Add luxurious function to a spare bedroom or home office with a day bed. When extra floor space is hard to find, a daybed is a versatile solution to maximize square footage while creating a stylish, inviting aesthetic. Learn more about the perks of daybeds in our guide.
A daybed is a hybrid between a sofa and a standard bed. The style is celebrated for its ability to effortlessly transform from a comfy place to lounge during the day to a restful haven for an overnight rest. Daybeds use a standard mattress as the base layer of cushion and are available in the same range of styles as traditional sofas. Decorate your daybed with mattresses, pillows, and bedding, typically sold separately.
Daybeds are used in guest rooms, home offices, living rooms, or anywhere you need extra sleeping arrangements.
There's no need to confine the style and comfort of a daybed to indoor spaces only. You can also bring luxurious leisure to the patio, terrace, or backyard with an outdoor daybed.
Before You Buy a Daybed
A daybed is a perfect addition to your space but take a few easy steps first to ensure you find the best fit for your home.
Measure Your Room
Understand the dimensions you’re working with before deciding on a daybed size. Your room should be large enough to fit a twin mattress.
Understand Your Needs
How you use your daybed will help determine what size, style, and budget you need. If you’re planning to prioritize a sofa experience with the occasional nap, a small size could pack the most functional punch. A large daybed with a quality mattress is best if you’re outfitting a guest bedroom with a comfortable sleeping space.
Establish Your Style
Establish the style of the room your daybed will live in before you purchase to create a cohesive space.
Types of Daybeds
Aside from style and frame material, there are a few types of daybeds to consider during your search.
Standard Daybeds
A standard daybed has a sofa-like appearance with three raised sides. The bed platform can be slightly elevated from the floor.
Daybed With Drawer Storage
A daybed with drawer storage maximizes the space between the bed platform and the floor with built-in drawers. Extra storage comes in handy for linens, blankets, or pillows.
Daybed With Trundle Drawer
A trundle bed uses the space under the bed to stow away an extra mattress for overnight guests. Trundle mattress sits at a lower height than the daybed.
Daybed With Popup Trundle
In a pop-up trundle, the extra bed is stowed beneath the daybed frame, but it can be pulled out and raised to sit at the same height as the daybed.
Styling a Daybed
Because a daybed is such a multifunctional marvel, you’ll want to bring the same versatility to the linens and decorative touches.
Linens
A standard daybed linen set comes with a fitted sheet, pillow shams, and a comforter. Some sets also include a bed skirt to stylishly obscure the negative space below the bed frame.
Note: Although a daybed can fit a twin mattress, a standard comforter used on a traditional bed will likely be too big. Look for bedding designed for daybeds
Daybed Covers
Instead of multiple layers of bedding, a daybed cover can drape over the mattress to make the style feel more sofa-like.
Decorative Pillows
Use color and texture to deck your daybed with the added plush comfort of pillows made for lounging.
Throw Blankets
An extra element of comfort and coziness when you curl up to read a book or watch television.