Quick Answer: Twin Murphy beds in Canada range from $1,200 for basic kits to $4,000+ for solid wood handcrafted units. A vertical twin cabinet measures roughly 44 x 83 inches closed; a horizontal twin is about 81 x 47 inches closed. Canadian-made options include Kootenay Beds (BC), Forward Furniture, and several Ontario cabinet makers. All use standard 39 x 75 inch twin mattresses, but the mattress must be foam-only (no innerspring).
In This Guide
Reading Time: 7 minutes
A twin Murphy bed makes sense for Canadians living in condos, small homes, or any space where a dedicated guest room is not an option. The bed folds into a cabinet against the wall, freeing up the entire floor area when it is not in use. During the day, you have a home office, play area, or workout space. At night, the bed pulls down in under 30 seconds.
The twin size is the most space-efficient Murphy bed available. It fits into narrower rooms and tighter wall spaces than full or queen models, which makes it popular for Toronto condos, Vancouver studio apartments, and home offices across Ontario. At Mattress Miracle in Brantford, customers ask about Murphy bed mattresses regularly, and the conversation always starts with the same question: what kind of mattress actually works in one?
We will get to that. But first, the frame itself.
Vertical vs Horizontal: Which Orientation
Twin Murphy beds mount in two orientations, and the choice depends entirely on your room's dimensions.
| Feature | Vertical (foot drops down) | Horizontal (side drops down) |
|---|---|---|
| Closed dimensions | ~44" wide x 83" tall x 16" deep | ~81" wide x 47" tall x 16" deep |
| Open depth (floor projection) | ~80" from wall | ~42" from wall |
| Wall width needed | 44-46 inches | 81-85 inches |
| Ceiling height needed | Minimum 85 inches (7 ft 1 in) | Standard 8 ft is fine |
| Best for | Narrow walls, rooms with depth | Wide walls, rooms with limited depth |
| Headboard feel | Head against the wall | Head at the side, often against a desk or shelf |
Vertical is the traditional Murphy bed orientation. The mattress stores vertically in the cabinet with the foot facing up. When you pull it down, the bed extends straight out from the wall. This is the most common choice for dedicated guest rooms or bedrooms where the bed faces into the room like a normal setup.
Horizontal is gaining popularity in home offices and kids' rooms. The mattress stores on its side, and the bed drops down parallel to the wall. The shorter open depth (about 42 inches vs 80 inches) means you need less floor clearance in front, which is a significant advantage in rooms under 10 feet deep. The trade-off is that you need a wider wall section (about 7 feet).
Brad, Owner, 40+ years of experience: "Horizontal Murphy beds are what we hear about most from condo owners. They want a bed that tucks against the wall like a bench or credenza, and the horizontal twin does exactly that. The room stays functional during the day because the bed only sticks out about 16 inches when closed."
8 min read
Cabinet Dimensions and Room Requirements
The cabinet is the permanent structure that stays on your wall. Knowing its dimensions tells you exactly how much space you are giving up.
Twin Murphy Bed Cabinet Specs
| Measurement | Vertical Twin | Horizontal Twin |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet width | 44-46 inches | 81-85 inches |
| Cabinet height | 82-87 inches | 45-48 inches |
| Cabinet depth (closed) | 14-18 inches | 14-18 inches |
| Open projection | 80-83 inches | 42-46 inches |
| Weight (cabinet + mechanism) | 150-250 lbs | 150-250 lbs |
The cabinet depth of 14 to 18 inches is important. That is how far the closed bed protrudes from the wall. Some people add side cabinets, shelving, or a desk surface to integrate the Murphy bed into a built-in wall unit. Canadian companies like Kootenay Beds offer these as custom additions.
Installation Considerations
Most Murphy bed cabinets must be anchored to wall studs, not just drywall. The mechanism that counterbalances the mattress weight puts lateral force on the wall when the bed opens and closes. In older Brantford homes with plaster walls, this may require backing the installation area with plywood before mounting.
Professional installation typically adds $200 to $500 to the total cost. Some Canadian retailers include installation in the price; others ship flat-pack kits for DIY assembly. A DIY twin Murphy bed takes a moderately handy person 4 to 8 hours.
Canadian-Made Options and Pricing
Several Canadian manufacturers produce twin Murphy beds, and buying domestically avoids cross-border shipping costs and customs delays.
| Company | Location | Twin Price Range | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kootenay Beds | New Denver, BC | $2,500 to $4,000+ | Solid wood (pine, spruce), handcrafted, lifetime construction |
| Forward Furniture | Canada-wide shipping | $1,800 to $3,200 | Horizontal and vertical, modern finishes |
| Everything Murphy Bed | Canada-wide shipping | $1,500 to $3,500 | Multiple styles, cabinet bed alternatives |
| LA PLACE | Quebec | $2,000 to $4,500 | Desk combos, sofa combos, storage options |
| DIY kits (Create-A-Bed, etc.) | Ships to Canada | $300 to $800 (mechanism only) | Hardware and pistons only, you build the cabinet |
Shipping a twin Murphy bed within Canada typically costs $150 to $400 depending on distance. Freight delivery to Ontario from BC (Kootenay Beds, for example) usually runs about $300. Most companies ship via freight carrier, which means curbside delivery. Getting it inside and upstairs is on you unless you arrange white glove delivery, which adds another $150 to $250.
