Murphy Bed for an Attic: Sloped Ceiling and Clearance Tips

Measure the attic height before you shop

An attic room usually has a sloped ceiling, so the available height changes across the floor. Before you look at any bed, measure the height at the wall where the bed will stand and at the point where the bed will open. The lowest spot matters most: if the bed folds down from a wall, the foot of the bed will swing into the room, and the ceiling above that spot must be high enough for the bed and mattress.

You do not need a tape measure to read this article, but you do need to take one to the attic. Write down the height at the wall, at the center of the room, and at the lowest point of the slope. Those three numbers will tell you which kind of bed can fit and which size is realistic. For a full method, see the room measuring guide. If the lowest point is below the height of an open bed, the bed will not open fully, so the measurement is the first filter.

The site's guides compare beds on stated details, not on measurements the site has taken. The maker's own page is the only place to find the exact height of a bed when it is open and when it is closed. Look for a dimensions table or a specification list on the product page. If the page does not state the open height, ask the maker before you order.

• Measure the height at the wall where the bed will be mounted or placed.
• Measure the height at the point where the foot of the bed will swing when open.
• Measure the lowest point of the sloped ceiling in the area where the bed will open.
• Write down the ceiling height at the center of the room as a reference.

Choose a bed type that works under a slope

A wall bed folds down from a vertical position, so it needs enough height in front of the wall for the full length of the bed to swing down. A cabinet bed, also called a Murphy chest, folds out from a freestanding cabinet and often has a shorter open profile. Cabinet beds are a practical choice for an attic because they do not need to be mounted to the wall or floor, and they can be placed under the highest part of the slope. Compare the two types in the cabinet bed vs wall bed guide.

A wall bed with a vertical fold needs the most vertical clearance, because the bed pivots from the top and the foot travels in an arc. A horizontal wall bed folds sideways, so it needs width more than height. If the attic has a low ceiling but a long wall, a horizontal bed may fit where a vertical bed will not. The fold direction is a key detail to read in the listing; the vertical vs horizontal guide explains the trade-offs.

A cabinet bed is often the simplest fit for an attic. The cabinet itself is a box that stands on the floor, and the bed folds out from the front. The open bed is lower than a wall bed because the pivot is near the floor. Cabinet beds from makers like Wilding Wallbeds are freestanding and do not require wall mounting, which is useful in a room with sloped walls where a solid mounting surface may be hard to find.

• Wall bed, vertical fold: needs height in front of the wall.
• Wall bed, horizontal fold: needs width along the wall.
• Cabinet bed: folds out from a low cabinet, needs less vertical clearance.
• Desk bed: a wall bed with a desk that stays level when the bed opens.

Check the open height of the bed

The open height of a Murphy bed is the distance from the floor to the top of the mattress when the bed is down. This number is not always in the listing, but it is the one that decides whether the bed fits under a slope. The maker's page may state the height of the bed frame and the recommended mattress thickness. Add the two to get the open height. The best Murphy bed guide lists models with their stated dimensions.

For example, a wall bed with a frame that stands 20 inches high and a 10-inch mattress will have an open height near 30 inches. A cabinet bed with a tri-fold mattress may be lower because the mattress folds into the cabinet. The Wilding Wallbeds cabinet bed page states that most of their cabinet beds are 24 to 27 inches deep when closed, and the beds include a 6-inch tri-fold mattress. The open height is not listed there, so you would need to ask the maker for that number.

When you read a listing, look for the words 'open height', 'mattress height', or 'projection'. If the listing gives the depth of the cabinet and the mattress thickness, you can estimate the open height, but the maker's own page is the only reliable source. If the number is missing, contact the maker before you buy.

Match the mattress thickness to the ceiling

The mattress thickness directly affects the open height of the bed. A thicker mattress makes the bed taller when it is down, which can be a problem under a low slope. A thinner mattress, like the 6-inch tri-fold that comes with many cabinet beds, keeps the open height lower. The Wilding Wallbeds cabinet bed page says each model includes a 6-inch tri-fold mattress, and the mattress page lists options from 8 to 12 inches for wall beds. See the mattress thickness guide for more detail.

