Is a Murphy Bed Comfortable?
It’s one of the first questions people ask when considering a Murphy bed, and understandably so. A bed that folds away into a cabinet can sound as though there must be some compromise when it comes to sleeping comfort.
The good news is that a Murphy bed can be just as comfortable as a conventional bed when you choose the right mattress and install the bed correctly.
It Uses a Real Mattress
One of the biggest differences between a Murphy bed and many other space-saving sleeping options is the mattress.
Rather than relying on a thin fold-out pad like you might find on some sofa beds, a Murphy bed uses a regular mattress that fits the dimensions of the bed frame.
That means you have much more control over how the bed feels.
Prefer a firmer mattress? A softer foam mattress? Something in between? You can choose a mattress that suits your sleeping preferences, provided it fits the size, thickness and weight requirements of the Murphy bed mechanism.
Getting the Setup Right
The mattress isn't the only thing that affects comfort.
The bed frame needs to be installed correctly and sit level when it is in the sleeping position. The mattress should remain in place when the bed is raised and lowered.
Taking a little extra time during installation to make sure everything is level and correctly adjusted can make a big difference to how the finished bed feels.
For parts of the installation and wall-mounting process, having two people available also makes the job much easier.
Choosing the Correct Mattress Size
Matching your mattress to the correct kit size is important.
Our Murphy bed kits are designed for NZ-AUS-UK standard mattress dimensions.
We recommend checking the dimensions of your mattress before ordering your kit, particularly if you already own the mattress you intend to use.
A few centimetres can make a big difference when the mattress needs to fit correctly inside the Murphy bed frame and cabinet.
How Thick Should a Murphy Bed Mattress Be?
Mattress thickness is also important because the mattress needs to fit inside the cabinet when the bed is folded away.
We recommend a mattress no thicker than 32 cm, with mattresses around 25 cm thick generally being a particularly practical choice.
A thinner, lighter mattress can also make the Murphy bed mechanism easier to operate.
Very thick pillow-top or heavy hybrid mattresses may make the bed more difficult to raise and close, so it's worth considering both comfort and practicality when choosing your mattress.
Foam, Spring or Hybrid?
There isn't one mattress type that everyone needs to use with a Murphy bed.
Foam mattresses can be a good option because they're often relatively light while still providing plenty of comfort.
Spring and hybrid mattresses may also work, provided their dimensions, thickness and weight are suitable for the bed.
The most important thing is choosing a mattress that works comfortably for you while remaining compatible with the mechanism.
So, Is a Murphy Bed Comfortable Enough for Regular Use?
Absolutely — with the right mattress and correct installation, a Murphy bed can provide the same kind of comfortable sleeping surface you'd expect from a conventional bed.
The fact that it folds away doesn't mean you need to compromise on the mattress you sleep on.
Choose the right size and thickness, make sure the frame is installed level, and secure the mattress correctly.
Then you get the best of both worlds: a comfortable bed when you need it and your floor space back when you don't.
Have a question about whether your mattress will work with one of our kits? Get in touch and we're happy to help with mattress compatibility before you order.
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