Container Store Murphy Bed Review: Is It Worth the Price?

Let me start with full transparency: I've always been a little skeptical of The Container Store. Don't get me wrong — I love their organization products and I've wasted many a weekend browsing their aisles. But their prices? Yikes. So when I started hearing about their murphy bed line, I was both curious and dubious.

After visiting three showrooms, talking to two sales reps, reading 100+ reviews, and even convincing a friend to let me test hers for a week, here's my completely unfiltered Container Store murphy bed review.

The Container Store Murphy Bed Lineup

First, let's talk about what they actually sell. The Container Store doesn't make their own murphy beds — they partner with manufacturers and curate the selection. Their lineup falls into a few categories:

1. The Basic Murphy Bed Cabinet

• Price: $1,899 – $2,799 (queen size)
• Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen
• Finish options: White, Gray, Walnut, Oak
• Warranty: 1 year on parts, 5 years on mechanism

This is their entry-level option. It's a standard murphy bed cabinet that looks like a bookshelf or cabinet when closed. Nothing too fancy, but the finish quality is solid.

2. Murphy Bed with Desk

• Price: $2,499 – $3,499
• Sizes: Full, Queen
• Desk depth: 18-20 inches

This is probably their most popular option for home offices. The desk stays level when you fold the bed down — your laptop and papers stay put. Pretty clever, honestly.

3. Murphy Bed Dresser Combo

• Price: $2,799 – $3,999
• Sizes: Full, Queen
• Drawer count: 3-6 drawers depending on configuration

The murphy bed dresser combo is what people get really excited about. You get the bed plus built-in drawer storage on the side or bottom. For small apartments without dressers, this is a game-changer for saving floor space.

4. Custom Built-In Systems

• Price: $4,000 – $10,000+
• Fully customized to your space
• Includes bookshelves, lighting, etc.

At this price point, you're basically getting a custom cabinetry installation. It looks incredible, but we're talking real money.

The Good: What Container Store Does Well

Let's start with the positives, because there are quite a few:

Design Aesthetic

This is where The Container Store really shines. Their murphy beds look like furniture, not like a weird wall contraption. The finishes are smooth, the hardware is clean, and nothing looks cheap or flimsy.

I visited a friend who has the white queen murphy bed with side bookshelves, and guests literally don't realize it's a bed until she pulls it down. That "wow" factor is real.

Mechanism Quality

I tested four different units across three showrooms, and every single one had a smooth, solid feel. The gas springs are well-calibrated — not too hard to pull down, not so light that it slams.

The locking mechanism clicks into place securely, and there's no wobble when the bed is open. Compare that to some budget options I've tested where the whole thing shakes when you sit on the edge.

Customization Options

Want a desk on the left? Drawers on the right? Bookshelves on both sides? The Container Store lets you mix and match modules to create something that fits your exact space.

Their design consultants will even come to your home (for a fee) and measure everything. If you're particular about how things look, this level of customization is hard to find elsewhere.

Assembly and Installation

Here's a big one: professional installation is included with most models. The delivery team brings it in, assembles it, anchors it to your wall, tests everything, and even takes away the packaging.

For someone like me who hates assembling furniture and is slightly paranoid about anchoring things correctly, this is a huge plus.

The Not-So-Good: The Downsides

Alright, let's talk about the bad stuff. No product is perfect, and these are no exception.

The Price Tag

This is the obvious one. A basic queen murphy bed from The Container Store starts at about $1,900. You can find a comparable unit on Amazon for $800-$1,200.

Is the Container Store version better? Yes, noticeably. Is it twice as good? That's debatable. You're paying for the brand, the design, the finish quality, and the white-glove installation.

Limited Mattress Compatibility

Most Container Store murphy beds are designed for 10-12 inch mattresses. If you already have a 14-inch pillow-top mattress, it probably won't work.

Also, they strongly recommend their own branded mattresses. I tested one — it was fine, but nothing special. And at $800-$1,200, it's not cheap.

