If you're considering a Murphy bed for your home, one of the first decisions you'll face is orientation: vertical or horizontal? Both styles fold neatly against the wall and free up your floor space during the day — but they suit very different rooms, ceiling heights, and lifestyles. In this guide, we break down exactly how each type works, which rooms they're best suited to, and which models from our range might be right for you.
What Is a Vertical Murphy Bed?
A vertical Murphy bed folds upward — when open, the sleeping surface runs in portrait orientation (head to foot, like a traditional bed). Because the bed folds towards the ceiling, you'll need a ceiling height of at least 228 cm to accommodate it comfortably.
Vertical beds tend to feel the most like a conventional bed when in use, making them a popular choice for dedicated bedrooms and guest rooms where sleep quality is the priority.
Key advantages of vertical Murphy beds:
- Natural, traditional sleeping position
- Compact folded footprint — typically just 41–50 cm deep when closed
- Available in single (90 cm), double (120–140 cm), and king (160 cm) sizes
- Can be combined with integrated desks, wardrobes, and shelving
- Ideal for rooms that are primarily used for sleeping
Ceiling height requirement:
Our vertical Murphy beds require a minimum ceiling height of 228 cm. If your room falls short of this, a horizontal model is the safer choice.
What Is a Horizontal Murphy Bed?
A horizontal Murphy bed folds sideways — the sleeping surface runs in landscape orientation when open (width-first). Because the bed folds to the side rather than upward, it works well in rooms with lower or standard ceilings, and it creates a much lower visual profile when closed.
Horizontal beds are particularly popular in living rooms, studio flats, and open-plan spaces where the room needs to function as a living area during the day and a bedroom at night.
Key advantages of horizontal Murphy beds:
- Works with lower ceiling heights — from around 111-161 cm
- Wide, low profile when closed — blends naturally into a living room wall
- Ideal for combining with sofas, shelving units, and storage extensions
- Perfect for studio flats and multi-purpose rooms
- Available in 90, 120, and 140 cm widths
Vertical vs Horizontal: Key Differences at a Glance
| Vertical Murphy Bed | Horizontal Murphy Bed | |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation when open | Portrait (head to foot) | Landscape (side to side) |
| Minimum ceiling height | 228 cm | From ~111 cm |
| Best room type | Bedroom / guest room | Living room / studio flat |
| Folded depth | 41–50 cm | 41 cm |
| Available sizes | 90 / 120 / 140 / 160 cm | 90 / 120 / 140 cm |
| Combination options | Desk, wardrobes, shelves | Sofa, shelving extensions, wardrobes |
| Starting price | From £999 | From £729 |
Our Vertical Murphy Bed Range
We offer two main lines of vertical Murphy beds — the Basic range for those looking for reliable quality at a competitive price, and the Genius range for those who want premium features including integrated LED lighting and gas struts.
Basic Vertical Murphy Beds — from £999
The Basic range is built from 18mm moisture-resistant laminated furniture board, with a professional-grade spring lift mechanism, self-opening prevention lock, wooden slatted base, and reinforced metal legs. Available in sizes 90, 120, and 140 × 200 cm, and in a choice of finishes including White Matt, White Gloss, Sonoma Oak, Congo, and Black & Lancelot Oak.
- 90 × 200 cm — from £999
- 120 × 200 cm — from £1,049
- 140 × 200 cm — from £1,099
Maximum mattress height: 21 cm. Folded depth: 41 cm. Overall height: 222 cm.
Genius Vertical Murphy Beds — from £1,269
The Genius range steps things up with 25mm laminated board, smooth gas struts (instead of springs), integrated LED lighting with remote control, built-in bedding straps, and a more refined finish. Available in sizes 140 and 160 × 200 cm, in White Matte, White Gloss, Congo, Black & Lancelot Oak, and Oiled Oak.
- 120 × 200 cm — £1,269
- 140 × 200 cm — £1,369
- 160 × 200 cm — £1,469
Maximum mattress height: 24 cm. Folded depth: 50 cm. Overall height: 223 cm.
Genius Vertical Murphy Bed with Desk & Wardrobes — from £2,358
For the ultimate space-saving home office setup, the Genius bed with integrated desk and wardrobes combines a 140 × 200 cm Murphy bed with a fold-down desk (154 cm wide × 64 cm deep) and two flanking wardrobes (each 60 cm wide × 223 cm tall). The desk supports up to 15 kg. LED lighting included.
Looking for more home office inspiration? Read our full guide: Murphy Bed with Desk: The Ultimate Home Office Solution for UK Homes.
👉 Browse all Vertical Murphy Beds
Our Horizontal Murphy Bed Range
Our horizontal range is designed for rooms where ceiling height is limited or where the bed needs to integrate seamlessly into a living space. All models fold sideways and can be extended with shelving units and wardrobes.
Basic Horizontal Murphy Beds — from £999
Built from the same 18mm moisture-resistant laminated board as the vertical Basic range, with a professional spring lift mechanism, self-opening prevention lock, wooden slatted base, and reinforced metal legs. Available in 90, 120, and 140 × 200 cm, in White Matt, White Gloss, Sonoma Oak, Congo, and Black & Lancelot Oak.
- 90 × 200 cm — from £999
- 120 × 200 cm — from £1,049
- 140 × 200 cm — from £1,099
Maximum mattress height: 21 cm.
Sleep BOX Horizontal Murphy Bed — from £729
The Sleep BOX is our most compact horizontal solution — a 90 × 200 cm wall bed that functions as a sleek wall unit with open shelves during the day. Built with an 18mm laminated board body and durable plywood bed box, it features a spring-supported opening system, safety lock, and adjustable mattress straps. Wall-mounting recommended. Maximum mattress capacity: 130 kg.
Dimensions when closed: 213.3 cm W × 109.6 cm H × 44.2 cm D. Unfolded length: 134 cm.
The Sleep BOX can be extended with optional cabinet units and wardrobes (with shelves or hanging rail), making it a fully modular system.
Extension Unit with Open Shelves — £319
Available for horizontal Basic beds, this overhead storage extension (213 cm W × 61 cm H × 41 cm D) adds practical open shelving for books, décor, and everyday essentials. Features a handle-free push-and-pull opening system and is available in all five finishes to match your bed perfectly.
👉 Browse all Horizontal Murphy Beds
Which Murphy Bed Is Right for Your Room?
Choose a vertical Murphy bed if:
- Your ceiling is 228 cm or higher
- You have a dedicated bedroom or spare room
- You want the most natural, traditional sleeping position
- You'd like to combine the bed with a home office desk or wardrobes
- You need a larger sleeping surface — up to 160 × 200 cm
Choose a horizontal Murphy bed if:
- Your ceiling height is under 111-164 cm
- You're furnishing a studio flat, living room, or open-plan space
- You want the bed to blend into a wall unit or shelving system
- The room needs to function as a living space during the day
- You're looking for a more compact or budget-friendly entry point (from £729)
Measure Your Ceiling First
The single most practical factor when choosing between vertical and horizontal is ceiling height. Before anything else, measure your room. If you're under 228 cm, a horizontal bed is the right choice. If you have the height, both orientations are viable — and it comes down to how you use the room.
Not sure which model suits your space? Get in touch with our team — we're happy to advise based on your room dimensions and lifestyle.
Explore the Full Range
All Phantom Furniture Murphy beds are available in a choice of finishes and sizes.