Quick Answer: Cabinet beds are better for most people. They cost less (no installation), require no wall mounting, move with you when you relocate, and convert in under a minute. Murphy beds offer a thicker mattress and larger sleeping surface but need professional installation and permanent wall anchoring. Our Dream Dresser Cabinet Bed ($2,000) is the most popular space-saving bed in our Brantford showroom.
In This Guide
Reading Time: 9 minutes
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Murphy Bed | Cabinet Bed |
|---|---|---|
| Price (unit only) | $2,200-$5,000+ | $2,000-$3,000 |
| Installation cost | $500-$1,500 | $0 (freestanding) |
| Total cost | $2,700-$6,500 | $2,000-$3,000 |
| Wall mounting required | Yes (wall studs) | No |
| Setup time | 30-60 seconds | 30-45 seconds |
| Mattress thickness | Up to 10 inches | 4-6 inches (included) |
| Bed size | Twin to King | Usually Queen |
| Closed appearance | Wall panel or bookshelf | Dresser or console |
| Closed depth | 12-16 inches from wall | 36 inches freestanding |
| Portability | Permanent fixture | Moves like furniture |
| Renter-friendly | No (wall damage) | Yes |
| Best for | Homeowners, frequent use | Renters, condos, occasional use |
8 min read
How Each Type Works
Murphy bed (wall bed)
A murphy bed hinges vertically from a wall-mounted frame. The mattress stays on the bed platform and folds up against the wall when not in use. Springs or pistons assist the lifting mechanism so you are not wrestling a queen mattress overhead.
When closed, it looks like a tall cabinet or bookshelf against the wall. Many models include integrated shelving, desks, or storage units on either side. The bed swings down from the wall in one motion.
Our Murphy Bed Cabinet ($2,260) is Canadian-made and includes the frame, hardware, and side panels. The mattress is purchased separately, which lets you choose your preferred comfort level up to 10 inches thick.
Cabinet bed
A cabinet bed stores the mattress folded inside a freestanding piece of furniture that looks like a dresser or console table. You pull the top surface forward and the mattress unfolds from inside the cabinet. No wall attachment needed.
The Dream Dresser Cabinet Bed ($2,000) is 36 inches deep when closed, with a usable top surface for a TV, lamp, or decorative items. When opened, it extends to a full queen sleeping surface. The mattress is included and specifically designed to fold inside the cabinet.
Brad, Owner, 40+ years of experience: "We have sold both for years, and the cabinet bed outsells the murphy bed about three to one. The reason is simple: no installation. A murphy bed is a construction project. A cabinet bed is furniture. You unbox it, position it, and you are done. For most people in Brantford, that simplicity wins."
The Real Cost Breakdown
The sticker price of a murphy bed is misleading because it does not include installation or the mattress.
| Cost Component | Murphy Bed | Cabinet Bed |
|---|---|---|
| Unit | $2,260 | $2,000 |
| Mattress | $335-$1,125 (separate) | Included |
| Professional installation | $500-$1,500 | $0 |
| Wall repair on removal | $100-$300 | $0 |
| Total range | $3,195-$5,185 | $2,000 |
The cabinet bed is roughly half the all-in cost of a murphy bed. That cost difference is significant, especially for a piece of furniture going into a room that is not used as a bedroom every night.
Comfort Comparison
This is where the murphy bed has a genuine advantage, and it is worth acknowledging honestly.
A murphy bed accepts a standard mattress up to 10 inches thick. If you pair it with a quality pocket coil mattress like the Cool Breeze ($585) or Amenity ($675), the sleep experience is very close to a regular bed. For guests staying a week or more, this matters.
A cabinet bed uses a thinner mattress (typically 4 to 6 inches) that folds inside the cabinet. It is comfortable for 1 to 3 night stays but noticeably different from a full-thickness mattress. The Dream Dresser's included mattress is adequate for guest use but not something you would want to sleep on nightly.
Comfort Reality Check
Research by Jacobson et al. (2009) in Applied Ergonomics found that mattress thickness and support system quality significantly impact spinal alignment during sleep. Thicker mattresses with proper layering (comfort layer over support core) consistently outperformed thinner options. For occasional guest use (under 30 nights per year), the cabinet bed's thinner mattress is perfectly adequate. For regular use (weekly or more), the murphy bed's ability to accept a proper mattress is a meaningful advantage.
Dorothy, Sleep Specialist: "If someone tells me their parents visit once a month and stay for a week each time, I recommend the murphy bed because comfort over extended stays matters. If they host a few weekends a year, the cabinet bed is more practical and costs less. Match the bed to how often it is actually used."
