Murphy bed dimensions decide whether a wall bed fits your room or crowds it. A standard vertical queen is about 87–89 inches tall and 64–68 inches wide. It is 18–21 inches deep and reaches 85–87 inches into the room when open.
This guide gives you the full Murphy bed size chart, simple measuring steps, and a buying checklist. You will also find answers to the questions buyers ask most.
Table of Contents
How to Measure for a Murphy Bed (Dimensions and Clearance)
Start with four Murphy bed measurements:
- Height: floor to the top of the closed cabinet.
- Width: the full cabinet, side to side.
- Depth: wall to the front of the closed cabinet.
- Projection: wall to the foot of the bed when it is open.
Then measure your room in this order:
- Measure the wall width. Vertical beds need about 47 inches at minimum. Horizontal beds need about 80 inches.
- Measure floor to ceiling. The ceiling should be at least 2½ inches taller than the cabinet. For vertical beds, 82 inches is the usual minimum.
- Measure the open projection. Plan for at least 85 inches for most vertical beds.
- Leave 30–36 inches on each side so you can walk around the bed.
A standard 8-foot ceiling is 96 inches. A vertical queen at 87–89 inches fits under it, but the margin is small. Check for these before you buy:
- Ceiling fans and chandeliers, which can hit the bed as it opens.
- Baseboards, crown molding, outlets and light switches on the wall.
- Door and hallway widths, because the cabinet is large and heavy to carry in.
Also note the height from the floor to the top of the mattress when the bed is open. It is usually about 19–23 inches, depending on leg height and mattress thickness.
Murphy Bed Dimensions Chart: Vertical vs. Horizontal Sizes
A vertical Murphy bed folds up with the short side at the wall. It is the most common style and looks like a regular bed when open. You can get in from either side.
A horizontal Murphy bed folds up with the long side at the wall. It suits low ceilings and rooms where a ceiling fan is in the way. You can only get in from the open side.
Vertical Murphy bed dimensions (typical ranges)
| Size | Height | Width | Depth | Projection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 82–87 in | 43–46 in | 18–21 in | 80–82 in |
| Twin XL | 87–89 in | 43–46 in | 18–21 in | 85–87 in |
| Full | 82–87 in | 57–61 in | 18–21 in | 80–82 in |
| Queen | 87–89 in | 64–68 in | 18–21 in | 85–87 in |
| King | 89–92 in | 84–86 in | 18–21 in | 85–87 in |
Horizontal Murphy bed dimensions (typical ranges)
| Size | Height | Width | Depth | Projection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 45–48 in | 80–85 in | 16–20 in | 44–46 in |
| Twin XL | 45–48 in | 85–90 in | 16–20 in | 44–46 in |
| Full | 62–64 in | 80–85 in | 16–20 in | 58–60 in |
| Queen | 68–70 in | 85–90 in | 16–20 in | 65–68 in |
| King | 68–70 in | 85–90 in | 16–20 in | 78–80 in |
Horizontal king beds are rare. California king wall beds are rarer still because those mattresses are long and heavy.
The frame is always bigger than the mattress. These are standard mattress sizes:
| Mattress | Size |
|---|---|
| Twin | 38 × 75 in |
| Twin XL | 38 × 80 in |
| Full | 54 × 75 in |
| Queen | 60 × 80 in |
| King | 76 × 80 in |
Do dimensions vary by maker? Yes, by a few inches. Crown molding, spring versus piston lifts, and wood versus laminate all change the numbers. Always check the exact spec sheet for the model you want.
How big are side cabinets? They usually come in 18, 24 or 30-inch widths and are about 16 inches deep. Add them to the bed width to get your full wall need. A queen bed with two 24-inch cabinets needs roughly 112–116 inches of wall.
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Murphy Bed Size Guide: Which Size Fits Your Room?
