Are Murphy Beds Comfortable? A Wall Bed Buying Guide

Murphy beds are well-known for their space-saving prowess. They are often installed in sparsely slept-in guest bedrooms and kept in the upright position when not in use.  

This can give the impression that Murphy beds aren’t suitable for everyday use, and raises the question of whether pull-out beds sacrifice comfort for convenience. But you can rest easy knowing that modern-day wall beds are just as inviting, durable, and comfortable as traditional beds.  

Yes, Murphy beds are comfortable when they use a real mattress and a sturdy base, just like a traditional bed. 

Alison Mazurek, who operates the popular lifestyle website 600sqft.com, told Apartment Therapy that the Murphy bed she shares with her husband is “Very comfy, more comfy than our previous bed.” 

But what determines comfort in a Murphy bed?

Murphy bed's overall comfort comes down to four practical details:

1. Mattress Quality: A Murphy bed should use a real mattress, not a thin cushion or sofa-bed pad. The Lori Mattress is a gel-foam hybrid mattress featuring gel-infused memory foam, supportive memory foam, individually pocketed coils, edge-support coils, hand-tufting, and an organic cover.
2. Thickness Limits: The Lori Bed works with a lightweight mattress no thicker than 10 inches. The YouLift 2.0 bed works with a lightweight mattress no thicker than 12 inches. Staying within the supported thickness helps the mattress fit correctly when the bed is raised.
3. Base Support: A supportive platform or slat-style base helps prevent sagging. The Lori Bed uses a firm, fully supported surface that acts more like a platform foundation than a box spring, so the mattress has steady support underneath it.
4. Daily Use Suitability: For daily use, choose a sturdy model, pair it with the right mattress, and make sure the bed is anchored to the wall as required.

This guide will explore the convenience of daily operation, how to select the right mattress and bedding, and compare Murphy beds with sofa beds or bunk beds to help you make the most of your wall space.

Key Takeaways:

● Murphy beds can be comfortable for daily sleep when they use a real mattress, a sturdy support base, and a properly anchored cabinet.
● The Lori Bed supports mattresses up to 10 inches thick, while the YouLift 2.0 supports mattresses up to 12 inches thick.
● Mattress type matters more than the bed style. A hybrid, innerspring, or memory foam mattress can work well when it is lightweight and within the model’s thickness limit.
● Standard sheets usually work on most Murphy beds, but bulky pillows and comforters may need to be stored separately when the bed is raised.

Maximize your space without sacrificing comfort—discover the perfect Murphy bed that fits your needs and lifestyle.

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 Are Murphy Beds Good for Everyday Use? 

Murphy beds are designed to maximize valuable floor space while providing a comfortable and convenient sleeping solution. If you plan to regularly use your perfect Murphy bed, two important factors to consider are the type of wall bed lifting mechanism and the selection of the right mattress and bedding. Choosing the ideal setup ensures smooth operation and restful sleep.

There are a few types of lifting mechanisms to consider before purchasing. Traditional wall-mounted Murphy beds rely on air piston or metal spring lifting mechanisms to raise the bed platform up and down. These lifting mechanisms tend to get worn after 5-7 years, according to Go Downsize.

Unlike other Murphy beds on the market, the YouLift Bed has no mechanical aids for lifting and lowering the platform. It's a mechanism-free solution that can be lifted and lowered by hand using your and your lifting partner's strength.  

This lack of a lifting mechanism is an advantage for daily users. With no metal spring or pistols that wear down over time, the YouLift Bed has longevity. 

The bed can certainly withstand lifting and lowering the platform each day, as it's made of real wood and is very sturdy. With it being real wood, plus the weight of your mattress, it's going to feel heavy for many. Lori Beds always recommends having two adults to safely operate the bed. 

On the other hand, the Lori Bed is another great alternative to the YouLift Bed. It offers easier operation with its gas-piston lift system that allows for smooth, one-person use—unlike the YouLift, which requires two people and manual lifting. With added features like safety locks, wall-mounting, and optional desk or shelf kits, the Lori Bed combines convenience and versatility for modern living spaces.

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Murphy Bed Mattress Selection

While you’re picking out the best originalMurphy bed for your family, you might also be wondering what mattress is recommended for a Murphy bed? After all, with a bed that’s so unique, there must be special considerations that go into selecting a compatible mattress, right?  

The truth is that Murphy Bed mattresses aren’t fundamentally different from conventional bed mattresses. The selection process is much the same, with the additional considerations being mattress thickness and mattress weight. 

Thickness dictates whether or not a mattress will fit within the dimensions of the Murphy bed’s cabinet once it is in the upright position. This is where height (also known as the thickness) plays a major role when you consider your purchase.  

