Murphy Beds Vs. Traditional Beds - Which is Better?

There’s no reason to feel stressed when choosing between murphy beds and a traditional framed bed.  Yes, some murphy beds cost more than a standard bed frame and mattress combination, but murphy beds give you more floor space and provide more functionality when they come with shelves or tv space.  This comes in handy for dual purpose guest rooms, rental properties, and apartments.

Modern murphy beds do not have to be attached to walls, and instead can rotate or fold out of a cabinet.  And they’re not just a pull down and lay flat sleeping option.  Some contain book cases and tables or desks on one side, while others have comfortable couches making them perfect for smaller living rooms or an easy way to host overnight guests and family that comes to town.

But don’t count a traditional bed out either.  There’s something to be said for being able to simply lay down and go to sleep without having to do any additional steps after a long day of work or exploring a city.  If you need storage space, the lift bed is a modified traditional bed that provides storage with easy access.  Below you’ll find some of the pros and cons between murphy beds and traditional beds, as well as when to choose one over the other.

Stuck trying to choose between them?  You’re not alone, here’s some tips on when to choose one over the other with the reasons why.

Choosing Murphy Beds Over Traditional Beds

Murphy beds are a better choice than traditional beds when it comes to saving space, having a showstopping piece of furniture, and being able to host guests easily and efficiently.  This all starts with their unique designs that allow for decluttering rooms and maximizing floor space.

Dual Purpose Guest Rooms

If you have an office that doubles as a guest room, a murphy bed frees up space for your desk and options with shelves allows you to store diplomas, awards, or books giving the room a more professional feel.  For game rooms, a solid cabinet frees up space so you, your family, and company can enjoy more living space when the room is in use, and the bed lowers once your guest is ready for bed.

Displaying Collectibles and Decor in a Bedroom

If you love decor and collectible memories from when you travel, murphy beds can have shelves and bookcases on the back to display your prized possessions.  With a traditional bed you’ll need to add shelving units to the room.  An added disadvantage to shelves and bookcases with a traditional bed is less floor space to walk around and keep the feel of the room fluid.

Your Kids are Growing Up

When you have kids that are getting to an age where they move out, you’ll likely be renovating their room into a crafting or hobby room, a den, or a home office.  Your kids will still need somewhere to sleep when they come back, and a murphy bed won’t take up floor space so you can enjoy the new purpose of the room while they’re away and welcome them home with a comfortable bed when they come to visit.

Choosing Traditional Beds Over Murphy Beds

When you want the ease of laying down without extra steps, or are decorating a large master bedroom, traditional beds are better than murphy beds. This can apply to apartments and small spaces if you upgrade from traditional to lift beds too.  Here’s when a standard bed will be a better choice than a murphy bed.

Ease of Use

If you feel worn out everyday and love to be able to jump right into bed, a traditional bed does not require any extra steps like opening a cabinet and lowering the frame.  It is the ease of use and easy access that give the traditional framed bed the advantage here.

Taller Heights and Thicker Mattresses

The quality of the mattress and mattress topper matter more than the thickness when comparing the two.  Some murphy beds can handle 10” mattresses which provide plenty of support and a plush feeling if you don’t like firm.  The height however is limited to the style of murphy bed you buy.

If you like to leap into bed or sleep high up in the air, a raised bed frame or a taller box spring gives you the extra height you want.  You need a custom built murphy bed to have the same effect, and this can be pricey.

Cost

When compared to a basic metal frame and no headboard, a traditional bed is likely less expensive than a murphy bed.  For no frills living like in a dorm room or when budgets are tight, traditional basic bedframes are going to win out on cost when compared to murphy beds.

Bedrooms in Homes with Guest Rooms

If space is not an issue and you have a guest room, it is inviting for guests to come in and see a plush bed made with quality comforters and pillows.  There’s something about seeing a comfy bed that makes you feel warm and cozy, so if you have the space for a bed, cabinet, and other furniture in your guest room, go with a traditional bed over a murphy bed.  

If you love the idea of a murphy bed, you could always leave it down and show your guest how it folds away for a surprise wow factor while having them see the plush bedding as they enter the room for a win-win.

Going With Both

Sometimes a combination of a murphy bed and a traditional bed is your best option.

Rental Units and Hotels

If you rent properties short or long term, or have a vacation home that has guests throughout the year, maximizing sleeping spaces is key.  For smaller groups, solo travelers, and couples a standard bed is warm and welcoming.

If they bring friends or family shows up unannounced, having a murphy bed lets these guests sleep comfortably vs. needing to find a cot or having people cramped up on a couch. 

Happy guests can mean good reviews, and good reviews may increase your chances of getting more bookings.  Plus rotating murphy beds are really cool and may get your property shared on social media driving awareness for your rental units.

An added bonus to adding a murphy bed is you can list "sleeps 6" instead of "sleeps 4" if the murphy bed is for two people.  This may open your listing up to more clients and bookings.

Small Apartments

If you can’t give up having a traditional bed, a murphy bed with a sofa gives you a space to sit and somewhere to sleep a guest so you don’t have to share your bed.  Murphy beds with space for a TV and shelves can be placed in view from your bed in a studio so you can maximize storage and wall space while not having to drill into a wall or use a stud finder.

There’s a time and place for both traditional beds and murphy beds, and some situations are perfect for both.  Now you’re ready to pick the right one for your needs.