Both sofa beds and Murphy beds promise comfort without clutter, but they take very different paths to get there.
One doubles as your lounge companion, while the other disappears into the wall when the day begins.
Key Takeaways
- Choosing between a sofa bed or murphy bed depends on how you use your space. Sofa beds suit daily living and flexible seating, while Murphy beds keep rooms open and tidy.
- Murphy beds offer full mattress comfort for long-term sleep, while modern sofa beds now feature supportive built-in mattresses, which are ideal for guests.
- Consider your lifestyle, space, and budget to find the option that delivers comfort, convenience, and the best use of your home.
In this article, we’ll explore how the two compare in function, comfort, and space needs, helping you decide which option suits your home and lifestyle.
Whether you want something quick to pull out for guests or a bed that neatly disappears when it’s time to work, we’ll help you find your fit.
Jump to a section:
- What Is a Sofa Bed?
- What Is a Murphy Bed?
- Sofa Bed vs Murphy Bed: Key Differences
- How to Choose Between Murphy Bed vs Sofa Bed?
- What Should You Get?
What Is a Sofa Bed?
A sofa bed is a couch that easily converts into a sleeping surface with a quick fold or pull, making it perfect for small spaces or guest use. It usually relies on its own cushions or a built-in mattress, so setup stays simple.
If you’d like to dive deeper into how they work, we’ve got a full sofa bed guide that covers everything in detail.
✅ Pros of a Sofa Bed
- Quick and easy to set up, often in a single motion
- Saves space by combining two functions in one
- Usually lighter and easier to move than built-in bed systems
- Available in many designs, fabrics, and sizes to suit your home style
- Often includes built-in storage for bedding or seasonal items
- More affordable than wall-mounted or custom bed setups
⚠️ Cons of a Sofa Bed
- The sleeping surface may feel firmer or thinner than a standard mattress
- Can show wear sooner if used daily for both sitting and sleeping
- Takes up floor space when opened
Best For
- Guests staying a night or two
- Apartments or shared spaces with limited room
- People who want flexible furniture that shifts between day and night use
- Renters who move often and prefer easy-to-transport pieces
- Anyone wanting a quick, no-fuss sleep setup without wall installation
What Is a Murphy Bed?
A Murphy bed folds up into a wall cabinet when you’re not sleeping, then pulls down at night like a regular bed.
It saves floor space by day and gives you a full mattress by night, which makes it popular in studio flats, guest rooms, and home offices that work double duty.
Many designs sit inside a tidy cupboard, sometimes with shelves or a desk built in.
✅ Pros of a Murphy Bed
- Frees valuable floor space during the day
- Sleeps like a standard bed with regular mattress options
- Clean, discreet look that can blend with cabinets or shelving
- Horizontal and vertical layouts to suit different room shapes
- Add-on storage or a desk available on some models
- Mechanisms are built for frequent open and close use
⚠️ Cons of a Murphy Bed
- Must be fixed to a sturdy wall, which can be tricky for renters
- Harder to move once installed and heavier than most sofas
- Requires clear floor area and enough ceiling height when opened
- No extra seating unless you buy a combo unit with a sofa
- Higher upfront price, especially with custom cabinetry or finishes
Best For
- Studio flats that need open floor space in the daytime
- Home offices or hobby rooms that double as guest rooms
- Sleepers who want the feel of a regular mattress
- Homeowners or long-term renters who can commit to wall mounting
Sofa Bed vs Murphy Bed: Key Differences
Here’s how they compare on the things that matter day to day.
| Feature | Sofa Bed | Murphy Bed |
| Comfort | Modern designs with built-in foam or pocket spring mattresses for solid short-term comfort. | Uses a full mattress for regular, long-term support similar to a standard bed. |
| Setup | Quick to convert, often in one motion with no loose parts. | Requires wall installation and clear floor space to pull down safely. |
| Space-Saving | Doubles as seating and stays compact, though it occupies some space full-time. | Folds into the wall or cabinet to free up the entire floor area during the day. |
| Portability | Freestanding and easier to move between rooms or homes. | Fixed to the wall and heavier, better suited for long-term setups. |
| Design & Everyday Use | Comes in many fabrics, colours, and styles to match everyday living. | Discreet and sleek when closed, sometimes paired with shelving or desks. |
| Price & Value | Offers a wide range of prices from budget to premium options. | Higher upfront cost due to hardware and cabinetry, but built for longevity. |
| Maintenance & Durability | Daily seating use can lead to faster wear. Choose quality fabrics and frames. | Mattress stays protected when folded, extending its lifespan. |
Comfort
✅ It’s a tie for comfort, depending on how you’ll use it.
