If you’ve searched “sideways murphy bed” in 2026, you’re probably dealing with a room where a standard vertical wall bed simply won’t work – a low ceiling, a short accent wall, or a space that’s wider than it is deep. A sideways (or horizontal) murphy bed mounts the lift mechanism along the long wall instead of the short one, so the bed folds up parallel to the floor rather than standing on end. It solves a real layout problem, but it also comes with tradeoffs that most vertical murphy bed guides never mention. Here’s how horizontal orientation actually works, what to check before you buy or build one, and which Amazon-available options come closest to solving the same problem.
Best Sideways-Style Murphy & Space-Saving Beds on Amazon
Tuck Murphy Bed Hardware Kit - Horizontal Queen
- True horizontal orientation fits low ceilings
- Piston-assisted lift feels smooth once tuned
- Works with standard queen mattresses
- Requires carpentry skills and a solid stud wall
- No cabinet or finish included
DHP Rosemary Sofa Bed with Storage Chaise
- No installation or wall anchoring needed
- Storage chaise hides pillows and linens
- Converts flat in under a minute
- Cushion is firmer than a true mattress
- Not as flush to the wall as a real murphy panel
Novogratz Brittany Sofa Bed
- Low price point
- Compact folded footprint
- Easy one-person conversion
- Thin included cushion
- Metal frame can creak over time
Honbay Modular L-Shape Pull-Out Sleeper
- Modular pieces rearrange to fit odd room shapes
- Memory foam sleeper cushion is a step up from basic futons
- Doubles as everyday seating
- Takes up more floor space than a wall-mounted unit
- Heavier to reposition than a single sofa
DHP Studio Twin Daybed with Trundle
- Trundle slides out along the long wall
- Twin size fits narrow bedrooms and offices
- Metal frame is sturdy for the price
- Twin-only, not suitable for couples
- Trundle mattress usually needs upgrading
Novogratz Kentwood Futon
- Shallow folded profile
- Simple assembly
- Neutral design fits most rooms
- Basic foam cushion needs a topper for regular use
- Frame flexes slightly under heavier sleepers
What Makes a Murphy Bed “Sideways” in the First Place
A traditional murphy bed pivots at the headboard end and swings up vertically, which means the cabinet needs to be roughly as tall as the mattress is long – about 80 inches of wall height for a queen. A sideways murphy bed pivots along the long edge instead, so the mattress folds up horizontally against a shorter wall panel, typically requiring only 54-60 inches of height but a wider footprint of open wall space.
This orientation shows up most often in rooms with sloped ceilings, in converted garages or basements, or in studio apartments where the only unbroken wall run is short and squat. It’s also common in RVs and tiny homes, where ceiling height is at a premium but wall width isn’t.
Why It’s Harder to Buy Ready-Made
Most mass-market murphy bed kits, including the hardware most of our sibling bed-frame brands sell, are engineered for vertical lift because it’s the more common room shape in US homes. True horizontal kits exist, like the Tuck hardware kit featured above, but they’re closer to a DIY carpentry project than an unboxed piece of furniture. That’s why several of our other recommendations above aren’t wall beds at all – they’re low-profile sofa beds, daybeds, and modular sleepers that mimic the sideways space-saving effect without requiring you to open a wall.
Sideways vs. Vertical Murphy Beds: Quick Comparison
| Factor | Vertical Murphy Bed | Sideways (Horizontal) Murphy Bed |
|---|---|---|
| Wall height needed | ~80-84 in | ~54-60 in |
| Wall width needed | ~40-45 in (mattress width) | ~78-84 in (mattress length) |
| Best for | Standard bedrooms, home offices | Low ceilings, sloped roofs, short accent walls |
| Ready-made availability | Common in cabinet kits | Rare – mostly DIY hardware kits |
| Typical install | Full-height cabinet against a wall | Custom panel or built-in shelving unit |
What to Check Before You Buy a Sideways Murphy Bed Kit
Wall Construction and Stud Spacing
Horizontal murphy hardware puts lateral stress across a wider span of studs than vertical kits do. Before ordering hardware, confirm your wall has continuous studs at standard 16-inch spacing across the full width the mechanism needs – not just at the two anchor points shown in a diagram.
Mattress Weight and Thickness Limits
Most horizontal piston kits are rated for mattresses between 8 and 10 inches thick and under roughly 130 pounds. A thick memory foam or hybrid mattress can push past that limit fast, so check the manufacturer’s weight rating against your mattress, not just the mattress size.
Clearance for the Folded Panel
Because the bed swings up parallel to the floor, you need clear ceiling space directly above the folding path – no ceiling fans, light fixtures, or sloped beams in the arc. Measure the swing radius, not just the flat wall height, before committing to a spot.
Whether You Actually Need a Wall Bed at All
If the goal is simply reclaiming floor space rather than achieving a flush wall-mounted look, a low-profile sofa bed or daybed with a trundle – like several picks above – solves the same problem with none of the wall-anchoring risk, and it’s fully returnable if the room layout changes.
Related buying guides
- Sofa Beds Hub
- Best Trundle Sofa Beds
- Best Day Beds
- Best Platform Bed Frames
- Best Bed Frames With Storage
- Bed Sizes and Dimensions Guide
- Best Mattresses Under $500
- How We Test Beds and Mattresses
Not ready to open a wall?
See our top-rated space-saving sofa beds and daybeds that solve the same layout problem without hardware installation.
Check price on AmazonWhat exactly is a sideways murphy bed?
It’s a wall bed where the folding mechanism runs horizontally along a long wall instead of vertically along a short wall, so the mattress folds up parallel to the floor rather than standing upright.
Do you need less ceiling height for a sideways murphy bed?
Yes, generally. A horizontal setup usually needs only 54-60 inches of wall height compared to roughly 80 inches for a vertical murphy cabinet, making it useful for sloped ceilings or low-clearance rooms.
Can I buy a ready-made sideways murphy bed on Amazon?
Fully assembled horizontal cabinet units are rare. Most sideways setups use a horizontal hardware kit built into custom cabinetry, or shoppers use low-profile sofa beds and daybeds as a simpler alternative.
How much wall width does a horizontal murphy bed need?
Plan for roughly 78-84 inches of clear wall width for a queen mattress folding sideways, since the mechanism spans the mattress length rather than its width.
Is a sideways murphy bed as sturdy as a vertical one?
It can be, but it depends heavily on stud spacing and anchoring across the wider span. A vertical kit concentrates stress at the headboard wall; a horizontal kit spreads it across a longer section of wall that must be properly reinforced.
What mattress works best in a horizontal murphy bed kit?
Most kits are rated for mattresses 8-10 inches thick and under about 130 pounds, so a medium-firm memory foam or thinner hybrid mattress usually fits weight and thickness limits better than a heavy pillow-top hybrid.
Are sideways murphy beds good for RVs or tiny homes?
Yes, this is one of their most common uses, since RVs and tiny homes often have low ceilings but enough wall width to accommodate a horizontal fold.
What’s a good alternative if I don’t want to install wall hardware?
A low-profile sofa bed, futon, or daybed with a trundle delivers similar floor-space savings without cutting into walls, and it’s fully portable if you move or rearrange the room.
Sophie Laurent
Sophie Laurent is TalkBeds' Beds & Bedroom Editor. With more than ten years covering home and furniture, she leads everything on the site that isn't the mattress itself: bed frames, platform beds, headboards, bunk and kids' beds, sizing, and the interiors decisions… Full profile & sources →