Side Clearance for a Murphy Bed: How Much Space on Each Side?

What side clearance means for a Murphy bed

Side clearance is the open space you leave on the left and right of a Murphy bed so it can fold down and back up without touching a wall, a piece of furniture, or a door. It is one of the room measurements you check before buying, along with the ceiling height and the depth in front of the bed.

The amount of side clearance you need depends on how the bed folds. A vertical Murphy bed folds down from the top, so its width stays the same as the cabinet. A horizontal Murphy bed folds out from one side, so the mattress and frame swing to the side and need extra room on that side.

The listing usually gives the closed cabinet width and the open bed dimensions. The difference between those two numbers tells you how much the bed extends to the side when it is down. For a horizontal bed, that extension is the side clearance you need on the hinge side. For more on choosing a fold direction, see vertical vs horizontal Murphy beds.

Side clearance for a vertical fold

A vertical Murphy bed folds down from the top, so the mattress and frame stay within the width of the cabinet. The side clearance you need is mostly the width of the bed plus a little room for the frame and for making the bed.

For a vertical bed, the open width is usually the same as the closed cabinet width. You still want a small gap on each side so the bed does not rub against a wall or a nightstand when it moves. A few inches on each side is often enough, but the maker's instructions are the final word.

If the bed has side cabinets or bookcases attached, those add to the closed width. The open bed width is the mattress width, so the side clearance is the difference between the cabinet width and the mattress width, plus a little extra for the frame. To compare wall beds and cabinet beds, see wall beds vs cabinet beds.

Side clearance for a horizontal fold

A horizontal Murphy bed folds out from one side, so the mattress and frame swing to the side as the bed comes down. This means you need more side clearance on the hinge side than on the other side.

The hinge side is the side where the bed is attached to the cabinet. When the bed folds down, the mattress extends beyond the cabinet on that side. The amount of extension is roughly the difference between the bed's open width and the cabinet's closed width.

For example, a full-size horizontal bed might have a closed cabinet that is narrower than the mattress width. The mattress needs to swing out to its full width, so you need that extra space on the hinge side. The other side only needs a small gap for the frame.

Check the listing's dimensions for the open bed width and the closed cabinet width. The difference is the side clearance you need on the hinge side. Add a few inches for comfort and for making the bed. For more on horizontal beds, see best horizontal Murphy beds.

How to measure your room for side clearance

Before you buy, measure the wall where you plan to place the bed. Use a tape measure to find the width of the wall and the distance from the wall to any door, window, or furniture on each side.

For a vertical bed, you need the wall to be at least as wide as the closed cabinet, plus a small gap on each side. For a horizontal bed, you need the wall to be wide enough for the open bed, plus the extra space on the hinge side.

Also check the floor space in front of the bed. The bed folds down into the room, so you need enough depth for the mattress and frame. The listing gives the open bed depth, which is the distance from the wall to the foot of the bed when it is down. For a full guide on measuring, see measuring a room for a Murphy bed.

If the room has a door that swings into the bed's path, measure the door's swing clearance. A door that opens toward the bed might hit the bed when it is down, so you may need to keep the door closed or choose a different wall.

Common layout issues and how to avoid them

The most common side clearance problem is placing the bed too close to a wall or a tall piece of furniture. For a horizontal bed, the hinge side needs the most space, so avoid putting a bookshelf or a wardrobe right next to that side.

Another issue is a window or a door on the hinge side. A window sill might not interfere, but a door that swings open could hit the bed. Measure the door's swing and keep it clear.

For a vertical bed, the side clearance is less of a problem, but you still want to avoid placing the bed flush against a wall if the frame has handles or hinges that stick out. A small gap makes it easier to make the bed and to access any side storage.

If you are placing the bed in a corner, remember that a horizontal bed needs the hinge side to be the open side, not the corner side. A vertical bed can go in a corner more easily, but you still need room to make the bed on at least one side. For more on corner placement, see corner placement for Murphy beds.

Side clearance for cabinet beds

Cabinet beds, also called Murphy chests, fold down from the top like a vertical wall bed. They are freestanding, so they do not need to be mounted to the wall, and they have a closed cabinet that is narrower than the open bed.

The side clearance for a cabinet bed is the space you need on each side for the bed to fold down. Since the bed folds from the top, the width stays the same as the cabinet, so you only need a small gap on each side.

However, cabinet beds often have a drawer or a fold-out table on one side. If the drawer pulls out, you need space for it to open fully. If the bed has a desk or a flip-top, check the listing for how much space that feature needs.

Cabinet beds are a good choice for a room where you cannot mount a bed to the wall, such as a rental. They are also easier to move, so you can reposition them if the side clearance changes. See best Murphy cabinet beds for options.

What to look for in the listing

When you read a Murphy bed listing, look for the closed cabinet dimensions and the open bed dimensions. The closed width tells you how much wall space the bed takes when it is up. The open width and depth tell you how much room the bed needs when it is down.

For a horizontal bed, the listing might state the fold direction or show a diagram. If the fold direction is not clear, look for the hinge side in the images or ask the seller.

The listing might also give the mattress size, which is the open bed width. For a queen bed, the mattress is about 60 inches wide, but the frame adds a little more. The closed cabinet is usually narrower, so the difference is the side clearance you need.

If the listing does not give the open dimensions, you can estimate from the mattress size, but the maker's instructions are the only reliable source. When in doubt, contact the seller before you buy. For more on reading listings, see the Murphy bed buying guide.

What to pick for your situation

The right side clearance depends on your room and the bed's fold direction. Use the table below to match your situation to a guide that covers the bed type you need.

If you have a narrow wall, a vertical fold or a cabinet bed might fit better because they do not extend to the side. If you have a wide wall, a horizontal fold can work, but you need the extra space on the hinge side.

For a guest room that doubles as an office, a desk bed might be a good choice, but check the desk depth and the side clearance for the desk to fold down. For a studio, a cabinet bed with storage can save space, but make sure the drawer has room to open.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

How much side clearance does a vertical Murphy bed need?

A vertical Murphy bed folds down from the top, so the open width is the same as the closed cabinet width. You only need a small gap on each side, a few inches, so the bed does not rub against a wall or furniture. The maker's instructions give the exact clearance.

How much side clearance does a horizontal Murphy bed need?

A horizontal Murphy bed folds out from one side, so the mattress extends beyond the cabinet on the hinge side. You need enough space on that side for the full open width of the bed, which is the difference between the open bed width and the closed cabinet width, plus a few inches.

Can I place a Murphy bed in a corner?

Yes, but a horizontal bed needs the hinge side to be the open side, not the corner side. A vertical bed can go in a corner more easily, but you still need room to make the bed on at least one side. Measure the open bed width and the wall space before you buy.

Do cabinet beds need side clearance?

Cabinet beds fold down from the top, so they need only a small gap on each side. However, if the cabinet has a drawer or a fold-out table, you need space for that feature to open fully. Check the listing for the drawer depth and the fold-out table width.

What if the listing does not give the side clearance?

If the listing does not state the side clearance, look for the closed cabinet width and the open bed width. The difference is the side clearance you need for a horizontal bed. For a vertical bed, the open width is the same as the cabinet width. When in doubt, contact the seller.