Most homeowners use their homes to its full capacity. When faced with impromptu or even planned overnight guests, there can be a mad scramble for space. Lucky is the homeowner with a dedicated guest room used only for the frequent or occasional guest. For the rest of the population, a spare room may be rare and usually doubles as a home office or game room for the children.
Murphy beds have been around for about a hundred years and have improved as technology advanced and style became desired over function. Today’s consumer will find a great variety in style and size of the traditional Murphy bed-- more commonly known “wall bed”-- with several manufacturers from which to choose from.
Styles include very traditional to the ultra-modern plus those for youth, to suit everyone’s taste and needs. The wall beds are made all over the country; a simple Google search will reveal a number of national brands offering specialized styles to include true space-saving and multi-use beds. There are even wall beds that will accommodate a full sized desk that you can leave set up with your computer and even a cup of coffee, while pulling down the bed portion for a good night’s sleep.
The one I’m considering for an office/temporary sleeping area in a client’s small room measuring only 9’8”X10’3” is a bookcase style. When the bed is folded against the wall all that appears is a wall of bookcases. There are panels that fold back to reveal the bed. Available sizes include twin, full, queen or king, (both standard or California King). Since the room is small and there is a dedicated guest room, the client is considering only a full-sized bed for a little extra overflow during the holidays. The full will allow for a little more space around the bed without overcrowding the room. The closet will be used as office storage for extra paper and supplies as well as the necessary printer. I have suggested the purchase of a simple desk that is on wheels so that it can slide easily back into the closet recess when the bed is in use. On one side, the closet door will be removed to allow for the desk and a chair to be accessed easily, while the other side of the closet can hold shelves for supplies and be out of sight with the door covering the office necessities.
There will be room enough for a small, upholstered occasional chair, which can be moved into the main living space as needed. Since this room is small, the current entrance to the room off the hallway will be closed; a large opening in the wall common to the living room will be made for more accessibility. Sliding doors with obscured glass will be hung on Barn Sliders to give access to the living room without compromising interior space of either room, giving both the living space and office a greater sense of space, light and versatility—a good solution for a small room.
Consider your small room and how it can be made more useful with the use of a wall bed; there are even styles for bunk beds or a small sofa for a studio-sized apartment.