Murphy Bed Downsides and How a Cabinet Bed Avoids Them (2026)
Short answer: The main downsides of a Murphy bed come from the wall: it has to be secured to the wall structure, one maker calls for a professional or qualified installer, it cannot be moved without uninstalling it, and its mattress has to fit the maker's limits. A freestanding cabinet bed removes the wall work and the fixed spot, and builds the mattress into the design. It does not remove everything: it still needs open floor to unfold, it is not a daily seat, and not every model has outlets. For most renters and guest rooms, that is the right trade.
Murphy bed pros and cons at a glance
| Question | Wall-mounted Murphy bed | Freestanding cabinet bed |
|---|---|---|
| Does it attach to the wall? | Yes, makers call for it to be secured to the wall and often the floor structure | No, the models below stand on their own |
| Can you move it later? | It has to be uninstalled from the wall first | It can be moved like other furniture |
| Mattress | A standard mattress, within the maker's size and thickness limits | A tri-fold mattress that folds inside the cabinet |
| When closed | Looks like a wall cabinet or closet | Works as a chest, console or TV stand |
| Floor space when open | The bed comes down into the room | The bed extends out of the cabinet, so you need clear floor for its open length |
| Outlets and USB | Depends on the model | Depends on the model |
For the name and history, read our wall bed vs Murphy bed comparison.
Downside 1: it has to be anchored to the wall
A wall bed pivots against the wall, so it must be secured. One wall-bed maker, Bestar, states that its bed "must be installed to wall and floor structure by a professional or qualified person." One that is not secured or used properly can fall onto the person operating it.
How a cabinet bed handles it: there is no wall to drill. The Night and Day Murphy Cube page says it stands freely without wall mounting, and the Arason Pekoe page says there is no need to bolt into floor or walls.
What it still asks of you: assembly. The Murphy Cube lists about 15 minutes with no tools required. The Clover and Orion pages both say partial assembly is required.
Downside 2: you cannot take it with you
A wall bed has to be uninstalled before it moves.
How a cabinet bed handles it: the Clover page says it can fit under a window and be moved around the room. The Pekoe page says you can rearrange the room or take it with you if you move.
What it still asks of you: some effort. The Murphy Cube cabinet box weighs 128 lbs, and the mattress comes in a separate box. On thick carpet, the page says two people will find it easier.
Downside 3: mattress limits
Most wall beds take a regular mattress, but only up to a limit set by the maker.
How a cabinet bed handles it: the mattress is sized for the cabinet. The Pekoe comes with a tri-fold foam mattress. The Orion offers an optional 4-inch tri-fold gel memory foam mattress.
What it still asks of you: a choice about how often you sleep on it. The Murphy Cube and Clover pages call their gel memory foam mattress ideal for guest rooms and occasional use, and the Hybrid Pocket Coil upgrade built for every-night use. For more, see are Murphy beds comfortable.
Downside 4: the closed bed is a wall unit
A wall bed relies on piston lifts or torsion springs to balance its weight, and closed it looks like a wall cabinet or closet.
How a cabinet bed handles it: closed, it is furniture. The Clover page says a TV can be placed on top and stays in place when the bed is folded out. The Pekoe's flip top lets the top open without moving items off of it. The Murphy Cube has a hidden compartment for bedding, pillows or essentials.
When a cabinet bed is not the answer
- Daily seating: a closed cabinet bed is a chest or console, not a sofa. If you need a seat every day, compare it with a sofa bed in our Murphy bed vs sofa bed guide.
- Open floor space: the bed extends out of the cabinet. The Murphy Cube opens to 80.3 inches long and the Clover to 83.1 inches, so measure the open length, not only the closed size.
- Built-in charging: the Murphy Cube and Orion pages both say they do not include a power or USB module. The Clover does have built-in outlets and USB ports.
- A bed built into the wall: if you own your home and want the bed hidden in the wall, a wall-mounted Murphy bed installed to the maker's instructions fits better.
- Sizes: the Murphy Cube is queen only, and the Orion is twin and full only.
Which cabinet bed fits which downside?
- Renting, queen size, hidden bedding storage: Murphy Cube.
- TV on top, plus built-in outlets and USB: Clover.
- Twin or full for one sleeper, no power module needed: Orion.
- Flip top, a foam mattress included, and a USB port: Pekoe. Its page lists two USB connections and one outlet.
Frequently asked questions
What are the downsides of a Murphy bed?
A wall-mounted Murphy bed has to be secured to the wall structure (one maker calls for a professional or qualified installer), and it has to be uninstalled to move. Its mattress must fit the maker's size and thickness limits. A freestanding cabinet bed avoids the wall work.
What are the disadvantages of a cabinet bed?
It needs clear floor for its open length, it is not made for daily sitting, and some models, including the Murphy Cube and Orion, have no built-in power or USB.
Are Murphy beds worth it?
They are worth it when a room has to work as both a bedroom and something else, such as an office. If you rent or may move, a freestanding cabinet bed fits without wall work.
Is a Murphy bed a good investment?
That depends on how you use the room. A bed you can move keeps its use if you relocate, which a bed installed in the wall does not.
What are the pros and cons of a Murphy bed?
The pro is a room that is a bedroom only when someone sleeps there. The cons are wall installation, a fixed location and mattress limits on a wall bed, and open-floor needs on a cabinet bed.
Questions? Call or text (916) 262-7257 or email support@archicfurniture.com.
