Installing a Murphy Bed in Exmouth: A Clever Way to Add a Guest Room
- Mar 20
- 2 min read
Updated: May 8
What is a Murphy Bed?
A Murphy bed named after its inventor William Lawrence Murphy (1866–1923) is a bed that folds vertically into a cabinet or wall unit when not in use. When closed, it looks like part of the fitted furniture. When opened, it transforms the room into a comfortable sleeping space.
It’s a simple idea, but when it’s designed and built properly, it can completely change how a room works, especially in homes where space needs to work harder.
The Brief: A Room That Does Both
This project in Exmouth, Devon started as a crafting room. The customer loved having a dedicated space, but also needed somewhere for guests to stay occasionally.
Rather than sacrificing one function for the other, the aim was to create a room that could do both without feeling like a compromise.
Chris spent time understanding how the room was used day-to-day, while Tom, the designer, translated that into a practical layout for the room.
The Design: Disguised as Fitted Furniture
The solution was to build the Murphy bed into a full run of cabinetry.
At the centre sits the pull-down bed, with full-height storage cabinets either side. When closed, the entire wall reads as a clean run of fitted wardrobes, nothing about it suggests a fold-out bed is hidden inside!
The bed is piston loaded and easily pulls out to create a proper sleeping area for a decent night's sleep, removing the need for a dedicated guest room.
The cabinetry was finished in Finsa's Medio Blanco melamine for a calm and minimal look with handleless push-to-open cupboard doors.
Working Around the Space
One of the challenges in this room was a downpipe in the left-hand corner of the room.
Rather than trying to hide it as an afterthought, the cabinetry and shelving was shaped around it to accommodate it neatly into the design. It’s the kind of detail that makes the difference between something looking fitted…and actually being fitted.
How It Works Day-to-Day
Closed: The room functions exactly as it did before- calm, organised, and practical for crafts or hobbies.
Open: The bi-fold doors reveal the Murphy bed, creating a comfortable space for guests within seconds.
Because everything is built in, there’s no sense of setting up or packing away a temporary solution. It simply works.
Installation
The installation was carried out by Matt, Chris, Dan and Aubrey, ensuring everything was fitted precisely and finished to a high standard.
Why Choose a Murphy Bed?
A well-designed Murphy bed isn’t just about saving space. It’s about making your home more flexible without compromising on how it looks or feels.
Turn one room into two
Keep a clean, fitted appearance
Avoid the need for a dedicated guest bedroom
Make better use of every inch of space
Thinking About a Murphy Bed?
If you’ve got a room that needs to work a bit harder whether it’s a home office, craft room or snug, a Murphy bed could be the answer.
Book a design visit and we’ll help you plan a solution that fits your space properly, looks right in your home, and works exactly how you need it to.