Full vs. Queen Wall Bed: 2026 Size Guide

Deciding between a Full vs. Queen Wall Bed is the key to mastering small-space living in Montreal. This 2026 guide helps you choose the perfect dimensions to transform your cramped apartment into a functional, stylish home.

Whether you are squeezing into a charming but compact studio in the Plateau, optimizing a vertically-challenged condo in Griffintown, or trying to make a guest room work in a renovated duplex in Rosemont, space is your most valuable currency.

For many Montrealers, the bedroom is often the first place to suffer from “furniture fatigue.” A traditional bed eats up 30 to 40 square feet of floor space that sits useless for 16 hours a day.

This is where the wall bed (or Murphy bed) becomes not just a piece of furniture, but a lifestyle enabler. But once you’ve decided to reclaim your floor, the next big question hits: Should I buy a Single, Full (Double), Queen, or a King Wall Bed?

This guide isn’t just about dimensions; it’s about how you live. We are going to break down the decision based on local housing needs, Canadian mattress standards, and the reality of DIY installation.

Here is a breakdown of the four wall bed sizes, tailored to your Montreal market. I have structured this to help your customers visualize which size fits their specific apartment type (e.g., a “3 1/2” vs. a “Loft”).

1. Twin (Single) Wall Bed

The “Micro-Space” Solver

• Dimensions: ~43″ wide (Cabinet width).
• Best For: Children, solo guests, or tight home offices.
• The Benefit: It is the only bed that allows you to maintain a fully functional room around it. You can have a Twin wall bed open and still have a desk or play area next to it in a standard 10×10 room.
• Montreal Use Case: Perfect for the “half” room in a 3 1/2 or 4 1/2 that is too small for a real bedroom but needs to function as a guest space or for a child in a shared sibling room.

When a wall bed is intended for a child’s room, space efficiency is only part of the equation. Parents should also consider factors such as locking systems, proper anchoring, weight distribution, and safe daily operation. These details become especially important in smaller Montreal homes where bedrooms often serve multiple purposes throughout the day.

2. Full (Double) Wall Bed

The “City Standard”

• Dimensions: ~59″ wide (Cabinet width).
• Best For: Single adults, teenagers, or guest rooms in older buildings.
• The Benefit: It saves crucial width (6 inches narrower than a Queen). In many older Plateau duplexes, bedrooms are long and narrow; a Full allows for a bedside table or dresser that a Queen would block.
• Montreal Use Case: The ideal choice for the secondary bedroom in a 4 1/2 or 5 1/2. It is comfortable enough for an adult guest (your parents visiting from Ramehormoz) but small enough to leave space for a desk when closed.

3. Queen Wall Bed

The “Comfort King” (Most Popular)

• Dimensions: ~65″ wide (Cabinet width).
• Best For: Couples and primary bedrooms.
• The Benefit: It is the standard for adult comfort. It offers 6 inches more width and, crucially, 5 inches more length than a Full. If you or your guests are over 6ft tall, this is the non-negotiable option.
• Montreal Use Case: The primary bed for a studio (1 1/2) or open-concept condo in Griffintown. It maximizes resale value because it allows a studio to be marketed as having a “full-size sleeping experience.”

4. King Wall Bed

The “Luxury Loft” Option

• Dimensions: ~81″ wide (Cabinet width).
• Best For: Large master suites, luxury lofts, or families who co-sleep.
• The Benefit: Uncompromised luxury. It provides the same sleep experience as a high-end hotel.
• The Caveat: It is heavy. The piston mechanism requires significant force to operate, and the installation demands perfect anchoring into metal or wood studs. It dominates the wall.
• Montreal Use Case: Best reserved for spacious lofts in the Old Port or large suburban homes where floor space is abundant, but the owner wants a “clean” look during the day. Note: Not recommended for standard DIY beginners due to the weight of the panel.

Making the Choice: Twin or Queen?

The Full (Double) Wall Bed: The “Compact Compromise”

A Full (or Double) wall bed is often the strategic choice for rooms that need to sleep two people but simply lack the width for a Queen.