Space Savings
Both save floor space compared to a permanent bed, but they do it differently.
A murphy bed folds flat against the wall, projecting only 12 to 16 inches into the room when closed. This recovers nearly all of the floor space a bed would occupy. The room can function as a full office, gym, or playroom during the day with almost no compromise.
A cabinet bed sits 36 inches from the wall when closed, taking up about as much floor space as a dresser. It does not recover as much room as a murphy bed, but the top surface is usable for a TV, books, or decorative items, meaning it serves double duty as furniture.
The real-world trade-off
Murphy beds give you more open floor space but require a clear swinging path for the bed to fold down (about 7 feet of clearance in front of the wall). Cabinet beds need less clearance to open (about 5 feet forward) and can be placed in tighter spots.
Installation and Portability
This is the deciding factor for many buyers, especially renters.
Murphy Bed: Permanent Installation
- Must be bolted to wall studs (not drywall anchors)
- Professional installation recommended for safety
- Leaves holes in the wall when removed
- Cannot be moved to a different room or home easily
- May require landlord permission in rental properties
- Some condo buildings restrict wall modifications
Cabinet Bed: Freestanding Furniture
- No wall attachment, no installation
- Arrives assembled or with minimal assembly
- Moves like any piece of furniture
- Renter-friendly, no wall damage
- Can be repositioned or moved to a new home
- No restrictions in condos or apartments
Brantford Housing Context
Brantford has a mix of owned homes, rental units, and condos. For homeowners in established neighbourhoods like West Brant or Eagle Place, a murphy bed is a viable investment that adds value to the home. For renters downtown or in newer apartment buildings, the cabinet bed is the practical choice since it leaves the unit exactly as you found it. Our white glove delivery team can bring either option to any Brantford address, though the murphy bed will need a separate installation appointment.
Which Is Right for You?
Choose the murphy bed if:
- You own your home and plan to stay long-term
- Maximum floor space recovery is the priority
- Guests stay for extended periods (a week or more)
- You want to choose your own mattress thickness and type
- Budget is flexible ($3,000+ all-in)
Choose the cabinet bed if:
- You rent or live in a condo with wall restrictions
- You want something simple with no installation
- Guests stay 1 to 3 nights at a time
- You may move in the next few years
- Budget matters ($2,000 all-in)
- You want usable furniture when the bed is closed
For more on setting up a dual-purpose room, see our office-bedroom combo guide. If you are furnishing a guest room on a tighter budget, our guest bedroom budget guide covers options starting at $400.
Shop: Pillows at Mattress Miracle
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
Is a murphy bed or cabinet bed cheaper?
Cabinet beds are cheaper overall. The Dream Dresser at $2,000 includes the mattress and requires no installation. Murphy beds start at $2,260 for the unit alone, plus $500 to $1,500 for professional wall mounting and a separate mattress purchase. Total murphy bed cost often reaches $3,000 to $5,000.
Can you use a regular mattress with a murphy bed?
Most murphy beds accept mattresses up to 10 inches thick. You cannot use a standard 12 to 15 inch mattress because it will not fold properly. Our Cool Breeze ($585) and Series 6000 ($335) work well in murphy beds. Cabinet beds use their own included, thinner mattress.
Do murphy beds need to be bolted to the wall?
Yes. Murphy beds must be anchored to wall studs for safety. This means professional installation and wall damage when removed. Cabinet beds are freestanding furniture requiring no wall attachment, making them ideal for rentals and condos.
Which is more comfortable for sleeping?
Murphy beds accept thicker mattresses (up to 10 inches), making them more comfortable for extended stays. Cabinet beds use thinner 4 to 6 inch mattresses that work well for 1 to 3 night visits. For occasional guest use, both are significantly better than a sofa bed.
Are cabinet beds good for small condos?
Excellent. They require no wall mounting (important with strata rules), no installation, and look like a dresser when closed. The Dream Dresser is 36 inches deep closed and opens to a full queen. It is the best space-saving option for condo living.
Sources
- Jacobson, B.H. et al. (2009). "Grouped comparisons of sleep quality for new and personal bedding systems." Applied Ergonomics, 40(2), 228-232.
- Canadian Standards Association. "Residential Furniture Safety Standards."
- National Sleep Foundation. "Bedroom Environment Guidelines."
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. "Small Space Living Solutions."
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.
Want to see both options in person? We have the Dream Dresser Cabinet Bed and Murphy Bed on display. Call Talia at (519) 770-0001 to confirm availability before visiting.