9 Best Daybeds (Review) In 2021
If you tend to have overnight guests on a regular basis - or frequently host sleepovers for your children - then you will know what a challenge it can be finding space for everyone to sleep comfortably. Of course, buying an extra bed seems to be the most obvious answer - but not many of us have room for one in our homes. So buying a daybed is the perfect solution! A daybed is a cross between a sofa and a regular bed - just add a few throw cushions and it looks like a regular sofa to use throughout the day. But when you have an overnight guest and need somewhere to accommodate them, the extra length of the daybed means it works perfectly for sleeping too!
In this guide, we take a look at some of the best daybeds on the market and the features that make them so useful. We discuss the design elements that you need to take into account when making your choice plus answer your questions about the difference in features between the different types of daybeds available.
The Best Daybeds
1. DHP Manila Metal Framed Daybed
HIGHLIGHTS:
Daybed with trundle
77.5 x 41.5 x 41.5 inches
Sturdy metal frame and slats
Durable and supportive
White, bronze, gold, or millennial pink finish
Victorian finial detailing
1.
DHP Manila Metal Framed Daybed – Best Choice
Designed to fit one standard twin size mattress on the daybed and one standard twin size mattress on the trundle, this attractive piece has rounded Victorian finial detailing and is just what you need to accommodate your guests when you only have a limited amount of space. It is also perfect for kids’ sleepovers! This is a robust piece of furniture, with a metal daybed frame and slats on the trundle providing both support for your mattress and durability. The roll-out trundle is easy to move thanks to its four easy-glide casters, two of which lock and two of which are non-locking, so it is easy to have an additional bed ready for an unexpected guest in just minutes!.
Learn more about DHP Manila Metal Framed Daybed
2. Dorel Living Kayden Daybed
HIGHLIGHTS:
Solid wood daybed
77.25 x 42.25 x 34 inches
Solid wood frame with a rich finish and simple design
Wooden slats for mattress support
Available in white or espresso
Can accommodate a twin size trundle (sold separately)
1-Year limited warranty
This high-quality day bed is made from beautiful solid wood, with clean lines, wooden slats, and a sturdy wood frame. Available in either a white or attractive espresso finish, it provides the perfect extra sleeping area for your overnight guests. Should you require even more space for guests to sleep, this model has enough room underneath to accommodate a trundle bed, which is sold separately. Alternatively, you can make use of all that extra space for storage, helping keep your home tidy and organized! Quick and simple to assemble, this stylish twin daybed looks just as good when used as a sofa, blending perfectly into your living room or any other room in the house.
Learn more about Dorel Living Kayden Daybed
3. Zinus Brandi Quick Lock Day Bed
HIGHLIGHTS:
Twin daybed frame
Steel slat support
Black finish
39.7 x 76.5 x 25.5 Inches
Quick-lock easy assembly system
5 year warranty
This durable metal daybed has a black finish and is made from steel. It fits one standard twin-sized mattress (which you need to purchase separately) and has plenty of room underneath for storage, which can be very handy if you are short on space. It features a modern design that allows you to place it in any room in the house, where it will complement just about any decor and provide either extra sleeping space or seating as required. Whereas some metal frame beds can be tricky to assemble, this daybed features a patent-pending quick-lock easy assembly system, which allows you to just slide the parts in order to secure them tightly. What’s more, this metal daybed comes with a generous 5-year warranty.
Learn more about Zinus Brandi Quick Lock Day Bed
4. Novogratz Bright Pop Daybed with Trundle
HIGHLIGHTS:
Metal frame daybed with trundle
40.5 x 76.5 x 39.5 inches
Available in black, teal, white, or yellow finish
Features a headboard, footboard, and side rails
Stylish design that looks good in any room
Easy to assemble
We love the curved frame and beautiful design of this metal daybed that adds a touch of style to your room! It is easy to match it to your current decor, as the Novogratz is available in either black, teal, white or yellow. With an attractive headboard and footboard, this daybed comes with a roll-out trundle bed, providing extra sleeping space for two guests. The trundle glides out smoothly thanks to its casters with built-in breaks. This is an attractive piece of furniture that looks great in the living room, whilst providing that much needed extra bed for when guests visit. Best of all, its metal construction means that it is durable, giving you plenty of use for years to come.
