Wall Bed vs. Cabinet Bed vs. Loft Bed

A conventional bed takes up a large amount of real estate in any room. If you have a small bedroom, you may not have room for much else. If you live in a small home or apartment, you may not even have the space for a dedicated bedroom. You may use a futon or a pull-out sofa, but these are not very sophisticated options, nor are they the most comfortable.

Space-saving beds like a murphy beds, cabinet beds or loft beds offer more stylish, more comfortable options and more flexible options. Here are a few of the pros and cons of each to help you make your choice between them:

Wall Beds

A wall bed with sofa is a true bed replacement. It includes a full-sized mattress that lifts up to fold against the wall. When the bed is up, it may reveal a sofa, a desk, or paneled exterior that looks like wall molding or a cabinet.

Designer wall beds are the ideal solution for studio apartments or for the spare room in a home. The bed allows you to use a room as both a guest room and a home office.

The down side of a wall bed is that it is more expensive than other space-saving beds, though many may consider the expense to be worth it. You can leave your bedding and sheets on the mattress when it folds up and have a full bed replacement. A wall bed is also more difficult to set up, but you can hire someone to assemble it for you.

Cabinet Beds

A cabinet bed is a compact murphy bed that fits into a smaller space than you would imagine a bed can fit. When the bed is stored, the cabinet looks like a side table or buffet. The cabinet door pulls out like a drawer, and the frame of the bed expands. The mattress is folded up inside, and it is pulled out to lay on the extended frame.

Cabinet beds are a good solution for very small spaces since they make the bed as compact as possible when not in use. They fit in rooms with any height ceiling, and they are easy to install and use. They can also double as TV stands or side tables.

The down side to a cabinet bed is that the mattress is pre-made for the bed. While most find it very comfortable, if you are a delicate sleeper that requires a specialized mattress this may not be the ideal solution. You will have to remove the sheets and bedding when putting away and taking out the bed each time. For everyday use, if you have the space, a wall bed or loft bed might be more convenient. For occasional use, the value of a cabinet bed is exceptional.

Loft Beds

When you don’t have a lot of floor space, you can get more room by taking advantage of the vertical space. Loft beds are more than just bunk beds; they are complete platforms that enhance your space. The empty space below the bed platform can be used for an office, lounge, or another bedroom. You can even have a full office up top and keep your bed below. The upstairs loft allows you to have a complete bedroom set, if your space allows it. There are even accessories like skylights available for loft beds to allow light to pass through down below to your office.

Modular and adjustable in height and width this style of loft bed can be fitted perfectly to your space. A DIY loft bed like this can save you a fortune over hiring a professional contractor to build a custom loft bed.

Loft beds are a great solution if you have ceilings tall enough to accommodate them. You don’t want to sit up in bed suddenly and hit your head on the ceiling. This is the biggest downside is that a loft space with tall ceilings is ideal in order to implement a loft bed system and really take advantage of the space saving. You could still make a micro loft bed and have a compact bedroom up top, but in normal ceiling space a small space a wall bed desk or cabinet bed might be more convenient.

Whatever solution you choose, Expand Furniture has stylish and affordable options for all of these space-saving beds. We have an extensive selection so you can find a bed that fits your personal style and helps to create the look you want for your home. At the same time, you’ll be able to make more space in your home, either for your other belongings or for the comfort of your guests. Browse our catalog to find the right wall bed, cabinet bed or loft bed for your home and your budget.

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