Space is the reason people buy these beds. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that new apartments built for rent in 2020 had a median size of 1,075 square feet. Many older city units are smaller. In rooms like these, every foot counts.
| Room | Best size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kids’ room or dorm | Twin | Small footprint |
| Home office | Twin or full (horizontal works well) | Keeps wall space for shelves |
| Guest room | Full or queen | Sleeps one or two comfortably |
| Studio apartment | Queen | Fits couples and frees the floor by day |
| Primary bedroom | Queen or king | Needs a wide wall and deep room |
| Low-ceiling basement | Horizontal twin, full or queen | Needs less height |
What is the minimum room size for a Murphy bed? A common rule is a room at least 10 feet deep. That gives you about 7 feet for the open bed plus space to stand at the foot.
Twin or twin XL? Choose twin XL if you are over about 6 feet tall. It adds 5 inches of length.
Full or queen? A full is about 6 inches narrower. A queen is better for couples.
If you rent, ask your landlord first. Wall beds must be anchored to studs, so they leave screw holes behind.
Murphy Bed Buying Guide: Mattress, Mechanism, Cabinets & Cost
What mattress works best? Most frames hold mattresses up to about 10–12 inches thick. Foam and latex are the safest picks. Heavy hybrid and innerspring mattresses can bunch at one end while the bed stands upright.
Which lift system is better? Both are common:
- Spring systems are easy to adjust over time.
- Piston (gas piston) systems run smooth and quiet. They may need a pro for service.
Either way, look for a counterbalanced mechanism. It holds the bed at any angle and stops it from slamming. Ask for the weight rating and the warranty in writing.
What are Murphy beds made of? Real wood looks classic. Melamine and HPL laminate cost less and resist scratches. Engineered cores resist warping on large panels.
How much does a Murphy bed cost? Prices vary a lot. Expect roughly $1,300 to $4,000 or more, depending on size, materials and add-ons. Side cabinets, desks and sofas raise the total. Ordering cabinets with the bed is often cheaper than adding them later.
Is installation safe? Safety depends on proper mounting. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled several wall beds. In one case, the frame weighed 215 pounds and could fall during assembly when it was not anchored.. Another recall covered about 129,000 wall beds that could come loose if wall screws or anchors were wrong. Read the news report. cpscnbc4i
Follow these steps:
- Anchor into wall studs, at least three and ideally four.
- Never use hollow-wall anchors for the main load.
- Use two people for assembly.
- Choose a pro installer if you are unsure.
A quick history note: the bed is named after William Lawrence Murphy, who received a patent for a “Disappearing Bed” on June 18, 1912. Read more on Wikipedia. Wikipedia
FAQs
What are the disadvantages of a Murphy bed?
The main drawbacks are the upfront cost and the need for a strong, stud-anchored wall. You also need enough ceiling height and open floor space. You fold and make the bed daily, and heavy mattresses can strain the lift.
What is the difference between a wall bed and a Murphy bed?
Almost none. “Murphy bed” is the most popular name for a wall bed. Both fold into a wall or cabinet. Courts ruled in 1989 that “Murphy bed” is a generic term, as reported in this history of the bed.
Are Murphy beds queen size?
Yes. Queen is the most popular size. A vertical queen is about 87–89 inches high and 64–68 inches wide. It holds a standard 60 × 80 inch mattress.
Do Murphy beds come in full size?
Yes. A vertical full is about 57–61 inches wide and 82–87 inches high. It fits guest rooms and small bedrooms well.
What is the standard size of a Murphy bed?
There is no single standard. Most buyers choose a queen, which is the most common size. For vertical beds, expect 87–89 inches high and 85–87 inches of projection.
Why are Murphy beds so expensive?
They use heavy-duty hardware that must lift hundreds of pounds safely every day. They also need strong cabinet materials, careful finishing, and costly shipping because of their weight. Cabinets and desks add to the price.
Conclusion
Measure first, then pick your size. Check the wall, the ceiling height, and the open projection. Compare spec sheets, and anchor the bed to studs.
With the right Murphy bed dimensions, you get a full bed at night and a clear floor by day.
Measurement Researcher, Size Comparison Writer & Content Specialist
Timmy Ahad is a dedicated content writer and research specialist at SizesVisualizer.com, where he focuses on creating accurate, easy-to-understand content about measurements, dimensions, size comparisons, and real-world object visualization.
