What Is a Daybed?

What do you look out for when buying a new bed? Is it the size, quality, style, or adjustability? Maybe you need something to be comfortable in so you don’t have to wake up tired. Or, do you make your bed-purchasing decision based on your lifestyle or health condition?

Regardless of your reasons for buying a bed, they're all valid-even if it's just for the aesthetics. However, finding the bed of your dreams can depend on your knowledge of the different types of beds. For example, if you're classifying beds according to size, there are single, twin, queen, king, and full beds. When classifying them under designs, there are also air, book, cot, panel, ottoman beds, etc.

Nevertheless, the one-bed type that has caught our attention is the daybed. From its name, it's easy to think that it's a dedicated bed for sleeping during the day. So, it may surprise you that this bed design was never made for that purpose. Like every other bed type, you can sleep on the daybed any time you choose.

What is a daybed, and what purpose does it serve? Can you style one to your taste? Where can you use it? We'll provide answers to all your questions about the daybed- and more. Let's get started.

How Can You Describe a Daybed?

Now, let's discover how daybeds got their name, shall we? Daybeds are the types of bed that you can use as a couch during the day and as a bed at night. Tada! So, this one's for you if you're living in apartments, dorms, and other compact spaces.

Besides being functional and versatile, daybeds are aesthetically pleasing and stylish. Although they're generally smaller than traditional beds, these multifunctional beds come in different sizes and material types. Daybeds are also typically cheaper than traditional beds and comfier than the regular couch. Talk about having the best of all worlds!

How Do Daybeds Work?

You're probably wondering how possible a piece of furniture can be a bed and couch simultaneously, aren't you? To appreciate how a daybed works, you'll first have to understand its distinctive design. First, daybeds are generally different from traditional beds because of their headboards. They come in three-sided designs and comprise twin-sized mattresses that can serve as beds and sofas.

While a daybed’s headboard is long enough to cover one side, typical beds have the headboard only on the head. This is because the side-headboard in a daybed doubles as the backrest when used as a couch or sofa. Again, daybeds are bigger than the average single-sized sofa and have the same size as a twin bed. These characteristics give it a bed-like and couch-like illusion at the same time.

Note that daybeds have linked springs in place of some conventional bed frames. They also have bolts and screws that help to keep it versatile while securing its design. Other parts of a daybed may include the trundle and daybed arms.

Why You Should Consider Buying a Daybed

There are many reasons why getting a daybed may be one of your best furniture-buying decisions ever. Let’s examine some of them:

They Make the Most of Small Spaces

Trying to fit in full-sized sofas and beds may be a hassle if you live in a small apartment. Even when you stuff them in, there would hardly be room to move freely. If you value spacious living areas, a daybed is your best choice. With daybeds, you'll get a bed (or two if it's a trundle bed) and a sofa all in one corner.

Daybeds are Customizable

With daybeds, you’ll get a piece of furniture that you can adjust to suit your preferences. You can use your daybeds to complement your home’s decor and significantly give your space a lift. Daybeds are also very easy to style.

There Are Many Options To Choose From

Who doesn't love a wide range of choices to choose from? With daybeds, no one forces anything on you. You're more likely to have a hard time deciding what to choose between two favorite furniture pieces than not finding something you like.

They’re Extremely Functional

Daybeds are one of the most functional furniture pieces ever. Apart from being a couch and a chair, they make ideal storage spaces, especially when they come with a trundle. You can also use them in guest bedrooms, outdoor, kids’ bedrooms, basements, small studio apartments, spare rooms, etc. Their versatility and functionality offer you excellent value for your money.

Daybeds Make You Comfortable

Did you know that daybeds may even be more comfortable than sofas? Yes, whether as a bed or couch, you can make your daybeds as comfy as you like. Just be sure to purchase the best quality ones, and you’re good to go.

How To Use a Daybed

Using a daybed depends on numerous factors like its purpose, lifestyle, and preference. Daybeds serve both practical and decorative functions depending on their positioning and style.

If you lounge more than you sleep, find a daybed that makes a highly comfy sofa. A good rule of thumb for buying lounging daybeds is to get an upholstered daybed.

You may also use a daybed in a guest bedroom for the ones with metal frames. To make it more cozy and comfortable, you can decide to add throw pillows to the backrest.

If you want to use a daybed in living spaces, opt for twin daybeds as they’re not as deep and broad as many other types. For dedicated sleeping spaces, consider using queen-sized or full-sized daybeds.

