20+ Clever Ideas to Hide a Guest Bed in Plain Sight

Okay, friends, let’s talk about making small spaces work! The biggest question is always the bed, right? If you’re in a one-room apartment, you know the struggle of having it take up all your living space during the day.

And even if you have a bigger home, figuring out a guest bed that doesn’t scream “guest bed” is a real design challenge. I’ve gathered some of my absolute favorite ideas that are both beautiful and practical, and I can’t wait to show you!

1. Use the Space Beneath the Stairs

I am such a huge fan of using every last inch of space, and the area under the stairs is just begging for some love! Transforming that sloped spot doesn’t just give you back unusable ground; it can create the coziest reading nook or even a guest bed.

This custom-made double bed platform is just perfection. It not only fits so snugly into the under-stair alcove but also gives you extra storage space underneath. How comfy and practical is that?

Here’s another totally inviting reading nook that makes the most of that unconventional space. This time, because of the high ceiling, they were even able to fit in library-like book shelving.

I just love it! The under-stair area is an amazing spot for hideaway daybeds or reading nooks like this one.

2. A Murphy Bed Free Standing Structure as a Part of the Living Room.

You can bring in the simple charm of a Murphy bed as a completely independent piece in your living room design. This clear-lined and minimalist structure becomes a beautiful decorating opportunity.

All you have to do is choose a color that stands out in a really harmonious way against your walls, then arrange a few decorative items on its mantle. That’s it! Simple and elegant solutions like this are totally possible and look so chic.

3. Bed Behind the Curtain

Graham Hill and his company, LifeEdited, are just masters at creating smart and elegant looks for tiny, ultra-livable apartments. In this project by LifeEdited, they create such a fluid and multifunctional space by using really versatile furniture.

I’m talking a modular sofa, an expanding coffee table, and an extra Murphy bed that is packed so neatly into a wall unit. A super stylish, rounded curtain installation can slide across for privacy or reveal a small work corner when the bed isn’t being used.

4. Sofa Beds

The most classic solution for hiding a bed is definitely the sofa bed. It’s usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a temporary bed that serves a dual function. There are so many different mechanisms out there, from pull-outs and rearranging pillows to modular setups.

But, usually, for the bed to fit inside the sofa, you have to compromise on the mattress thickness and quality. A long-term sleeping arrangement might affect the quality of your night rest. A sofa bed is a perfect solution for sleepovers, guests, and the occasional stay, but I wouldn’t recommend it for a long period or as your main bed.

5. Special Wall Mechanism that Elevates the Whole Bed Platform

The incredible design from studio Yo! has this modern, lit bed platform that a special mechanism in the walls can lift up to reveal a daytime nook with a cozy sofa setup. I love this unconventional approach because it allows different functions to share the same space without you having to rearrange a single piece of furniture.

You just activate the lifting mechanism, and the two areas trade places. It gives a whole new meaning to the question of what’s hiding under the bed!

6. Movable Daybed as a Part of the Living Room Furniture Arrangement

In this fresh and playful design, the designers at studio WOK were inspired by the clean look of light and trendy plywood. They put together a tidy and functional structure and then added a few ingenious touches.

By partially rolling the double-sized bed into an opening in the lower part of the wardrobe, they open up space for daily activities. It also creates a comfortable sofa component for the inhabitants to enjoy. Just beautiful!

7. Creating a Separate Construct for the Master Bedroom and Adding a Guest Bed on Top of It

What a totally ingenious and stylish idea for a studio apartment! This loft project by SABO has an industrial feel with its exposed concrete, but it’s all jazzed up by the perforated aluminum island in the center.

This structure not only holds the master bedroom but also has an extra guest bed on its top platform, which you can get to by stairs. It’s like having two rooms in one. This is such a stylish and space-saving concept.

8. Chair Beds

The idea here is a lot like the sofa bed, but it has a few more advantages. First, the chair bed takes up less space, which is a huge plus if you’re working with limited room. It’s also much more flexible to arrange within your decor, and it gives you the option of bringing in more than one chair beds, so you can host more than one guest.

The Romeo Futon chair has a simple and clean contemporary look that would fit with a ton of different decor combinations. Another stylish shape in a neutral white is perfect for modern interiors.

