Daybeds | Flexible, Fashionable Furnishings

Making a splash in the design world today, a daybed offers great flexibility when outfitting a space, and is prized for the functionality it offers. As a sofa/bed combo, a daybed is a smart solution to small-space living, but can lend an interesting element to a room or porch in any home.

Daybeds are recognizably different from typical beds in that the headboard—if there is one—extends along one long side rather than at the head. Daybeds are traditionally the size of a twin bed and require no boxspring. They can also house storage space underneath. Backless, bench-style daybeds are another chic option, inspired by the iconic Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Barcelona couch of 1930.

Incorporated into a large living room, a daybed can break up the space into separate conversation areas, or anchor the room. A daybed backed up against a window provides a place to pause and gaze out at the world. In a home office, a daybed offers a place of rest and sanctuary from the grind of the work day.

Kathy Potts of Decorating Den Interiors in Lynchburg uses daybeds in rooms that have multiple purposes, such as offices and guest rooms. “A daybed with a trundle would allow for two guests to have a place to sleep without taking up as much room as a bed,” she says. “I can also see the newer styles doubling as a sofa in a living room.” Daybeds are also a fun option for children’s rooms, providing the perfect solution for sleepovers.

Daybeds are great accents for porches and decks as well. Wicker or rattan are the best materials for these spaces. They offer a place to relax and perhaps enjoy an al fresco nap. With canopies, they can provide shelter from the elements. For outdoor daybeds, it is best to use all-weather cushions and pillows.

Colby Rorer at Better Sofas in Roanoke says that custom designed daybeds are popular right now. “People are using them not only in kids’ rooms but in sunrooms and studies,” he says. Better Sofas offers a custom option program where you can choose a shape, design and color ranging from highly decorative with cascading arms to more functional with storage or a trundle bed. He says daybeds are easy canvases to embellish with an array of pillows, throws and custom headboard options. He calls the piece an investment, with some designs running around $2,000. “The skill of a designer often comes into play when choosing styles, fabrics and pillows,” he says.