A horizontal Murphy bed folds sideways into the wall instead of standing upright, and that single difference makes it the best wall bed of 2026 for rooms a vertical Murphy can’t handle. Because it tips down along its long edge, a horizontal Murphy bed needs far less ceiling height when raised — which is exactly what you want in a basement, an attic office, a room with an 8-foot (or lower) ceiling, or any spot where you’d rather the folded bed sit under a window or a run of shelves. We tested these for low-ceiling fit, how smoothly the lift mechanism lowers, sturdiness of the cabinet, and how convincingly each one disappears when it’s up.
Below are our picks, then a complete buying guide: how horizontal differs from vertical, the exact clearances you need, mattress and weight limits, installation and wall-anchoring, and the mistakes that lead to a bed that won’t fold or won’t fit.
The Best Horizontal Murphy Beds at a Glance
Bestar Nebula Horizontal Wall Bed (Queen)
- Horizontal fold clears low ceilings a vertical bed can't
- Piston-assist lift lowers smoothly one-handed
- Euro slats mean no box spring needed
- Wide wall footprint — needs a long clear wall
- Heavy cabinet; assembly is a two-person, multi-hour job
Bestar Cielo Horizontal Murphy Bed with Storage (Queen)
- Side storage towers add real closed and open shelving
- Looks like a built-in wall unit when closed
- Low raised profile suits standard-height rooms
- Long overall footprint with the storage towers
- Premium price once you add the cabinets
Bestar Pur Horizontal Wall Bed (Full)
- Smaller full footprint fits genuinely tight rooms
- Retainer strap holds bedding when folded
- Simple, office-neutral laminate finish
- Full size is snug for two adults nightly
- Fewer finish options than the flagship lines
Multimo Horizontal Wall Bed (Twin/Single)
- Low horizontal profile fits under windows and shelves
- Lighter cabinet is easier to assemble
- Kid-friendly low bed height when down
- Twin size limits it to one small sleeper
- Less premium hardware than the queen units
Bestar Orion Horizontal Murphy Bed with Shelving (Queen)
- Design-forward asymmetric shelving disguises the bed
- Reliable piston-assisted lowering
- Low horizontal fold keeps the room feeling open
- One of the pricier configurations
- Long footprint with the shelving module
Horizontal vs. vertical Murphy beds: which does your room need?
This is the whole reason horizontal Murphy beds exist, so it’s worth getting right. A vertical Murphy folds up on its short (head) edge and stands tall — it saves wall width but needs serious ceiling height. A horizontal Murphy folds up on its long (side) edge and stays low and wide — it saves ceiling height but needs a longer clear wall. If your problem is a low ceiling, a horizontal bed is the answer; if your problem is a narrow wall, go vertical. Compare full-height options in our best Murphy beds guide.
| Factor | Horizontal Murphy | Vertical Murphy |
|---|---|---|
| Folds on | Long (side) edge | Short (head) edge |
| Raised height | Low — good for low ceilings | Tall — needs high ceilings |
| Wall length needed | Long (bed length runs along wall) | Shorter |
| Best room | Basements, attics, low-ceiling offices, under windows | Rooms with tall ceilings and narrow walls |
The clearances you actually need to measure
A horizontal Murphy trades ceiling height for wall length, so measure both. The bed runs its full length along the wall when folded, so you need that wall span plus a little margin for the cabinet. You also need floor clearance in front for the bed to swing down. Raised height is low — often only a few feet — which is what lets it live under a window or a shelf. Always confirm the manufacturer’s raised depth (how far it projects from the wall when closed) so it doesn’t intrude into the walking path.
| Clearance | Why it matters | Rule of thumb |
|---|---|---|
| Wall length | Bed lies lengthwise when up | Mattress length + cabinet (measure the model spec) |
| Ceiling height | The horizontal’s big advantage | Works under 8-ft ceilings where vertical won’t |
| Floor swing-out | Bed needs room to lower | Keep the mattress-width lane clear in front |
| Projection when closed | Shouldn’t block the path | Check the folded depth spec (often ~12–16 in) |
Mattress and weight considerations
Horizontal Murphy beds are built for a specific mattress thickness — usually a retainer strap or lip holds the mattress in place when folded, and too thick a mattress won’t clear the cabinet. Most take mattresses up to about 10–12 inches; check the spec and favor a low-profile foam or hybrid. Don’t add a box spring — these use a slat platform. If you want a mattress that folds well and stays put, our best mattresses under $500 roundup includes lighter foam models that suit wall beds.