On the design scene today, there are so many creative, attractive, and elegant options for this. You can pick a discreet design that blends with your living room or go for a more distinct style to spice up a neutral guest room.

The possibilities are huge and offer some really desirable solutions. You could even bring one into your home not just for practical reasons but as an extra spot for relaxing or a reading lounge for your family.

9. Elevating the Kitchen Zone and Hiding the Bed Underneath

Small studio apartments are often on the top floor or in an attic, so you might have to deal with a sloping ceiling or A-frame. In this project from Batiik Studio, a forgotten, dirty space was turned into a cozy, elegant, and inviting attic studio.

The design solutions here are so intelligent. They use wooden lattice panels that match the style of the rest of the space to deal with the tricky area beneath the windows. The architects created storage compartments, including a bookshelf unit and nightstand functions, out of what was otherwise unusable space.

A small work corner under the roof, and a bed that can become a sofa or hide completely behind the elevated kitchen bar are other clever touches in this adorable Parisian apartment.

10. A Room is Hidden Behind the Library Structure

The extra bedroom in this inspiring project by Consuelo Jorge is tucked away behind a stylish library structure that has rotating shelves. This ingenious setup completely conceals the extra room, so there’s a little bit of mystery. Your guests will never even know it’s there until you say the magic words “Open Sesame” and reveal it. So cool!

11. Bed-Desk Combos

The disappearing desk bed is such a fresh example of how you can solve multiple space issues with one brilliant design. The unit’s light, multifunctional frame transforms from a bedroom into an office in the same space with total ease and elegance.

The unique design of the furniture pieces, like this neatly folding chair with its futuristic shape, gives so much character and style to the whole functional assembly.

Here’s another fresh and flexible design that brings a sense of freedom to the decor of a multifunctional room. A fold-on mattress changes from a bed to a desk, freeing up space for daytime activities.

12. Hide the Bed Behind a Decorative Wooden Partition

In this artistic project by Glenn Medioni for a small space, the two bedrooms are separated from the main living area by a beautiful wooden lattice installation. The contrast between the vertical wooden straps of the wall and the diagonal ones on the sliding door creates this artistic tension that avoids the boring, conventional partitions.

It creates a space divider that feels more like an art installation than just a functional trick. The beauty of the wood fits perfectly with the stylish decor of the living room, giving a dramatic backdrop to the modern furniture.

13. A Murphy Bed Hiding Behind the TV Set

In this contemporary setup, the sideways mounted Murphy bed is hidden behind a stylish and smart sliding piece that holds the entertainment set. The entire unit is made of a library shelving structure that can hide or reveal a bed behind a sliding media panel. It’s such a dynamic and modern composition with so many practical uses, and it could even work as a space divider.

14. Hide the Bed in the Closed

This project from Kitoko Studio for this chic Parisian apartment with Asian-inspired aesthetics uses the concept of the Swiss Army Knife in such a playful and elegant way. All of the furniture elements, including the cozy niche for the bed, are folded and stored in this “large closet.”

It’s simple and elegant, compact, and multifunctional all at the same time. This unit takes up only a small part of the apartment but still provides comfort and privacy for the sleeping area.

Here’s a bungalow setting with a simple and elegant closed unit with sliding doors and a small window opening that creates a cozy sleeping niche.

15. Murphy Bed is Hidden Behind Movable Walls

The movable wall design trick is becoming so popular in contemporary studio apartments. Their dynamic nature helps designers organize different functional zones in a really stylish and flexible way. The only downside is that you usually can’t use the zones defined by the walls to their full extent at the same time, but small spaces always come with some kind of restriction.

The next few modern design examples show how a Murphy bed can be fitted into the movable wall itself, or in the space behind it. In this project by PKMN Architectures, there are three movable wall structures, and the fold-down bed is integrated into one of them.

These three units can move between the kitchen and bathroom areas depending on what the inhabitants need, securing the practical needs of any open-plan home.

The latest evolution in MKCA’s research on micro-housing led to this motorized movable wall. The contemporary design of this small apartment has a sliding wall that holds a media set, and behind it, a bedroom-like space hides a folding bed.

When it’s hidden, the bedroom area opens up space for a living room and home office. Just slide it out, and the bedroom appears. It’s a truly innovative and dynamic decor idea.

