How Much Do Murphy Beds Cost – Are They Expensive? (7 Picks)

Murphy beds (also called wall beds, folding panel beds, or pull-down beds) are a safe way to save space in your sleeping area by allowing you to fold away your bed during the day so that you can use the floor space for other activities like studying.

But how much does a Murphy bed cost?

The average price of a Murphy bed is between $800 and $1500 for a high-quality frame in a twin, full, or queen size. However, Murphy beds can be as cheap as $454.99 and as expensive as $8199.99 depending on the quality of the materials and the features included.

These price ranges were calculated by looking at the cheapest and most expensive Murphy beds on the websites of the top 6 Murphy bed retailers: Wayfair, Walmart, Costco, Lori Wall Beds, the Murphy Bed Depot, and Expand Furniture (IKEA still don’t sell Murphy beds at the time of writing).

But what makes Murphy beds so expensive when compared to other beds, and why is there such a huge price difference between the cheapest and most costly Murphy beds?

The most expensive Murphy beds come with additional features like a sofa, bookcase, or storage shelves, and usually have a hydraulic piston mechanism; whilst the cheapest Murphy beds have a simple lift mechanism, and include just a frame or come with a cheap mattress.

To buy a cheap Murphy bed that’s also high quality, look for a Murphy bed with the following features:

• A frame with a simple lift mechanism and no hydraulics.

• Doesn’t require professional installation.

• Doesn’t have very expensive extra features like a sofa.

• Is twin, full, or queen sized – king sized Murphy beds cost more.

• Doesn’t require the purchase of an extended warranty.

• Has shipping costs included.

The best low-cost Murphy bed frame is the Lori Wall Bed because it has all of these features without sacrificing quality – click here to read my full Lori Wall Bed review and save an extra $100 when you buy now.

Prices for 7 Types of Murphy Beds (Low to High)

Below are the costs for the 7 main different types of Murphy beds – listed from low to high for 36 models – based on extensive research across the main online retailers to help you find the cheapest Murphy bed for your needs:

1: The Cheapest Murphy Bed and Mattress Costs $454.99

The cheapest Murphy bed that comes with a compatible mattress is the Dewitt Storage Murphy Bed and Mattress (non-standard size) from Wayfair and costs $454.99.

The top 5 Murphy beds that come with a compatible mattress to buy online range from $454.99 to $1499.99 and can be bought from Wayfair.com and Walmart – see below for the pricing of each individual model:

Dewitt Storage Murphy Bed Review – Beware the Thin Mattress and 220 lbs Weight Limit

The Dewitt Storage Murphy Bed and Mattress from Wayfair is by far the cheapest Murphy bed that you can buy online.

In addition to the very low price, the other major benefit is that it comes with a compatible mattress so that you don’t have to spend more on an expensive mattress that might not work with this Murphy bed.

Also there’s NO need to use a box spring with this mattress and Murphy bed combination.

However, the major drawbacks to this Murphy bed are that it’s only designed to hold a maximum weight of up to 220 lbs, and the mattress is very thin at just 4.25 inches – meaning that you may feel uncomfortable when sleeping in this Murphy bed frame and mattress combination.

Murphy beds are comfortable when paired with a mattress suited to your body type.

So, if you weigh between 150 and 220 lbs, then you should consider sleeping on a Murphy bed with a mattress that’s at least 6-8 inches thick.

If you weigh more than 220 lbs (and/or are a side sleeper), then you should get a Murphy bed that can hold a mattress that’s at least 8-10 inches thick, so that there’s enough material to accommodate your extra weight and the more prominent regions of your body like your shoulders so that you don’t feel the bed frame beneath you.

In which case, you should consider spending a little bit more on the frame (the Lori Wall Bed is very affordable) and then buying a compatible high-quality mattress that suits your body type for maximum comfort.

2: The Cheapest Murphy Bed Frame Costs $799

The cheapest Murphy bed frame is the Lori Wall Bed from Lori Wall Beds – costing $799 for a twin size, with a queen size also available for $1199.

The top 6 Murphy bed frames to buy online range from $799 to $1995 and are available to buy from Lori Wall Beds, Costco, the Murphy Bed Depot, Wayfair, Walmart, and Expand Furniture – prices for each model are as follows:

Lori Wall Bed Review – Low Cost But High Quality

The Lori Wall Bed offers affordable quality and you can also pay with Affirm at the checkout with 0% APR to help increase affordability.

Plus, you can get an extra $100 OFF the purchase of your new Lori Wall Bed when you buy through the links and use the code listed on my best Murphy beds review page here.

3: The Cheapest Horizontal Murphy Bed Costs $799

The cheapest horizontal Murphy bed frame is the Lori Wall Bed from Lori Wall Beds – costing $799 for a twin size, with a queen size also available for $1199.

The top 5 horizontally folding Murphy bed frames to buy online range from $799 to $3099.99 and are available to buy from Lori Wall Beds, Wayfair, and the Murphy Bed Depot – prices for each model are as follows:

Horizontal Lori Wall Bed Review – Save Money and Space

The horizontal version of the Lori Wall Bed allows you to save space in a room with a lower ceiling and/or a longer profile by opening lengthways – the price is the same as for the vertical version.

