Murphy Beds for Guest Rooms: Stylish Options That Make Hosting Easy

Murphy beds. Having a guest room is a luxury—but keeping it functional year-round is where things get tricky. If you’re like many Ottawa homeowners, that extra bedroom needs to do double duty. It might be a home office, a hobby space, or a playroom most of the time… until guests arrive.

That’s why Murphy beds for guest rooms are gaining popularity. They offer the best of both worlds: a real bed when you need it, and open space when you don’t. And with today’s custom options, they’re more than practical—they’re stylish, built-in, and tailored to your home.

Here’s why a Murphy bed might be the smartest upgrade you can make to your guest space—and how to choose one that’s anything but basic.

Why Murphy Beds Work So Well in Guest Rooms

A Murphy bed (also called a wall bed or fold-down bed) tucks vertically into a cabinet, freeing up floor space when not in use. Unlike a pullout couch or air mattress, it uses a real mattress—so your guests sleep comfortably, without sacrificing your square footage the rest of the year.

In Ottawa homes, especially where space is at a premium, Murphy beds make perfect sense. Whether you live in a townhouse in Barrhaven, a downtown condo, or a single-family home in Orleans, a Murphy bed gives your guest room more flexibility without making it feel cluttered or cramped.

Common Scenarios We See in Ottawa Homes

• Home Office + Guest Room Combo: Your work-from-home setup is permanent, but you still need a spare bed for holidays or visits.
• Playroom + Sleepover Space: A Murphy bed makes it easy to turn a playroom into a sleepover-ready room with minimal effort.
• Basement Guest Room: Many Ottawa basements have limited natural light. A clean, built-in Murphy bed keeps the space feeling open and tidy when not in use.
• Multi-Use Spare Bedroom: You don’t want to give up an entire room just for occasional guests—so why not make it adaptable?

Stylish Murphy Bed Options That Don’t Feel Temporary

Forget the clunky, obvious Murphy beds of the past. With a custom design, you can choose one that blends into your space and feels like it was always part of the room.

Here are a few popular styles we install for Ottawa homeowners:

1. Cabinetry-Faced Murphy Beds

Disguise your Murphy bed behind panels that match your built-ins or wall storage. Shaker, flat panel, or even faux drawer faces create a sleek, built-in look that hides the bed completely when it’s not in use.

🛠 Best for: Formal guest rooms or office-guest hybrids where you want a clean, symmetrical design.

2. Murphy Bed with Desk

Need the room for work most of the time? Add a built-in desk that stays in place or folds when the bed opens. Your workspace remains untouched, and the transition to guest mode is seamless.

🛠 Best for: Home offices that double as guest rooms.

3. Horizontal Murphy Beds

These fold sideways rather than vertically, making them perfect for rooms with low ceilings, limited depth, or basement spaces. They also allow for more storage above the bed and take up less wall height.

🛠 Best for: Basement guest rooms or smaller spaces with low or sloped ceilings.

4. Built-In Bookshelves or Storage

Flank your Murphy bed with bookshelves, closets, or cabinets to create a full wall unit. This not only frames the bed beautifully but also provides extra storage for linens, guest towels, and even off-season items.

🛠 Best for: Homes that want storage and sleeping space in one cohesive unit.

Make Guests Feel at Home—Without Losing Your Space

A custom Murphy bed lets you welcome guests without compromising how you use the room every other day of the year. And with smart features like:

• Soft-close hardware
• Integrated lighting
• USB charging ports
• Under-bed or overhead storage

You can design a solution that feels more like a boutique hotel than a backup bedroom.

Real Ottawa Use Case: Guest Room That Doubles as a Craft Room

We recently worked with a homeowner in Stittsville who wanted her second bedroom to serve as a sewing and crafting room—but still wanted space for her daughter’s family to stay over on holidays. We designed a white flat-panel Murphy bed with side storage for fabrics and a small built-in desk that folded neatly under the bed. It looked clean, worked beautifully, and completely transformed how she used the space.

This kind of flexibility is hard to find with off-the-shelf furniture—and it’s exactly why Murphy beds are so valuable in multi-purpose rooms.

How to Choose the Right Murphy Bed for Your Guest Room

When considering a Murphy bed for your home, here are some quick questions to ask:

• How often do guests stay over?
  If it’s only a few times a year, opt for a more concealed design so it blends in.
• Do you need the room for another purpose most of the time?
  Desk combos, storage solutions, and fold-away features will matter.
• Do you want it to look built-in?
  Choose custom paneling, trim, and cabinetry that matches the rest of the room.
• What’s the size of the room?
  Vertical Murphy beds need more height; horizontal ones work better in tight or low spaces.

Why Choose a Custom Murphy Bed in Ottawa?

There are plenty of furniture stores selling ready-made Murphy beds—but nothing compares to a custom solution built to fit your home.

At Ottawa Custom Closet Solutions, we design and build Murphy beds that:

• Match your home’s layout and décor
• Maximize your available space
• Include premium materials and hardware
• Are professionally installed for a true built-in look

We offer a lifetime warranty on our work and guide you through the process from design to install.

Final Thoughts

A Murphy bed transforms a spare room into a functional, beautiful, and welcoming space. Whether you’re hosting family during holidays, accommodating friends for a weekend, or just want a more flexible layout, it’s the perfect blend of form and function.

And with a custom-built Murphy bed, your guest room doesn’t have to look like one. It can stay true to your everyday life—and still be guest-ready in seconds.

Ottawa Custom Closet Solutions builds smart, stylish Murphy beds that fit seamlessly into your home. If you’re ready to make the most of your guest space, we’re here to help.

📞 Book your free design consultation today:
👉 https://ottawaccs.com/contact_ottawa_custom_closet_solutions/