A daybed is one of the most useful, and comfortable furnishings you can add to your home. Its multi-purpose design makes it perfect for smaller apartments and is a great help when you have guests stay over and you do not have a dedicated guest room, which I can assure you, most of us do not.
If you are looking to purchase a new piece of furniture for your home, but want to make sure you get the most of out the space it will be occupying, it will be worth your while finding out exactly what a daybed is, and whether or not you might need one.
What Is a Daybed? – The Basics
A daybed is a great option if you are looking for a space-saving piece of furniture to add to your home, or simply if you want an extra soft surface to lounge around on in the afternoon, without it being limited to only for sitting or sleeping.
A combination of a bed and a sofa, daybeds have an attractive and space-saving design. Unlike a traditional bed, a daybed usually has a headboard that extends along one side, and not at the head. However, there are variations of daybeds that consists of the two long sides being open, or only one long side and one headboard being closed in.
To be even more suited to your unique needs, daybeds come in a variety of sizes, from a twin size all the way to a king, so you can choose the size that suits you and your space restrictions best.
The Multi Uses of a Daybed
The growing popularity of daybeds is largely due to how many uses it has. During the day, throws and scatter cushions can be tastefully placed on the daybed to resemble a sofa, and at night, pillows and a comforter can be laid out on the daybed for sleeping.
The versatility of daybeds make them ideal for smaller apartments, and there is no reason that a daybed cannot be used as an everyday bed. Using a daybed as your main bed means that you just have the additional bonus of your sofa and your bed occupying one space in your home rather than two.
Further Space Savings
Daybeds on their own save quite a bit of space in any home, but you can save even more if you choose a daybed with storage capabilities. Many daybeds have built-in storage space, either in the form of shelving or drawers. These can be used to store just about anything you need at home, but the storage is a great option to keep any blankets or linen you might need to convert the daybed from a sofa to a sleeping space.
Making Your Daybed Your Own
Daybeds come in many different shapes and forms, so you can choose one, and decorate it, to match the colours and themes in your own home. With a few simple items, you can decorate your new daybed to fit in perfectly with your home décor.
- Choosing the frame you want for your daybed can be slightly overwhelming, as there is quite a selection to choose from. You need to have an idea beforehand of what type of daybed you want and search from there. The options include metal, wicker, upholstered fabric and wood.
- Scatter pillows are an easy way to dress up your daybed. Choose different colours, prints, and patterns that fit into your theme, all while providing comfortable seating as well.
- To add more texture, colour, and comfort to your daybed, you should consider adding in a throw blanket. Keep a few throw blankets stored away to change the look of your daybed easily, and have different thickness throws to suit the different seasons.
- A slipcover is a real necessity when it comes to daybeds. Not only do they allow you to change the look and colour of your daybed, but slipcovers protect the furniture piece from spills and stains. Slipcovers are affordable and come in many different colours and prints.
The Perfect Place for a Daybed
The beauty of daybeds is that you can place them almost anywhere in your house. They are even handier to fit into places where a full-sized bed or oversized sofa will not fit. Whether you need some extra seating or sleeping space in your home office or studio apartment, a daybed will fulfil many different roles.
Daybeds can also be used in a guest room, for when you have surprise guests or are hosting someone for a while. Kids’ rooms can also benefit from a daybed, as it doubles up as a place to chill and play during the day and as a comfy sleeping space at night.
If you are the parent of a toddler, you might be looking for a transition sleeping space for your child, moving on from a crib to a traditional bed. Daybeds make great toddler beds, as the sideboard provides extra protection for your toddler, stopping them from rolling off onto the floor. There are toddler daybeds, such as the below, that provide comfort, safety and space-saving in your little one's room.
The right daybed can also be used outdoors or in a sunroom, offering up a place to sit back or lay down and enjoy some fresh air. However, it is better to purchase a daybed made specifically for use outdoors, as the materials will be more resistant to the elements.
A day bed such as this will suit the outdoor environment, and will sure to come in handy, whether you need extra seating when hosting, or just a place to sit outdoors and wind down.
The Undeniable Benefits of a Daybed
If you are looking for a sofa, a bed, and a space-saving piece of furniture, a daybed is just what you need. Its multi-purpose design will fit easily into almost any home, and it will fulfil many different roles.
Making a daybed your own is just as easy as transforming it from a sofa to a bed, and with some scatter pillows, throws and a slipcover, the daybed will soon become an important part of your home.
Whether you are using the daybed in the living room to save some space, or in the study to act as a comfortable lounger and then a bed when guests are over, the decorative and practical uses of daybeds are undeniable.
When choosing a daybed, remember the following:
- Determine the size you need
- Decide on the frame which would work best in your home
- Look for cushions, throws and a slipcover to use with it
