Best daybeds: How to Choose the Right One for Your Home

A daybed can be a fantastic option for those looking to make the most of the space in their home with a multi-functional piece of furniture. There are many different types of daybeds available. To choose the best daybed for your home, you’ll want to think carefully about where it will go and what you’ll use it for.

What is a daybed?

A ‘daybed’ might sound to some like it’s a bed that you spend all day in (and wouldn’t that be wonderful?). But, in actual fact, a daybed is a specific type of bed which can be used to provide seating in the daytime, as well as a space where guests can sleep at night.

A daybed can be thought of as a hybrid between a bed and a couch. A daybed usually has head and foot ends, just like a regular bed, but it also has a side, which makes it more akin to a sofa or couch.

Daybeds come in all different shapes, sizes and styles. They are mostly used in lounges and guest bedrooms but some are made to be used outdoors.

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What are the different types of daybeds?

There are various types of daybed available. Here are some of the most common daybed options available to buy:

Traditional daybed: A simple design with three sides and a mattress
Chaise daybed: You may find this in a therapist’s office. It has one side at the head end and sometime a partial side at the back
Backless daybed: A daybed with two sides but no back. These can look great positioned underneath a window
Trundle daybed: As a bed, this can sleep more than one person as it has a pull-out mattress which is stored underneath the bed
Sleigh daybed: A traditional design with curved side panels which look a bit like Santa’s sleigh, hence the name
Canopy daybed: This has a tall frame with a roof which may be made of fabric or mosquito netting
Circular daybed: Round daybeds are most often found outdoors

The parts of a daybed

These are the parts that make up a daybed:

Frame

A daybed frame includes legs to raise the bed up off the floor and a number of sides. Traditional daybeds have three sides. A chaise daybed may only have one or two. Daybed frames may be made of wood or metal and may be simple and modern or elaborate and fancy in design.

Please click on any of the pictures below to see the price:

Mattress support

The mattress support system supports the weight of the person who is sitting or lying on the daybed. It may be made of metal link springs or wooden slats.

Mattress

A daybed mattress may be a standard single bed mattress or it may be a different shape or size, depending on the style of the daybed.

Trundle (optional)

Trundle daybeds have a second mattress which sits on a frame on wheels. It can be rolled out from under the daybed to provide an additional sleeping space.

Canopy (optional)

Canopies are commonly seen on outdoor daybeds as they provide shade from the sun in the daytime. Some four poster-style daybeds also have side canopies to provide protection from insects at night.

How to choose the best daybed for you

Here are some questions to ask yourself when choosing a daybed:

What will it be used for? If your daybed is to be used for a relative to sleep over every weekend, your focus should be on comfort as a bed. Conversely, if you’ll have it in your living room and sit on it every day, it needs to look stylish and be comfortable as a sofa.
Who will sleep on it? Daybeds for kids can obviously be smaller than full-sized daybeds which are intended for adults. If you need space for two people, look for one with a trundle underneath.
What is the room styled like? You’ll want to choose a daybed that matches your room, whether that be modern with straight lines, an elaborate slight style with intricate carvings, or something in between.
How much space do you have? Be sure to accurately measure the room to make sure that your new furniture will fit.
What is your budget? The price of daybeds varies hugely. If you’re on a tight budget, you can expect a flat-packed item to assemble yourself. Alternatively, you could look out for a good second-hand daybed and maybe upcycle it with a bit of paint or some new upholstery. Or, you could even build your own daybed out of pallets.

Can you sleep on a daybed all the time?

Most daybeds are the about the same size as a single bed, so if that’s all you need, you’re all set. The mattresses which come with daybeds aren’t always of the high quality you would choose for an everyday bed. So, if you plan on using your daybed to sleep on every night, it’s worth investing in one with a really comfortable mattress.

Another thing to think about if you plan on using a daybed to sleep on every night is the bedding. You’ll probably want to take it off and store it somewhere in the daytime when the bed is being used for sitting. If you leave the bed made up as a bed all the time, then maybe a regular single bed would be more fit for your purpose?

Are daybeds as comfortable as a couch?

Daybeds are usually a little less comfortable than couches to sit on. The level of comfort you can expect will depend on the style and the quality of the daybed you purchase. If you want to use your daybed as an everyday couch, rather than for occasional seating, choose a design that has padded fabric sides, rather than metal rails- like this one.

How do you make a daybed comfortable to sit on?

Daybeds with wooden or metal sides often aren’t particularly comfortable to sit on. The way to make your daybed more comfortable is simple – cushions, cushions and more cushions!

Adding cushions of different shapes and sizes creates a nice look that won’t be spoiled when someone sits down and moves them. You could also add a decorative throw or faux fur blanket.

Wayfair has some amazing and affordable options for throw pillows and blankets.

When using a daybed as a guest bed, you’ll want to provide a pillow and pillowcase for your guests to sleep. This pillow can double as one of your cushions in the daytime if you place it at the back with smaller ones in front.

This video shows how you can use lots of cushions to make your daybed look stylish and comfortable as a couch…

What’s the best type of bed for a small room?

A daybed can offer a great furniture solution for a small room. Choose one that makes good use of the space underneath either for storage or for an extra trundle bed.

Other beds to consider for small rooms are:

A murphy bed: This is a bed that folds down from the wall
A sofa bed: This can be folded out to create a double bed
A loft bed: This is a high up bed with space underneath for a sofa or desk

Should you put a daybed in a nursery?

When planning the furniture layout for a new baby’s nursery, many parents wonder if a daybed is a good option. There are certainly some plus points to this idea. During long nights with a cranky baby, having an extra place to sleep can enable at least one parent can get some rest.

During the first six months, the baby will likely sleep in your room. So, a daybed in the nursery can enable you to use it as a guest room when relatives come to stay.

However, a daybed in a nursery is a somewhat temporary solution. Once your baby starts sleeping in the nursery, it’s highly unlikely that you’d want to put a guest in there too. And once your baby starts to settle more easily at night, the daybed could fast become an unused piece of furniture which takes up a lot of space.

What’s the best daybed for outdoors?

Just like indoor daybeds, outdoor daybed come in a variety of styles. Here are some of things to look out for when choosing a modern outdoor daybed:

Material

You’ll definitely want to choose something weatherproof. A rattan or wicker base and waterproof upholstery mattress and cushions are common features of outdoor daybeds.

Cover

Whether your outdoor daybed is made of wood, metal or rattan, it won’t last long if it’s left out in all weathers. Choose a daybed which comes with a tailor-made cover to protect it from the elements when it’s not in use.

Canopy

If you like some shade from the sun, choose a daybed with a canopy. Many circular outdoor daybeds have canopies which pop up and down, making it easy to enjoy sun or shade on a whim.

Modular design

A cool feature of some circular outdoor daybeds is that they can convert into a table and chairs which is handy for when you need extra seating for guests.

Choosing the Best Daybed

Choosing the best daybed for your home is something which you should think about carefully. Daybeds sometimes have a reputation as being less comfortable for sitting than a couch and less comfortable for sleeping than a bed. However, they can be a great way to make the best use of limited space and with some careful consideration, you can choose a daybed which is comfortable, beautifully styled and works great in both scenarios.