She Turned a Formal Dining Room Into a Murphy Bed Hidden Inside Custom Built-Ins
Formal dining rooms often become some of the least-used spaces in older homes. That was exactly the case in this 100-year-old condo, where one large room offered plenty of square footage but little flexibility beyond accommodating a dining table. Empty walls, minimal storage, and an unused layout left much of the room’s potential untapped.
Instead of keeping the space dedicated to occasional meals, Instagram creator @shep.chateau designed an entire wall of custom built-ins centered around a concealed queen-size Murphy bed. Shelving, cabinetry, hidden storage, and a fold-down bed now allow the same room to function as a dining room, home office, library, and guest suite without sacrificing everyday usability.
Formal Dining Room Served Only One Purpose
The original room featured hardwood floors, tall ceilings, large windows, and classic trim, but little built-in functionality. Aside from a dining table, the room offered almost no storage and served only a single purpose despite its generous size.
Blank Wall Became the Foundation for the Entire Project
One uninterrupted wall provided enough width for a full wall of cabinetry. Rather than filling the room with individual furniture pieces, the design concentrated storage, shelving, and the future Murphy bed into one continuous installation.
Cabinet Frames Became Custom Built-Ins
Floor-to-ceiling cabinet boxes established shelving, lower storage, and the concealed Murphy bed before paint and finish work began. Blue-green paint, arched openings, shaker panels, and brass hardware transformed the unfinished framework into custom built-ins that blend seamlessly with the room’s original architecture.
Murphy Bed Converted the Room Into a Guest Suite
Lowering the queen-size Murphy bed transformed the dining room into a comfortable guest bedroom within minutes. Built-in shelving and storage remained accessible on both sides, allowing the room to function naturally without temporary furniture.
Built-Ins Surrounded the Sleeping Area
@shep.chateau
Open shelving, lower cabinets, and integrated storage framed the bed, making the guest room feel intentionally designed rather than converted. Window seating and surrounding furniture continued serving the room when the bed was both open and closed.
Dining Room Returned With the Bed Hidden
@shep.chateau
Closing the Murphy bed restored the cabinetry wall, allowing the room to return immediately to dining, entertaining, or working. Natural wood shelving and decorative accessories softened the bold cabinet color while maintaining practical storage.
Cabinet Wall Became the Room’s Main Feature
Large dining table now sits directly in front of the custom built-ins instead of a blank wall. Shelving, concealed storage, and decorative displays create an architectural backdrop that supports everyday living without overwhelming the room.
Hidden Mural Appears Only When the Bed Opens
Botanical wall mural behind the Murphy bed remains completely concealed while the bed is stored. Opening the bed reveals artwork that creates a finished headboard wall, giving overnight guests a bedroom that feels permanent rather than improvised.
Murphy Bed Changes the Room in Seconds
Closed cabinet doors create the appearance of a custom built-in wall behind the dining table. Pulling the Murphy bed down reveals a fully furnished guest bedroom framed by the same shelving, cabinetry, and hidden botanical mural, allowing the room to switch between two completely different functions without moving furniture.
Before and After Show a Completely Different Room
Empty walls and limited storage gave the original dining room only a single function. Floor-to-ceiling built-ins redefined the space with concealed storage, open shelving, and a hidden Murphy bed, allowing the room to serve multiple purposes without expanding its footprint.
Image credits: @shep.chateau via Instagram.