Each Murphy bed cabinet can accommodate a specific maximum thickness, which is listed in a product description. We recommend using a light-weight mattress that is no more than 10 inches thick, such as a conventional inner-spring or memory foam mattress, for the Lori Bed. The lighter your mattress, the easier the bed will be to lift.  With very little wear and tear throughout the year, your mattress will sleep like new for several years. 

If you’re not familiar with mattress thickness and weight, not to worry. These sizes are readily available on the market, and you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the right fit. In fact, a normal thickness ranges from 9 to 12 inches. Retailers like Amazon, Overstock, and Walmart all offer these options. If you’re looking for a budget option, IKEA has several low-cost, lightweight, and comfortable mattresses to choose from. 

If you decide to purchase a Lori Bed, it will be helpful to know that the platform is a firm, 100 percent supported surface, more like a foundation or platform than a box-spring, that might have a little bounce to it. It is also important to note that these high-qualityMurphy beds do not require box-springs at all.  

When selecting a mattress for the Lori bed, we recommend pairing it with the Lori Mattress. This mattress is classified as a hybrid mattress with a sub-type of gel foam hybrid, combining the pressure-relieving comfort of gel memory foam with the supportive structure of pocketed coils. It is actually a hybrid mattress consisting of the following layers:

● Gel-infused memory foam (top comfort layer)
● Supportive memory foam (layer 3)
● Individually-pocketed coils (layer 4)
● Edge support coils (layer 5)
● Hand-tufting and an organic cover (layers 6 & 1)

Murphy Bed Bedding Selection

Choosing the right sheets for your Murphy bed — and any other mattress — all comes down to what makes you feel the most comfortable. Finding the sheets that feel good to the touch will help you get the restful night’s sleep you deserve.   

The good news is that modern Murphy beds don’t require special sheets or bedding. All the bedding basics discussed above will serve you well, no matter what type of mattress you sleep on at night.   

Standard bedding and sheet sizes, like twin, queen, and king, usually fit many Murphy beds. However, if you have an extra-deep bed frame or a high mattress, you might consider buying sheets one size larger than your mattress. For example, king-size sheets for a queen-size mattress so that you can tuck the fabric fully under the mattress, according to the bedding experts at Mattress Nut. Most of the time, you will not need to do this with standard Murphy beds, such as the Lori Bed.   

Keep in mind that you’ll also be storing linens and possibly pillows, which may increase the thickness of your mattress by an inch or two. You’ll want to make sure that all the bedding and pillows aren’t too bulky, so they fit into the wall bed cabinet when it’s in the upright position. 

If you prefer fuller fabrics, pillows, or comforters, consider storing the bedding on the shelves or hanging rods on the front-facing cabinet when the guest bed is in the upright position. If you choose to remove fluffier bedding, you should still keep the fitted sheet on to protect your mattress from dust particles.   

Murphy beds have long been a space-saving solution, but modern-day models, like the Lori Bed, are more than just convenient. These wall beds are comfortable enough to use daily as your main sleeping arrangement.  

FAQs

Are Murphy beds comfortable for everyday sleep?

Yes. Murphy beds can be comfortable for everyday sleep when they use a high-quality mattress, a sturdy base, and proper support.

Can I use a regular mattress on a Murphy bed?

Yes. Many Murphy beds can use a standard mattress as long as it fits the bed’s thickness and weight limits. The Lori Bed supports a lightweight mattress up to 10 inches thick, while the YouLift 2.0 bed supports a lightweight mattress up to 12 inches thick.

Do traditional Murphy beds have enough support?

Traditional Murphy beds can be comfortable when they include a sturdy platform or slat system that provides the mattress with proper support. If the base is weak or the mattress is too thin, the bed may not feel as supportive.

Can a Murphy bed include built-in storage?

Yes. Many Murphy beds include built-in storage options. The Lori Bed offers integrated shelving, desks, and modular storage solutions. These features help the bed match your personal style while making better use of a small room.

How do I choose the most comfortable Murphy bed mattress?

Choose a mattress based on your sleeping preferences, preferred firmness, and the bed’s supported thickness. A high-quality mattress that fits the Murphy bed correctly will usually feel more comfortable than an overly thick or heavy mattress.

Looking for a Murphy bed for your space? 

Lori Beds offers modern Murphy beds built for small spaces, guest rooms, home offices, and everyday use. Explore vertical, horizontal, queen, and twin options, plus add-ons like desks, shelves, and storage. 

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If you have additional questions, please reach out to our experts at info@loribeds.com. We will walk you through the buying process. You can also check out our additional know-before-you-buy guides below: