Less is More: Murphy Bed/Desk/Closet All in One
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA 
on 06.22.07
Andrea Mohin/The New York Times
We've seen a Murphy bed that folds up into a table and a house in a suitcase before, but this bed/fold-down desk/closet is a pretty neat combo platter of functionality, too. Custom-built by homeowner Ben Schneider's architect friends at NRML (aka Normal Projects), it's a great way to get some storage, sleeping arrangements and workspace crammed into Schneider's 450 square-foot Upper West Side studio apartment. Without much work, the space transforms from living room to bedroom to home office; by leaving the door to his Murphy bed open, rather than sliding it into its pocket, it becomes a wall, allowing Schneider to offer privacy to overnight guests. We're always glad to see folks doing more with less, and it's a great example of how to create maximum functionality with a minimum of space, resources and cash. Hit the jump to see the studio in its different incarnations. ::Normal Projects via ::NY Times and ::MoCo Loco
Andrea Mohin/The New York Times
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I applaud NRML for the design, it looks stylish and compact, but the real questions are: What are its dimensions? Can you make transportable models? Can it be made more affordable or with more environmentally friendly components? How would production scale?
The article says that it is a custom design, but mass production of "Murphy Room" kits could be an effective way of managing different sizes, spaces and lifestyle requirements. But a $70,000(!) permanent model isn't appealing to me. If it was possible to design modular versions that could move with you, or change with your design tastes, then it would be a great idea. When Ben Schneider moves the next tenants may not be as enthusiastic about the design, and have it removed, creating waste. Portability should be a key issue. I'm going to be moving into a small apartment soon and I might consider buying something similar. Does anyone know of a company that produces something like what I'm talking about?
They're still not cheap exactly, but Mobelform makes freestanding furniture that might do the trick for you.
http://mobelform.com/
Why should a great small space solution have to be cheap, prefabbed and mass-produced? New Yorkers like this guy are, by necessity, taking up a lot less space than the rest of us. Kudos to him for supporting innovative design and local millworkers while making his tiny apartment more functional.
Old Creek Wall Bed Factory in Oregon makes Murphy bed models that are fairly portable...they are wall mounted but only with three screws, making them fairly easy to dismount. While they don't have one with a complete fold out desk, they do offer a model with a table that folds down that could serve the same purpose.
Check them out at http://www.wallbedfactory.com
I would have to agree with Brittinay, I have been searching for a great looking and affordable Murphy bed and ran across her post. The beds I found at www.wallbedfactory.com are stylish and extremely well priced for the everyday budget. I purchased the Revera model and placed it in my guest bedroom, there is so much unused space that my husband and I are adding a treadmill soon!
Thanks for the great recommendation Brittinay.
Kristin