Murphy Bed Sizes and Dimensions Guide

A Murphy bed is a bed that you can fold up vertically or horizontally into the wall. These beds are sometimes referred to as cabinet beds or wall beds. Utilizing a Murphy bed setup can be beneficial for a home office, small bedroom, and studio apartment.

When you need to sleep in your Murphy bed, all you must do is pull it down from its upright position. The space-saving design of this bed allows you to better use the space that your bedroom offers during your waking hours.

In this article, we’ll examine a variety of options when it comes to Murphy beds. We’ll touch on which thickness level and types of mattresses pair best with a Murphy bed. To finish up, we’ll answer some commonly asked questions about Murphy beds.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Tall People

How to Measure

Measuring your space to fit your Murphy bed will differ depending on whether you choose a vertical Murphy bed or a horizontal Murphy bed. If you decide you want a Murphy bed with cabinet space, you’ll need to factor in the extra room the cabinet needs.

Height, width, and depth are all important numbers to be aware of when shopping for a Murphy bed. Vertical Murphy beds usually aren’t that wide unless they come with cabinet space. However, they have the downside of being quite long and jutting further out into the room than horizontal murphy beds. You also need to have the ceiling space for a vertical bed, too.

When shopping for a horizontal murphy bed, you’ll want to pay special attention to width and depth. Like vertical murphy beds, the width and height of these beds are impacted by whether they come with cabinet space. For optimal bedroom mobility, you should have at least 2 to 3 feet or 30 to 36 inches of open space around the outside of the bed frame.

SEE ALSO: How to Measure Your Mattress

Vertical Murphy Bed

A vertical Murphy bed is pretty similar to the layout of a normal bed and bedframe. This vertical position places the head of your bed against the wall with the foot facing your door or closet. The nice thing about a vertical Murphy bed is it allows you to enter the bed from either the left or right side.

These beds are more popular than their horizontal counterparts. Keep in mind that vertical Murphy beds necessitate a higher ceiling. You’ll also need to be mindful of ceiling fans, so they don’t get bumped when you lower your bed to the ground. 

Murphy Bed with Vertical Side Bed Cabinet

Consider investing in a Murphy bed with a vertical side cabinet if you’re looking for added storage potential. Bear in mind that this style of Murphy bed can take up more room and feature a higher price tag.

Before buying, make sure you have enough bedroom space to accommodate the bed and side cabinet without feeling cramped.

Horizontal Murphy Bed

Horizontal Murphy beds work well in kids’ rooms, rooms with lower ceilings, and spare bedrooms. A horizontal Murphy bed pulls out horizontally into your bedroom or guest room. The design of this type of Murphy bed only allows for one point of entry. These beds are also sometimes referred to as side tilt Murphy beds.

Murphy Bed with Horizontal Side Bed Cabinet

As with vertical Murphy beds, horizontal Murphy beds can be outfitted with a side cabinet. These open shelves are perfect for storing books, blankets, clothes, or other personal items. Naturally, the addition of a side cabinet will need to be factored into your space measurements.

Mattresses that Pair Well with Murphy Beds

You can use almost any type of mattress with a Murphy bed. This includes innerspring mattresses, hybrid mattresses, latex mattresses, and memory foam mattresses. The thickness or height of the mattress that you pair with your Murphy bed should be 12 inches or thinner.

If you use too thick of a mattress, you won’t be able to fold the bed up properly and keep it stored against the wall. Mattress slumping can occur with innerspring beds and hybrid beds. For best results, use a memory foam bed or latex bed with your Murphy bed. Mattress sizes range from a twin size mattress up to a king size mattress.

SEE ALSO: All Types of Mattresses You Need to Know

Which is Best for Me?

Which type of Murphy bed is right for you depends on your room size, ceiling height, storage needs, and how many people you’re looking to sleep. Those with high ceilings should opt for a vertical Murphy bed. Those with lower ceilings are better suited with a horizontal Murphy bed. Horizontal Murphy beds work particularly well in children’s rooms.

The more people you need to sleep, the larger a mattress you’ll need for your Murphy bed. A mattress for couples should be a queen or king size; full size mattresses are too narrow to comfortably accommodate partners every night.

If storage is important to you, opt for a bed that comes with a storage cabinet. Regardless of which type of Murphy bed you go with, you’ll want to have 2-3 feet or 30-36 inches of open space around the perimeter of the bed to avoid mobility issues.

Of course, there are other bed frames and bases to consider as well, if a Murphy bed does not work for you:

• Adjustable beds
• Platform beds
• Bunk beds
• Trundle beds
• Upholstered bed frames
• Daybeds
• Mattress foundations

FAQs

How far does a Murphy bed stick out from the wall?

How far the Murphy bed sticks out from the wall varies by design and whether the bed is folded completely out. A vertical Murphy bed that is folded against the wall sticks out about 18 to 21 inches. When it is in the open position, the bed sticks out 80 to 87 inches, depending on the size of the mattress.

Horizontal Murphy beds stick out 16 to 20 inches when in the closed position. When you unfold them at night, they stick out 44 to 80 inches, varying by mattress size.

Are wall beds dangerous?

Wall beds are not inherently dangerous. Issues only arise if the wall bed isn’t properly assembled. Read all instructions carefully when putting your Murphy bed together. In addition, you need to adhere strictly to the weight limits that come with your bed.

How much space is needed for a Murphy bed?

When determining how much space you need for your Murphy bed, you can utilize the above dimensions chart based on bed type and whether your bed features a side cabinet. Vertical Murphy beds require 82 to 92-inch tall ceilings. In contrast, horizontal Murphy beds need 45 to 70-inch tall ceilings.

How thick is a Murphy bed?

The mattress you use on your Murphy bed should be between 9 and 12 inches thick. Murphy beds themselves range in thickness or depth from 16 inches to 21 inches. Vertical Murphy beds are usually thicker than horizontal Murphy beds. Side cabinets add depth to your bed.

Do Murphy beds ruin mattresses?

Murphy beds are not designed or known for ruining mattresses. If you use a mattress that is too thick, you may have durability issues. Likewise, memory foam and latex mattresses are the best options to use with a Murphy bed. You can use an innerspring or hybrid mattress with a Murphy bed. However, slumping or bunching can occur.

Conclusion

Murphy beds are a great way to expand the available space in your bedroom or if you need to squeeze in a mattress for a guestroom. A Murphy bed folds up against the wall when not in use. When you’re ready for bed, simply fold the bed out of the wall. These beds come in a wide range of sizes and styles. They also offer extra hidden storage.

Before investing in a Murphy bed frame, make sure you have enough room to accommodate the bed and extra storage space if necessary. Vertical Murphy beds require higher ceilings and provide you with two points of entry. Horizontal Murphy beds are best for rooms with lower ceilings.