You live in a city apartment, and every square foot counts. You dream of having a dedicated guest room or a home office, but your spare room is too small, has a low ceiling, or has a window in the worst possible spot. You feel stuck with a room that can’t reach its full potential. A vertical Murphy bed won't fit, and you think you're out of options. I’m here to tell you about the solution that solves these specific urban living problems.
A horizontal Murphy bed is the perfect secret weapon for urban dwellers because it is specifically designed to work in spaces where vertical beds can't. Its wider, shorter profile fits perfectly under windows or in rooms with low ceilings, like basements, lofts, or attic spaces. This unique orientation allows you to reclaim valuable floor space for daily activities, turning a cramped, single-use room into a multi-functional office, gym, or living area without sacrificing the comfort of a real bed.
As someone who has worked in this industry for years, I've noticed that many buyers, even experienced ones like yourself, see the horizontal Murphy bed as a simple reorientation of a vertical model. From a manufacturing standpoint, this is a dangerous oversimplification. The physics are fundamentally different. A horizontal unit has a much shorter lever arm, which drastically increases the initial force required to begin the lift. This demands a more robust and finely-tuned counterbalance mechanism to manage the load safely. The engineering focus shifts from managing a long, controlled descent to overcoming immense initial inertia. The decision to choose a horizontal bed isn't just about which wall it goes on; it's about specifying a mechanically distinct system built to handle a more demanding torque curve.
How Much Space Can a Horizontal Murphy Bed Actually Save in a Small Apartment?
Your apartment bedroom or spare room is dominated by a bed. It leaves you with just narrow pathways to walk around, making the room feel cramped and claustrophobic. You lose valuable floor space that could be used for a desk, a yoga mat, or just open space to make the room feel bigger. You feel like you're living in a closet instead of a functional room. I've seen this problem in countless city homes.
A horizontal Murphy bed saves the entire footprint of the mattress and frame, instantly giving you back anywhere from 25 to 40 square feet of usable floor space. When closed, it reduces a bulky bed to a slim, stylish cabinet that is only 16-20 inches deep. This allows you to completely transform the function of a room the moment the bed is put away, turning a bedroom into a spacious office or living area in seconds.
I once helped a client in a studio apartment that was basically one big room. They had a queen bed that took up almost half the living area. They couldn't have friends over without them sitting on the bed. We replaced it with a horizontal Murphy bed integrated into a media unit. The transformation was incredible. During the day, they had a full living room with a sofa and coffee table. At night, they had a comfortable queen bed. They told me it felt like they had doubled their apartment's square footage.
Calculating Your Reclaimed Floor Space
A standard queen mattress is 60" x 80", which is 4,800 square inches, or about 33 square feet. When you add the frame, you're looking at nearly 40 square feet of permanently occupied space. A closed Murphy bed gives you all of that back. You can literally roll out a rug and have a completely different room.
The Advantage of Less Projection
A key benefit of the horizontal layout is that it doesn't stick out as far into the room when it's open. A vertical queen bed projects about 85-90 inches from the wall, while a horizontal queen projects only about 65-70 inches. This extra 20+ inches makes a huge difference in narrow rooms, leaving more walking space around the foot of the bed.
Wall Footprint vs. Room Footprint
The trade-off is that a horizontal bed takes up more wall width. But in many urban apartments, wall space is more available than floor space. You can run a horizontal bed along a long wall, even under a window, preserving the precious central area of the room for movement and other furniture.
| Feature | Traditional Queen Bed | Horizontal Murphy Bed |
| Floor Footprint (Open) | ~40 sq. ft. | ~40 sq. ft. |
| Floor Footprint (Closed) | ~40 sq. ft. | Winner. ~10 sq. ft. |
| Reclaimed Space | 0 sq. ft. | ~30 sq. ft. |
| Projection into Room | N/A | Less than a vertical bed |
Are Horizontal Murphy Beds Safer and More Stable Than Vertical Ones?
