Quick Answer: A murphy bed full size holds a standard 54 × 75-inch (full/double) mattress inside a wall-mounted or freestanding cabinet. The cabinet footprint is roughly 59 × 18 × 82 inches when closed. Murphy beds require foam-only mattresses under 10 inches thick. In Canada, expect to pay between $1,200 and $4,000 depending on the system and cabinetry.
In This Guide
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A murphy bed full size gives you a real sleeping surface that disappears into a cabinet during the day. For small condos, home offices that double as guest rooms, and basement apartments in older Brantford homes, it is one of the most practical space-saving solutions available. But the decision is not as simple as picking a cabinet style. The mattress restrictions, wall requirements, and total cost deserve honest attention before you commit.
Full Size Murphy Bed Dimensions
When people say "full size murphy bed," they mean a murphy bed system that holds a standard full/double mattress (54 × 75 inches). The cabinet that houses it is always larger than the mattress itself.
| Measurement | Closed (Cabinet) | Open (Bed Down) |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 58-62 inches | 58-62 inches |
| Depth from wall | 16-20 inches | 78-82 inches |
| Height | 78-86 inches | 36-40 inches (bed surface) |
| Ceiling clearance needed | At least 84 inches | N/A |
A full size murphy bed sticks out about 16-20 inches from the wall when closed, which is roughly the depth of a bookshelf. When open, the bed extends about 78-82 inches into the room, which is the mattress length plus the cabinet depth. Make sure the room has enough clear floor space for the bed to fold down fully without hitting furniture or a door swing.
Mattress Requirements (This Is Where People Get Stuck)
You cannot use just any mattress in a murphy bed. The mechanism needs a mattress that is lightweight, flexible enough to fold without damage, and thin enough to fit inside the cabinet when closed.
Murphy Bed Mattress Rules
- Thickness: Maximum 10 inches (some systems limit to 8 inches). Thicker mattresses prevent the cabinet from closing properly.
- Type: Foam only. Memory foam and latex work. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses with coils do not fold well and add too much weight.
- Weight: Most systems are rated for mattresses under 80-110 lbs. A foam full mattress is typically 40-60 lbs, well within range.
- No pillow tops: Added bulk interferes with the folding mechanism and creates uneven pressure when stored vertically.
Brad, Owner, 40+ years of experience: "The most common mistake people make is buying a murphy bed frame first and then trying to find a mattress that fits. Do it the other way around. Figure out the mattress thickness you can live with for comfort, then choose a murphy bed system rated for that thickness. If 8 inches of foam is not comfortable enough for nightly use, a murphy bed might not be the right solution for you."
One honest caveat: an 8 or 10-inch foam mattress does not sleep the same as a 12-inch hybrid with pocketed coils. If the murphy bed is for occasional guest use, a thinner foam mattress is perfectly fine. If someone sleeps on it every night, the comfort compromise matters more. For a full breakdown of how mattress thickness affects sleep, see our studio bedroom mattress guide.
Vertical vs. Horizontal: Which Orientation for Full Size
| Orientation | How It Folds | Wall Space Needed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical | Head of bed folds up | ~60 inches wide, 84 inches tall | Standard rooms with normal ceiling height |
| Horizontal | Side of bed folds up | ~78 inches wide, 58 inches tall | Rooms with low ceilings, basement suites, under windows |
Vertical is more common for full size because the cabinet is narrower, leaving more usable wall space on either side for shelves or side cabinets. Horizontal takes up more wall width but works in rooms with ceilings under 7 feet, which is common in finished basements across Brantford and surrounding areas.
Cabinet Beds: No Installation Required
If the wall-mounting and installation complexity of a traditional murphy bed feels like too much, a cabinet bed is worth considering. A cabinet bed is a freestanding piece of furniture that looks like a dresser or sideboard when closed. The mattress folds out horizontally from the front without any wall attachment.