• Dimensions: In Canada, a standard Full mattress measures roughly 54″ x 75″. When you account for the cabinet structure, a vertical Full wall bed usually requires a wall width of about 59-61 inches.
• The “Pro” Argument: The Full is a width-saver. It saves about 6 inches of wall space compared to a Queen. In a narrow Montreal spare room or office, those 6 inches can be the difference between fitting a desk next to the bed or not. It is also 5 inches shorter in length than a Queen, which helps if your room is narrow.
• The “Con” Argument: It is cozy—sometimes too cozy. For a single adult, it is luxury. For a couple, 54 inches of width means you are sleeping shoulder-to-shoulder. Also, at 75 inches long, taller individuals (over 6 feet) might find their feet hanging off the edge.

The Queen Wall Bed: The “Gold Standard”

The Queen size is the most popular wall bed size in Canada, and for good reason.

• Dimensions: A Canadian Queen mattress is 60″ x 80″. A vertical Queen wall bed typically demands a wall width of about 65-68 inches and a ceiling height of at least 90 inches.
• The “Pro” Argument: Resale value and comfort. If you are renovating a condo to sell later, a Queen wall bed is viewed as a “real” bedroom solution. For couples living in open-concept lofts (like those in Old Port), a Queen allows for undisturbed sleep. The extra 5 inches of length is also crucial for taller sleepers.
• The “Con” Argument: It dominates the wall. When open, it takes up a significant footprint into the room (projection), usually around 88-92 inches from the wall. You need to ensure your coffee table or desk chair doesn’t get crushed every time you pull the bed down.

The “In-Between” Option: The Twin (Single)

Don’t forget the Twin. If even the Full is too tight, the Twin is your fallback. At 38″ x 75″, it saves massive amounts of space. However, in modern Montreal interior design, the Twin is strictly for solo sleepers, children, or very tight home offices. If you ever plan to host a couple, the Twin is a dealbreaker, whereas the Full is a passable (if cozy) solution. Most experts recommend squeezing in the Full if you can, and only dropping to the Twin if the walls literally won’t allow it.

Mattress Thickness Matters

A common question in People Also Ask (PAA) boxes is: “Can I use my regular mattress for a Murphy bed?”

The answer is yes, but with a caveat. Most DIY kits and custom mechanisms have a thickness limit—usually between 10 to 12 inches. If you have a plush, pillow-top specialized mattress that is 14 inches thick, it won’t allow the bed to close flush against the wall. When planning your project, always factor in the depth of the cabinet you are designing.

Horizontal vs. Vertical: The Ceiling Factor

In Montreal’s older buildings, ceiling height can be tricky.

• Vertical Beds: Look like a tall wardrobe. They require standard 8-9 foot ceilings.
• Horizontal Beds: Sleep sideways (parallel to the wall). These are perfect for basements with bulkheads, attic rooms with sloped ceilings, or narrow rooms where a vertical Queen would hit the opposite wall when opened.

Decision Matrix: Which one is for you?

• Choose Full (Double) if: The room width is tight (under 10 feet), the sleeper is a single adult who wants space, or you need to save floor space when the bed is open (shorter projection).
• Choose Queen if: It is your primary bed for a couple, you are over 6 feet tall, you want to maximize property value, or you have ample wall width to spare.

Now that you’ve chosen your size, how do you actually get the bed? In Montreal, you generally have three paths.

Option 1: The “Raw Hardware” Kit (The Hardcore DIY)

Examples: Generic kits from Amazon, Lee Valley, or hardware importers.

This option involves buying just the mechanism (pistons, springs, legs, and screws) and a set of paper plans. You are responsible for buying all the wood, cutting it to size, edge-banding it, and drilling every single hole yourself.

• Pros: Lowest Initial Cost ($300-$500 CAD). Total Control for master carpenters.
• Cons: High risk of error (one wrong cut and the bed won’t close). You have to haul 4×8 plywood sheets. Requires a table saw and drill press. Painting raw plywood in an apartment is messy.
• Verdict: Only for expert woodworkers with access to a shop. Not recommended for the average condo owner.

Option 2: The “Big Box” Particle Board Bed (The Budget Pre-Fab)

Examples: Wayfair, Bestar, or IKEA hacks.