You're considering a horizontal bed for your low-ceiling basement or child's room, but you have a nagging worry about its safety. Since it opens sideways, you wonder if the mechanism is as strong. You might imagine it being harder to lift or, worse, not staying securely in place. This safety concern is valid and makes you hesitate on what seems like a perfect spatial solution.
Yes, a high-quality horizontal Murphy bed is exceptionally safe and stable, precisely because it is engineered differently. They require and use more powerful counterbalance mechanisms (like robust gas pistons or heavy-duty springs) to handle the higher initial lifting force. This specialized system ensures a smooth, controlled motion both down and up. In fact, their lower center of gravity when open can make them feel even more stable than their vertical counterparts.
This is exactly where my manufacturing insight becomes critical. The force needed to start lifting a horizontal bed is much greater than on a vertical one. Think of it like a seesaw. If you sit closer to the pivot point, your friend on the other end has to push down much harder to lift you. A horizontal bed has a shorter "lever arm," so the lifting mechanism has to work harder at the start. That's why we use specifically engineered, more powerful pistons for these models. When you buy from a reputable manufacturer, you are buying a system designed for this specific physical challenge, ensuring it is both easy and safe to operate.
The Physics of a Shorter Lever Arm
In simple terms, lifting a vertical bed is like pushing a door open normally. Lifting a horizontal bed is like trying to push that same door open by pressing near the hinges. It takes more effort. Our mechanisms are oversized to provide that extra "push" so it feels just as light and easy for you, the user.
Why a More Robust Mechanism is Non-Negotiable
A manufacturer cannot simply take a vertical mechanism and turn it sideways. This would be unsafe and result in a bed that is difficult to lift and potentially dangerous. The torque curve is completely different, and the hardware must be specified to match it. This is a key detail to ask about when you are sourcing a bed.
Stability and a Lower Center of Gravity
Once opened, the horizontal bed's mass is distributed over a wider, lower area. This low center of gravity contributes to a very stable and solid feel. There's no sense of tipping or wobbling, which is especially reassuring in a multi-use family room or child's playroom.
| Safety Aspect | Vertical Murphy Bed | Horizontal Murphy Bed |
| Lifting Mechanism | Standard pistons/springs | Winner. More powerful pistons/springs required |
| Initial Lifting Force | Lower | Higher (managed by mechanism) |
| Opened Stability | Very Stable | Extremely Stable (lower center of gravity) |
| Engineering Focus | Controlled, even descent | Overcoming high initial inertia |
What Room Layouts Work Best with a Horizontal Murphy Bed?
You have an awkwardly shaped room. Maybe it's long and narrow, like a converted hallway. Maybe it's an attic room with a sloped ceiling on one side. Or maybe the only logical wall has a big window right in the middle. You're trying to visualize how any bed could fit without making the room unusable, and the layout puzzle is frustrating.
Horizontal Murphy beds are perfect for long, narrow rooms, spaces with low or sloped ceilings, and rooms where you need to place a bed under a window. Because they are wider than they are tall, they can be installed on walls that a vertical bed is too high for. This opens up layout possibilities in challenging spaces like basements, attics, and small home offices that would otherwise be impossible to furnish with a guest bed.
I worked with a couple who had a home office that was only about 8 feet wide. They desperately wanted to add a guest bed, but a vertical bed would have stuck out so far it would nearly touch the opposite wall, making it impossible to walk around. A traditional bed would have filled the room permanently. The solution was a horizontal twin bed. When closed, it was a beautiful cabinet that ran along the wall. When open, it left about 3 feet of space to walk by—not a huge amount, but it made the difference between a functional guest space and an impossible one.
The Long, Narrow Room Solution
In a room that's much longer than it is wide, a horizontal bed is the undisputed champion. By placing it along one of the long walls, you preserve the length of the room for traffic flow. Since it doesn't project as far, the room feels open and accessible even when the bed is down.
