Murphy Bed Dimensions
A vertical queen Murphy bed is typically about 65–67 in (165–170 cm) wide, 86–90 in (218–229 cm) tall and 16–20 in (41–51 cm) deep when closed; open, it reaches about 85–90 in (216–229 cm) into the room. Full and twin Murphy beds are the same height and depth but narrower. Every mechanism is a little different, so these are typical sizes: the drawings that come with your hardware kit give the exact cabinet dimensions. For the build, see how to build a Murphy bed.
Murphy bed dimensions by size
| Size | Mattress | Cabinet width | Cabinet height | Depth closed | Reach open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin or single (vertical) | 38 × 75 in | 42–45 in (107–114 cm) | 82–86 in (208–218 cm) | 16–20 in | 80–84 in |
| Full (vertical) | 54 × 75 in | 58–61 in (147–155 cm) | 82–86 in (208–218 cm) | 16–20 in | 80–84 in |
| Queen (vertical) | 60 × 80 in | 65–67 in (165–170 cm) | 86–90 in (218–229 cm) | 16–20 in | 85–90 in |
| King (vertical) | 76 × 80 in | 81–83 in (206–211 cm) | 86–90 in (218–229 cm) | 16–20 in | 85–90 in |
| Queen (horizontal) | 60 × 80 in | 86–88 in (218–224 cm) | 65–68 in (165–173 cm) | 16–20 in | 65–70 in |
The cabinet width is the mattress plus 5–7 in for the bed frame and the cabinet sides; the height is the mattress length plus 8–10 in for the frame, the top and the base. The depth closed depends on the mattress thickness.
Vertical or horizontal?
- Vertical (portrait): the bed folds up along its length. It takes the least wall width and suits most rooms, but needs about 7 ft 4 in of ceiling for a queen.
- Horizontal (landscape): the bed folds up along its width. The cabinet is lower, about 65–68 in, so it fits under a window or a sloping ceiling and leaves room for shelves above, but it takes 7 ft or more of wall and the open bed runs along the wall.
Room space you need
| Measurement | Queen vertical | Full or twin vertical |
|---|---|---|
| Ceiling height | at least 88–90 in (224–229 cm) | at least 84–86 in (213–218 cm) |
| Wall width | the cabinet + side cabinets if any | the cabinet + side cabinets if any |
| Floor depth with the bed open | 85–90 in + 24–30 in to walk past | 80–84 in + 24–30 in |
Keep the floor in front of the cabinet clear of rugs with thick edges and furniture: the foot of the bed swings out in an arc as it opens.
Mattress
Murphy beds take a standard mattress without a box spring, usually up to 10–12 in thick. The springs or pistons of the mechanism are matched to the weight of the bed and mattress: a much heavier mattress makes the bed fall open too fast, a much lighter one makes it hard to pull down. Tell the hardware supplier which mattress you will use. For mattress sizes, see bed frame dimensions.
Side cabinets and shelves
Most wall beds are flanked by tall cabinets or shelves 12–18 in wide and as deep as the bed cabinet, which hide the cabinet edges and add storage. Bolt the bed cabinet to the wall studs: an open Murphy bed puts a large load on its fixings.
Building one
A Murphy bed is a tall plywood cabinet with a bed frame that pivots on a hardware kit (springs or gas pistons). Buy the mechanism first and build the cabinet to its drawings: the pivot height and the clearances matter to the inch. If floor space is the problem and the ceiling is high, a loft bed is another way to free the room:
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a queen Murphy bed?
A vertical queen Murphy bed cabinet is typically 65–67 in (165–170 cm) wide, 86–90 in (218–229 cm) tall and 16–20 in (41–51 cm) deep closed. Open, it reaches about 85–90 in (216–229 cm) from the wall.
How much room do you need for a queen Murphy bed?
About 7 ft 4 in (2.25 m) of ceiling height and 9–10 ft (2.7–3 m) from the wall: the open bed, about 87 in, plus 24–30 in to walk past its foot.
What mattress fits a Murphy bed?
A standard-size mattress (twin 38 × 75 in, full 54 × 75 in, queen 60 × 80 in) up to the thickness the mechanism allows, usually 10–12 in, without a box spring. Memory foam and hybrid mattresses work; very heavy mattresses may need stronger springs.
Can a Murphy bed go on an 8 ft ceiling?
Yes. A vertical queen needs about 88–90 in and an 8 ft ceiling is 96 in. Check the crown moulding and any light fitting the open bed swings past.