A daybed occupies a unique, multifunctional niche within a home. Those looking to buy a daybed are often searching for a unique solution to space issues within their home, while others simply want a handy guest bed that does double duty as a couch.
When setting out to buy a daybed, you will face many questions. What are daybeds, and what are daybeds used for? What kinds of materials go into a daybed, and how will I know I’m buying a quality one? Do daybeds come with a mattress, or should I plan to purchase one separately? How expensive is a daybed? This buying guide will answer all your daybed questions, so you will be sure to buy the one that is right for your needs.
Understanding the function of a daybed
If you’ve ever run across daybeds for sale online or at your local furniture store, you may have wondered: what is a daybed? A daybed is a cross between a bed and a couch or sofa. While daybeds may vary from each other in appearance, the majority of them will resemble a couch, often with a similar design. Most daybeds are used for sitting or lounging during the day and then for sleeping at night.
The dual functioning of daybeds opens up a variety of possibilities, including placement within a home and how to use it, particularly true for those living in apartments and other settings where space is an issue. Typical locations for a daybed include a living room, spare room, or office space. In these locations, a daybed can be used as a couch during the day and transformed with little effort into a bed at night, making for a quick and easy spare room for guests. Daybeds are also the perfect choice for a child’s room, either as a primary bed or for use during sleepovers.
Daybeds are often designed with some form of storage space underneath them. In less-expensive models, this is usually in the form of an area to store a variety of boxes, toys, or larger objects. As they go up in price, daybeds will often incorporate drawers that are either built right into the frame or set on castors, so they can easily roll out from the daybed. Some daybeds also include trundles, which are essentially an added bed. These can be rolled out for additional sleeping space or even raised to create a larger sleeping area on the daybed.
Choosing The Materials
When shopping for a daybed, you will quickly note that the materials available are often similar to a traditional bed with a few differences.
A daybed frame is often constructed from metal, wood, or a combination of the two. Metal is the more traditional daybed frame material. Metal is durable and allows frames to incorporate intricate design elements such as decorative metal scrolling or latticework. These frames can be made from various metals, such as iron or steel. Aluminum daybed frames may be a lighter option, but you lose durability when choosing this design. Metal frames can employ a variety of finishes, although they usually are coated with a simple white, black, or similar color paint to match a variety of different decorating schemes.
A wooden frame on a daybed will give you a more contemporary – and often warmer – feel. Properly cared for, wood is also long-lasting, and you have a nearly endless variety of colors, finishes, and stains to choose from (or refinish it to your needs). Similar to metal frames, wooden daybed frames are constructed from various wood types, from inexpensive softwoods like pine to more durable (and expensive) hardwoods such as oak, maple, or cherry.
Far less common are frames made from materials such as wicker, which will be less durable but will provide an exciting design alternative.
While some daybeds use couch-like cushions, you will more often find daybeds that use an actual mattress, making them much more comfortable if you are utilizing the ‘bed’ function (more on this in a bit). Daybeds that opt for some form of cushioning will usually go with fabric upholstered cushions, although some higher-end models will use leather.
Choosing The Materials
Daybeds are available in a variety of different designs. In addition to the more traditional look of a metal frame daybed, or the contemporary appearance of a wooden frame daybed, you will also find more specialized daybeds, such as those crafted in Mission, sleigh, and Victorian styles.
While personal taste and preference in a daybed are most important, the style you choose will ultimately come down to two different factors: how you will use the daybed and the setting or room in which the bed will reside.
If you are using the daybed primarily for sleeping, consider going with a more traditional (and often less expensive) metal frame daybed. If the daybed is mainly used as a sofa, a more contemporary wood-frame daybed will look better in a more public area such as a living room.
A wooden frame will also often provide you with more options in terms of color (if it is painted) or the beauty of all-natural wood (if it is stained or varnished). With a broader range of color options, you can more easily match your current room decor, regardless of which room it is. Daybeds in prominent public areas can also be fitted with decor-friendly covers and throw pillows with an accent or matching colors. Fitted covers with a tailored look will often work best for daybeds used primarily as a couch.