The Low or Sloped Ceiling Solution
This is the classic use case. In an attic, basement, or room with a soffit, ceiling height is the main constraint. A horizontal bed, which is typically shorter than 6 feet, can tuck in perfectly where a vertical bed (often over 7 feet tall) simply won't fit.
The Under-a-Window Solution
Windows often occupy the best walls in a room. You can't put a tall vertical bed in front of a window, but a short horizontal bed can fit perfectly underneath it. This allows you to use the most architecturally pleasing wall in the room while still getting the function of a Murphy bed and the light from the window.
| Room Type | Primary Challenge | Why Horizontal Works Best |
| Long, Narrow Room | Limited Width | Winner. Less projection into the room's path |
| Attic / Basement | Low Ceiling Height | Shorter cabinet fits where vertical can't |
| Room with Windows | Wall Obstruction | Fits underneath the window sill |
Can a Horizontal Murphy Bed Match Modern Urban Interior Styles?
You love the sleek, minimalist, or industrial look that defines modern urban living. You're worried a Murphy bed, especially a horizontal one, will look clunky and utilitarian, like a piece of dorm furniture. It's a struggle to find examples that look like high-end, intentional furniture. You don't want to sacrifice your home's carefully curated style just to save space.
Yes, a horizontal Murphy bed can absolutely match and even enhance modern urban interior styles. The key is to treat it like a piece of custom cabinetry. Choose flat-panel doors for a minimalist look, finishes like high-gloss white or dark matte grey, and opt for handleless, push-to-open hardware. The long, low profile of a horizontal bed can also be styled to look like a chic, modern credenza, seamlessly blending in with other contemporary furniture.
One of my favorite trends right now is using the horizontal bed as a long design element. Instead of trying to hide it, we make it a feature. For an industrial loft, we might use a cabinet with a reclaimed wood finish and dark metal accents, running it along an exposed brick wall. In a minimalist apartment, we'd use a floating white cabinet with integrated LED lighting underneath to create a warm glow. The horizontal orientation gives you a long, uninterrupted surface to play with design, making it a very powerful tool for modern interiors.
The Minimalist Credenza Look
By keeping the cabinet face clean and flat, a horizontal bed can mimic a low, floating credenza or media console. This is a very popular look in modern design. You can even place lightweight decorative items or a TV on top (if specified by the manufacturer), further integrating it into your living space.
Leaning into Industrial Textures
For urban lofts, the horizontal bed is a natural fit. Raw wood textures, concrete-effect finishes, and dark metal hardware complement the industrial aesthetic. The bed doesn't hide; it becomes part of the room's raw, textural story.
High-Gloss and Lacquer Finishes
For a super-sleek, almost futuristic urban look, high-gloss finishes[^1] are the way to go. A white, black, or grey lacquered horizontal bed reflects light and makes a space feel brighter and more open. Paired with handleless doors[^2], the unit can almost disappear, looking like a piece of modern art.
| Style | Key Features | Best Finish | Hardware |
| Modern Minimalist | Clean lines, uncluttered | Winner. Matte White or High-Gloss Lacquer | Handleless (Push-to-Open) |
| Industrial Loft | Raw, textured | Reclaimed Wood, Concrete Effect | Black or Raw Metal Pulls |
| Scandinavian | Light, airy, natural | Light Oak or Maple Woodgrain | Simple, discreet edge pulls |
Conclusion
The horizontal Murphy bed is more than just a sideways bed; it's a sophisticated piece of engineering designed specifically for the challenges of urban living. As we've seen, it's the perfect solution for rooms with low ceilings, awkward layouts, and for anyone who needs to maximize every square foot. It reclaims valuable floor space, fits where other beds can't, and does so with a level of safety and stability that comes from its unique, robust mechanics. With modern design options, it can become a stylish centerpiece of your room. It truly is the urban dweller's secret weapon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- You mentioned horizontal beds need a stronger mechanism. Does this mean they are heavier or harder for a person to lift?
