Wall Bed vs Murphy Bed: Differences & Buying Guide

Here's a question I get all the time: "What's the difference between a wall bed and a murphy bed?" When I first started looking at space-saving beds for my studio apartment, I thought they were the same thing. Spoiler: they're not, and the difference matters for your wallet and your living space.

Let me break it down for you, based on hours of research and my own experience installing both in different apartments I've rented.

The Short Answer

A murphy bed is a type of wall bed. All murphy beds are wall beds, but not all wall beds are murphy beds. Think of it like this: "wall bed" is the general category, and "murphy bed" is a specific style within that category.

Confused? Don't worry — I was too. Let me explain the actual differences that affect you as a shopper.

What Is a Murphy Bed?

A murphy bed folds vertically into a cabinet or closet. The name comes from William Lawrence Murphy, who invented the design around 1900 when he needed to turn his one-room apartment into a parlor for entertaining.

Key Murphy Bed Features

• Folds vertically (up and down)
• Hides in a cabinet that looks like furniture when closed
• Mattress stays attached — no need to make or store it separately
• Uses a spring or piston mechanism to help lift and lower
• Requires wall mounting for safety

I had a murphy bed in my first studio apartment. When guests came over, I'd fold it up in 30 seconds and suddenly had space for a dinner party. When it was closed, it looked like a nice bookshelf — no one guessed it was a bed.

What Is a Wall Bed?

"Wall bed" is an umbrella term for any bed that stores against the wall. Murphy beds are one type, but there are others:

Types of Wall Beds

1. Murphy Beds (Vertical Fold)
The classic — folds up into a cabinet. Best for daily use and guest rooms.

2. Horizontal Wall Beds
Folds sideways instead of up and down. Good if you have low ceilings or limited vertical space.

3. Cabinet Beds (Chest Beds)
A smaller, more portable option that looks like a dresser or chest. The mattress folds inside. Easier to move and doesn't always need wall mounting.

4. Wall Bed Systems with Desk/Shelves
Integrated furniture that combines a bed with a desk, bookshelves, or storage. My current apartment has one with a desk, and I work from it every day.

5. Pull-Down Beds in Closets
These are murphy-style beds installed inside an existing closet. Good if you don't want to modify your walls permanently.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Let me put this in a table so you can see the differences at a glance:

Feature	Murphy Bed	Horizontal Wall Bed	Cabinet Bed
Fold direction	Vertical (up/down)	Horizontal (sideways)	Folds into a chest
Wall mounting required	Yes	Yes	Sometimes
Mattress included	Usually (attached)	Usually (attached)	Yes (folds inside)
Floor space when open	7–8 ft lengthwise	6–7 ft widthwise	6–7 ft lengthwise
Easiest to move	Hard (built-in)	Hard (built-in)	Easy (portable)
Best for	Daily use, guest rooms	Low ceilings	Occasional guests
Price range	$800–$3,000+	$800–$2,500	$300–$1,000

Pros and Cons of Each

Murphy Bed Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Looks like furniture when closed (clean, finished look)
• Comfortable for daily use (mattress stays flat)
• Lots of style and size options
• Can integrate with desks and shelves

Cons:

• Expensive (most cost $1,000+)
• Requires wall installation (drilling, finding studs)
• Hard to move if you change apartments
• Takes up more wall width than horizontal beds

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Horizontal Wall Bed Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Works in rooms with low ceilings (under 8 ft)
• Better for narrow rooms where length is limited
• Easier for kids or shorter people to reach

Cons:

• Less common (fewer options to choose from)
• Cabinet takes up more vertical wall space visually
• Not ideal for very tall people (shorter mattress length)

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Cabinet Bed Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Cheapest option ($300–$1,000 usually)
• Portable — take it with you when you move
• No wall mounting needed (most are freestanding)
• Looks like a dresser when closed

Cons:

• Mattress is usually thinner (4–6 inches)
• Less comfortable for daily use
• Smaller sleeping surface (usually twin or full)
• You have to remove bedding before folding

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Popular Brands Worth Considering

After testing and researching, here are the brands I'd actually recommend:

Bestar

Bestar is my go-to for murphy beds. They're mid-range in price but feel high-quality. The mechanisms are smooth, the cabinets look nice, and their warranty is solid (10 years on most models). I currently have a Bestar murphy bed with a desk, and it's holding up great after two years of daily use.

Leto Muro

If you want something that looks more like high-end furniture, Leto Muro is worth a look. Their wall bed cabinets have clean, modern designs. They're on the pricier side, but if you're using it in your main living space, the aesthetic matters.

Night & Day Furniture

This brand makes some of the best cabinet beds. Their "Murphy Cabinet Bed" line is popular because it's genuinely comfortable for a cabinet bed, and the quality is better than most budget options.

Canora Grey

For the budget shoppers out there, Canora Grey offers decent murphy beds at lower prices. The quality isn't Bestar-level, but if you're using it occasionally or are a student on a budget, they're worth considering.

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Price Ranges by Type

Here's roughly what you can expect to pay (as of 2026):

Type	Budget	Mid-Range	Premium
Murphy Bed (Twin)	$500–$800	$1,000–$1,800	$2,000–$3,500
Murphy Bed (Queen)	$800–$1,200	$1,500–$2,500	$2,500–$5,000
Cabinet Bed (Twin/Full)	$200–$500	$500–$800	$800–$1,500
Horizontal Wall Bed	$700–$1,000	$1,200–$2,000	$2,000–$3,500

How to Choose Which One Is Right for You

Ask yourself these questions:

1. How often will you use it?

• Every night: Get a quality murphy bed with a thick (10"+) mattress
• A few times a month: A mid-range murphy bed or high-end cabinet bed works
• Once a month or less: A cabinet bed is probably fine (and saves money)

2. Can you drill into the walls?

If you rent and your landlord won't let you drill, a cabinet bed is your best bet. Some murphy beds claim to be freestanding, but I'd be cautious — wall mounting is a safety thing, not just a stability thing.

3. What's your ceiling height?

• Under 8 ft: Consider a horizontal wall bed or cabinet bed
• 8 ft or taller: Standard murphy beds work fine

4. How often do you move?

If you move every year like I used to, a cabinet bed is easier to transport. Murphy beds are built-in — moving them usually means taking them apart and potentially patching walls.

5. Do you want extra features?

Desks, bookshelves, side cabinets — murphy bed systems offer the most integrated features. Cabinet beds are simpler, but some have drawers for storage.

Wall Mounting Safety Tips

If you go with a murphy bed or horizontal wall bed, please don't skip proper installation. I've seen stories of beds falling off walls, and it's not pretty.

Always mount to studs. Drywall alone won't hold it. Use a stud finder, and if the studs don't line up, use heavy-duty wall anchors rated for the weight.

Get help installing it. The mechanism and cabinet are heavy. Trying to do it alone is how you hurt yourself or damage the wall.

Follow the weight capacity. Every bed has a maximum weight limit. Don't exceed it — that includes you plus the mattress plus any blankets and pillows.

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Final Recommendation

If I had to pick one for most people in small apartments, I'd go with a mid-range murphy bed cabinet. It's the most versatile — comfortable enough for daily use, looks nice when closed, and there are tons of options at different price points.

But if you move a lot, have strict landlords, or just need something for occasional guests, a cabinet bed is the more practical choice.

The key is figuring out your actual needs before you buy. Measure your space, think about how often you'll realistically use it, and don't forget to budget for a good mattress if it's not included.