Busy Philipps’ “Murphy Bar” Is a Must-Try for Small Spaces

published May 21, 2024
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Headshot of Busy Phillipps on colorful background
Credit: Rob Kim/Getty Images

Busy Philipps took the space-saving idea of a Murphy bed and ran with it when creating the set for her new QVC talk show, Busy This Week. Along with set designer Dan Porto, Philipps created a space set firmly in the world of maximalism that comes complete with a huge orange couch, loads of plants, and an ingenious Murphy bar. 

Built exactly like a Murphy bed, the Murphy bar saves valuable floor space when not in use. It can be folded up and tucked away into a cabinet, as is the case with Philipps’ version, when she’s not using it to entertain guests on her QVC show. With the Murphy bar available only when she needs it, she frees up tons of square footage for other activities.

The set piece even has a removable brass bar cart tucked underneath that can be moved elsewhere in the room and then returned to its cubby when cocktail hour is over.

“We wanted it to feel layered and, honestly, busy,” Porto told The Spruce about the Busy This Week set. “We wanted it to feel like it was lived-in and just everywhere you looked, your eye has something else to really jump on.”

And with so many moving parts (literally!), Portos’ vision for the space really paid off. 

In the video, Philipps summed up how the Murphy bar looks and feels, calling it “perfect.”

Her fans agree. Philipps’ set has already inspired others to rethink the way their own homes work for them. “Need this in my home,” one person commented on The Spruce’s Instagram post. Another said, “Very clever idea!” Another commented, “Murphy bar! 🤯”

Busy This Week airs every Wednesday at 10 p.m. EST on QVC+ and HSN+, so you can tune in to catch a glimpse of the Murphy bar in action and take notes on how to make your own interior design a bit more “busy.”