Murphy Cabinet Bed vs. Traditional Murphy Wall Bed – What’s the Difference?

Murphy cabinet beds and traditional Murphy wall beds are both designed to provide sleeping space without keeping a conventional bed permanently open in the room. Although the names are sometimes used interchangeably, the two designs work quite differently.

### Murphy Cabinet Beds

A Murphy cabinet bed is a freestanding piece of furniture. When closed, the mattress and sleeping platform are stored inside a compact cabinet. When a bed is needed, the cabinet opens and the sleeping platform extends outward.

The freestanding Murphy cabinet beds offered by Gala Futons & Furniture do not require permanent wall mounting. This can make them especially practical for apartments, home offices, guest rooms, and other spaces where permanent installation may not be desirable.

Because the entire bed is contained within a furniture-style cabinet, it can also be relocated if the room arrangement or your needs change.

### Traditional Murphy Wall Beds

A traditional Murphy wall bed stores the sleeping platform and mattress vertically against a wall or within a larger wall-mounted cabinet system.

Wall beds generally require secure installation according to the manufacturer's specifications. Depending on the design, they may also incorporate shelving, cabinetry, desks, or other built-in features.

Because the mattress stores vertically, a wall bed can provide a different closed footprint and room arrangement than a freestanding cabinet bed.

### Installation Is an Important Difference

For many customers, installation is one of the biggest differences between the two designs.

A freestanding cabinet bed does not require the permanent wall attachment associated with a traditional wall-bed system. A wall bed, on the other hand, normally requires proper installation and anchoring for safe operation.

This distinction may be particularly important for renters or homeowners who prefer not to make permanent changes to a room.

### What About the Mattress?

Cabinet beds typically use a folding mattress specifically designed to store inside the cabinet.

Traditional wall beds may accommodate different types of mattresses depending on the manufacturer's specifications and the particular mechanism.

Neither design should be judged by the name alone. Mattress construction, support, dimensions, and personal comfort preferences should all be considered when comparing individual models.

### Which Design Makes Sense for Your Room?

Consider a Murphy cabinet bed when you want a freestanding sleeping solution, do not want permanent wall installation, or may want the flexibility to relocate the furniture later.

A traditional Murphy wall bed may be worth considering when you prefer vertical bed storage or want a larger built-in furniture system incorporating cabinets, shelving, or other features.

Before choosing either design, measure the room carefully in both the stored and sleeping positions and consider installation requirements, mattress comfort, available floor space, and how you intend to use the room.

Continue exploring our Murphy Cabinet Bed Buying Guide for information about room measurements, bed sizes, mattresses, features, and other space-saving sleeping options.