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"We wanted to keep the exterior walls uncluttered, so you can focus on the views, the light, and the air," says Rosa Garneau, the owner of a 650-square-foot co-op in New York's Chelsea neighborhood. To achieve a clean look, everything gets tucked away, including the mattress and bedding. When looking for the best Murphy bed, look for one that can accommodate basic bedding without having to remove and store it daily.

The open-plan space is outfitted with a custom Murphy bed designed by Janiszewska. “Having seen many ready-made Murphy beds," she says, "I thought the wall just looked ugly when they were folded. I tried to break that scheme.”

Wall beds can be oriented either vertically or horizontally. This home office doubles as a guest room thanks to a vertical Murphy bed that folds down to reveal shelves stocked with magazines.

After: Now clean and structured, the twins' space carries the same functional elegance as the rest of the apartment.