Quick Answer: Murphy beds fold into a wall cabinet and start around $1,500 for a kit. Trundle beds slide underneath a main bed and cost $400 to $1,200. Cabinet beds are the freestanding alternative. Mattress Miracle in Brantford carries cabinet beds, trundles, daybeds and sofa beds.
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In This Guide
If you have ever tried to fit a guest bed into a small Canadian condo, you already know the struggle. Square footage is expensive, and every room needs to pull double duty. That is exactly why Mattress Miracle at 441 1/2 West Street in Brantford, Ontario has been helping families find space-saving sleep solutions since 1997. Whether you are searching for a murphy bed kit, a trundle bed for the kids, or a sofa bed that does not feel like a punishment, this guide covers the options available across Canada and right here in our showroom.
Space-Saving Beds in Brantford and Beyond
Brantford's housing mix includes everything from century homes near Colborne Street to newer condos along the Grand River. Many of these homes have guest rooms that double as offices, playrooms or craft spaces. At Mattress Miracle, customers from Brantford, Paris, Hamilton and the Tri-Cities regularly ask about beds that disappear when not in use. We carry cabinet beds, trundle beds, daybeds, sofa beds and futons, and we can help you figure out which one actually fits your room and your budget.
What Is a Murphy Bed?
A murphy bed is a bed that folds up into a wall cabinet or closet when not in use. The name comes from William Lawrence Murphy, who patented the design around 1911 in San Francisco. The idea was simple: during the day, the bed tucks away vertically, and at night, you pull it down to sleep. Some people call them wall beds or fold-down beds.
The typical murphy bed uses a spring or piston mechanism that lets you raise and lower the mattress frame without much effort. Most models accommodate a standard mattress (twin, double or queen), and the cabinet face can look like regular cabinetry or shelving when the bed is stowed.
Murphy Beds vs. Cabinet Beds
Here is where things get interesting for Canadian shoppers. A true murphy bed bolts to your wall. That means drilling into studs, and in some cases, reinforcing the wall itself. If you rent your home or live in a condo with concrete walls, that installation can be a dealbreaker.
Cabinet beds are the freestanding alternative. They fold out horizontally from a chest-style cabinet, no wall mounting required. You can move them from room to room or take them with you when you move. Mattress Miracle carries cabinet beds for this exact reason. They give you the same "bed that disappears" function without the renovation headaches. You can read our full comparison in Murphy Bed vs. Cabinet Bed and browse our cabinet bed options in Brantford.
Murphy Bed vs. Cabinet Bed at a Glance
- Murphy bed: Mounts to wall, folds vertically, needs professional installation, typically $2,000 to $5,000+ installed
- Cabinet bed: Freestanding, folds horizontally from a chest, no installation needed, typically $1,200 to $3,000
- Space saved: Both free up the same floor space during the day
- Mattress comfort: Cabinet beds use a folding mattress that is included. Murphy beds use a standard mattress, which can be more comfortable depending on what you choose
- Portability: Cabinet beds win. You can move them like furniture
Murphy Bed Hardware and Kits
If you are the handy type, a murphy bed kit lets you build the frame and cabinet yourself while using manufacturer-supplied hardware for the folding mechanism. This is the most affordable route into murphy bed ownership.
What Comes in a Murphy Bed Kit
A standard murphy bed hardware kit includes the lift mechanism (spring or piston), mounting brackets, leg assemblies and detailed instructions. You supply the lumber, plywood and finish materials. Some kits include pre-cut panels, but most do not.
Popular murphy bed kit brands in Canada include Bestar (based in Quebec), Lori Wall Beds, and Murphy Bed Depot. Prices for hardware-only kits start around $250 to $400. Full kits with pre-cut panels run $800 to $2,000 depending on the size and finish.
DIY Considerations
Building a murphy bed from a kit is a weekend project for someone comfortable with power tools and reading plans. The critical part is the wall mounting. The bed frame, mattress and occupant can weigh over 300 pounds when the bed is down, and all of that load transfers to the wall anchors when it is up. You need to hit studs, and in older Brantford homes, stud spacing can be inconsistent.
If you are not confident in your carpentry skills, a pre-built cabinet bed from a store like Mattress Miracle is a safer bet. No wall damage, no risk of a poorly mounted bed, and you can try the mattress in person before buying.
Mattress Thickness and Murphy Beds
Most murphy bed mechanisms are designed for mattresses between 8 and 12 inches thick. If you use a mattress that is too thick, the cabinet will not close properly and the mechanism will strain. Too thin, and the sleeper will feel the support bars through the mattress. A memory foam sofa bed mattress in the 8 to 10 inch range works well for most murphy bed frames. Always check the manufacturer's maximum mattress thickness before buying.
