Fold-out beds are most commonly called Murphy beds or wall beds, while the couch versions are known as sofa beds or sleeper sofas.
The term “fold-out bed” is an umbrella phrase that covers two distinct types of furniture. When you’re shopping or searching online, knowing the exact name matters because it changes what results you get. One type folds up vertically against a wall; the other unfolds horizontally from a couch. Here is exactly what each one is called and why the distinction matters.
Murphy Bed Vs. Wall Bed: What Are They Called And Why
A Murphy bed — also widely known as a wall bed — is a bed that’s hinged at one end so it stores vertically against a wall or inside a cabinet, closet, or purpose-built enclosure.
These are typically sold under both names on retailer sites and manufacturer pages. In practical terms, you can treat “Murphy bed” and “wall bed” as interchangeable for most shopping purposes. The name “Murphy” traces back to the original inventor, though “wall bed” has become the more straightforward description many buyers use.
Common variations you’ll see at furniture stores include:
- Wall bed — the neutral, descriptive term used across most US retailers
- Murphy bed — the historical brand name that became generic
- Cabinet bed — a wall bed that folds inside a wood cabinet unit
When A Fold-Out Bed Comes From A Couch: Sofa Bed Names
When the bed folds out from a couch, the standard names change. The most common terms are sofa bed and sleeper sofa, and they describe a multifunctional couch that hides a metal frame and a thin mattress that unfolds into a sleeping surface.
In US retail language, shoppers also frequently encounter pullout sofa, hide-a-bed, sofabed, and the informal bed-couch. These all refer to the same basic mechanism: a couch that converts into a bed by pulling the seat forward and unfolding the frame.
The practical difference from a wall bed is significant. A sleeper sofa uses a folding metal mechanism rather than a wall hinge, and it lives permanently in the room as a couch — it doesn’t disappear into the wall. That changes how much space it takes up and how the room functions day to day.
Which Name Should You Search For?
The right search term depends entirely on which piece of furniture you actually need. These two product categories solve different space problems, and using the wrong name will flood your results with the wrong type of item.
| You Need This | Search This Name | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| A bed that folds up into the wall | Murphy bed or wall bed | Hinged at one end, stores vertically against a wall or inside a cabinet |
| A couch that becomes a guest bed | Sofa bed, sleeper sofa, or pullout sofa | Metal frame and thin mattress unfold from inside the couch seat |
| An occasional guest bed stored in a closet | Wall bed or cabinet bed | Folds into a shallow cabinet unit that can sit against any wall |
| A compact option for a studio apartment | Murphy bed or wall bed | Frees floor space during the day; folds down at night |
| Seating plus an occasional bed | Sleeper sofa or hide-a-bed | Works as a daily couch, converts when guests arrive |
If you’re comparing the best beds with fold-out options, start by picking the category that matches your room. A wall bed makes sense when floor space is scarce; a sleeper sofa makes sense when you need permanent seating that occasionally becomes a bed. Neither one does both jobs well.
Why The Distinction Matters
The two types of fold-out beds use completely different mechanisms, which affects price, installation, and how long they last. A Murphy bed typically requires mounting hardware and is heavier to lift and lower. A sofa bed has no wall mounting at all; it’s a self-contained unit that sits on the floor like any couch.
One important limitation applies to both categories: not every manufacturer uses identical naming, and some brands have their own model names. If you see a product described as a “fold-away bed” or a “hideaway bed,” check the mechanism in the description to determine which type it actually is. The Wikipedia entries for Murphy beds and sofa beds both note the range of alternative names used across different regions and retailers, which is why reading the product details matters more than trusting a single label.
Whether you’re furnishing a small apartment or just trying to accommodate overnight guests, knowing the correct name is the single fastest way to find the right product. Start with the category that fits your space, then compare options within that category.
References & Sources
- Wikipedia. “Murphy bed.” Documents the hinged-bed mechanism and alternative name “wall bed.”
- Wikipedia. “Sofa bed.” Details the convertible couch mechanism and the various common retail names.