Brantford and Southern Ontario Delivery
If you are in Brantford, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, or the broader Golden Horseshoe area, Forward Furniture and Everything Murphy Bed both ship directly to your door. Kootenay Beds ships from BC, so expect 10 to 14 business days. For a budget option, DIY kits from Create-A-Bed ship from the US with standard cross-border duties (typically 5-8% plus HST).
Mattress Requirements for Murphy Beds
This is the part that catches people off guard. You cannot use a standard innerspring mattress in a Murphy bed.
Why Foam Only
Murphy bed mechanisms fold the mattress vertically or horizontally and hold it in the cabinet for hours at a time. Innerspring mattresses are not designed for this. The coils can shift, the edge support compresses unevenly when stored upright, and the springs may develop permanent memory of the folded position over time. All Murphy bed manufacturers specify foam, latex, or hybrid mattresses with a maximum thickness (usually 10 to 12 inches for twin models).
The good news: a quality foam mattress works well in a Murphy bed and costs less than most innerspring options. Look for a CertiPUR-US certified foam mattress between 8 and 10 inches thick. This fits comfortably in the cabinet, stays lightweight enough for the mechanism, and provides a good sleep surface.
If you already have a twin mattress and want to know if it works, check the thickness and type. If it is all-foam and under 12 inches, it almost certainly fits. If it is innerspring, it will not hold up. Visit us at Mattress Miracle and we can help you find a twin mattress that works for both Murphy bed use and comfortable nightly sleep.
Who a Twin Murphy Bed Is For
The twin Murphy bed hits a specific set of situations well.
- Home offices that double as guest rooms: This is the number one use case. During the day, the bed disappears and the room works as a full office. At night, the bed pulls down in seconds for visiting family.
- Kids' rooms in small homes: A twin bed in a small child's room takes up significant play space. A Murphy bed gives that space back during the day.
- Condo living: Toronto and Vancouver condos routinely have bedrooms under 90 square feet. A vertical twin Murphy bed needs only a 4-foot-wide wall section.
- Cottage and cabin bedrooms: Ontario cottage country often means small bedrooms for seasonal guests. A twin Murphy bed keeps the room usable as a sitting area when no one is visiting.
- Aging parents visiting regularly: If your parents stay overnight once or twice a month, a Murphy bed in the den or office is more dignified than an air mattress and less expensive than a full-size Murphy bed.
Dorothy, Sleep Specialist: "We get a lot of people who set up a Murphy bed for overnight guests and then realize they want the guest to actually sleep well on it. A thin, cheap foam mattress defeats the purpose. Spend the money on a decent 8-inch foam twin, and your guests will sleep as well as they would on a regular bed. The bed frame does not matter nearly as much as the mattress."
Cabinet Bed Alternative
If you want the space-saving benefits of a Murphy bed without the wall installation, consider a cabinet bed. Cabinet beds are freestanding furniture pieces that fold the mattress into a chest. They do not require wall anchoring and can be moved like regular furniture. The trade-off is a slightly smaller sleep surface and less seamless integration with the wall.
Shop: View All Our Mattresses
Shop This Topic at Mattress Miracle
Popular picks at Mattress Miracle:
- Restonic ComfortCare Dalton & Albany pocketed-coil mattress
- Whitney bamboo mattress
- Somnia posture pillow
Or view all our mattresses in our Brantford showroom.
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 twin mattress in a Murphy bed?
Only if it is an all-foam or latex mattress under 12 inches thick. Innerspring and pocketed coil mattresses are not recommended because the springs shift and compress unevenly when stored vertically. Most Murphy bed manufacturers require foam-only mattresses with a weight under 50 lbs for the mechanism to function properly.
How much does a twin Murphy bed cost in Canada?
Twin Murphy beds in Canada range from $300 for a DIY mechanism kit (you build the cabinet yourself) to $4,000+ for a fully assembled, handcrafted solid wood unit. The most common price for a ready-to-install twin Murphy bed with cabinet is $1,500 to $2,500. Add $200 to $500 for professional installation and $200 to $600 for a compatible foam mattress.
Is a twin Murphy bed safe for daily use?
Yes, if the mechanism is properly installed and rated for daily use. Most quality Murphy bed mechanisms use gas pistons or spring-loaded arms that counterbalance the mattress weight, making the bed easy to raise and lower. The safety concern is improper installation: the cabinet must be anchored to wall studs, not just drywall, to prevent tipping.
Do I need a permit to install a Murphy bed in Ontario?
Generally no. A Murphy bed is furniture, not a structural modification. However, if the installation requires electrical work (for built-in lighting or outlets) or involves modifying load-bearing walls, a building permit may be required. Check with your local building department if you are unsure. In Brantford, the building department can be reached through City Hall.
Sources
- Casper. Murphy bed dimensions guide: Size chart and space requirements. Casper Blog.
- Amerisleep. Murphy bed sizes and dimensions guide. Amerisleep Blog.
- Lori Beds. Are Murphy beds standard size? A wall bed buyer's guide. Lori Beds Blog.
- CertiPUR-US. Foam mattress certification standards for specialized bed applications.
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.