Murphy beds are great for small spaces because they can be tucked away and hidden when not in use, but sometimes you don’t have enough room to install a bed all the way up to the ceiling. You don’t want to compromise the utility of your bed by lowering it, so how high of ceiling do you need to be able to accommodate? The answer depends on the height of your door frame and other elements around your bed, so let’s take a look at what options you have!
Why is ceiling height important
When you’re planning to install a murphy bed in your home, ceiling height is an important consideration. If your ceilings are too low, you risk banging your head on the bed when it’s in the upright position. And if they’re too high, the bed may look out of proportion in the room. The best ceiling height for a murphy bed is between 8 and 9 feet. This will give you plenty of clearance when the bed is open, and will make the room feel more proportional when the bed is closed.
Low, medium, and high
The first thing you need to do is measure the ceiling in your room. For a low ceiling, you’ll want a bed that’s around six feet tall. For a medium ceiling, go with a bed that’s around seven feet tall. And for a high ceiling, you’ll want a bed that’s around eight feet tall. Keep in mind that these are just general guidelines – you’ll need to take your specific room and ceiling into account when making your final decision.
Plan your room size around your bed
When you have a smaller space, you need to be more thoughtful about how you use your square footage. A vertical murphy bed can help you make the most of a small space by giving you a place to sleep and freeing up floor space during the day. But before you choose a murphy bed, make sure you know how much ceiling height you need.
Know where your outlet will be
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a ceiling height for your vertical murphy bed is where your outlet will be. If you have a high ceiling, you’ll need to make sure that your outlet is high enough off the ground so that you can plug in your bed. Conversely, if you have a low ceiling, you’ll need to make sure that your outlet is low enough so that you can reach it.
Don’t forget the safe passage route
The safe passage route is the path that firefighters will take when they enter your home. It’s important to have a clear path from the front door to the bedroom, and the ceiling should be high enough so that firefighters can easily get through. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a ceiling height for your vertical murphy bed
Lengthen or shorten your mattress
One important factor to consider when choosing a ceiling height for your vertical murphy bed is the length of your mattress. If you plan on using a standard queen-size mattress, you’ll need a ceiling height of at least 85 inches. However, if you want to use a shorter mattress, you can get away with a lower ceiling height. Just be sure that your mattress will be long enough to comfortably sleep on.
Clean out closets first
Before you can decide on a ceiling height for your vertical murphy bed, you need to clear out any clutter from your closets. This will help you determine how much space you really need and what ceiling height will be most comfortable for you.
Measure twice, cut once
Before you even start shopping for a vertical murphy bed, it’s important to measure the ceiling height in the room where you plan to put it. That way, you’ll know what size bed to look for and whether or not you need to make any modifications to the room (like removing door frames). I recommend starting with an 8-foot tall ceiling; that should give you plenty of space without having to worry about bumping your head on the slanted top of the bed.
