Murphy beds are one of the smartest space-saving solutions for Singapore homes. This guide walks you through which mattress types pair best with a wall bed, what thickness to look for, and how to make the right choice for your space and sleep style.
Why Your Murphy Bed Needs a Different Mattress
A Murphy bed — also known as a wall bed or foldaway bed — is cleverly designed to fold up against the wall when not in use, freeing your room for living, working, or entertaining. It's one of the smartest ways to make a Singapore home feel twice as spacious.
The good news? Finding a comfortable, sleep-quality mattress for your Murphy bed is easier than most people think. The main thing to keep in mind is that because the bed stores vertically, you'll want a mattress that's designed to hold its shape in that position — and there are plenty of excellent options across every comfort preference and budget.
Think of it less as a restriction and more as a helpful filter: once you know the simple guidelines around thickness and mattress type, the shortlist practically writes itself.
The Golden Rules: Thickness & Weight
Murphy Bed Mattress Essentials
01
Keep it under 10 inches (25 cm) thick — ideally 8 to 9 inches (20–22 cm). Most Murphy bed frames are designed for mattresses between 6 and 8 inches. Staying within this range ensures a flush, clean close against the cabinet every time.
02
Mattress weight matters — and it works in your favour. Reroom's Murphy beds use a hydraulic piston mechanism that is calibrated to counterbalance the weight of your mattress. This means the bed lifts and lowers smoothly with minimal effort, regardless of mattress type. A mattress that is too light (under ~20 kg) may actually affect the mechanism's balance, making the bed harder to bring down. When you consult with our team, we'll adjust the hydraulic tension to match your chosen mattress — so everything operates effortlessly.
03
Prioritise shape retention. Because the mattress stands upright when not in use, it must hold its form without slumping or shifting. Memory foam, latex, and pocket spring mattresses all perform well here — each for slightly different structural reasons.
04
Already have a mattress? Check its specs first. If you own an existing mattress you'd like to use, check that it's 8 to 9 inches (20–22 cm) thick and falls within the minimum weight requirement for our hydraulic mechanism. Not sure? Just reach out to our team — we're happy to advise before you commit to anything.
The 4 Best Mattress Types for Murphy Beds
Here's a breakdown of the most suitable mattress types, each with their strengths and trade-offs for a wall bed setup.
Top Pick
Memory Foam
The most popular choice for Murphy beds. Memory foam contours to your body for excellent pressure relief and holds its shape well in vertical storage. Look for gel-infused or open-cell variants for better airflow in Singapore's climate.
✔ Excellent pressure relief and contouring
✔ Holds shape when stored upright
✔ Good motion isolation
✔ Available in 8–9 inch profiles
✘ Standard foam can retain heat — choose gel-infused
✘ May feel too soft for some sleepers
✘ Min. weight requirement applies — check with our team
Great Option
Natural Latex
Resilient, durable, and naturally resistant to dust mites — a particularly smart choice in Singapore's humid climate. Latex responds instantly to movement and maintains its shape reliably in a vertical position.
✔ Excellent shape retention and durability
✔ Naturally antimicrobial and hypoallergenic
✔ Breathable — good for warm sleepers
✔ Responsive, buoyant feel
✘ Premium price point
✘ Min. weight requirement applies — check with our team
Hybrid (Foam + Springs)
A hybrid mattress combines a pocketed spring core with a foam or latex comfort layer — delivering bounce, support, and natural airflow. A strong all-round performer for everyday use Murphy beds.
✔ Responsive and supportive
✔ Better airflow than pure foam
✔ Good edge support and durability
✘ Thicker profiles — confirm 8–9 inch availability
✘ More expensive than foam-only options
✘ Min. weight requirement applies — check with our team
Pocket Spring
Individually wrapped coils provide targeted support and excellent motion isolation. Pocket spring mattresses are breathable by design and widely available from major Singapore brands like Sealy, Simmons, and Four Star.
✔ Great breathability and airflow
✔ Excellent motion isolation
✔ Wide range available in Singapore market
✔ Naturally meets weight requirements
✘ Ensure profile stays within 8–9 inches
✘ Avoid open-coil/Bonnell variants — pocket only
What to Avoid
Mattresses That Don't Work Well with Murphy Beds
Traditional open-coil or Bonnell spring mattresses — the springs can shift and deform when stored vertically over time.
Mattresses over 10 inches thick — these prevent the bed from closing flush against the cabinet frame.