These are mass-produced beds shipped in flat-pack boxes. They are usually made of low-density particle board with a thin laminate paper finish.

• Pros: Convenience (delivered to lobby) and Price ($1200 – $1800 CAD).
• Cons: Longevity issues (screws strip in particle board). Zero customization (can’t choose handles or colors). Installation instructions are often vague and brackets may not fit Montreal plaster walls.
• Verdict: Good for a quick fix in a rental, but not a long-term investment.

Option 3: The “Local Custom DIY” (The Hybrid Solution)

This is the sweet spot for the modern Montrealer.

Imagine a solution that sits right between the two options above. This is the Local Custom DIY model (yes, this is exactly what we do).

This model changes the game. It is a “Design Online, Build Yourself” system tailored for the local market. Here is why this is arguably the best of the 3 options for Montrealers:

💡 You Design It (Fully Custom): Unlike the Big Box stores, you aren’t stuck with “Standard White.” Using an online 3D configurator, you can design a Queen or Full bed that fits your specific dimensions to the millimetre.

💡 Custom Features: Want deep cabinets on the side for your winter coats? Need a fold-down desk attached to the front? You choose the handles, the finish, and the internal storage configuration.

💡 Visual Confidence: You see exactly what you are getting before you order.

💡 Professional Manufacturing (No Sawdust): We are a local business. On weekends, we rent a specialized, high-tech workshop right here in Montreal. We take your online design and use industrial CNC machines to cut, drill, and edge-band every single piece with 0.1mm precision.

💡 Material Quality: We use high-grade, architectural panels that are denser and more durable than big-box particle board.

💡 No Mess: Because we do the messy cutting in our shop, you receive a clean “kit” ready for assembly.

💡 The DIY Assembly (Save Money + Pride): This is where you save big. Custom millwork usually costs $5,000+ because of the installation labour. By taking on the assembly yourself (using our pre-drilled parts), you get a high-end look for a fraction of the price.

💡 Empowerment: You don’t need to be a carpenter. You just need a screwdriver and a free afternoon. Because the holes are pre-drilled by a robot, things actually line up.

Comparison Table: The Montreal Breakdown

Feature	Raw Hardware Kit	Big Box Store	Local Custom DIY (Our Solution)
Price	Low ($)	Medium ($$)	Medium ($$) – Best Value
Effort	Extreme (Cutting wood)	High (Confusing instructions)	Moderate (Assembly only)
Quality	Depends on your skill	Low (Particle board)	High (CNC Precision)
Customization	Infinite (if skilled)	None	High (Online 3D Tool)
Local Support	None	Limited	Local Montreal Team

Installation

The Reality of Installation: Safety First

Regardless of whether you choose a Full or Queen, safety is the single most important factor in a wall bed installation.

• The Anchor Point: A wall bed must be anchored to the studs. It cannot simply be screwed into the drywall. The tension in the mechanism is powerful.
• The Montreal Wall Challenge: Many older Montreal homes have lath-and-plaster walls rather than modern drywall. Finding studs can be tricky.
• Tip: Use a strong magnet to find the nails in the lath, which usually indicate where the stud is.
• Our Solution: Our custom DIY kits come with specific guidance for anchoring, ensuring you sleep soundly.

What People Are Asking

Make Your Montreal Space Work for You

Choosing between a Full and a Queen wall bed ultimately comes down to your lifestyle and room shape. If you have a narrow room or shorter ceilings, the Full is your efficiency hero. If you are a couple prioritizing sleep quality, the Queen is the investment that pays dividends.

But the most important choice is how you build it. You don’t have to settle for flimsy generic furniture, nor do you have to spend a fortune on a fully installed custom carpenter.

By choosing a Local Custom DIY solution, you get the best of both worlds: professional design and cutting, with the satisfaction and savings of building it yourself. You are supporting a local Montreal business that understands your needs, and you are getting a piece of furniture that is truly yours.

Ready to design your room?

Don’t let your square footage dictate your lifestyle. Visit our online design tool today to visualize your custom wall bed. Whether you choose Full or Queen, you can pick the exact finish, handles, and storage that turns your Montreal apartment into the spacious home you deserve.