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There are basically 4 classes of space efficient bedding options: trundle, storage/platform, murphy, and loft. The table below which outlines the pros and cons of each type. (Added bonus for comparison: futon)

Beds for Micro Living: Pros and Cons Table

Beds for Micro Living: Pros and Cons

 Trundle/Roll Out Bed

Trundle/Roll Out beds pull out horizontally from underneath a platform. Trundle beds are commercially available, but most options are not manufactured to accommodate everyday use. Higher quality options can be achieved through custom-built trundles. Below is the Minim House roll out bed that sits upon a platform with casters. See the Minim Home Platform and Bed Frame Section for details. On display in Minim House at Micro Showcase.

Minim House Trundle/Roll Out Bed under platform
Minim House Trundle/Roll Out Bed under platform
Minim House Trundle/Roll Out Bed Out
Minim House Trundle/Roll Out Bed Out
Platform + Bed Frame Section View - Minim Micro Homes
Platform + Bed Frame Section View – Minim Micro Homes

Storage/Platform Beds

Storage/Platform beds are raised on a platform with ample storage underneath. Most are custom built to accommodate the owner’s needs and size of the home.

Macy Miller's bed on a goose-neck trailer platform with storage. Even platform/storage beds can be convertible - the once king sized mattress has been replaced with a queen with room for a crib.
Macy Miller’s bed on a goose-neck trailer platform with storage. Even platform/storage beds can be convertible – the once king sized mattress has been replaced with a queen with room for a crib.
A bed on a raised platform made up of Ikea kitchen cabinets and doors. A photo under the platform shows the storage space.
A bed on a raised platform made up of Ikea kitchen cabinets and doors. A photo under the platform shows the storage space.

 Murphy Beds

Murphy beds are commercially available in a variety of sizes and options. Resource Furniture is well known for having the best selection of high-end murphy beds, some with integrated desk/sofas. There are also DIY options and murphy bed kits that are more cost effective. Below are options for commercially available full/queen murphy beds, DIY murphy beds, and murphy single/bunk beds. See table at bottom of the post for description, price, specs, and website for each bed.  Breda Bed/Couch on display in the Studio Shed at Micro Showcase.

Full/Queen Murphy Beds

Ulisse Desk - Clei - Resource Furniture
Ulisse Desk – Clei – Resource Furniture
Harry M - Smartbeds
Harry M – Smartbeds
Dotto M - Smartbeds
Dotto M – Smartbeds
Ulisse Sofa - Clei - Resource Furniture
Ulisse Sofa – Clei – Resource Furniture
Houdini Verticale M - Smartbeds
Houdini Verticale M – Smartbeds
Adam Sofa - Clei - Resource Furniture
Adam Sofa – Clei – Resource Furniture
Tak M - Smartbeds
Tak M – Smartbeds

DIY Full/Queen Murphy Beds

Murphy Frame - Wilding Wallbeds
Murphy Frame – Wilding Wallbeds
DIY Murphy Bed Kit - Wilding Wallbeds
DIY Murphy Bed Kit – Wilding Wallbeds
DIY Murphy Bed - Your Modern Family
DIY Murphy Bed – Your Modern Family
Graham - Murphy Bed HQ
Graham – Murphy Bed HQ

Murphy Twin/Bunk Beds

Altea Book - Clei - Resource Furniture
Altea Book – Clei – Resource Furniture
Joker - Smartbeds
Joker – Smartbeds
Kali Duo Board - Clei
Kali Duo Board – Clei
Tuck Double Compact Bed - Casa Kids
Tuck Double Compact Bed – Casa Kids
LA Literal - Sellex
LA Literal – Sellex

Lofts

Roof design plays a huge role in the construction/feeling of a loft. Five roof examples are shown in relation to the loft: gable, gable with dormers, gambrel, shed, and flat.

An example of a loft with a gable roof - Dee Williams' tiny home
An example of a loft with a gable roof – Dee Williams’ tiny home
An example of a loft with a gable roof with dormer windows for increased head room - Tinier Living by Tiny House Builders
An example of a loft with a gable roof with dormer windows for increased head room – Tinier Living by Tiny House Builders
An example of a loft with a gambrel roof (during construction) - Cardozo Academy of Construction and Design Tiny House Build (on display at Micro Showcase)
An example of a loft with a gambrel roof (during construction) – Cardozo Academy of Construction and Design Tiny House Build (on display at Micro Showcase)
An example of a loft with a gambrel roof - April Anson's tiny home
An example of a loft with a gambrel roof – April Anson’s tiny home
An example of 2 lofts with a shed roof - hOMe by Tiny House Build
An example of 2 lofts with a shed roof – hOMe by Tiny House Build
An example of a loft with a flat roof - Jess and Dan's tiny house
An example of a loft with a flat roof – Jess and Dan’s tiny house

Description, price, specs, and the website for each type of bed mentioned above is outlined in the table below for easy comparison/reference.

Bed Options for Micro Living Table

Bed Options for Micro Living

 

A note on mattresses & bedding:

  • Narrower mattresses are obviously the most space efficient, whether installed in a loft, murphy or trundle bed. It is worth testing a wide range of styles, but we’re convinced you can find a 6” deep mattress on a platform that rivals one 4x as thick.
  • Mattresses are almost always made of polyurethane foam, which is highly flammable, and are mandated to use a variety of flame retardants, which end up in household dust, and include penta-BDE’s (for furniture before 2005) and chlorinated tris, TCEP, TDCIPP and other chemicals listed as carcinogens.  There are volumes of information available on this (NPR, Scientific American, etc) but the simple solution (while we work for new standards) is to not have mattresses with treated polyurethane foam in your small home (or any home).
  • Some bed manufacturers will make you a foam bed without fire retardants with a doctors prescription, but then the fire hazard remains.  One natural (but pricey) alternative is 100% natural Talalay or Dunlop latex foam, which is a renewable resource (rubber trees), mold resistant, not highly flammable, with no off gassing, and lasts for 40+ years.  Manufactured mattresses made with 100% latex must have a fire retardent layer added (typically wool, which is naturally flame retardent).  Make sure there are not other chemical foams added- it’s very common to see a 10” mattress with 2” latex and 8” of polyurethane foam.  The cheapest deal found recently was a 6” full size soft latex mattress from Miracle Sleep– it’s one of the more comfortable beds I (Brian) have ever slept on. There is at least one other economical natural sleep option: futon mattresses made with cotton, but note that the cotton is usually treated with boric acid to meet fire codes.
  • Many a slim bed can be made fat and less stowable with an overabundance of bedding. Keep in mind wool has one of the highest warmth/thickness ratio- two slim wool blankets are all that is needed on even the coldest nights. Two pillows and extra wool blankets easily stowed in a Cubista stool or another small space.

2 Comments

Leave your reply.
  • Amy Jarboe
    · Reply

    January 15, 2016 at 1:25 PM

    I am looking to buy a new mattress, but want to buy something that will be compatible with my future tiny home (building within the next year).

    I was wondering if you had any more examples and/or resources on best mattresses? While it would be nice to be economical, prices is less of a concern than guaranteeing 100% natural flame retardant mattress.

    Thanks!

  • Iina
    · Reply

    August 20, 2016 at 2:16 PM

    I was thinking of using tufted French wool mattresses and sofa cushions in my tiny home. There are some manufacturers on Etsy and the like who handcraft these, and they are about 1/2 the price of foam mattresses. Wool also has natural flame retardant properties. Do you know of anyone using wool mattresses in their tiny homes?

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