Pillow-top mattresses — the attached pillow top adds unnecessary thickness and can create an uneven surface that doesn't store cleanly.
Air mattresses or waterbed-style inflatables — these are not designed for vertical storage and will degrade quickly.
Quick Reference: Mattress Comparison for Murphy Beds
| Mattress Type |
Vertical Storage |
Weight-Compatible |
Comfort |
Durability |
Verdict |
| Memory Foam |
✔ |
✔ (check min. weight) |
✔✔ |
✔ |
Best Overall |
| Natural Latex |
✔ |
✔ (check min. weight) |
✔✔ |
✔✔ |
Great for Longevity |
| Hybrid |
✔ |
✔ (check min. weight) |
✔✔ |
✔✔ |
Highly Recommended |
| Pocket Spring |
✔ |
✔✔ (naturally meets req.) |
✔✔ |
✔✔ |
Widely Available |
| Open Coil Spring |
✘ |
— |
✔ |
✘ |
Not Recommended |
| Pillow-Top |
✘ |
— |
✔ |
✘ |
Avoid |
Singapore-Specific Considerations
Living in Singapore's tropical climate adds one more layer to your decision. Our year-round heat and humidity mean that mattress breathability matters more than it does in temperate countries.
Look for Cooling Features
If you opt for memory foam — the top choice for Murphy beds — choose a version with gel-infused foam or an open-cell foam structure. These allow better airflow, preventing the heat retention that standard memory foam is known for. Hybrid mattresses with pocketed springs naturally allow more air circulation and are a strong alternative for warm sleepers.
Antimicrobial Properties Matter
In humid environments, dust mites and moisture can be a concern, especially in a Murphy bed that's closed away for part of the day. Natural latex has inherent antimicrobial and dust-mite-resistant properties, making it a sensible choice for allergy-conscious households. Look for mattresses with breathable, removable, and washable covers.
Match Your Usage Pattern
Not all Murphy beds are used the same way. A guest room wall bed that's only slept on a few nights per month has different requirements from a studio apartment bed in daily use. For occasional use, a quality memory foam option is more than sufficient. For everyday sleeping, invest in a hybrid or latex mattress that will maintain its comfort and structure over years of regular use.
How Reroom's Murphy Beds Are Built Around Your Mattress
At Reroom Interior, every Murphy bed system is custom-built by our local joinery team to fit your space and lifestyle. Our wall bed cabinets are designed to accommodate mattresses of 8 to 9 inches (20–22 cm) in thickness — the sweet spot that ensures a flush close, smooth hydraulic operation, and a comfortable night's sleep.
When you consult with our design team, we'll factor in your mattress choice early in the planning stage — whether you're integrating a wardrobe, a fold-down desk, shelving, or lighting into the same unit. We'll also calibrate the hydraulic mechanism to the weight of your chosen mattress, so opening and closing your bed feels effortless every single day.
Not sure where to start with a mattress? Our team is happy to point you in the right direction based on your sleep preferences and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my existing mattress with a Murphy bed?
Possibly — if your mattress is between 8 and 9 inches (20–22 cm) thick and is a foam, latex, pocket spring, or hybrid type, it may be compatible. Check the weight of your mattress against our minimum hydraulic requirement, and feel free to check with our team before you proceed. We're happy to advise.
Does the mattress need any special attachment for the Murphy bed?
Most Murphy bed frames include retaining straps or a lip at the base of the platform to keep the mattress in place when the bed is lifted. You do not need to permanently attach the mattress — just make sure it fits snugly within the designated space.
Will folding the bed damage the mattress over time?
Not if you choose the right mattress type. Memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses are designed to handle repeated vertical storage without losing their structure. Traditional spring mattresses are more susceptible to long-term deformation in a wall bed setup.
What size Murphy beds does Reroom offer?
We custom-build Murphy bed systems in single, super single, and queen sizes. The most popular choices for Singapore HDB and condo spaces are super single and queen, which balance sleeping space with room footprint.
Is there a recommended firmness level for a Murphy bed mattress?
Medium-firm is the most universally recommended for wall beds. It provides enough support to keep the mattress from sagging in vertical storage, while still offering comfort for most sleeping positions. Very soft mattresses can deform more easily over time in a Murphy bed setting.
Ready to Design Your Murphy Bed?
Talk to our team about custom wall bed systems built around your space, your lifestyle, and your mattress — all crafted locally in Singapore.
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