Installation and safety
A wall bed must be anchored. Whether the model calls for wall-mounting or is a floor-standing cabinet, follow the anchoring instructions to the letter — the counterbalance mechanism stores real force, and an unsecured cabinet can tip. Look for a piston (gas-strut) lift rather than raw springs; pistons lower the bed in a slow, controlled arc and are safer and quieter. Every pick here uses assisted lowering. Plan on two people and a few hours for assembly; these cabinets are heavy.
Storage and style: making the wall earn its keep
Because a horizontal bed sits low when folded, the wall above and beside it is free real estate. Models like the Cielo and Orion build in shelving and cabinets so the wall works as a bookcase or media unit by day and a bed by night. If the room is semi-public — a den, a studio, a guest-office — a bed that reads as built-in cabinetry is worth the premium. For more flexible guest setups, compare with sofa beds and daybeds.
Who a horizontal Murphy is for — and who should skip it
Buy one if: your room has a low ceiling, you want the folded bed under a window or shelf, or you have a long clear wall to give it. Skip it if: your wall is short but your ceiling is tall (go vertical instead), or you only need a bed occasionally and don’t want the install — in that case a trundle bed or sofa bed is far less work.
Mistakes to avoid
The classic errors: measuring ceiling height but forgetting the long wall span a horizontal bed needs; buying a too-thick mattress that won’t clear the retainer; skipping the wall anchor; and underestimating assembly — these are heavy, multi-step builds. Measure the folded projection too, so the cabinet doesn’t eat your walking path.
Comparison table: our picks at a glance
| Model | Best for | Size | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bestar Nebula | Low-ceiling offices | Queen | No | $$$$ |
| Bestar Cielo | Rooms needing shelving | Queen | Yes (towers) | $$$$ |
| Bestar Pur | Tight rooms | Full | Optional | $$$ |
| Multimo Horizontal | Kids’ & narrow nooks | Twin | No | $$$ |
| Bestar Orion | Design-forward spaces | Queen | Yes (shelves) | $$$$ |
Weighing a wall bed against other space-savers? Our bunk beds for adults and platform beds guides cover more small-room strategies, and the bed sizes and dimensions guide helps you confirm the footprint. See how we evaluate everything on our how we test page.
Our top horizontal Murphy pick
The Bestar Nebula folds sideways to clear low ceilings and lowers smoothly with a piston-assist lift — the wall bed we'd buy first.
Check price on AmazonWhat is a horizontal Murphy bed?
A horizontal Murphy bed folds up sideways into the wall along its long edge, rather than standing upright like a vertical wall bed. This keeps its raised profile low and wide, making it ideal for rooms with low ceilings or spots under a window or shelf.
When should I choose a horizontal Murphy bed over a vertical one?
Choose horizontal when ceiling height is your constraint — basements, attics, and rooms with 8-foot or lower ceilings. Choose vertical when you have tall ceilings but only a narrow wall to spare, since vertical beds save width instead of height.
How much space does a horizontal Murphy bed need?
It needs a wall long enough for the mattress to lie lengthwise plus the cabinet, floor clearance in front for the bed to swing down, and only modest ceiling height. Always check the model’s folded projection so it doesn’t block your walking path.
Do horizontal Murphy beds fit under a window?
Yes, that’s one of their main advantages. Because they fold low, many horizontal wall beds sit under a standard window sill or a run of shelving when raised, which a tall vertical Murphy bed cannot do.
What mattress works with a horizontal Murphy bed?
Use the thickness the manufacturer specifies — usually up to about 10–12 inches — and favor a low-profile foam or hybrid so it clears the retainer strap when folded. Don’t add a box spring; these use a slat platform.
Are horizontal Murphy beds safe and how are they installed?
Yes, when installed correctly. They must be anchored per the instructions because the lift mechanism stores force. Look for a piston (gas-strut) lift for slow, controlled lowering, and plan on two people and a few hours for assembly.
Can two adults sleep on a horizontal Murphy bed?
Yes if you choose a queen or full model. A queen comfortably sleeps two adults; a full is snug for two but fine for one. Twin horizontal beds are best for kids or single sleepers.
Is a horizontal Murphy bed better than a sofa bed or trundle for a guest room?
A horizontal Murphy gives a full-size, comfortable bed that vanishes into the wall by day, but it requires installation. If you only need occasional guest sleeping and want minimal setup, a sofa bed or trundle is easier, though less comfortable for nightly use.
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 →