Click here to learn more about the horizontal Lori Wall Bed and to get $100 OFF your purchase now.

4: The Cheapest Freestanding Murphy Bed Cabinet Costs $1089

The cheapest freestanding Murphy bed cabinet is the Charles Storage Murphy Bed With Mattress from Wayfair – costing $1089.99 for a twin size.

The top 5 freestanding Murphy bed cabinets to buy online range from $1089.99 to $2197 and are available to buy from Wayfair, Walmart, and the Murphy Bed Depot – prices for each model are as follows:

Charles Storage Murphy Bed With Mattress Review – No Need to Mount to the Wall

The twin-sized Charles Storage Murphy Bed from Wayfair comes with a compatible 6-inch thick mattress and operates as a freestanding bed that folds up into a cabinet that does NOT need to be attached to the wall.

This means that you can use the Charles Storage Murphy Bed in rented accommodation or rooms where you cannot attach the bed to the wall.

Plus, the cabinet acts as a headboard, and there’s storage, a footboard, and no need for a box spring.

All of these features make the Charles Storage Murphy Bed an excellent buy at just $1089.99 because it removes the need to buy the mattress – providing that you are happy sleeping on a twin-sized mattress that’s on the thinner side at 6 inches (which should be adequate for lighter weighted front and back sleepers under 150 lbs).

5: The Cheapest Murphy Bed With a Desk Costs $1499

The cheapest Murphy bed that comes with a desk is The Home Office from the Murphy Bed Depot – costing $1499 for a queen size.

The top 5 Murphy beds with a desk to buy online range from $1499 to $3749.99 and are available to buy from the Murphy Bed Depot, Costco, Walmart, and Wayfair – prices for each model are as follows:

The Home Office Review – A Simple Desk That’s Affordable

The Home Office Murphy Bed from the Murphy Bed Depot comes with a simple fold-up desk on the front of the bed, as well as 3 shelves and a storage cupboard that are optional – choose from left, right, or both side placements.

You can choose from desk depths of 15 and 18 inches (the 18 inch version costs an extra $49).

This is a very affordable Murphy bed with a desk combination that allows you to sleep and work in the same room without breaking the bank.

6: The Cheapest Murphy Bed With Shelves Costs $1499.99

The cheapest Murphy bed that comes with storage shelves (or a bookcase) is the Bestar Orion Wall Bed with Open Shelves from Costco – costing $1499.99 for a full-size.

The top 5 Murphy beds with storage shelves to buy online range from $1499.99 to $2114.99 and are available to buy from Costco, Walmart, the Murphy Bed Depot, and Wayfair – prices for each model are as follows:

Orion Wall Bed With Open Shelves Review

The Bestar Orion Wall Bed With Open Shelves comes with 5 shelves on the right-hand side of the bed that can be used when the bed is both folded up and in the down position.

2 of the shelves are fixed, 3 are adjustable, and each shelf supports up to 30 lbs.

There is no need to use a box spring with this wall bed, but you will need to purchase your own full-sized mattress, and the maximum weight capacity is 1000 lbs (including the mattress).

7: The Cheapest Murphy Bed With a Sofa Costs $2299

The cheapest Murphy bed that comes with a sofa is the Sofa and Panel Bed Ensemble from the Murphy Bed Depot – costing $2299 for a twin size.

The top 5 Murphy beds with a sofa to buy online range from $2299 to $8199.99 and are available to buy from the Murphy Bed Depot, Wayfair, and Walmart – prices for each model are as follows:

Sofa and Panel Bed Ensemble Review – Very Well Priced Compared to the Market Cost

Murphy beds that come with a sofa are the most expensive types of Murphy beds – with prices capable of exceeding the $8,000 mark for the higher-end models.

Which makes the Sofa and Panel Bed Ensemble from the Murphy Bed Depot an excellent buy if you’re looking for a two-seat couch option with a single twin-sized mattress capacity (but you have to buy your own mattress).

However, this wall bed comes in double/full, queen, and king options too for a slightly higher price.

You can see how this Sofa Panel Bed folds up from a bed into the seating option in the demo video from the Murphy Bed Depot below:

10 Factors Affecting the Cost of a Murphy Bed

The main factors that influence the cost of a Murphy bed include the type of lift mechanism, if professional installation is required, extra features, the size of the Murphy bed, the cost of the mattress, the material quality, extended warranty cost, and shipping.

More details below:

1: The Lift Mechanism

The main reason why Murphy beds are so expensive is due to the lift mechanism – with hydraulic pistons typically increasing the cost the most; whilst Murphy beds that have a non-hydraulic lift mechanism will typically be the cheapest to buy.

That’s why the Lori Wall Bed is so cheap – it doesn’t contain a hydraulic piston mechanism and instead uses a simple but effective folding mechanism.

However, although pistons may increase the cost more, the presence of this type of lift mechanism can greatly increase the ease of lifting and lowing the bed (especially important if you don’t have a lot of strength or anyone to help you lift the bed up).

