What Is The Best Mattress For a Murphy Bed? Key Things To Know Before You Buy

If you’re wondering “What Is The Best Mattress For a Murphy Bed”, you’re usually trying to balance comfort, support, and the unique demands of a bed that folds up against the wall. Murphy beds (also called wall beds) place different stresses on a mattress than a regular bed frame, so not every mattress type is a good match.

This FAQ-style guide walks through the main questions people have when choosing a Murphy bed mattress and what to look for so it wears well and feels comfortable.

What makes Murphy bed mattresses different?

A Murphy bed mattress has to do more than provide a good night’s sleep. It also needs to:

Stay in place while stored vertically or folded
Hold its shape after frequent lifting, closing, and opening
Avoid sagging or slumping over time when stored upright
Fit inside a confined cabinet or frame

Because of this, very thick, very heavy, or highly flexible mattresses that work fine on standard beds can be poor choices for a Murphy bed.

What Is The Best Mattress For a Murphy Bed in general?

For most people, the best mattress for a Murphy bed is:

Medium-firm to medium in feel
Around 10–12 inches thick
Made from foam or a foam-hybrid that can hold its shape without too much bending
Compatible with the manufacturer’s thickness and weight guidelines

Instead of one single “best” option for everyone, it helps to think in terms of best type for your bed style and sleep preferences:

All-foam mattresses often work well because they are flexible enough to fold up but still supportive if chosen in the right firmness.
Hybrid mattresses with coils and foam comfort layers can also be suitable if they are not too thick or heavy.
Very soft, plush, or ultra-thick mattresses are more likely to slump or put extra strain on the bed mechanism.

What mattress thickness is best for a Murphy bed?

Most Murphy bed setups do best with a mattress between 10 and 12 inches thick. Reasons this range is often recommended:

It’s usually thick enough for comfort and support.
It’s thin enough to fit inside most wall-bed cabinets.
It helps avoid excess weight on the lifting mechanism.

Thinner mattresses (under 8 inches) can sometimes feel too firm or allow pressure buildup for some sleepers. On the other hand, very thick mattresses (over 12–13 inches) may not close properly or may stress the hardware.

Always check:

The maximum thickness allowed by the Murphy bed frame
Any weight limits suggested by the manufacturer

Are memory foam mattresses good for Murphy beds?

Many sleepers find memory foam mattresses a good match for Murphy beds because they:

Are flexible enough to be stored vertically
Offer even support and contouring
Typically fall within the ideal thickness range

However, considerations include:

Heat retention: Some people feel warmer on traditional memory foam.
Edge support: Some memory foam designs feel softer at the edges, which might matter if you sit on the side often.

For a Murphy bed, it can help to look for medium or medium-firm memory foam that feels stable rather than overly soft or floppy.

Can you use an innerspring mattress on a Murphy bed?

Traditional innerspring mattresses can sometimes work, but there are a few cautions:

Some coil systems may shift or sag more when stored upright.
Very bouncy, loosely constructed springs can become uncomfortable over time if repeatedly stressed by folding or vertical storage.
Heavier, thicker innerspring designs may be too bulky for the cabinet.

If choosing an innerspring-based design, it usually helps to:

Keep thickness moderate (around 10–12 inches)
Look for a sturdy, supportive feel, not overly plush or pillow-top
Make sure the mattress can be securely strapped or held in place when the bed is closed

What firmness level works best on a Murphy bed?

Because a Murphy bed often sits on a solid platform rather than flexible slats, the mattress may feel slightly firmer than on a springy base.

Many people are comfortable with:

Medium-firm if they like more support or sleep on their back or stomach
Medium if they prefer a bit more cushioning or sleep on their side

Very soft mattresses can compress more and may feel less supportive over time, especially with the added demands of a wall bed mechanism.

Do Murphy bed mattresses wear out faster?

A mattress used on a Murphy bed can experience different wear patterns because it:

Is stored upright, which can affect materials that don’t hold their shape well
Is often lifted and closed frequently
May be strapped or held in place, adding pressure points along its surface

To help it last longer:

Use proper support recommended by the bed manufacturer.
Make sure the mattress is secured so it doesn’t sag when vertical.
Rotate the mattress periodically if the design allows it.

✔️ Quick Mattress Takeaways

Key points consumers should understand about What Is The Best Mattress For a Murphy Bed

Aim for 10–12 inches of thickness for a good balance of comfort, fit, and durability.
Medium to medium-firm mattresses tend to work well on the firmer platform of a Murphy bed.
All-foam or foam-hybrid designs are often the best match because they handle vertical storage and folding better than very bouncy or bulky options.
Always check your Murphy bed’s thickness and weight limits before choosing a mattress.
Avoid overly thick, ultra-soft, or very heavy mattresses, which can strain the mechanism or fail to close properly.
Secure the mattress when upright and consider rotating it periodically to promote even wear.

Choosing what is the best mattress for a Murphy bed comes down to matching the mattress’s type, thickness, firmness, and weight with your specific wall bed design and comfort needs. With a mattress that fits those basics, a Murphy bed can be both space-saving and genuinely comfortable for regular sleep.