How to Choose the Best Queen Wall Bed for Your Home: A Complete Buyer’s Guide

Maximize Your Space with a Murphy Bed

Discover sleek designs that transform any room from day to night with ease.

 Shop for Space Saving Murphy Beds

I’ve lived in small rooms, big rooms, unfinished basements, and rental apartments where the only “bedroom” was a corner that pretended to be a room. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: space is a currency. And you feel rich when you finally stop tripping over your furniture.

That’s why queen wall beds—also called queen Murphy beds—aren’t just clever inventions. They’re freedom. Real, practical freedom for anyone who wants their space to adapt instead of swallow them whole.

If you’re in the middle of deciding which queen wall bed is right for your home, this guide is everything I wish I had when I bought my first one. There’s a surprising amount to consider: mattress types, lift mechanisms, whether you want a sofa attached, storage, finishes, and even the way your walls are built. It’s not complicated, but it is worth taking your time on.

Below is the full breakdown, written for real people who want a real answer—no fluff.

If you want to browse options while reading, here’s a good place to start:

Queen Wall Beds Collection:
https://spacesavingfuton.com/collections/queen-wall-beds

Start With the Room You Actually Have

Before you fall in love with any wall bed, measure the room like your life depends on it. Twice. Maybe three times if your tape measure likes to play tricks.

A queen wall bed usually needs at least 7–8 feet of wall width and about 85–90 inches of vertical clearance. Then there’s the bed’s projection—how far it sticks out when open. Some come out around 85 inches, some more.

Think about your pathways. Can you still walk around it? Will it block a door, a closet, a window you actually want to use? A wall bed shouldn’t box you in; it should give you space back.

If you want more inspiration on how people make these setups work in real rooms, this piece is worth reading:
https://spacesavingfuton.com/blogs/news/10-space-saving-room-ideas-using-a-queen-murphy-bed

Vertical vs. Horizontal Queen Wall Beds

Quick orientation:

  • Vertical: taller, classic Murphy bed look, better for rooms with normal ceilings.
  • Horizontal: wider than they are tall, ideal under windows or in attic rooms with sloped ceilings.

Most people choose vertical because it feels natural, but horizontal can completely change the flow of a room. I once installed a horizontal bed in a room with a single, stubbornly low bulkhead that ruined every normal furniture layout. Horizontal saved the entire space.

Mattress Types: Where Comfort Actually Happens

A wall bed is only as good as the mattress you put on it. Don’t cheap out unless you enjoy regretting things at 2 a.m.

Most queen wall beds take standard queen mattresses up to about 10 to 12 inches deep. Here’s how the main mattress types stack up:

Memory Foam

Great comfort, but check the weight. Some high-density foams turn the bed into a deadlift session every night. Also, foam can trap heat if you run warm.

Hybrid

My personal favorite. Support from coils, comfort from foam, and usually a manageable weight for lift mechanisms.

Latex

Durable and supportive. Also heavier than they look. If you choose latex, get a strong lift system to match it.

Innerspring

Traditional feel, lighter on average. Easy for the frame to handle.

Most good Murphy bed manufacturers will tell you the maximum weight and depth their frames support. If they don’t, run.

Lift Mechanisms: The Hidden Hero of a Good Wall Bed

There are two main styles:

Spring Lift

Reliable, adjustable, typically easier to repair. Springs eventually wear out, but they’re inexpensive to replace.

Piston Lift

Smoother and quieter. Pistons feel luxurious, but when they fail, they usually need full replacement—not a tweak.

The mechanism matters because you want the bed to open with a gentle pull, not with a wrestling match. If you have wrist pain, shoulder issues, or just want something that feels smooth, pay attention here.

Sofa or No Sofa? Your Lifestyle Makes the Call

Queen Murphy Bed With Sofa

This setup is magic in small apartments, guest rooms, and studios. You sit on the sofa during the day, then pull the bed down over it at night. No moving parts, no shifting furniture around.

Perfect if the room needs to double as:

  • a living room
  • a guest space
  • a studio apartment
  • an office with extra seating

Queen Murphy Bed Without Sofa

Cleaner design, lower cost, and works well in dedicated guest rooms or multipurpose bedrooms. If you already have seating you’re happy with, skip the sofa and put that money toward storage or a better mattress.

Desk, Storage, or Plain? The Configuration Question

Modern wall beds have gone way beyond the old “door opens, bed comes down” routine.

A few common setups:

Murphy Bed + Desk

The desk stays level as the bed opens—nothing falls off. If you work from home, you’ll wonder why you didn’t buy one earlier.

Murphy Bed + Storage Cabinets

Great for hiding… everything. Spare bedding, office supplies, clothes, secret snack stash—whatever needs a home.

Simple Murphy Bed

Minimal, clean, and all you need if you’re trying to keep the room uncluttered.

Think about how the room functions on its “non-bedroom” days. That answers the question for most people.

Finishes and Materials: How You Want the Room to Feel

This is where personality comes in.

You’ll see finishes such as:

  • white laminate
  • matte black
  • natural wood
  • gray oak
  • high-gloss lacquer
  • shaker panel fronts

White and lighter finishes make a room feel open. Dark finishes look rich and intentional but can shrink a room if the space is already tight. Natural wood adds warmth. Matte finishes help hide fingerprints and wear.

If you’re browsing options, here’s the full site with finishes across multiple models:
https://spacesavingfuton.com/

Wall Type and Installation: Don’t Skip This Part

Every wall bed needs strong anchoring. No exceptions.

Things your installer—or you, if you’re the DIY hero type—must check:

1. Wall Construction

Studs are required. Metal studs may need special anchors. Concrete or brick walls require masonry fasteners.

2. Floor Level

If your floors slope, the bed frame might not sit evenly. This throws the lift mechanism off. You can shim it, but you need to know before installation.

3. Ceiling Height

Queen wall beds need clearance. Measure from the floor to the ceiling and compare with manufacturer specs.

4. Electrical Placement

Check outlets, switches, and wall sconces. A surprising number of people discover too late that their light switch is exactly where the bed wants to go.

Price: The Not-So-Fun But Necessary Part

Expect somewhere between $1,200 and $4,500 depending on:

  • materials
  • lift mechanism
  • added sofa
  • desk or shelving
  • finish quality
  • shipping and installation

A wall bed is an investment. A good one lasts years, sometimes decades. A cheap one… well, let’s just say gravity wins eventually.

Final Thoughts: Choose the One That Makes Your Life Easier

A queen wall bed isn’t something you buy impulsively. It’s something you choose because you want your space to work better. So choose the one that fits your room, your lifestyle, and the way you actually use your home—not the way Pinterest says you should.

If you want a curated list without digging through a hundred models, start here:
https://spacesavingfuton.com/collections/queen-wall-beds

Turning a cramped room into a flexible one feels like magic every time. If you pick the right wall bed, you’ll feel that magic every day you live with it.

Back to blog