The name of this next inventive, new-generation design tech by Architecture Workshop is Pivot, which refers to the rotating movement of this wall-wardrobe unit. The Murphy bed folds up behind the rotating wall, and when it’s arranged, it forms two small but cozy spaces: the living room and the bedroom nook.

The designers cleverly built an opening in the unit, which allows daylight to come into the sleeping area.

16. Bed Sliding Under the Working Place

This project by CIAO has such a dynamic and functional approach to designing a small studio apartment. The space is used according to the owner’s lifestyle, including a practical and comfortable work corner that hides a sliding second bed for guests. A plywood platform creates a slight elevation behind the half-height bookshelf and holds the main bed.

17. Use the Guest Bed as a Part of the Dining Area

Here is a fresh and unconventional design idea that is super practical for limited urban homes. It could even be a really fitting and comfortable solution for occasional guests in a house.

The innovative furniture unit includes a stylish dining set with a simple, clear-lined table and chairs, and the very comfy-looking idea of a sliding bed that can also be a sofa. When you need to host guests overnight, the table folds into a specially designed niche, and the bed can be rolled out to its full size.

18. Behind a Mirrored or Frosted Glass Pocket Doors

Sliding, matte glass doors are a perfect solution for separating a living room and bedroom. Framed in black metal with a thin silhouette, frosted glass or mirrored partitions are a very trendy and functional trick that creates a sophisticated and stylish modern vibe.

The matted or mirrored glass gives just enough privacy to the different zones without the heavy feel of conventional walls and creates a fresh, modern ambiance for the decor.

19. Reading Nook in the Living Room

The idea of using part of the living room layout to create a cozy reading nook with an inviting cushion arrangement is so tempting. I love when it’s done in an expressive design style that fits with the rest of the decor. The best part is that the space can also be used as a guest bed. You just have to remove some of the cushions, and there you have it!

20. Utilizing the Volume Under Sloped or A-framed Roof

Canted walls in attic-like spaces can be a huge obstacle to a flexible design and making the most of your space. But a few clever furniture designs that create fitting units can make smart use of a challenging space to its full potential.

This contemporary unit in fresh white and blue brings a functional elegance with its simple, retro-inspired and minimalist look. Its clear lines hold a sliding mattress, a mini-library, and storage space.

This is a smart furniture system in warm tones that can turn a challenging-to-use space into an inviting reading nook or bedroom area, with plenty of storage and functional angles.

What if you want an art studio that can also meet other functional needs if necessary? This furniture system uses the empty and not-so-useful space under the sloped ceiling so efficiently.

The Plexat system offers not only multiple storage units with a simple and elegant design but also a hidden bed compartment. It makes having unexpected guests a pleasure instead of a bother.

21. Murphy Bed Hidden into a Wardrobe

The so-called Murphy beds are fold-down beds that can be built vertically into a wall, closet, or another structure. They are space-saving design units that offer a great variety of positions and extra features like lighting, storage space, and additional office setups. One of the big advantages of a Murphy bed unit is that it allows you to use a full-size mattress on a movable frame.

Also, their piston lifts or torsion springs make modern Murphy beds easy to lower and raise. The quality of sleep on this unit with a full-size mattress is just like a standard bedroom, and you can use it every day without it negatively affecting your sleep quality.

In this small apartment’s interior, designed by Architecture Workshop studio, the master bedroom is located above the kitchen and is concealed behind a trendy, matte glass structure. The guest bed is hidden in the simple lines of the white, custom-made wardrobe that covers one of the walls.

Behind its clean design and minimalist lines, it stays invisible. When opened, a pure construct of sliding white panels can hide the kitchen and create a new, more private space. I love this fresh and well-measured design.

22. Rope Installation Helps to Elevate the Bed to the Ceiling and to Free Space for Daily Activities

This original, modern, and minimalist design for a small space by architectural studio Ashari Architects presents us with multiple clever, clean-lined, and custom-made structures that keep the movement flowing freely. This includes the unconventional bed arrangement.

By using metal ropes and an artistically looking industrial steering wheel, the bed can be lifted to the ceiling to free up space for daily activities and movement. This stylish and ingenious idea can be used in any contemporary decor that needs some extra free space.