Not at all! This is a common misconception. While the internal mechanism is more powerful to overcome the initial force, that power is precisely what makes it feel effortless for you. A well-engineered horizontal bed is balanced to be "weightless," meaning it should be just as easy—if not easier—to open and close as its vertical counterpart. The stronger mechanism does the heavy lifting, not you.
2. Can I install a TV on the wall above a horizontal Murphy bed?
Yes, this is a very popular and smart use of space. Since the horizontal bed cabinet is low, it acts like a natural media console. You have plenty of wall space above it to securely mount a flat-screen TV. This layout allows a room to function as a bedroom at night and a media room or living room during the day, which is perfect for studio apartments.
3. What is the typical mattress thickness I can use with a horizontal Murphy bed?
Most horizontal Murphy beds are designed to accommodate a standard mattress up to 10-11 inches thick. You don't need to buy a special, flimsy "Murphy bed mattress." This allows you to choose a comfortable, high-quality mattress for everyday use. Always confirm the maximum thickness with your manufacturer, as this dimension is critical for the bed to close properly.
4. Are there Queen and King size options available in a horizontal orientation?
Yes, horizontal Murphy beds are commonly available in Twin, Full, and Queen sizes. King size is much rarer and often requires a custom build due to its extreme width and the immense mechanical force required to lift it. For most urban apartments, a Queen horizontal bed offers the best balance of sleeping comfort and spatial efficiency.
5. Does a horizontal bed feel different to sleep on than a vertical one? Is there a "sideways" feeling?
No, there is absolutely no difference in the sleeping experience. Once the bed is open, it's a standard mattress on a solid, stable foundation. The orientation of the bed against the wall is purely about how it stores away; it has no impact on how it feels to sleep on. It provides the same support and comfort as any traditional bed.
6. I have an old apartment with uneven floors. Will this affect the stability or installation of a horizontal Murphy bed?
This is a great question for anyone in an older building. The cabinet must be installed perfectly level and securely anchored to the wall to ensure the mechanism functions smoothly and safely. Professional installers are skilled at shimming the base of the cabinet to create a level foundation, even on uneven floors. This is why professional installation is highly recommended.
7. Can I add side cabinets or a desk to a horizontal Murphy bed?
Absolutely. Many designs feature integrated side piers for shelving or wardrobes. You can also have a desk attached to the front panel of the bed, creating a workspace when the bed is closed. Because of the low height, a horizontal bed also works well with floating shelves or upper cabinets installed on the wall above it, maximizing vertical storage.
8. How much clearance space do I need on the sides of a horizontal Murphy bed to open it?
You don't need any side clearance for the bed itself to operate. The entire mechanism is contained within the cabinet frame. However, you'll want to consider the overall room layout. Make sure that when the bed is open, you aren't blocking a doorway and that you have enough space to comfortably get in and out of bed.
9. What's the main advantage of a horizontal bed's lower projection into the room?
The main advantage is maintaining a wider, clearer pathway when the bed is open. In a narrow room (e.g., 8 or 9 feet wide), the extra 20+ inches of floor space that a horizontal bed saves compared to a vertical one can be the difference between being able to walk around the bed comfortably and having to shimmy past sideways.
10. From your experience, is a horizontal bed a good option for a child's room?
Yes, it’s an excellent option for children's rooms. The lower profile means the bed is not as tall and imposing when closed. More importantly, when open, its lower center of gravity makes it feel extremely stable. The space-saving aspect is also a huge benefit, as it frees up all the floor space for play during the day. Just ensure the model you choose has a certified safe lifting mechanism.
Relate
[^1]: Discover how high-gloss finishes can elevate your space with their sleek and reflective qualities. →
[^2]: Learn about handleless doors and how they contribute to a minimalist and contemporary aesthetic. →