Murphy beds make life easier in narrow spaces and add elegance to modern interiors; they offer practical solutions and, with the right size, maximum comfort. So what should you pay attention to when choosing the ideal Murphy bed for your home? In this guide, you will find answers to important questions step by step: how to take the Murphy Bed Size, how to assess your available space, how to determine bed types and how to calculate the installation area. This way, you can both optimize your living space and change the atmosphere of your home with a Murphy bed that suits your style.
Assess Your Existing Space
Although a Murphy bed is a perfect solution, especially for small spaces, it is vital to take the right measurements and assess your available space well. Otherwise, you may run into restrictions in your living space and be disappointed with your Murphy Bed Size. Here is our step-by-step guide to assessing your available space:
Measure the Room
First, we need to determine the overall dimensions of your room precisely. To do this, use a tape measure to measure the length, width and height of the room. These measurements will give us the first clue about what size of Murphy bed can fit. We should also note the positions of windows, doors and other fixed furniture, because these can affect our choice of Murphy Bed Size.
Key Points:
- Take measurements in centimetres.
- Check the measurements twice.
- Write all the measurements down in one place.
Calculate the Opening Area of the Murphy Bed
Calculating the space a Murphy bed will take up when opened is perhaps the most important step. We should consider how much room the bed will occupy when fully opened. This will help us determine whether we will leave enough space to move around the room. We should also take the opening direction of the bed into account: will it open horizontally or vertically? This will determine how it affects the usable area of the room.
Bed Opening Area Calculation Table:
| Bed Type | Opening Direction | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Vertical | Bed width x bed length |
| Double | Horizontal | Bed width x bed length |
| Bunk bed | Vertical | (Top bed width x top bed length) + (Bottom bed width x bottom bed length) |
By following these steps carefully, you will use your available space in the most efficient way and be able to choose the Murphy Bed Size that suits you best. In the next step, we will determine the Murphy bed type that best suits your needs and your space.
Determine the Murphy Bed Type
When choosing a Murphy bed, it is important to determine the right type according to your available space and your needs. The type makes as big a difference as the Murphy Bed Size in terms of both saving space and ease of use. Here are some Murphy bed types you should consider:
Horizontal and Vertical Murphy Beds
Horizontally opening Murphy beds open in a way similar to traditional beds and offer a wider usage area. Vertically opening Murphy beds, on the other hand, take up less space and are ideal for narrow spaces. The direction you choose should depend on the shape of your room and how you intend to use it. For example, if you have a narrow, long room, a vertically opening Murphy bed may be more suitable. If you have a wide, square room, a horizontally opening Murphy bed can provide a more comfortable sleeping area.
| Feature | Horizontal Murphy Bed | Vertical Murphy Bed |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Direction | Horizontal | Vertical |
| Suitable Space | Wide, square rooms | Narrow, long rooms |
| Space Occupied | More | Less |
Multifunctional Murphy Beds
If you want to get the maximum benefit from your space, multifunctional Murphy beds are a great choice. Besides the bed, these beds can have extra features such as a desk, a sofa or storage space. This way we both save floor space and increase the functionality of our room. For example, if you live in a small studio flat, we can choose a Murphy Bed Size that you can use as a desk by day and as a bed by night. Multifunctional Murphy beds equipped with integrated features such as bookcases, shelves or a desk offer an ideal solution, especially for homes with limited space. These types of Murphy beds are available in different styles and materials to match the overall design of the room.
Choose the Bed Size
Choosing the mattress size is one of the most important steps when calculating the Murphy Bed Size. Choosing the right size is essential for a comfortable night's sleep and for the overall layout of your room. Remember that you need to take the measurements of your available space into account in this process. Now let us look at the standard and custom size options.
Single, Double and Queen Size Beds
Standard mattress sizes generally also apply to Murphy beds. You can choose the one that best suits your needs and your space. Single beds are ideal for narrow spaces and are usually 90×190 cm or 90×200 cm. Double beds offer a wider sleeping area and come in sizes such as 140×190 cm, 140×200 cm, 150×200 cm or 160×200 cm. Queen-size beds are slightly wider than double beds and are usually 180×200 cm. These standard sizes are suitable for most Murphy Bed Sizes. Here is a table to help you:
| Bed Type | Width (cm) | Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 90 | 190/200 |
| Double | 140/150/160 | 190/200 |
| Queen size | 180 | 200 |
Custom Size Options
Apart from standard sizes, it is also possible to have a Murphy bed made in custom sizes. This option is quite advantageous, especially when standard sizes do not fit your room. You may prefer custom sizes for children's rooms or narrow spaces. However, it is worth bearing in mind that custom sizes may increase production time and cost. Before placing a custom size order, we recommend that you do thorough research and contact the manufacturer to get information on exact dimensions and price.