If you buy a wall bed without a mattress, you choose the thickness. A 10-inch mattress is common, but an 8-inch mattress will reduce the open height by 2 inches. That can be enough to fit under a slope that is just a few inches too low. The trade-off is comfort, and the site cannot say which mattress feels best. The decision is yours, based on the height you have and the mattress you prefer.

For a cabinet bed, the mattress is usually included and folds with the bed. The Wilding Wallbeds cabinet bed page states that the included mattress is a 6-inch tri-fold. That is a fixed thickness, so the open height is what the maker designed. If you need a lower profile, a wall bed with a thin mattress may be the better choice.

Plan clearance around the bed

Clearance is not only about the open height. The bed needs space to swing down without hitting a wall, a window, or furniture. In an attic, the slope often means the bed cannot open fully if the ceiling drops too quickly. Measure the distance from the wall to the lowest point of the slope in the direction the bed opens. That distance must be at least the length of the bed.

A wall bed also needs clearance in front of it for a person to walk around when the bed is down. The site's guide on front clearance explains this in more detail; read the front clearance guide for the points to check. For an attic, the slope may limit how far the bed can open, so a cabinet bed that folds out from a low pivot may be easier to place under the highest part of the roof.

The maker's instructions are the final word on installation and clearance. Follow them exactly. The site cannot tell you whether a specific bed will fit your attic; only the maker's stated dimensions and your own measurements can answer that.

Consider a freestanding cabinet bed for flexibility

A freestanding cabinet bed does not need to be attached to a wall or floor. This is a real advantage in an attic, where the walls may be sloped and the floor may not have a solid mounting point. The Wilding Wallbeds cabinet bed page states that their cabinet beds are freestanding and do not need to be mounted, making them easy to reposition and practical for rentals or multipurpose rooms. The wall mounted vs freestanding guide compares the two options.

Because a cabinet bed stands on its own, you can place it under the highest part of the slope and move it if the layout changes. The cabinet is also useful when closed: the top can hold a lamp or books, and many models include a drawer for linens. The Wilding Wallbeds page lists models with a rolling drawer, USB ports, and power outlets.

If you prefer a wall bed, the mounting surface matters. A sloped wall may not offer a flat vertical surface for the bed frame. The site's guide on wall structure explains what to ask the maker about mounting. For an attic, a freestanding cabinet bed avoids that question entirely.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Can a Murphy bed fit under a sloped ceiling?

Yes, if the open height of the bed is less than the ceiling height at the point where the bed swings down. Measure the lowest point of the slope in the area where the bed will open, and compare it to the maker's stated open height. See the ceiling height guide for more.

What is the open height of a Murphy bed?

The open height is the distance from the floor to the top of the mattress when the bed is down. It depends on the bed frame height and the mattress thickness. The maker's page is the only reliable source for this number.

Are cabinet beds better for attics than wall beds?

Cabinet beds are often easier to fit because they fold out from a low cabinet and do not need wall mounting. They are freestanding and can be placed under the highest part of the slope. Wall beds need more vertical clearance and a solid mounting surface. Compare the two in the cabinet bed vs wall bed guide.

Do I need a special mattress for a Murphy bed in an attic?

Many Murphy beds use a foam mattress that can stand on end without slumping. Cabinet beds often include a tri-fold mattress. For wall beds, the maker may recommend a specific mattress thickness. Check the listing and the maker's page for the recommended mattress.

How do I measure my attic for a Murphy bed?

Measure the height at the wall where the bed will be placed, at the center of the room, and at the lowest point of the slope in the direction the bed opens. Also measure the distance from the wall to that lowest point. Compare these to the bed's open height and length. The measuring room guide has a full checklist.