Also known as a wall or pull-down bed, a Murphy bed is ideal for small spaces since it folds up and hides within a cabinet or wall when unused. It provides a fantastic solution for tiny apartments, studios, guest rooms, or mobile homes. Additionally, a Murphy bed comes in various dimensions, which we are exploring in the current article.
How to measure a Murphy bed
Before proceeding, it’s important to clarify these aspects when discussing Murphy bed dimensions: height, width, depth, and projection. The height is the length of a Murphy bed cabinet when it sits upright, the width refers to the bed width when it’s folded out, the depth measures how far the bed extends when the bed is set up, while the projection indicates the total space occupied by the bed from the wall when it’s pulled down.
Horizontal vs. vertical Murphy beds
Murphy beds can be divided into two main types, vertical and horizontal, based on how they fold down from the wall.
A vertical Murphy bed works like a cupboard. When you pull it down, the length of the bed comes out, and your head goes towards the wall. It’s just like a normal bed and often fits bigger mattresses. However, it requires a high ceiling.
A horizontal Murphy bed flips down the other way, with the side of the bed against the wall. It’s a good choice for rooms with a standard height and windows, radiators, or something else that would block a vertical Murphy bed. Moreover, the horizontal type doesn’t stick out as much into the room, which is a bonus for narrow rooms. On the otherhand, it’s not as big as a vertical bed since it’s turned sideways.
Vertical Murphy bed size chart
| Mattress size | Height (inches / cm) | Width (inches / cm) | Depth (inches / cm) | Projection (inches / cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 82-87 / 208-221 | 43-46 / 109-117 | 18-21 / 46-53 | 80-82 / 203-208 |
| Twin XL | 87-89 / 221-226 | 43-46 / 109-117 | 18-21 / 46-53 | 85-87 / 216-221 |
| Full/double | 82-87 / 208-221 | 57-614 / 145-155 | 18-21 / 46-53 | 80-82 / 203-208 |
| Queen | 87-89 / 221-226 | 64-68 / 163-173 | 18-21 / 46-53 | 85-87 / 216-221 |
| King | 89-92 / 226-234 | 84-86 / 213-218 | 18-21 / 46-53 | 85-87 / 216-221 |
Horizontal Murphy bed size chart
| Mattress size | Height (inches / cm) | Width (inches / cm) | Depth (inches / cm) | Projection (inches / cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 45-48 / 114-122 | 80-85 / 203-216 | 16-20 / 41-51 | 44-46 / 112-117 |
| Twin XL | 45-48 / 114-122 | 85-90 / 216-229 | 16-20 / 41-51 | 44-46 / 112-117 |
| Full/double | 62-64 / 157-163 | 80-85 / 203-216 | 16-20 / 41-51 | 58-60 / 147-152 |
| Queen | 68-70 / 173-178 | 85-90 / 216-229 | 16-20 / 41-51 | 65-68 / 165-173 |
| King | 68-70 / 173-178 | 85-90 / 216-229 | 16-20 / 41-51 | 78-80 / 198-203 |
Murphy bed mattress specifications
Standard-sized mattresses are suitable for most Murphy beds. However, you must double-check the depth before purchasing a mattress since it must be compact enough to fit the bed frame and fold into a cabinet. Depending on the model, a Murphy bed mattress should be 10-12 inches (25.4 – 30.5 cm) deep.
Murphy bed side cabinets
Certain Murphy beds come with side cabinets for additional storage space. When measuring a room, it’s essential to take into account the dimensions of these side cabinets, whether you need a vertical or horizontal Murphy bed.
Vertical Murphy bed side cabinet size chart
| Size | Height (inches / cm) | Width (inches / cm) | Depth (inches / cm) |
| Twin | 79.25 / 201 | 18, 24 or 30 / 46, 61 or 76 | 16 / 41 |
| Twin XL | 84.75 / 215 | 18, 24 or 30 / 46, 61 or 76 | 16 / 41 |
| Full/double | 79.25 / 201 | 18, 24 or 30 / 46, 61 or 76 | 16 / 41 |
| Queen | 84.75 / 215 | 18, 24 or 30 / 46, 61 or 76 | 16 / 41 |
| King | 84.75 / 215 | 18, 24 or 30 / 46, 61 or 76 | 16 / 41 |
Vertical Murphy bed side cabinet size chart
| Size | Height (inches / cm) | Width (inches / cm) | Depth (inches / cm) |
| Twin | 43 / 109 | 18, 24 or 30 / 46, 61 or 76 | 16 / 41 |
| Twin XL | 64 / 163 | 18, 24 or 30 / 46, 61 or 76 | 16 / 41 |
| Full/double | 58 / 147 | 18, 24 or 30 / 46, 61 or 76 | 16 / 41 |
| Queen | 64 / 163 | 18, 24 or 30 / 46, 61 or 76 | 16 / 41 |
| King | 64 / 163 | 18, 24 or 30 / 46, 61 or 76 | 16 / 41 |