2: Professional Installation

Murphy beds that require professional installation typically cost more money – with the national average being $3,000; along with highs of $5,000, and the lowest cost of installing a Murphy bed being around $1,500 [1].

Although having your Murphy bed professionally installed can increase your expense significantly, it’s the safest way to install your Murphy bed because the professionals will ensure that everything is put together properly.

But if you can’t afford costly professional installation, then you can opt for a cheaper freestanding Murphy bed cabinet that doesn’t need fixing to the wall – allowing you to keep costs down whilst reducing the complexity of the build process so that there’s less chance of making an error when assembling the bed.

Alternatively, the Lori Wall Bed attaches to the wall and doesn’t require professional installation – instructions and videos are provided so that you can install the bed yourself.

3: Extra Functionality

Buying a Murphy bed that includes extra features like shelves, a bookcase, a desk, a TV stand, or a sofa can increase the costs significantly – with sofa and seating additions pushing the cost beyond the $8,000 mark for the best models.

4: The Size of the Murphy Bed

The larger the Murphy bed, the more it will cost – with single and twin Murphy beds being the cheapest, and full (double), queen, and king-sized Murphy beds being progressively more expensive due to the increase in material volume.

This means that twin, full, and queen sizes are the most common for Murphy beds, with king sizes being rarer because a more powerful lift mechanism is required to handle the extra size and weight.

5: The Cost of the Mattress

Buying a Murphy bed frame and a mattress separately is typically more expensive than buying a Murphy bed that comes with a compatible mattress – usually because the included mattress is thinner and isn’t as good quality.

Therefore, the cheapest way to buy a complete Murphy bed set up is to buy a frame and compatible mattress together if you don’t mind sacrificing some comfort and durability over the long term, whilst buying a high-quality frame and compatible mattress separately is the most comfortable and long-lasting option.

6: The Quality of the Materials

Murphy beds that are made from inferior quality materials like laminate, MDF, and particleboard are going to be cheaper than Murphy beds that are made from solid wood, hardwoods, and higher quality materials but typically won’t last as long and could be less sturdy.

7: Extended Warranties

Most Murphy beds will come with a standard warranty that won’t cost any extra, but opting for an extended warranty can increase the cost – with $500 being the average expense for an extended Murphy bed warranty.

The Lori Wall Bed comes with a lifetime warranty that covers all parts, plus an industry-leading 60-day return policy where you’ll be refunded 100% of the costs of the bed as standard.

8: Shipping

Many retailers like the Murphy Bed Depot and Wayfair will ship your Murphy bed for free if you live in the contiguous US states, but further shipping costs may be applied by other retailers and/or if you live outside the US or in difficult-to-reach states like Alaska or Hawaii.

9: Removing the Murphy Bed

Whilst you may be able to remove your Murphy bed from the wall yourself for free, it could cost up to $200 – $500 or more to have your Murphy bed professionally removed and reinstalled at your new location if you’re moving house.

This is another argument for opting for a freestanding Murphy bed cabinet that doesn’t need to be fixed to the wall and may be easier to disassemble and transport.

10: Building Your Own Murphy Bed

The cheapest way to buy a Murphy bed is to pick up a Murphy bed kit for less than $300 and build your own Murphy bed from scratch.

However, building your own Murphy bed requires some DIY knowledge and increases the risk of something going wrong in the build and installation process that could make your Murphy bed less safe – along with the chance of injury when using tools.

Alternatively, you may want to consider a cheaper alternative to a Murphy bed such as a sofa bed or a futon bed.

Choose a Balance Between Quality and Price

Whilst there are some very cheap Murphy beds available for less than $500, the quality and comfort of these budget options over the long-term may be questionable.

Therefore, when looking for a low-cost Murphy bed, you should consider buying a model that’s known to be of higher quality but also reasonably priced – such as the Lori Wall Bed.

Click the button below to learn more about the Lori Wall Bed and discover how to get an extra $100 OFF your new Murphy bed purchase now.

Sources and References

[1] Fixr.com – How Much Does It Cost to Install a Murphy Bed? Accessed 23/1/21.

Image Attribution and Licencing

Main image provided by Lori Wall Beds (customer photo) used with permission under the terms of a private affiliate agreement.

Dan

Dan is the founder and head content creator at Bedroom Style Reviews.

He has been working as a professional online product reviewer since 2015 and was inspired to start this website when he ended up sleeping on a memory foam mattress that was too soft and gave him backache.

Through in-depth research and analysis, Dan’s goal with this website is to help others avoid such pitfalls by creating the best online resource for helping you find your ideal mattress, bedding, and bedroom furniture.

Dan is a qualified NVQ Level 2 Fitness Instructor with 6 years’ experience helping clients improve their health through diet, exercise, and proper sleep hygiene.

He also holds several college and university-level qualifications in health sciences, psychology, mathematics, art, and digital media creation – which helps him to publish well researched and informative product reviews as well as articles on sleep, health, wellbeing, and home decor.

Dan also has direct personal experience with insomnia, anxiety, misophonia (hypersensitivity to sounds), and pain from both acute and long-standing sporting injuries – he enjoys writing insightful articles around these subjects to help fellow sufferers of such conditions.

Learn more about Dan here.