Murphy beds are the best space-saving solution for modern homes. Whether you live in a small apartment, need a guest bed in your home office, or want to maximize your bedroom space, a Murphy bed offers both comfort and functionality. These beds fold up against the wall when not in use. It frees up valuable floor space for work, play, or relaxation.
Choosing the right Murphy bed size is essential to ensure a comfortable sleep experience while fitting seamlessly into your room. The wrong size and mattress leads to wasted space, awkward layouts, or an uncomfortable sleeping setup.
This guide covers the following to help you find the perfect fit for your home.
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Standard Murphy bed sizes and dimensions.
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Mattress compatibility and weight limits.
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Choosing the best size for your space and needs.
Choose the perfect Murphy bed size and elevate your space today.
INDEX
Standard Murphy Bed Sizes & Dimensions
Single Murphy Bed
Twin Murphy Bed
Full (Double) Murphy Bed
Queen Murphy Bed
King Murphy Bed
How to Choose the Right Murphy Bed Size for Your Room
Practical Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Murphy Bed
FAQs
Why Choose Lori Beds?
Standard Murphy Bed Sizes & Dimensions
Murphy beds, otherwise known as wall beds, come in various sizes to accommodate different needs and room dimensions. Here's a detailed look at each standard size:
Single Murphy Bed
Dimensions: About 38 inches wide by 75 inches long.
Room Space Needed: Requires about 6 to 7 feet of wall space.
Best For:
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Studio apartments
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Kid's rooms
Single Murphy beds are ideal for single sleepers and are perfect for maximizing space in smaller rooms
Twin Murphy Bed
Dimensions: Approximately 44 inches wide by 78 inches long.
Room Space Needed: Requires about 6 to 7 feet of wall space.
Best For:
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Studio apartments
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Children's rooms
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Home offices with limited space
Twin Murphy beds are also ideal for single sleepers. They provide a more comfortable sleeping area than single beds without overwhelming the room's layout.
Full (Double) Murphy Bed
Dimensions: Approximately 57 inches wide by 82 inches long.
Room Space Needed: Requires about 7 to 8 feet of wall space.
Best For:
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Guest rooms
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Compact apartments
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Multi-purpose spaces
Full Murphy beds offer more sleeping space than twin beds. They are suitable for solo sleepers who prefer an extra room or for accommodating occasional guests.
Queen Murphy Bed
Dimensions: Approximately 63 inches wide by 82 inches long.
Room Space Needed: Requires about 8 to 9 feet of wall space.
Best For:
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Primary bedrooms
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Guest rooms that double as an office
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Airbnb rentals
Queen Murphy beds remain the most-preferred choice due to their balance between comfort and space efficiency, comfortably accommodating couples.
King Murphy Bed
Dimensions: Approximately 86 inches wide by 92 inches long.
Room Space Needed: Requires about 9 to 10 feet of wall space.
Best For:
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Large master bedrooms
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Luxury guest suites
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Airbnb or vacation rentals
King Murphy beds provide ultimate comfort and are ideal for spacious rooms where luxury and ample sleeping space are desired.
Find the ideal Murphy bed for your room and make your purchase today.
How to Choose the Right Murphy Bed Size for Your Room
Picking the right Murphy bed size is essential for comfort and functionality. A bed that is too large can make a room feel cramped, while a bed that is too small may not provide enough sleeping space.
Here are tips for choosing the perfect Murphy bed size for your home.
1) Measure your room size
Before purchasing a Murphy bed, measure the space where you plan to install it. Consider both the wall width and the floor space needed when the bed is open.
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Twin Murphy Bed: Needs about 6–7 feet of wall space and 8 feet of floor clearance.
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Full Murphy Bed: Needs around 7–8 feet of wall space and 8–9 feet of floor clearance.
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Queen Murphy Bed: Requires 8–9 feet of wall space and 9–10 feet of floor clearance.
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King Murphy Bed: Needs at least 9–10 feet of wall space and 10+ feet of floor clearance.
In a room with a ceiling fan, verify whether a Twin or Queen Murphy bed fits without hitting the fan. Here’s how:
2) Consider mattress thickness and weight
Not all Murphy beds fit thick mattresses. Most Murphy bed manufacturers, including Lori Beds, support mattresses that are no more than 12 inches thick. If you already have a mattress, check if it fits the bed frame before buying.
But if you wish to buy, it would be practical to buy a Murphy bed frame plus the mattress that’s made perfectly for it. The Lori Bed, for instance, can be bought with The Lori Mattress. This gives you peace of mind, knowing that the mattress is perfectly calibrated with the bed’s gas-piston lifting mechanism.
As for weight limits, most Murphy beds support between 500 to 1,000 pounds, depending on size and frame construction. Heavier mattresses can affect the bed's lifting mechanism, so ensure the frame is designed to handle the weight.
If, for instance, you want to buy a Murphy bed without a lifting mechanism, such as Lori Beds’ The YouLift Bed, choose a lighter mattress. Better yet, purchase it with the YouLift Mattress, which is designed to be much lighter to make lifting and lowering your bed much easier.
3) Think about how often it will be used
Determine how often the bed will be used. For daily use, prioritize comfort and durability. For occasional use, such as in guest rooms, a simpler design may suffice.
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For daily sleeping: Choose a queen or king Murphy bed for comfort.
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For guest rooms: A full or queen Murphy bed works best.
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For kids or small spaces: A twin Murphy bed is a great choice.
