Remember the “quaint” Murphy bed? Those pull-down beds that hid inside a closet or cabinet? Well, think again, as the Murphy bed is emerging as a chic new item in the most stylish of guest bedrooms.

Tired of the old air mattress or uncomfortable sleeper sofa options, many home and apartment owners turn to Murphy Beds to save space, offer comfort to weary visitors, and keep their guest bedrooms looking tidy when not in use. Creatively designed, these home fixtures might look like a lovely wardrobe on the outside, but they can be pulled down when needed to reveal a comfy full or queen size bed.

Photo: iMural

Photo: iMural

Color: Esterel (K16) design by Hidden Bed

Color: Esterel (K16) design by Hidden Bed

Aiding the returning popularity of Murphy Beds is the emergence of enhanced movement technology and vastly improved forms of TFL, or Thermally Fused Laminate, panels. According to Ariane Bouchard, Marketing Manager at Uniboard, TFL panels offer a rousing variety of colors and finishes that will bolster home economics, creativity and hospitality. Uniboard offers a complete line of TFL panels that can lead to some modern chic variations on the classic Murphy bed:

• Sleek and white: Use a clean design to help the Murphy bed blend in with the surrounding space and make it less imposing. Super White (113) or Nizza (K13) TFL panels hide the bed and allow for creative flourishes in the rest of the room.

• Make it look like an armoire: Instead of just a blank space hiding the bed, the clever use of a natural woodgrain like Rumour (K67), or even an unassuming Esterel (K16), coupled with some faux hardware, can easily disguise the bed behind.

• Don’t forget the inside: Many makers skimp on the inside. Although most people are simply sleeping in the bed, they often read, write or watch TV before nodding off, so why should they look at blandness? Add some artful moulding or use a few decorative TFL panels like Frequency (K20) or Storm (H58) to add a touch of soothing elegance.
• Add storage to the side: Build a bigger unit and add shelving and drawers to the side to create a multi-purpose work station unit and allow for home decoration or to give guests a place to store their clothing. A modern darker brown wood grain panel like Cassis (K17) can elevate the design of the entire room.  Designers and homeowners alike are rethinking decorative home options to create stylish guest bedrooms thanks to the latest modern Murphy bed designs.