Murphy Beds With Bookshelves and Other Designs
One of the reasons murphy beds remain popular is the design flexibility. A murphy bed with bookshelves flanking both sides turns a bedroom into a library during the day. The shelves stay accessible whether the bed is up or down, and the overall unit looks like a built-in wall system.
Other popular configurations include murphy beds with a fold-down desk (sometimes called a "deskbed"), murphy beds with a sofa attached to the front panel, and units with side storage cabinets. Bestar and other Canadian manufacturers offer many of these combinations.
Where to Find Murphy Beds in Canada
If you are searching for murphy beds in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver or other major cities, you will find specialty retailers and custom cabinet shops. Online options include Wayfair Canada, Costco.ca and Amazon.ca for both kits and pre-built units. For used murphy beds, check Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji and estate sales, but inspect the lift mechanism carefully before buying. A worn-out spring mechanism on a used murphy bed is expensive to replace and potentially dangerous.
Mattress Miracle does not carry wall-mounted murphy beds, but we do carry cabinet beds that serve the same purpose without the installation. If you are in the Brantford area, it is worth stopping in to see how a cabinet bed works in person. The folding mechanism is something you really want to try before you commit.
Trundle Beds Explained
So what does trundle meaning actually refer to? A trundle bed is a low-profile bed frame on wheels that slides underneath a standard bed. During the day, you push it under the main bed where it is hidden by the bed skirt or frame. At night, you pull it out and you have a second sleeping surface. Simple, clever, and no hardware or wall mounting involved.
Who Trundle Beds Are For
Trundle beds are a favourite for kids' rooms, guest rooms and cottages. They are perfect for sleepovers because the trundle sits low to the ground, which is safer for younger children. Parents love them because you get two beds in the footprint of one.
The trundle top, meaning the mattress on the pull-out frame, is usually thinner than a standard mattress. Most trundles fit a mattress that is 6 to 8 inches thick. This is not the place for a pillow-top king, but a good quality foam or hybrid mattress in that thickness range can be surprisingly comfortable for occasional use.
Mattress Miracle carries trundle beds in our Brantford showroom. We can also help you choose the right mattress thickness so the trundle slides smoothly and the sleeper is actually comfortable.
Trundle Bed Buying Guide
- Measure clearance: Check the gap between the main bed frame and the floor. The trundle frame plus mattress must fit underneath
- Mattress thickness: Most trundles need a 6 to 8 inch mattress. Measure before you buy
- Weight capacity: Trundle frames are often rated for lower weights than standard bed frames. Check the specs if an adult will be sleeping on it regularly
- Pop-up trundles: Some models have a mechanism that raises the trundle to the same height as the main bed, creating a king-size surface. Great for couples at the cottage
- Wheels vs. casters: Look for locking casters so the trundle does not roll away once it is pulled out
Daybeds, Sofa Beds and Futons
Not everyone needs a bed that folds into a wall. Sometimes the best space-saving option is a bed that doubles as seating during the day. That is where daybeds, sofa beds and futons come in.
What Is a Daybed?
A daybed looks like a sofa with a backrest on three sides. It uses a standard twin or double mattress and works as a couch during the day and a bed at night. Many daybeds also accept a trundle underneath, giving you two beds in one compact footprint.
The IKEA Brimnes daybed is one of the most searched models in Canada, and for good reason. It combines a daybed frame with two large storage drawers and an optional trundle, all at a budget price. That said, if comfort matters to you, the mattress makes the daybed. A quality mattress on a basic frame will always outperform a basic mattress on a fancy frame.
Daybed covers and daybed swing models have become popular for outdoor living spaces as well. A wicker daybed on a covered patio can turn your backyard into a relaxation spot from May through October. For indoor daybeds, a fitted daybed cover protects the mattress and makes the whole thing look more like a sofa when guests are over.
Browse our daybed collection at Mattress Miracle to see what is currently in stock.
Sofa Beds: What to Look For
Sofa beds have come a long way from the lumpy pull-out couches your grandparents had in the basement. Modern sofa beds use improved folding mechanisms and better mattress options, including memory foam sofa bed mattresses that are a genuine step up from the old innerspring pads.
When shopping for a sofa bed, pay attention to the mattress, not just the sofa. A sofa bed with storage is a bonus for keeping sheets and pillows tucked away. Sofa bed prices in Canada range from about $500 for a basic model to $3,000+ for something with a premium mattress and hardwood frame.
The Kivik sofa bed from IKEA is another heavily searched product. It is a decent budget option, but the mattress is thin. If you plan to use a sofa bed more than a few times a year, upgrading the mattress makes a real difference. Mattress Miracle carries sofa beds where you can test the sleep surface before you buy, not just sit on the sofa side.
How Sofa Bed Mattresses Affect Sleep Quality
A 2019 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that mattress comfort is one of the strongest predictors of sleep quality, regardless of the bed type. The takeaway for sofa bed shoppers: the fold-out mechanism matters less than the mattress on top of it. A 5-inch innerspring pad will never sleep as well as an 8-inch memory foam sofa bed mattress. If your guests are sleeping on your sofa bed more than a couple of times a year, invest in the mattress upgrade.