Learn more about Novogratz Bright Pop Daybed with Trundle
5. Homerecommend Metal Daybed
HIGHLIGHTS:
Metal daybed made from durable steel
78.5 x 41.5 x 38 inches
Available in black, brown, or dark copper finish
Anti-scratch gaskets to protect flooring
Easy to assemble – no tools needed
1-year warranty
Available in either a black, brown, or dark copper finish, this metal daybed is the perfect choice if you are looking for extra sleeping space for overnight guests, or to accommodate your children’s friends on sleepovers! It is designed with durability in mind and features heavy-duty headboards, steel cross bars and support legs, yet it has an attractive look that will blend seamlessly with the decor in your home. It also features gaskets on the legs to stop them from damaging your floor, which is great if you happen to have wooden flooring. It has room underneath for storage, making this a space-saving piece of furniture that is the perfect addition to your living room or wherever you require extra sleeping space or seating.
Learn more about Homerecommend Metal Daybed
6. Hillsdale Furniture Madison Daybed
HIGHLIGHTS:
Wood and metal daybed with wooden posts
41 x 75 x 41 inches
Rich cherry finish
Stylish metal scrolls
Durable tubular steel construction
Designed for a twin mattress (sold separately)
6.
Hillsdale Furniture Madison Daybed – Best Value
This is one of the best daybeds in our review in terms of design, with a beautiful mix of contemporary and traditional features. It is composed of both wood and metal, with attractive wood posts with a rich cherry finish and a metal frame for durability and support. Designed to accommodate a twin mattress (sold separately) it makes a perfect extra bed for one person, whilst providing extra seating in your home when it is not required for sleeping.
Learn more about Hillsdale Furniture Madison Daybed
7. Little Seeds Tufted Upholstered Design Daybed
HIGHLIGHTS:
Upholstered daybed with trundle
43.5 x 82.5 x 38.5 inches
Available in blue, ivory, gray, light gray, or teal
Padded back and sides for comfort
Velvet diamond tufted detailing
Bentwood slat system to keep your mattress fresh and provide support
7.
Little Seeds Tufted Upholstered Design Daybed – Premium Pick
This comfortable upholstered daybed with trundle is the perfect combination of luxury and practicality, providing additional places to sleep when needed or a stylish sofa when not in use for sleeping! You can easily find the right piece to match the decor in your home as it is available in five colors – blue, ivory, gray, light gray, or teal! This upholstered daybed features a plush design, with padded back and sides and velvet diamond tufted detailing. This daybed also features the Bentwood slat system which is perfect for allowing air to pass beneath the bed, helping keep your mattress fresh. The slats are also designed to adapt to the weight that is exerted on them, meaning they provide just the right amount of support and feel extremely comfortable. The roll-out trundle that comes with this twin daybed means that you can easily accommodate two guests, making it perfect for sleepovers.
Learn more about Little Seeds Tufted Upholstered Design Daybed
8. Vecelo Daybed Frame Twin Size
HIGHLIGHTS:
Twin sized metal frame daybed
79 x 39 x 42 inches
Elegant and classical design
12.6 inches of space underneath the daybed for storage
Easy assembly – no tools required
Durable construction with steel crossbars and support legs
8.
Vecelo Daybed Frame Twin Size – Budget Pick
The perfect addition to your home, this is a gorgeous piece, with an elegant and classic looking metal headboard that looks beautiful when in use either as a daybed or a sofa, especially when adorned with a couple of throw pillows. But it is not just good to look at, it is practical too and features 12.6 inches of space underneath – plenty of room for extra storage! The sturdy metal frame provides strength, support, and durability, enhanced by the heavy-duty headboards, steel crossbars and support legs. Assembly is nice and easy, with no additional tools required.