4) Vertical vs. Horizontal Murphy Beds
The orientation of a Murphy bed significantly impacts its suitability for a room:
Vertical Murphy Beds
Pros:
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Saves floor space while allowing for a full-length mattress.
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Ideal for rooms with high ceilings.
Cons:
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Requires more wall height (at least 7 to 8 feet).
Vertical Murphy beds are the most common and resemble the normal bed frame when open. A standard vertical Murphy bed works best in rooms with ample ceiling height.
Horizontal Murphy Beds
Pros:
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Fits rooms with low ceilings, lofts, and attics.
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Easier to access for shorter individuals or children.
Cons:
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Occupies more horizontal wall space than vertical beds.
A horizontal wall bed is suitable for spaces where vertical clearance is limited but horizontal space is ample.
Explore our Murphy bed collection and bring home your perfect fit now.
Additional Murphy Bed Considerations
Built-in storage options
Many modern Murphy beds incorporate storage features such as:
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Shelving Units: Provides space for books, decor, or essentials.
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Drawers & Cabinets: Ideal for extra bedding, clothing, or office supplies.
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Fold-down Desks: Transform your Murphy bed into a functional workspace.
Best for: Small apartments, home offices, or guest rooms that serve multiple purposes.
At Lori Beds, we have upgraded The Lori Bed to include either a desk, shelf, or both.
Murphy Bed Mechanisms
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Spring Lift: Uses a counterbalance system, allowing easy adjustments over time.
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Piston Lift: Offers a quieter, smoother operation but may require professional servicing.
Both mechanisms ensure effortless bed folding and unfolding, making daily use convenient.
If you want something more affordable, you may also choose a Murphy bed without a lifting mechanism. The YouLift Bed is equipped with wooden rockers instead of a spring or a piston, allowing it to roll up and down. You just have to ask a partner for help to lift and lower the bed.
Freestanding vs. Wall-Mounted Murphy Beds
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Freestanding Murphy Beds: Do not require wall drilling, making them ideal for renters.
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Wall-Mounted Murphy Beds: Secured directly to the wall, offering a permanent and stable solution.
Practical Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Murphy Bed
Here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of your Murphy bed while keeping your space functional and organized.
1. Use multi-functional furniture
Murphy beds work best when paired with multi-functional furniture. Consider adding:
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A fold-down desk or table that can be used for work during the day.
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Built-in shelves or cabinets around the bed for extra storage.
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A sofa bed or ottoman in front of the Murphy bed for a cozy seating area.
2. Use lightweight bedding for easy folding
Heavy blankets and bulky pillows can make it harder to fold and store your Murphy bed. Instead, choose:
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Thin but warm comforters or duvets.
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Pillows that compress easily.
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A fitted sheet that stays in place when folding the bed.
3. Optimize wall space around the bed
To make your Murphy bed area more functional:
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Add floating shelves above or beside the bed for books or décor.
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Install wall-mounted nightstands for lamps or charging stations.
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Use pegboards or hooks for additional storage near the bed.
4. Keep the area clutter-free
A Murphy bed allows you to reclaim adequate floor space, but clutter can defeat the purpose. To maintain a tidy area:
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Store pillows and bedding in a storage ottoman or nearby drawer.
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Regularly clear out unnecessary items to keep the space open.
5. Secure the Murphy bed for safety
Murphy beds are designed to be sturdy, but proper installation is key. Always:
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Mount the bed to a wall stud (if required) to prevent tipping.
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Ensure the bed frame locks in place when closed.
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Teach children how to open and close the bed safely.
6. Consider a custom Murphy bed for unique spaces
For unique spaces or specific requirements, custom Murphy beds offer tailored solutions. These can include adjustments to width, height, and depth to fit non-standard spaces like RVs, tiny homes, or rooms with unconventional layouts. Both wall-mounted and freestanding designs are available, providing flexibility in installation and design.
At Lori Beds, we also offer customization options. You can choose your desired finish to match your room’s décor. Also, you can enhance your bed with additional features like a desk or shelves.
At this moment, we’re still working on adding matching side cabinets for more storage. Also, we can’t accommodate custom orders or cuts because we want to maintain consistency in our product design and quality.
FAQs
What is the most common Murphy bed size?
Queen-size is the most popular choice for versatility and comfort.
Can a queen-sized bed fit a regular queen-size mattress?
Yes! Just ensure it’s within the recommended thickness range (10”–12”).
Do Murphy beds work for everyday sleeping?
Yes! Many people use them as primary beds for small-space living.
How much wall space do I need for a Murphy bed?
It depends on the size—expect anywhere from 6 feet (Twin) to 9 feet (Queen). Also, vertical Murphy bed dimensions require more height.
Why Choose Lori Beds?
Lori Beds offers high-quality, stylish Murphy beds designed to save space, add functionality, and look beautiful in any home.
Made with real wood
Our Murphy beds are made with HPL, which makes them sturdier, more durable, and more stylish than many competitors.
Multiple sizes to fit any room
Whether you need a twin or queen Murphy bed, we offer a perfect solution for small apartments, guest rooms, or home offices.
Easy assembly & customization
Lori Beds come in various finishes and colors, allowing you to match your décor. Plus, our beds are easy to assemble with simple instructions.
Highly rated by homeowners
Thousands of happy customers trust Lori Beds for their high-quality construction, ease of use, and stylish designs.
If you’re ready to maximize your space, explore our Murphy bed collection today.
