A daybed, like a sleeper sofa, is a multipurpose piece of furniture. It’s a hybrid that offers comfortable seating by day and an extra bed at night.
You’re likely to come across daybeds as you’re furniture shopping. They are one of the many options available if you’re looking for an extra bed but don’t have a lot of extra space. Daybeds are perfect in a guest room, kid’s room, home office, or even the living room.
This article will serve as a detailed guide to tell you exactly what daybeds are, how you can use them, and how you can style them to fit your home decor.
What exactly is a daybed?
A daybed is a multifunctional piece of furniture that can be used for lounging, for additional seating, or as an extra sleeping space. Daybed frames tend to be smaller than most other bed frame types, making them a great way to conserve space within a small sleeping space like a guest bedroom.
Instead of a bed’s headboard and footboard, a daybed features two armrests at the top and bottom of the mattress and a backrest along one side.
Most daybeds are similar in size to a twin bed and use a standard twin-size mattress (38 inches by 75 inches). Their small size makes them a great alternative to chaise lounges, loveseats, and sofa beds.
Daybeds vs. other bed frames: What is the difference?
You have a few options if you’re looking for a piece of furniture you can use as an extra bed in a small space or studio apartment. some of the most common types of bed frames available, aside from daybeds, include:
- Sleeper sofas and futons
- Twin beds
- Trundle beds
We’ll go over the key differences between each type of bed frame and daybeds to help you make the best buying choice for your living space.
Daybeds vs. sleeper sofas and futons
Daybeds vary a little bit from both sleeper sofas and futons. Sleeper sofas and futons are typically more similar to a loveseat or couch, while daybeds are made for sleeping and lounging.
Sleeper sofas are sofas with a bed inside that you have to pull out. They usually have either a full-size mattress (53 inches wide by 75 inches long) or a queen-size mattress (60 inches wide by 80 inches long). Unlike daybeds, sleeper sofas are “either” sofas “or” beds because once you pull out the bed they’re only beds until you fold them back up.
Futons are similar to couches but can fold down into a bed when you want them. Rather than a traditional mattress, a futon is usually a thick upholstered foam pad that serves as the seat cushion when it’s folded up and the mattress when it’s unfolded flat into a bed.
You may want to choose a daybed over a sleeper sofa or futon if you don’t want to have to pull out your bed or fold down your mattress when you’re ready to use it. Daybeds also may be more comfortable to sleep on because they use a real mattress rather than sofa cushions or a foam pad.
Daybeds vs. twin beds
Daybeds and twin beds are often similar sizes and are both great ways to save some space in a small bedroom or living space. Twin daybeds are multifunctional because they can be used in place of a bed or sofa, while twin beds will function primarily as a bed.
Another appealing feature of daybeds is that they may offer extra storage space, as some models feature drawers underneath the mattress.
Daybeds vs. trundle beds
Trundle beds are another great space-saving bed frame. They’re commonly used at sleepovers in a kid’s room because they have an extra bed that pulls out beneath them. A trundle bed may be a great alternative to bunk beds if you’d like to fit multiple beds in one space.
Some daybeds feature a trundle bed that slides out from under the mattress. Daybeds with trundle beds can function well in any room of your house, while a traditional trundle bed is limited to just a bedroom.
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What type of mattress is best for a daybed?
The really vital part of a daybed is the mattress. Most daybeds are sized for a twin mattress. Though less common, you can find daybeds that use a full-size or queen-size mattress.
The ideal mattress firmness level of a daybed is medium-firm. This will be sturdy enough to be a comfortable “sofa” during the day and firm enough to offer the support you need while sleeping on it at night. You should aim to buy a thinner mattress to match up with the backrest for sitting.
Most daybeds use slats on a platform base instead of a box spring, so almost any type of mattress should work well. This is entirely up to your preference, whether you prefer a plushy foam mattress or a firmer spring mattress.
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Styling tips for daybeds in your home
Deciding how to style a daybed in your home may seem a little strange at first because of its multiple functions. Should you style it to fit into your home office, bedroom, or living room? Or even your outdoor space? The truth is you can style a daybed in a variety of ways and customize it to your needs.
You should first decide what space you want to put your daybed in and what you will primarily be using it for. Will it serve mainly as extra seating or an extra bed?
From there, you should select a type of daybed that matches well with your interior design goals, whether you’re getting a metal frame or an upholstery frame. You should also decide whether or not you want storage drawers or a trundle bed in your daybed foundation.
Lastly, you can decorate and style your daybed with a variety of throw pillows and throw blankets to really customize the feel. You may also want to get a set of bed linens as well.
Although a daybed works fine with regular sheets and blankets, there is bedding made specifically for daybeds. A daybed comforter, for example, is made of fabric that will hold up well to people sitting on it during the day.
Get high-quality mattresses for daybeds and more with Saatva
You may find that a daybed could be just the right piece of furniture that your home is missing. Its multifunctional nature allows it to be used in a variety of environments for sitting, lounging, and sleeping.
Saatva offers a variety of mattresses that are well-suited for daybeds. Saatva is a high-quality brand that delivers luxurious mattresses that are both comfortable and durable. We encourage you to take our mattress quiz to determine which mattress is the best for your sleeping habits.
