How to Measure Your Room for a Murphy Bed – A Practical Guide
Murphy beds – often called wall beds – are a clever way to maximise space without compromising on comfort. Whether you’re turning a spare room into a home office, making a small apartment more functional, or simply adding flexibility to a guest bedroom, a Murphy bed can make a big difference. But before you buy one, there’s one critical step that often gets overlooked: measuring your space properly.
Why Getting the Measurements Right Matters
When it comes to Murphy beds, guesswork doesn’t cut it. An incorrectly sized bed can cause more problems than it solves – from installation issues to daily frustration. Here’s why taking accurate measurements is key:
Fit and Functionality: The bed needs to fit the wall perfectly and have enough room to fold down and operate smoothly. Too large, and it won’t open properly. Too small, and you’re left with wasted space or an awkward fit.
Safety: A Murphy bed that doesn’t sit or fold correctly could pose safety issues. A tight fit ensures it stays secure when upright and operates as intended.
Looks Matter: Precise measurements mean the bed aligns neatly with the room, blending in seamlessly with your décor rather than looking like a last-minute addition.
Extra Features: If you’re planning to add side cabinets, shelves, or storage, you’ll need accurate measurements to make sure everything fits together cleanly.
What You’ll Need To Measure Your Room for a Murphy Bed
Before you get started, grab these essentials:
A measuring tape (a long, flexible one is ideal)
A pencil and some paper (for jotting down numbers and drawing a rough layout)
A spirit level (optional, but useful for double-checking your work)
How to Measure Your Room for a Murphy Bed
Follow these steps to get it right from the start:
1. Clear the Area
Move any furniture, artwork, or clutter out of the way. You’ll want full access to the wall and floor to take measurements without obstructions.
2. Choose the Wall
Pick the wall where you plan to install the bed. Ideally, it should be free of windows, doors, radiators, or anything else that might get in the way.
3. Measure the Wall Width
Use your tape to measure the full width of the wall – from one edge to the other. Make sure the tape is level as you go. Write it down.
4. Measure the Ceiling Height
Next, measure from the floor to the ceiling at a few different spots along the wall. Ceilings aren’t always even, so note the lowest measurement – that’s the one that counts.
5. Look for Obstacles
Check for light switches, power points, skirting boards (If you have high skirting boards – higher than 125mm – we may have to cut in to the skirting for the wall bed frame to fit), or anything else fixed to the wall. Measure their distance from the floor and the nearest wall edge, so you can avoid interference with the bed or its hardware.
6. Allow for Clearance
When folded down, the bed will need space in front to function. As a general rule, you’ll want to allow around 2.4 metres (8 feet) of clearance. Always check the specs of the model you’re considering.
7. Sketch the Room
Draw a quick floor plan of the space. It doesn’t have to be perfect – just enough to help you visualise where the bed will go and where the obstacles are.
8. Still Unsure? Ask an Expert
If you’re uncertain about any of your measurements, or whether a Murphy bed will even work in your space, it’s worth having a chat with the pros. At Wall Beds R Us, we’ve installed thousands of wall beds across all sorts of tricky spaces. We’re happy to help you get it right from the start.
9. Lifts & Access
If you live in an apartment its vitally important what lift (elevator) access you have. If its a small lift then the bed will need to be delivered in flat packs which will add to the installation costs.
Final Thoughts
Measuring your room properly isn’t just a box to tick – it’s what makes the difference between a flawless installation and a frustrating one. Take your time, double-check everything, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Once your Murphy bed is in and working perfectly, you’ll be glad you took the extra care. Check the bed sizes here.