5 Nifty Guest Bed Ideas that Don’t Take Up Much Space

An upgrade from the regular mattress.

Homes in Singapore aren’t exactly the biggest spaces around, so setting aside an entire bedroom for overnight guests isn’t exactly practical. At the same time, you likely don’t want them to be sleeping on a simple mattress on the floor, either.

Fortunately, there are solutions to help you accommodate guests without needing to compromise on precious floor space:

1. Murphy beds

Flexible, multifunctional spaces are especially important for smaller homes, and Murphy beds are features that fit right in. Rather than letting an entire bed take up space, they can be tucked away when not in use, which leaves you free to use the room as usual (perhaps as a study or a cosy corner).

They’ve also come a long way from being the bulky fold-down beds they used to be. These days, they can be built into carpentry so they can be concealed within cabinets or shelves, thus allowing them to blend into the overall aesthetic seamlessly.

2. Sofa bed or electrical extendable sofas

Every home has a sofa – so if you need a guest bed, consider choosing a sofa that can be extended out when needed. This way, you don’t need to go the extra mile to carve out a dedicated sleeping area for guests, nor do you need to fork out on additional carpentry.

Versions like sofa beds and extendable sofas can be extended to accommodate two (and sometimes more) guests, with some models being able to do this electrically for your convenience.

Guests aside, you can also use it as your own cosy nook during movie nights!

3. Pullout beds

Pullout beds were more common back then, but they’re slowly gaining popularity due to their functionality. Instead of using the space underneath for drawers and compartments, these variants hide an extra bed that can be pulled out whenever needed.

As this means you’ll be in close proximity with your guests, you probably should reserve this for close relatives or friends (and perhaps recreate those sleepovers you had as a teen).

4. Foldable desk beds

At first glance, this looks like a regular table and dresser. But in reality…

…it’s actually a foldable bed setup that can be tucked away when not in use. Pretty clever, huh?

It’s especially handy for those who only host occasionally, since the bed stays hidden until it’s needed. And in the meantime, it can continue pulling its weight as a proper desk setup whenever you’re doing work at home.

5. Bay window platforms that double as a daybed

Bay window platforms are often used as storage, but they can do much more than that. Add a cushion or mattress topper on top, and they can double up as a daybed for short-term guest stays.

And when no one’s staying over, it can go back to being a cosy corner by the window – for you to read, drink a cuppa, or simply to watch the world go by.