Murphy beds feel like regular beds because they use full-size mattresses with solid support and familiar depth, making them great for nightly sleep.
Modern sofa beds have come a long way too. Many now include built-in mattresses made with supportive foams or pocket springs, offering comfort that rivals a traditional bed for short stays or occasional guests. The difference really comes down to how often the bed will be used.
Setup
✅ Sofa bed is usually quicker to convert.
Most fold down in one smooth motion with no loose parts, and there are several sofa bed mechanisms to choose from depending on how much effort you want to put in. Some lift and fold easily, while others pull out with a built-in mattress.
A Murphy bed needs a clear pull-down and a safe latch or lift back up. It’s still simple once installed but takes a little more care and floor clearance to operate smoothly.
Space-Saving
✅ Murphy bed frees the floor during the day.
If you’ve ever seen how Murphy beds work, they usually fold into a cabinet, so the room opens up for work, play, or workouts.
Sofa beds save space by doubling up as seating, yet they remain in the room full time. When opened, you’ll need room in front for the sleep surface.
Installation & Portability
✅ Sofa bed wins for renters and movers.
Sofa beds are freestanding and easier to move between rooms or homes.
Murphy beds must be fixed to a sturdy wall and are heavier once in place. Great for a long-term setup, less ideal if you move often or cannot drill into walls.
Design & Everyday Use
✅ Sofa bed offers daily seating.
With a sofa bed, you get a lounge by day and a guest bed at night.
Murphy beds can look invisible when closed and may include shelving or a desk. They keep the room clear but do not provide extra seating unless you choose a combo unit.
Price & Value
✅ Sofa bed offers a wider range of price points.
There are options from budget to premium, making it easier to find one that fits your space and lifestyle. Many brands also offer different fabrics, colours, and designs, so you can match it to how you live, whether it’s everyday lounging or occasional guest stays.
Murphy beds ask for a higher upfront price due to hardware, cabinetry, and installation. Over time, the ability to use a regular mattress can be a plus for comfort and replacement.
Maintenance & Durability
✅ Murphy bed protects the mattress when closed.
A wall-installed Murphy bed avoids daily sitting wear, so the sleep surface often ages more slowly.
Sofa beds do double duty. Cushions and mechanisms work harder every day, which can show wear sooner. Look for sturdy frames, quality fabrics, and consider sofa beds with storage for bedding to keep things tidy.
How to Choose Between Murphy Bed vs Sofa Bed?
Choosing between the two comes down to how you live, your space, and how often the bed will be used.
1. Measure Your Space
Murphy beds need sturdy walls and floor clearance to pull down safely.
Sofa beds take up more permanent space but can sit anywhere without installation.
2. Consider Comfort & Use
A Murphy bed with a full mattress feels more like a standard bed for nightly sleep.
Sofa beds work well for guests or occasional use, especially modern ones with built-in mattresses.
3. Match Your Lifestyle & Living Setup
If you host often or need daily seating, a sofa bed blends easily into your living space and can move with you when needed.
Murphy beds are better for long-term setups, offering a clear floor during the day but requiring wall installation that suits homeowners or settled renters.
What Should You Get?
Both options make the most of your space, but the right choice depends on how you use your room.
If you want something that works as everyday seating and a guest bed in one, a sofa bed keeps things simple. If you prefer a clear floor by day and a full-size mattress at night, a Murphy bed might suit you better.
At Ecosa, we’ve built a sofa bed range that pairs comfort with clever design. Complete your setup with our breathable bedding and supportive mattress toppers, all made to fit perfectly and turn your sofa bed into a truly restful sleep space.