Wall bed vs sofa bed: which is better for a spare room?
If you need a room that works as a bedroom only some of the time, the choice usually comes down to a sofa bed or a wall bed (murphy bed). We sell wall beds, but a sofa bed is the right answer for some rooms. Here's how they compare.
At a glance
| Wall bed | Sofa bed | |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress | Standard mattress, up to 30 cm thick | Thinner fold-out mattress built into the sofa |
| By day | Folds into a 410 mm deep cabinet, so the floor is clear | A sofa you can sit on |
| Seating | None while the bed is up (unless you add other furniture) | Yes |
| Assembly & installation | Fixed to the wall | None, just place it |
| Storage | Optional side cabinets, bookcases and a desk | Some models have storage |
| Cost (our range) | Bed from $2,275, plus mattress, delivery, assembly and installation | Often cheaper up front |
Comfort
This is the biggest difference. A wall bed uses the same kind of mattress you'd put on a normal bed, on a steel frame. A sofa bed's mattress has to fold up inside the sofa, so it's thinner. If guests stay more than a night or two, or the bed is slept on every night, a wall bed is more comfortable.
Space
A sofa bed takes up the same floor space as a sofa all day. A wall bed takes 410 mm from the wall when closed, and the rest of the floor is free for a desk, exercise or kids' play. When open, a vertical queen wall bed reaches 2285 mm into the room. A sofa bed also needs room in front of it to unfold, so measure both.
Everyday use
A sofa bed is useful seating every day. A wall bed isn't, but the cabinet around it can be storage, with bookcases or side cabinets on either side, or a fold-down desk that stays level as the bed comes down. Opening a sofa bed usually means taking the cushions off and unfolding the frame. A wall bed simply folds down.
Cost
If budget is the main concern, a sofa bed is often the cheaper option. Our Alpha wall beds start at $2,275 for a single and $2,675 for a queen, plus mattress, delivery (from $450) and assembly & installation ($600, optional). See our wall bed price guide for full examples.
Which should you choose?
- Choose a sofa bed if the room is mainly a lounge, guests stay rarely, and you need seating.
- Choose a wall bed if someone sleeps in it often, you want a proper mattress, or you need the floor clear for a study, gym or play area.
The easiest way to decide is to try both. Come and open a wall bed in our Gladesville showroom at 1A/28 Buffalo Road, open 7 days, 9am to 5pm. See our wall beds.
Questions
Is a wall bed more comfortable than a sofa bed?
Usually, yes. A wall bed uses a standard mattress up to 30 cm thick on a steel frame. A sofa bed's mattress must fold inside the sofa, so it's thinner.
Does a wall bed need to be fixed to the wall?
Yes. The cabinet is fixed to the wall studs or another structural part of the wall. Our team can install it for $600.
See them working
Come and try our wallbeds in our Gladesville showroom at 1A/28 Buffalo Road. Open the bed, test the mechanism and see the colours in person.
- Monday – Sunday9am – 5pm