Futons: The Budget Option
A futon is the simplest space-saving bed. The mattress folds in half to become a sofa back, then lays flat for sleeping. In Canada, the French-Canadian term futon canape-lit (sofa bed) is common in Quebec and bilingual product listings.
Futons are the most affordable space-saving bed, starting under $300 for a basic frame and mattress. They work well for students, first apartments and rec rooms. The trade-off is comfort. Futon mattresses are thin by necessity, and the folding point can create a ridge in the middle.
Mattress Miracle carries futons at our Brantford location. We are happy to help you find one that balances your budget with a reasonable level of comfort. We also covered the futon vs. mattress debate in a separate article if you want to compare the two in detail.
How to Choose the Right Space-Saving Bed
With this many options, how do you pick the right one? It comes down to three questions: how often will it be used, who will sleep on it, and how much room do you actually have?
Match the Bed to the Use
- Daily use (primary bed): Cabinet bed or murphy bed with a quality mattress. These offer the most comfortable sleep surface among space-saving options
- Weekly use (regular guest): Sofa bed with an upgraded mattress, or a daybed with a good twin/double mattress
- Monthly use (occasional guest): Trundle bed, futon or basic sofa bed. Comfort matters less when someone sleeps on it a few times a year
- Kids' sleepovers: Trundle bed. Low to the ground, easy to set up, and kids are not fussy about mattress thickness
- Cottage or seasonal home: Daybed with trundle, or futon. Handles temperature and humidity swings better than upholstered sofa beds
Measure Your Space
Before you shop, measure the room with the bed both open and closed. A murphy bed needs clearance in front of the wall for the mattress to fold down. A sofa bed needs room behind the sofa for the mattress to unfold. A trundle needs clear floor space on one side of the main bed. Bring your measurements to the store and we will help you figure out what fits.
Think About the Mattress Separately
This is something Mattress Miracle emphasizes with every customer: the bed frame and the mattress are two different decisions. A $2,000 murphy bed frame with a $100 mattress will sleep worse than a $500 daybed frame with a $400 mattress. We sell mattresses for a living, and we have seen this mistake too many times to stay quiet about it. Come in, lie down on a few options, and make the mattress decision with your back, not just your wallet.
For more on how sofa beds compare to standalone mattresses, check out our guide: Sofa Bed vs. Real Mattress.
Visit Mattress Miracle in Brantford
We are at 441 1/2 West Street in Brantford, just off the Highway 403 exit at King George Road. Whether you are coming from Paris, Hamilton, Cambridge or the Tri-Cities, we are an easy drive. Our showroom has cabinet beds, trundle beds, daybeds, sofa beds and futons set up so you can try them in person. Brad and the team can walk you through the options and help you find something that fits your space and your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a murphy bed and how does it work?
A murphy bed is a bed that folds vertically into a wall-mounted cabinet. A spring or piston mechanism makes it easy to raise and lower. When folded up, the cabinet face can look like a bookshelf or closet. They are ideal for small apartments and multi-use rooms where floor space is limited during the day.
How much does a murphy bed cost in Canada?
A murphy bed hardware kit starts around $250 to $400 if you build the cabinet yourself. Pre-built murphy beds range from $1,500 to $5,000+ depending on the size, finish and brand. Cabinet beds, which are the freestanding alternative, typically cost $1,200 to $3,000. Mattress Miracle carries cabinet beds at our Brantford location if you want to see one in person before buying.
What does trundle mean in bed terms?
Trundle refers to a low bed frame on wheels or casters that slides underneath a main bed. The word "trundle" comes from an old English term meaning to roll or wheel. In practical terms, a trundle bed gives you two sleeping surfaces in the space of one. You pull the trundle out at night and push it back under in the morning.
Can I use a regular mattress on a sofa bed or trundle?
It depends on the thickness. Sofa beds typically need a mattress under 6 inches thick to fold properly. Trundles need a mattress between 6 and 8 inches to fit under the main bed. A memory foam sofa bed mattress in the right thickness can be very comfortable. Always check the manufacturer's specs before buying a replacement mattress.
Does Mattress Miracle sell murphy beds?
Mattress Miracle does not carry wall-mounted murphy beds, but we do carry cabinet beds, which are freestanding and serve the same purpose without wall installation. We also carry trundle beds, daybeds, sofa beds and futons. Visit us at 441 1/2 West Street in Brantford or call (519) 770-0001 to check what is currently in stock.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
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
Not sure which space-saving bed is right for your room? Come try our cabinet beds, trundles, daybeds and sofa beds in person. No pressure, just honest advice from a family-owned store that has been helping people sleep better since 1997.
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Or browse the mattress collection in our Brantford showroom.