Calculate the Cabinet and Frame Dimensions
Once you have chosen the mattress size, it is time to calculate the cabinet and frame dimensions of the Murphy bed system. At this stage, we must consider both the bed's dimensions in the closed position and the usage area in the open position. Correct calculations ensure both visual harmony and functionality in your space.
Space the Murphy Bed Takes Up When Closed
When closed, a Murphy bed looks like a cabinet. The dimensions of this cabinet will affect the overall look of your room. In addition to the dimensions of your bed, you must also take into account the thickness of the cabinet doors and the space taken up by the mechanism. Here are the points to watch for when making this calculation:
- Bed Width and Length: The bed size you choose directly affects the width and length of your cabinet.
- Mechanism Allowance: Murphy bed mechanisms themselves also take up a certain amount of space. This allowance is usually specified by the manufacturer and must be added to the cabinet dimensions.
- Door Thickness: The thickness of the cabinet doors must be added to the total depth. This is an important detail, especially if you prefer thick doors.
The table below summarises this calculation:
| Size | Description |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Width | Bed width + Mechanism allowance + Door thickness (x2) |
| Cabinet Height | Bed height + Mechanism allowance + Door thickness |
| Cabinet Depth | Bed depth + Mechanism allowance + Door thickness |
Cabinet Depth and Height
The depth of a Murphy bed matters in both the closed and the open position. It determines how much room it takes up in your room when closed, and whether you can lie comfortably on the bed when open. Height, in turn, matters both for visual harmony and for ease of use. Now let us look at these two important dimensions in detail:
- Depth: A cabinet with enough depth is needed for the bed to fold. This depth varies with the thickness of the bed, the requirements of the mechanism and any additions such as the storage base or headboard you choose.
- Height: The height of the cabinet must be compatible with your ceiling height and your bed dimensions. It is important to determine the right height so that the bed does not hit the ceiling when open and does not look out of proportion in your room when closed.
Think About the Installation and Usage Area
When choosing a Murphy bed, it is not enough to focus only on the Murphy Bed Size. We also need to assess the installation and usage area in detail. Otherwise, our room to move may be restricted when the bed is opened, or safety problems may arise. For this reason, we should carefully plan the space needed for installing the Murphy bed and for using it every day.
Distances to the Wall and Floor
For a Murphy bed to be installed correctly and safely, it is important that the distances to the wall and floor are suitable. We should check the minimum distances stated in the bed's installation guide and make sure the wall structure can support this weight. In addition, a level and solid floor is critical for the stability of the installation.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Distance to the Wall | The distance required for the bed to rest fully against the wall. It may vary depending on the installation type. |
| Distance to the Floor | The distance of the bed from the floor can be adjusted to leave space underneath for cleaning or storage. |
Clearances Required for Safe Use
Another point as important as the Murphy Bed Size is having enough clearance around the bed when it is opened, closed and used. We must leave enough space so that the bed does not hit any furniture or wall when opened. We also need enough room to move so that we can open and close the bed easily. This space will vary depending on the dimensions of the bed and its opening mechanism. Leaving enough clearance around the bed ensures safe and comfortable use. In particular, we should take care to leave enough room at the head and the foot of the bed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Murphy beds installed?
Murphy beds can be installed horizontally or vertically. Horizontal Murphy beds are generally more common and tend to convert into a sofa. Vertical Murphy beds take up less space and are used as single beds.
How do you measure for a Murphy bed?
The dimensions of a Murphy bed include the size of the bed in its open and closed states. When measuring, it is important to take the clearance around the bed into account as well. Measure the clearance needed so that the bed can open fully and there is enough room to move around it.
What materials are needed to install a Murphy bed?
The materials needed to install a Murphy bed include a mounting bracket, screws, wall plugs and a drill. The installation process may vary depending on the wall type and the bed model. Some Murphy beds may require professional installation.
Where can Murphy beds be used?
Murphy beds are practical and versatile pieces of furniture that save floor space. Models that can be used as both a bed and a sofa are ideal for small living spaces. Murphy beds can be used in many different areas, such as guest rooms, studio flats and children's rooms.
