution to small space living with an Ultra-Chic and minimalistic design….Love this! It is very easy to install and instantly changes the look of any room," one person on Amazon said. What's more, because the trundle doesn't actually attach to the daybed but slides underneath, you can move the bed around to create two separate pieces. You'll have to add your own mattress to this daybed, but that means you can choose one that best fits your needs. Many people who purchased this daybed opted for the LINENSPA 8 Inch Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress. This is Amazon's choice, and it has thousands of five-star reviews, which means it's a pretty safe bet that you'll love it too.

Alternatively, consider investing in a Murphy bed that folds up and basically disappears when you're not using it. Go one step further by selecting a Murphy bed with a built-in sofa, shelves, closet, and even a desk. "I like the convenience and versatility of a Murphy bed. Even if I end up in a larger apartment it would be great to put a Murphy bed in an office, so you have the ability to convert it into a guest bedroom when a friend is visiting from out of town," studio-apartment dweller Daniel Lubrano told Apartment Therapy. "Sofa beds are really uncomfortable so I think a Murphy bed is a great solution."

 

Murphy beds, beds that basically fold up and blend into the background when you're not using them, are the perfect pick for small studio apartments. What's more, if you pad doesn't already come complete with a Murphy bed, you can get a freestanding one to make the most of your small sleeping space. For an all-in-one comfy-cozy space-saving bed, look no further than the Van Wyck Murphy Bed with Mattress from All Modern.

While this option is more expensive than a daybed, it's something you'll have for life. When you upgrade to a larger living space, this bed will serve as the perfect space-saving guest bed. "Though its clean-lined, manufactured wood and high-gloss laminated chipboard design will have friends fooled into thinking it’s a modern-tinged cabinet or shelf, this design folds out into metal-frame bed with a foam mattress," All Modern said on its website.

It's no secret that Murphy beds are space-saving, but are they comfortable? "Yes! Though most Murphy beds (or at least this model) are built to accommodate a different kind of mattress than a traditional box spring," Editor Emily Graff, who lives in a 550-square-foot Greenwich Village studio apartment, told said "It's thinner, so think synthetic materials like Tempur-pedic, which offer great support but don't take up as much space. It took a few nights to get used to it, but I prefer it now."

Murphy beds can include with a sofa, storage cabinets, and shelves. Ideal for super-small living spaces, these all-in-one Murphy beds has everything you need to maximize space. During the day you can enjoy lounging on your love seat. At night, simply pull the Murphy bed over the love seat and you're ready to sleep.

What's more, some sets offer shelves, storage cabinets, and even a desk or closet. If your space is so small that you need something that serves a variety of functions, this is the ideal choice. "I think people consider buying Murphy beds when they need smart solutions for small spaces. I live in a studio, where one room provides a variety of functions," Graff said on Apartment Therapy. "I wouldn't want friends to sit on my bed to eat their bacon. So for this apartment, the Murphy bed is key. If I were to live in another small space, I would definitely consider buying another Murphy bed." This product comes from an international company that offers this magical Murphy bed at a fair price. You can also customize it to fit your specific needs. Murphy Bed With Sofa and Shelves: Starting at $744 (based on size and customization)

  

Lofted Bed  If you're desperately in need of some extra floor space, get a lofted bed—and then tuck a desk, a bookcase, and anything else your heart desires underneath .

Captain's Bed If you've barely got room for a bed, let alone a whole set of drawers to go with it, the move is to combine them. Sometimes called a captain's bed, a frame with drawers underneath will stow most of your clothes in no extra square footage

 

Sleigh Bed: Another counterintuitive pick, but a sleigh bed is ideal for when you need a bed to run longways along a wall (weird required arrangements being the hallmark of small-room decoration). The curled-over head and food will make it look intentionally placed and feel extra cozy

 

Sleeper Sofas: If the small room in question is not your main bedroom, consider a sleeper sofa—there are so many that are actually good-looking!—so you can use the room for cozy movie nights, too. Bonus if you can find one with pillow and sheet storage inside.

 

Storage Bed: Simply lift up the mattress 

access clothes, shoes—pretty much anything you don't have space for in the rest of the room.