For the type of person who needs their own little work area but doesn’t want to have a full-size desk in the house, a Murphy desk is the perfect option. It’s small, practical, very space-efficient and also very versatile.

They come in lots of different styles, sizes and shapes and they maintain a professional look while also giving away a very casual and modern vibe. They’re a really great choice for a lot of people, including students who live in tiny spaces and pretty much anyone with a job or a hobby. Check out below our top favorite murphy desk designs.

Innovative Murphy Desk Ideas

Height-adjustable desk/table

It’s not a Murphy desk but it is practical in a lot of ways. The Alle desk by Staffan Holm has a simple and clever design. Its height can be easily adjusted and there’s a hidden compartment at the back for storage and cables.

Small fold-down desk with storage

Comparable to a medicine cabinet in size, this wall-mounted desk folds out and offers a work surface which can accommodate a laptop, tablet, documents, etc. It folds up with ease whenever you want to keep it out of the way. When closed, the desk measures 32” x 19.5” x 6”. It’s made of MDF and birch veneer and it’s versatile and durable.

Murphy desk with a traditional design

If you prefer a desk with a more traditional and formal look, perhaps this one would be to your liking. It’s suitable for spaces like the living room or home office and it’s made of MDF and wood veneer. Inside it has four storage compartments as well as a paper organizer, a small corkboard and a drawer.

Practical fold-down desk with a rustic look

This Murphy desk is also super practical and space-efficient and in addition to that it has a beautiful rustic allure that makes it look extra charming. When it folds down it offers a comfortable work surface for daily tasks, which can hold up to 80 lbs which is around 36 kg. Also, when you fold it up you get to use the surface like a chalkboard to take down notes.

Minimalist fold-down desk

If you’d like a Murphy desk but without the built-in storage, then a simple fold-down table-like piece would be enough. This desk, for instance, is just a piece of particle board supported by metal brackets. It’s very convenient and space-efficient and you can use it in a lot of different ways and for all sorts of purposes.

Modern Murphy desk in white

This is the same wall-mounted desk we mentioned before but this time in a different color. The white finish gives it a more clean and modern look compared to the dark wood version which looks more formal and traditional. It has the same four compartments inside, the paper organizer, little corkboard and extra drawer at the bottom.

Wall-mounted desk with accent light

This is the Flatbox, a small, wall-mounted desk designed by Michael Hilgers for Müller. It can be used as either a standing or seated desk and it can be easily installed at any height. The design is simple and sleek, making this stylish desk a good option for a variety of different spaces as well as various different interior decors.

Compact desk with rounded corners

Not a fan of straight lines and angles? How about a Murphy desk with soft curves and smooth features instead? This is the Nubo wall desk. It’s very simple but it also has an interesting aesthetic that creates a sense of familiarity.

The shape is reminiscent of vintage suitcases or clouds and the padded surface adds texture and color to the design, making this desk stand out in a subtle and very pleasant manner.

Multifunctional Murphy desk and table

Another cool example of a practical Murphy desk is the Altea Work, a multifunctional system that’s excellent for small apartments, holiday homes and even offices. It comes in two sizes and it can function as a desk as well as a table. When you don’t need it just fold it up to save space. Its modern design gives it a sleek look in both forms.

Murphy desk and bed combo

As practical and space-efficient as wall-mounted desks are, they’re not always ideal because even if they’re small in size they still need plenty of wall space. If you don’t have that free space, other options are available.

For example, a bed and desk combo can be perfect for bedrooms of all kinds. This is the Kali Board, a wall bed with a built-in writing desk that neatly goes under when the bed folds down.

Minimalist desk without storage

If you like the minimalist look and you don’t mind the lack of storage, then you don’t even need to look for a desk specifically. A simple fold-up table would work in a lot of cases. for a lot of different purposes, including work. The Norberg table from Ikea is a great option. Its simple design makes it very versatile and the size is pretty great too.

DIY Murphy desks

There are quite a few interesting and beautiful Murphy desk options available in stores or online but if you’d rather make your own version, a DIY desk is also a great option. You can use existing products as inspiration to create your own unique project or you can follow a tutorial.

DIY fold-down desk with two shelves

You could definitely make your own Murphy desk with shelves inside for storage and a chalkboard which is only visible when the desk folds up. You can use it to take down notes, draw on or simply add a cheerful message. You could put the desk in your bedroom without it taking over the decor and ruining the cozy and relaxing ambiance. Check out shanty-2-chic for more details and keep in mind that there’s always room for creativity when it comes to DIY projects.

Wall-mounted desk with wall anchors

There’s also a great tutorial on thecoralchannel explaining how to build a wall-mounted desk just like this one. You need 2 small L brackets, 7 hinges, some lumber, wood screws, sandpaper and wall anchors. You could definitely adjust the measurements if you want your desk to be smaller or larger than this one. You can also add more features if you want to or choose to paint the wood instead of staining it. Look for ways to make this project your own and to create a desk that you’ll enjoy using.