Vertical or Horizontal Murphy Bed: Which Fits Better?

What the fold direction means

A Murphy bed's fold direction is the way the bed swings out from the wall. A vertical Murphy bed, also called a wall bed, folds down from the top: the head of the bed stays near the wall and the foot swings down to the floor. A horizontal Murphy bed folds from the side: one long edge stays against the wall and the opposite edge swings out.

The fold direction changes the space the bed needs when it is open. A vertical bed needs clearance in front of the wall for the full length of the mattress. A horizontal bed needs clearance along the wall for the full width of the mattress. The closed cabinet also differs: a vertical bed stores upright, so it is tall and narrow, while a horizontal bed stores sideways, so it is wide and short.

When you read a listing, the fold direction is usually stated in the title or the first bullet. Words like "vertical," "wall bed," or "folds down" point to a vertical bed. Words like "horizontal," "side folding," or "folds sideways" point to a horizontal bed. If the listing does not say, contact the seller before you buy. For a deeper look at the differences between wall beds and cabinet beds, see our guide on wall beds or cabinet beds.

• Vertical fold: the bed pivots from the top and needs ceiling height to open.
• Horizontal fold: the bed pivots from the side and needs wall width to open.
• Closed shape: vertical beds are tall and narrow; horizontal beds are wide and short.

Ceiling height for vertical beds

A vertical Murphy bed needs enough ceiling height for the bed to pivot from the upright position to the open position. The bed swings in an arc, so the ceiling must be high enough that the foot of the bed does not hit it. In a room with a standard 8-foot ceiling, most vertical beds open without issue, but in a room with a low ceiling, a sloped ceiling, or a ceiling fan, you need to check the clearance.

The listing's dimensions tell you the bed's height when closed and its projection, or depth, when open. The projection is the distance the bed extends into the room. The ceiling height you need is roughly the closed height plus the projection, but the exact requirement depends on the pivot point and the mattress thickness. The maker's instructions or the product page usually state the minimum ceiling height. If you are unsure about your ceiling, read our guide on measuring your room before you buy.

If you have a low ceiling, a horizontal bed may be the safer choice. Because a horizontal bed folds from the side, it does not need vertical clearance above the bed. It only needs wall width. For rooms with a ceiling under 8 feet, or with a sloped ceiling, read the listing for the bed's dimensions and the maker's clearance notes before you decide. You can compare horizontal models in our best horizontal Murphy beds guide.

• Vertical beds need ceiling height for the pivot arc.
• Check the closed height and projection in the listing.
• Low ceilings or sloped ceilings may rule out a vertical bed.

Wall width for horizontal beds

A horizontal Murphy bed needs a wide wall because the bed folds sideways. The closed cabinet is as wide as the mattress length, so a queen horizontal bed is about 80 inches wide, and a full is about 75 inches. When the bed is open, it extends into the room by the mattress width, which is less than the length, so the depth is smaller than a vertical bed's projection.

The advantage of a horizontal bed is that it works in rooms with low ceilings but generous wall space. A guest room in a basement, an attic with a sloped ceiling, or a room with a ceiling fan directly above the bed wall are all situations where a horizontal bed can fit where a vertical bed cannot.

The trade-off is that a horizontal bed takes up more wall width, both when closed and when open. You need to leave clearance on the side where the bed swings, so furniture like a nightstand or a dresser should not block that path. Measure the wall where you plan to place the bed and compare it with the listing's width and projection. For more on choosing the right size, see our queen Murphy bed guide or full size guide.

• Horizontal beds need wall width for the closed cabinet and the open swing.
• They suit low ceilings and sloped ceilings.
• Leave clearance on the swing side for furniture.

Choosing by room shape

The shape of your room often decides the fold direction. A narrow wall with standard ceiling height points to a vertical bed, because the closed cabinet is narrow and the bed opens into the room lengthwise. A wide wall with a low ceiling points to a horizontal bed, because the closed cabinet is wide but short, and the bed opens sideways.

Think about the room's other uses. In a home office that becomes a guest room, a vertical bed with a desk built in can save floor space, as the desk stays level when the bed opens. In a living room where you want a sofa during the day, a horizontal bed with a sofa front may fit better under a low window. The fold direction affects how the bed interacts with windows, doors, and furniture. For more on these combinations, see our Murphy beds with desk guide and Murphy beds with sofa guide.

For a studio apartment, a vertical bed is often the default because it tucks into a narrow wall and leaves the rest of the room open. For a basement room with a low ceiling, a horizontal bed is the practical pick. Always compare the listing's dimensions with your wall and ceiling measurements before you buy.

• Narrow wall, standard ceiling: vertical bed.
• Wide wall, low ceiling: horizontal bed.
• Consider the room's other functions, like a desk or sofa.

Reading the listing for fold direction

The listing title and bullet list are the first place to look for fold direction. A title that says "wall bed" or "vertical" usually means the bed folds down. A title that says "horizontal" or "side folding" means the bed folds sideways. Some listings use the term "cabinet bed" for a bed that folds into a freestanding cabinet, and those can be either vertical or horizontal.

The dimensions section is the most reliable source. Look for the closed height and width, and the projection or depth when open. For a vertical bed, the closed height is tall, often over 80 inches, and the projection is the mattress length. For a horizontal bed, the closed width is wide, often over 75 inches, and the projection is the mattress width.

If the listing does not state the fold direction or the dimensions, that is a missing detail you should ask the seller about before buying. The maker's official page, like the ones from Wilding Wallbeds or Night and Day Furniture, often has a dimension chart and a video showing the bed in use. For a broader look at what to check in a listing, see our guide on measuring your room.

• Check the title and bullets for fold words.
• Use the dimensions to confirm the fold direction.
• Ask the seller if the listing is unclear.

What to pick for your situation

The right fold direction depends on your room's ceiling height, wall width, and how you use the space. Start by measuring the wall where the bed will go and the ceiling height above it. Then compare those numbers with the listing's closed dimensions and projection.

If you have a standard ceiling and a narrow wall, a vertical Murphy bed is the straightforward choice. If you have a low ceiling or a wide wall, a horizontal bed avoids the ceiling clearance problem. For a room that doubles as an office, a vertical bed with a desk keeps the work surface level when the bed opens. For a living room with a sofa, a horizontal bed with a sofa front may fit under a low window.

The guides below compare the stated details of different Murphy bed types and sizes. Use them to narrow down your options, then confirm the fold direction and dimensions on the maker's page before you order.

Frequently asked questions

Here are answers to common questions about vertical and horizontal Murphy beds.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Do horizontal Murphy beds need less ceiling height?

Yes. A horizontal bed folds from the side, so it does not need vertical clearance above the bed. It only needs wall width. This makes it a good option for rooms with low ceilings or sloped ceilings.

Can a vertical Murphy bed fit under an 8-foot ceiling?

Most vertical beds fit under an 8-foot ceiling, but you need to check the listing's closed height and projection. The bed swings in an arc, so the ceiling must be high enough for the foot to clear. The maker's instructions usually state the minimum ceiling height.

What is the difference in closed size between vertical and horizontal beds?

A vertical bed stores upright, so the closed cabinet is tall and narrow. A horizontal bed stores sideways, so the closed cabinet is wide and short. The exact dimensions are in the listing.

Which fold direction is better for a small apartment?

A vertical bed is often better for a small apartment because it tucks into a narrow wall and leaves the rest of the room open. A horizontal bed needs more wall width, which may be harder to find in a small space.