Daybed Couch Ideas

Daybeds look like couches or sofas and beds at the same time. So, are you looking for creative ideas to make your daybed look like a complete couch without giving its “bedliness” away? We’ve got you. You can easily make a daybed into a proper couch by following easy steps:

Throw in the Large Pillows

One of the ways to use a daybed as a sofa in a living room is by including large pillows as part of its design. Apart from making your daybed look more like a couch by taking up space, it makes it more comfortable for your guests to sit. You may also decide to use small throw pillows on the short sides to add style.

Have You got Some Blankets?

Blankets are perfect for covering daybeds, so they look more like couches than beds. They also provide warmth for cold months, especially if you get a thermal blanket. For summer, use a beach blanket, and in fall, chunky knit blankets are just perfect.

A Coffee Table Does the Magic

What’s a sofa or couch without a coffee table? Besides being a functional piece of furniture, coffee tables typically complement living room sofas. So, having one by your daybed automatically gives the illusion of a couch. To make it more believable, add some decor and place some magazines on it. You may also want to put a rug underneath.

Use Side Tables and Foot Stools

Consider adding side tables and footstools to tweak your couch game up a notch. You can use the side tables to place board games, lamps, clocks, or other ornamental items. They may also serve as extra storage for books, blankets, etc. Meanwhile, an ottoman or footstool will also make your living space homier.

Don't Forget the Bed Skirt

Lastly, try covering your daybed couch with a beautiful bed skirt. Bed skirts are necessary to cover the bed legs or trundle to look more sofa-like.

Where To Use a Daybed

Daybeds are so multifunctional and versatile that you can use them in numerous settings. These are the most common places people use daybeds:

• Guest rooms
• Children’s rooms and nursery
• Living room
• Home office
• Studios
• Porch
• Garden
• Foyer
• Near pool

Can You Use a Daybed for Storage?

Do you remember that we already mentioned that daybeds are multifunctional? Besides being a bed and couch, they can also help you make the most of your small room by serving as storage for some of your items. Many daybed designs include shelves or drawers for extra storage space.

If you’re lucky enough to have a daybed with a trundle, a mattress can fit into its pullout drawer. So, if you host a sleepover regularly, you don’t have to worry about space. All you need to do is pull out the extra mattress from the drawer when it's time to sleep. During the daytime, fit it back in for lounging or sitting. Amazing, right?

How To Style a Daybed

Daybeds come in varying styles. For example, there are daybeds with trundles, outdoor daybeds, upholstered daybeds, and daybeds made from wood. However, you can also create your style whenever you wish. If you need some ideas to style your daybed, you can get creative with these ideas:

Choose a Color Palette

You already know that you can’t consider giving your room a facelift with your daybed without considering colors, right? Before bringing a daybed in, you must study your room's interior first. Then, you can style your daybed to match the color scheme or choose another accent that complements it.

Prioritize Room Placement

The position of your daybed can quickly change how it makes your room look. So, consider if you want it to be the center of attraction in your space or just a supporting piece of furniture. If you want your daybed to pop, consider making it the centerpiece in the room-this is especially best when it's a full-sized bed. However, a daybed can also serve as a window seat if you already have a larger sofa or couch.

Use the Right Material

Besides color and placement, your daybed's material is vital to achieving your preferred style. Whether your bed frame is made from metal, wood, or other fabrics, the material can dictate the tone or mood of your room. If you are a fan of minimalist beauty, a dark-colored metal frame may serve you best. Meanwhile, wooden frames can add warmth to your style.

Try Neutral Pillows

Decorative pillows with neutral tones are one of the best ways to style your daybeds. They’re aesthetically pleasing and stylish without being overwhelming.

Daybeds vs. Sofa Beds, Trundle Beds, and Futons

Daybeds can look like other types of beds from afar. So, it’s necessary to distinguish them to avoid any confusion:

Sofa Beds

Sofa beds are similar to daybeds because you can use them for lounging, sitting, and sleeping. That's because they have adjustable parts that you can use flat or angled. However, while sofa beds make lounging more comfortable, they don't provide the coziness of a bed as daybeds do. Daybeds are better options for sleeping because you can use them with mattresses that you don't have to fold.

Trundle Beds

A trundle bed has a second bed underneath the main one that you can roll in and out as you wish. You may refer to trundle beds as 2-in-1 designs with casters or wheels. While some daybeds may have trundles, not every trundle bed has the same functionality as daybeds.

Futons

You can use a futon as a bed and couch like daybeds and sofa beds. However, futons are larger than daybeds; when you convert them to beds, the sleeping area has no distinctive headboard. You can easily fold a futon into two and store it somewhere else to make an empty room.

Wrap Up

So, there you have it—everything you need to know about daybeds in detail. Now, you can make an informed daybed-purchasing decision without worrying about missing out on something. Congratulations!