Cabinet Bed Advantages: No wall studs required, no professional installation, no holes in the wall. You can move it to a different room or take it with you if you move. At our Brantford showroom, we carry a Canadian-made cabinet bed that holds a full-size foam mattress and doubles as a functional cabinet when closed.
The trade-off is that cabinet beds are shorter than murphy beds when open (the mattress folds in thirds rather than lying flat), so the sleep surface is typically 72-74 inches rather than the full 75 inches. For most adults under 6 feet, this works fine. For taller sleepers, a traditional murphy bed preserves the full mattress length.
Dorothy, Sleep Specialist: "We started carrying the cabinet bed after customers kept asking about murphy beds but did not want the installation. It is the same idea, a bed that hides when you do not need it, just without the carpentry project. And because it is freestanding, renters can use it too."
8 min read
Installation: What You Need to Know
Traditional murphy beds bolt to the wall and must be anchored into wall studs, not just drywall. This is not a weekend project for most people.
Brantford Home Considerations: Many homes in Brantford built before 1960 have plaster-and-lath walls rather than modern drywall. Murphy bed hardware designed for drywall may need different fasteners or additional blocking for plaster walls. If your home has original plaster, consult a local contractor before purchasing a wall-mounted system.
- Professional installation typically costs $300-$800 in Ontario, depending on wall preparation needed.
- The wall must be at least 84 inches tall for a vertical full-size system.
- Floor protection is important, as the folding mechanism puts concentrated weight on a small footprint when the bed is down.
- Gas piston mechanisms (modern standard) are easier to operate than older spring systems. One person should be able to fold the bed up or down with about 15-20 lbs of effort.
For other space-saving bed ideas, see our murphy bed alternatives guide and our complete murphy beds Canada guide.
Shop: View All Our Mattresses
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a regular full-size mattress in a murphy bed?
Only if it is all-foam (memory foam or latex) and under 10 inches thick. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses with coils are too heavy and rigid for the folding mechanism. Check your murphy bed's maximum mattress thickness before buying.
How much does a full size murphy bed cost in Canada?
Kit systems (hardware plus cabinet panels) run $1,200 to $2,500. Finished, ready-to-install systems cost $2,000 to $4,000. Custom built-in murphy beds with side shelving can reach $5,000 to $8,000 including installation. Cabinet beds (freestanding, no install) typically cost $1,500 to $3,000.
Is a murphy bed comfortable for every night use?
It depends entirely on the mattress. The murphy bed mechanism does not affect comfort. The 8-10 inch foam mattress restriction is the limiting factor. If you find an 8-10 inch foam mattress comfortable, you will sleep fine on it nightly. If you prefer the feel of a thicker hybrid or innerspring, a murphy bed may not satisfy long-term.
Do murphy beds damage walls?
Wall-mounted systems require stud anchoring, which means bolt holes in the wall. If you remove the bed later, you will have holes to patch. Cabinet beds (freestanding) do not touch the wall at all, making them ideal for renters or anyone who does not want permanent modifications.
Sources
- Lopez-Torres, M., Porcar, R., Solaz, J., & Romero, T. (2008). "Sleeping mattress determinants and evaluation: a biomechanical review and critique." The Open Biomedical Engineering Journal, 2, 17-25. PMC
- Jacobson, B. H., Boolani, A., & Smith, D. B. (2009). "Changes in back pain, sleep quality, and perceived stress after introduction of new bedding systems." Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 8(1), 1-8. PMC
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). "Small Housing and Adaptable Design." cmhc-schl.gc.ca
- Ontario Building Code, Section 9.5.7: Residential Room Dimensions. buildingcode.online
See Our Cabinet Bed in Brantford
Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford
Phone: (519) 770-0001
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4
We carry a Canadian-made cabinet bed that folds out to a full-size sleep surface with no wall mounting required. Come see it in person and test the mattress. Brad can also recommend foam mattresses that work with wall-mounted murphy bed systems if you already have the hardware. White glove delivery available across the Brantford area.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle , 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON · (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–4pm.