If you're short on space but want to offer guests a comfortable place to sleep, you’ve likely come across two top contenders: Murphy beds and sofa beds. While both are designed to save space, they function very differently and suit different types of households.
If you’re looking to furnish a guest room, a Murphy bed or a sofa bed can fill the same role. Both are great contenders for furnishing a guest bedroom or a solution to a quick bed for anyone.
According to Magaly del Castillo, the interior designer at La-Z-Boy, she says, “both a Murphy and a sofa bed can be comfortable, but they need to be used strategically.”
While La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston exclusively sells sofa beds, we believe in transparency and education. That’s why this article compares both options to help you make a fully informed decision.
In This Article…
Murphy beds come in twin, full, and queen sizes, and can include optional cabinetry for storage. According to The Guest Room, a retailer in Ottawa, most customers prefer queen-size models. King-sized Murphy beds are not commonly sold locally due to safety concerns and structural weight limitations.
When installed properly, Murphy beds are completely safe. They’re built to support up to 500 lbs and won’t spring up or fall on users.
A sofa bed, also known as a sleeper sofa or pull-out couch, offers dual functionality. It operates as a standard sofa during the day and converts into a bed at night. The mattress is stored within the sofa frame and typically unfolds in a three-step motion.
At La-Z-Boy, our sleeper sofas include an innerspring mattress as standard. For added luxury, customers can upgrade to SlumberAir® or memory foam mattresses, which are ideal for longer stays or improved back support.
Unlike traditional futons or air mattresses, our La-Z-Boy sofa beds are engineered for both style and comfort. To learn more about the Best Selling Sofa Beds at La-Z-Boy, take a look at this article.
|
Feature |
Murphy Bed |
Sofa Bed |
|
Pros |
Maximum floor space, real mattress support |
Combines seating and sleeping function |
|
Neatly hidden when stored |
Wide range of styles and sizes |
|
|
Cons |
Requires wall anchoring and installation |
Built-in mattresses vary in comfort quality |
|
No additional seating when stowed |
Can be heavy and harder to move |
Murphy Bed:
Murphy beds are best for small rooms where floor space is at a premium, such as home offices, studios, or multipurpose guest rooms.
When folded away, the bed essentially disappears, allowing the entire room to be used for other activities. However, it does take up vertical wall space and must be positioned on a flat, unobstructed wall.
Sofa Bed:
Sofa beds take up more floor space even when not in use. However, they offer seating all the time, making them better suited for living rooms, family rooms, or dens where people regularly gather.
Sofa beds do not need to be moved or transformed unless you're accommodating an overnight guest, making them more practical for day-to-day use in shared spaces.
Murphy Bed:
One of the standout advantages of Murphy beds is that they use standard mattresses. You can invest in a high-quality memory foam or spring mattress for everyday comfort. As a result, Murphy beds often provide sleep quality comparable to a traditional bed, depending on the mattress you choose.
Sofa Bed:
Sofa beds come with built-in mattresses, which vary in comfort. Entry-level sofa beds often have thin foam pads or uncomfortable support bars that are noticeable when sleeping.
However, high-end models, such as those at La-Z-Boy, allow you to upgrade to memory foam or SlumberAir® mattresses, which eliminate pressure points and mimic the support of a full-size bed.
If comfort is a high priority for your guests, it's crucial to assess the mattress quality and available upgrades. To learn more about our Sofa Bed Mattress Selection, take a look at this article.
Murphy Bed:
Murphy beds must be anchored securely into a wall, often requiring professional installation. They are not ideal for renters or homeowners who plan to relocate frequently, as the bed will need to be reinstalled in a new location.
If you're renting or plan to move, be prepared to patch drywall holes and reinstall in your next home.
Murphy beds are safe when installed correctly, but mishandling during folding or unfolding can cause injury, especially around fingers and hands. Extra caution is recommended around small children or pets.
Sofa Bed:
Sofa beds require no permanent installation. You simply place them where you want and unfold the mattress when needed. This makes them ideal for renters, people who relocate frequently, or anyone who values ease of setup. There are no risks associated with anchoring or structural integrity.
To learn more about Some Common Problems with Sofa Beds, take a look at this article.
Murphy Bed:
Murphy bed pricing depends on mattress size, cabinetry, and materials. According to The Guest Room, pricing for a basic short Murphy bed starts around $1,800. A queen-size Murphy bed typically ranges from $2,200 to $2,700, not including the cost of a mattress or optional storage add-ons.
Adding custom cabinets or specialty wood finishes can raise the price by several hundred to over a thousand dollars.
Sofa Bed:
Sofa beds are more accessible in a broader range of price points. Budget options start around $599. At La-Z-Boy, sleeper sofas begin at approximately $3,000 and go up depending on the frame, upholstery, and mattress upgrades.
Though the upfront cost may be higher for a La-Z-Boy sleeper sofa, many customers find the investment worthwhile due to product's longevity and quality of sleep.
Murphy Bed:
Murphy beds are designed to blend into the background when not in use, appearing as cabinets or bookcases. This makes them ideal for homeowners who prioritize minimalism or want to preserve open space. However, they lack additional functionality when not in use.
Murphy beds are best for dedicated guest rooms or small apartments where seating is not a priority.
Sofa Bed:
Sofa beds offer constant utility, functioning as a sofa during the day and a bed at night. They come in styles ranging from mid-century modern to contemporary, allowing them to match virtually any room décor. If you need a dual-purpose solution that’s useful year-round, a sofa bed is the better choice.
Whether you choose a Murphy bed or a sofa bed, both are excellent solutions for saving space while accommodating guests. The choice depends on your lifestyle, space availability, and design preferences.
If you're leaning toward a sofa bed, La-Z-Boy has options to suit every home. We offer twin, full, and queen sizes with standard innerspring mattresses and available upgrades like SlumberAir® and memory foam.
Once you’ve chosen the right size and comfort level, our trained consultants will help you find a frame and style that fits your body, room layout, and personal taste.
Visit us at one of our local furniture stores in Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston or plan in advance by scheduling a visit. One of our design consultants will be happy to help answer any questions you have and get you fitted to the sofa bed of your choice.
To learn more about La-Z-Boy sofas in general, take a look at our Comprehensive Sofa Buyer’s Guide.
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