Look For Quality
Like all furniture you might find yourself in the market, daybed quality can vary widely. While shopping for a quality daybed may often seem like a guessing game more than anything else, there are a few things to keep in mind that can help to steer you towards a higher quality one.
- Price often equals quality. While not always the case, it is generally true that you will pay more for a higher quality piece of furniture. And in the case of something like a daybed, paying up will often pay for itself over the years in a more durable daybed that holds up its appearance better over time.
- Pay attention to the comments sections. Particularly if you are shopping online, a daybed’s comments section can provide you with a wealth of information not only on the daybed’s durability and quality but also on other critical areas such as shipping and customer support. Even if you are more inclined to buy a daybed locally, you can still use the Internet for hunting down relevant comments sections and get recommendations.
- Not all materials are equal. Where hardwoods like oak are more durable and longer lasting than softwoods like pine, iron will also outlast aluminum and even steel. The same is true for daybeds that use cushions instead of mattresses: materials such as leather will often last much longer than other fabrics.
Select the Mattress Type and Firmness that You Find Comfortable
While some daybeds geared more towards “sitting” use cushions, the overwhelming majority of daybeds you will run across will use a more traditional mattress. Some daybeds are made to hold a full mattress (54” x 75”), which can be a better fit for teens or adults sleeping on them. You might be hard-pressed to find one of these, however, as most daybeds are made for a twin-sized mattress (39” x 75”).
Daybeds typically use a linked springs or wooden slats system that the mattress rests on (no box springs here). Even if your daybed includes a mattress, you can still swap it for something more comfortable if you don’t find it difficult to sleep on. Before ordering any mattress, carefully measure the inner chamber of the daybed (where the mattress lays) so that you will receive the right-sized mattress.
What is the Best Mattress for a Daybed?
If you are planning to use your daybed for both of its intended purposes – sitting and sleeping – then you should be buying a mattress that can comfortably meet both these needs. A medium-firm mattress is an excellent overall option for use in a daybed. It provides enough support for comfortable sitting while also providing most sleepers with a good night’s sleep. For added support and breathability, consider going with a mattress that includes a foam or gel layer
MattressInsider.com carries a wide range of twin and full-sized mattresses that will fit traditional daybeds. They also have a selection of specialized trundle mattresses, which are often shorter or thinner than conventional mattresses. The types of trundle mattresses available at MattressInsider.com range from the double-sided 8” Luxury Mattress to the cool and comfort or the 8” Park Meadow Pocketed Coil Mattress.
All MatressInsider.com mattresses for daybeds or trundles include free shipping and a 365-day trial period. Visit MattressInsider.com to find your perfect daybed or trundle mattress, or call us at 888-488-1468.
Where can I Purchase a Daybed?
Daybeds are available at a wide variety of offline and online locations. If you prefer to shop offline, you will find daybeds at your local furniture store or larger box stores such as Home Depot or Walmart. Daybeds are also available at several online retailers, with both Overstock.com and Amazon.com offering some of the largest selections of daybed styles.
Keep in mind that many daybeds will require at least some assembly. Some require minimal assembly, while others will ship with hundreds of parts and an extensive assembly manual requiring a list of tools and an extra pair of hands to complete (or the added cost of paying someone to put it together for you).
Is a Daybed Expensive?
Daybeds can range in price from just over $100 up to $1000 or more. Several factors will determine how much a daybed will cost, but we’ve included some rough price ranges below to get you started.
$100 to $250 daybeds
Daybeds at lower price points are typically no-frill pieces, often made with a simple metal frame. These usually do not include drawers or trundles, offering a simple space under them for storage. If you are buying a daybed in this price range, be sure that it includes a mattress, or you will have to buy one on your own (and add to the cost).
$250 to $500 daybeds
Daybeds in this range tend to be more stylish and durable than lower-priced options. Both wood and metal frames can be found here, as well as some lower-priced trundle beds. Sets of drawers either built into the frame or on castors are also common within this price range.
$500+ daybeds
Higher-end daybeds are often made from solid hardwood or iron/steel and typically include elaborate designs or elegant decorative flourishes. Trundle beds are often included, as are drawers systems for added storage. If you are searching for a durable and long-lasting daybed that is the height of fashion, this price range is for you.
