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Are Murphy Beds Comfortable Enough for Holiday Guests?

Writer: Curtis Norquist
Curtis Norquist
Oct 16
4 min read

Are Murphy Beds Comfortable Enough for Holiday Guests?

A guest bed can save space.


But if nobody sleeps well on it, it has not really solved the problem.


That is why one of the most common questions people ask when shopping for a

Murphy bed near Salem is surprisingly simple:


Are Murphy beds actually comfortable?


The short answer is yes—but the bed mechanism is only part of the equation. The

mattress, the type of space-saving bed you choose, and how often it will be used all

matter.


With Thanksgiving and holiday visitors getting closer, this is a good time to look beyond

how cleverly a bed disappears and think about what happens after your guests actually

climb into it.


In this guide, we’ll look at what makes a Murphy bed comfortable, how Murphy-bed

and cabinet-bed mattresses differ, and why trying the mattress yourself can be

one of the smartest things you do before buying.



1. A Murphy Bed Does Not Have to Feel Like a Temporary Bed


Some people hear “Murphy bed” and picture something closer to a cot.


That is not how a modern wall bed has to work.


Many of Hiddenbed of Oregon’s vertical Murphy beds use mattresses similar in depth to

what you might expect on a conventional bed. Depending on the particular model,

Hiddenbed’s Murphy beds and desk beds accommodate mattresses approximately 10

to 12 inches thick.


Individual models such as the Portola Vertical Murphy Bed can take a mattress up to 11

inches thick.


That means choosing a Murphy bed does not automatically mean choosing a thin

mattress simply because the bed folds into the wall.


And that distinction becomes especially important if the people sleeping there are your

parents, adult children, friends, or family staying several nights over the holidays.


A guest may tolerate an air mattress for one night.


Three or four nights can be a very different story.


So if comfort is high on your list, it is worth asking:


How thick a mattress can this particular bed accommodate?


What mattress firmness feels best?


How frequently will the bed be used?


Who will normally sleep on it?


Will guests be staying one night or an entire week?


Hiddenbed allows some customers to use their own mattress as long as its size,

thickness, and weight are appropriate for the particular bed. The company also offers

mattresses selected to work properly with its wall-bed systems.


So a Murphy bed can feel much more like a traditional guest bed than many shoppers

expect.


But there is another type of hidden bed that handles the mattress very differently.

And that may change which option works best for your room.



2. Murphy Bed or Cabinet Bed? The Mattress Works Differently


A cabinet bed does not store a conventional mattress vertically.


Instead, the mattress folds along with the bed and stores inside the cabinet.


Hiddenbed’s cabinet beds generally include approximately 6-inch memory-foam

mattresses, while the Murphy beds and desk beds can accommodate thicker

mattresses.


That difference does not automatically make one comfortable and the other

uncomfortable.


It means they solve the problem differently.


A traditional Murphy bed may appeal to someone who wants something closer to a

conventional bedroom experience and plans to use the bed regularly.


A cabinet bed can be especially useful when you want a freestanding guest bed that

takes up very little room the rest of the year.


For example, the Murphy Express Cabinet Bed includes a tri-fold gel memory-foam

mattress and stores the complete sleeping system inside a cabinet occupying about 10

square feet when closed.


That may be exactly what you need in a den, home office, ADU, or bonus room.


There is another small difference worth knowing.


With many Murphy beds and transforming desk beds, blankets can remain tucked onto

the mattress when the bed is stored. Cabinet beds use folding mattresses, so the

bedding needs to be removed before the bed is folded back into the cabinet.


None of these differences tells you which bed is “best.”


Instead, ask what matters most in your home.


Do you want something that feels as much like a traditional bedroom as possible?


Do you need a compact, freestanding guest bed?


Is the room primarily an office?


Will the bed be used once a year—or once a month?


Once you answer those questions, you are much closer to choosing the right bed.


There is still one problem, though.


Comfort is very difficult to judge on a website.



3. The Best Mattress Test Is Still the Obvious One


You can read mattress specifications all afternoon.


You can compare thickness.


You can read descriptions of foam layers and support.


But ultimately, comfort is personal.


That is one of the biggest advantages of having a local Murphy-bed showroom instead

of ordering unfamiliar furniture entirely online.


At Hiddenbed of Oregon’s showroom in Brooks, just north of Salem, you can see

different Murphy beds, cabinet beds, and desk beds in person.


More importantly:


You can actually lie down on them.


Hiddenbed specifically encourages showroom visitors to test the comfort of its

mattresses, and customers frequently comment that they are surprised by how

comfortable the different space-saving beds are.


That makes the showroom useful for more than comparing finishes.



Try a Murphy-bed mattress.


Then try a cabinet-bed mattress.


Pay attention to how easy the beds are to open and close.


Think about who usually visits your home.


Then imagine them sleeping there for several nights.


If you are buying a bed specifically because family will be staying over Thanksgiving or

Christmas, this is one purchase where trying before buying makes a lot of sense.


The Brooks showroom is located at 4993 Brooklake Road NE, and Hiddenbed

provides free delivery and setup within 50 miles of Brooks, including Salem, Woodburn,

Silverton, Albany, and many other nearby communities.


Will Your Holiday Guests Be Comfortable?


If you are searching for a comfortable Murphy bed near Salem, a guest bed with a

real mattress, or a cabinet bed for holiday visitors, do not judge the bed solely by

how little room it takes up.


Your space matters.


So does your guest.


Browse Hiddenbed’s vertical Murphy beds, compare the cabinet bed collection, or

review the frequently asked questions about mattresses, bedding, installation, and

everyday use.


Then come to Brooks and do the simplest test of all.


Lie down.


Try the mattress.


Imagine sleeping there yourself.


If you would be comfortable spending Thanksgiving weekend in it, there is a good

chance your guests will be too.


Contact Hiddenbed of Oregon to plan your showroom visit or call 503-874-6109.

 
 
 

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