Delivery Wait Times

Depending on the configuration and finish, wait times can be 4-8 weeks. Some custom orders take 12 weeks. If you need a bed next week, this isn't your option.

It's Heavy

These things are heavy. We're talking 300-500 pounds for a queen unit. You're not moving this yourself if you ever relocate. For renters who move every couple years, this is a real consideration.

Real User Reviews: What Actual Customers Say

I dug through reviews on Google, Yelp, the Container Store website, and Reddit. Here's the consensus:

Positive reviews mention:

• "Looks like built-in furniture — guests can't tell it's a bed"
• "The installation team was professional and quick"
• "Smooth mechanism, feels solid and safe"
• "Worth every penny for the space it saves"

Negative reviews mention:

• "Expensive — you can find similar for less elsewhere"
• "Took 6 weeks to arrive, which was longer than promised"
• "Drawers are a bit shallow on the dresser model"
• "Customer service was slow to respond to a warranty issue"

The overall pattern seems to be: people who buy them are happy with the product, but many wish they were cheaper. The most common complaint by far is the price.

Container Store vs. Other Brands

Let's do a quick comparison:

Brand	Queen Price	Mechanism Warranty	Installation	Design Quality
Container Store	$1,899+	5 years	Included	Excellent
Bestar	$1,000-$1,800	1-2 years	DIY	Good
Wall Bed King	$1,500-$3,000	10 years	Optional	Very Good
IKEA	$500-$800	1 year	DIY	Basic

If design is your top priority and you don't mind paying for it, The Container Store is hard to beat. If you want the best mechanism warranty, go with Wall Bed King. If you're on a budget, Bestar on Amazon is your best bet.

Who Should (and Shouldn't) Buy a Container Store Murphy Bed

The Container Store murphy bed is worth it if:

• You value design and want it to look like real furniture
• Professional installation is important to you
• You want customization options (desk, dresser, bookshelves)
• You're planning to stay in your space for 3+ years
• The budget is there and you want something that feels premium

Skip it if:

• You're on a tight budget — better options exist for half the price
• You move frequently — these are heavy and hard to relocate
• You just need something basic and functional
• You want to use a specific thick mattress

Accessory Recommendations

If you do pull the trigger, here are a few accessories that make the experience better:

A mattress pad with straps keeps your mattress from shifting when the bed is folded up. You don't want your mattress sliding down and hitting the cabinet front. Good ones cost $20-$40. Buy on Amazon

For the desk models, a desk organizer set keeps your workspace tidy. Since the desk stays level when the bed folds down, you can leave most things out — just stow the loose items. A 5-piece bamboo organizer set is $25-$40. Buy on Amazon

If you get the dresser model, drawer dividers help you maximize the space. The drawers aren't super deep, so organization is key. A set of adjustable bamboo drawer dividers runs $15-$30. Buy on Amazon

For nighttime reading, LED strip lighting behind the headboard area creates a nice glow. Battery-powered LED strips with a remote are $15-$30 and easy to install without wiring. Buy on Amazon

And finally, if you're storing pillows and blankets with the bed, some vacuum storage bags help keep everything compact and dust-free. A 6-pack of jumbo vacuum bags is $20-$35. Buy on Amazon

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

Here's my honest opinion after all this research: The Container Store murphy bed is a good product — possibly the best-looking pre-built option on the market. But it's expensive, and it's not for everyone.

If you have the budget and you want something that looks like real furniture (not a dorm-room contraption), yes, it's worth it. The design, the build quality, and the white-glove installation justify the premium for many people.

If you're handy or you're on a budget, you can get a comparable mechanism and build your own cabinet for much less. Or buy a Bestar unit from Amazon and save $800-$1,000.

At the end of the day, space is expensive, especially in cities. If a murphy bed lets you turn a studio into a livable space, or a spare room into both a guest room and an office, it's probably worth whatever you pay for it. The question is just how much you want to spend on aesthetics and convenience.

For me personally? I built my own because I enjoy DIY and I'm cheap. But if I had more money than time? I'd seriously consider The Container Store option.