Learn more about Vecelo Daybed Frame Twin Size
9. Discovery World Furniture Twin Bookcase Daybed
HIGHLIGHTS:
Twin size solid wood daybed
83 x 42 x 49.25 inches
Space-saving design with storage drawers and shelves
Pull out trundle for additional sleeping space
Comes with slat kit
Tested and certified to meet the ASTM 1427-07 regulations set forth by the CPSC
We just love the unique design and high-quality features of this bed, which has a honey-colored finish and is made from solid pine. It includes a headboard that incorporates shelves – a brilliant space-saving feature that gives you extra room to store items like books, an alarm clock, etc. But that’s not all – there are also three generously sized drawers underneath the mattress, plus a twin-sized pull-out trundle on wheels, able to accommodate a 6.5″ mattress. It comes with a slat kit, so all you need to do is add your mattress. We think this is a great, multi-purpose piece of furniture and is ideal for small spaces, providing your home with not just extra space for sleeping but plenty of additional storage too.
Learn more about Discovery World Furniture Twin Bookcase Daybed
Things to Consider When Choosing Daybeds
Design
A daybed is generally meant to be used as an additional bed when required and a sofa for the remainder of the time. This means the design of the daybed is important and the best daybeds are those that blend seamlessly with the decor in your home. You will come across many design options, some contemporary with clean lines, and some with a classic look. The best choice for you will depend on the room in your home in which you plan to use the daybed. If you want to use it as an additional sofa in your living room, for example, you will want to look for one with a design that doesn't make it stand out as a bed, but rather one that could equally be used for seating. Some of the best daybeds come in a range of colors and finishes, making it much easier to find the right piece for your home.
Size of the Room
If you only have a small room, then it is important to look for a daybed designed for small spaces. If you are considering buying one with a trundle, then you need to make sure that you have enough clearance in front of the bed to roll it out smoothly. When you only have a small space, then there are other features to look out for too that will maximize the room you have available. For example, some daybeds will come with quite a large space underneath. This can sometimes be used to accommodate an additional trundle (if your daybed doesn't come with one) or it can be used as extra storage space.
Sturdy vs Simple Assembly
Features like trundles, additional storage and headboards are all great to have - but do bear in mind that they can make the assembly of your daybed quite a bit more complicated! If it is important for you to have a daybed that is easy to assemble, then you might want to look for one with a very simple bed frame. You may also come across the occasional daybed that is pre-assembled, which saves you from having to do anything at all!
Mattress Type
Daybeds are multi-purpose by design and can either be used for sleeping or for sitting upon. This means that you need to choose a mattress that works well for both of these purposes. Firstly - and obviously - you need to find a mattress that is comfortable. Many people find that a medium-firm mattress is the best choice in this respect. It provides a mixture of comfort and support for the sleeper, contouring to the shape of their body and providing pressure relief. At the same time, it will give just the right amount of cushioning when the daybed is being used as a sofa, allowing the user to sit comfortably, with a perfect level of support. Don't forget to make sure that you buy the right size mattress so that it is compatible with the daybed frame. Most daybeds require a twin size mattress.
Storage
As we mentioned earlier, additional storage can be a real bonus with a daybed, especially for those of us with a limited amount of space. If you always feel that you are running out of room to store items within your home, then choosing furniture that incorporates some sort of storage is a great idea. In general, daybeds with trundles don't offer much in the way of storage - the trundle itself occupies the space that could be used to store other items. But you will find with many daybeds that you have the option of whether to buy the frame with or without a trundle. If you really don't need the extra sleeping space that a trundle provides, then skip the trundle altogether and buy just the bed frame instead. You will then have quite a large amount of clearance below the frame, into which you could place your own storage containers to keep your home organized. Alternatively, some daybeds come with built-in storage drawers.
Frame
A daybed frame is usually made from wood or metal, with a steel frame being the most common. Occasionally you will come across a daybed with a fabric frame, although these are far less common. There are a couple of things to think about when deciding which frame would be best for your home. The first is durability - a steel frame will usually last longer than a wooden or fabric one and will be stronger. If you do opt for a steel frame - or one made with any other type of metal - then consider your flooring. If you have hard floors, make sure that the support legs of the bed have some kind of gasket to protect your floors and avoid damage. The second consideration with the frame is how it will look in your room and how well it will match the rest of your decor. Some people also worry that a wood frame might be more squeaky than a metal one or vice versa. But a high-quality daybed - properly assembled - should not squeak at all, no matter what material the frame is constructed from.
Functionality
Daybeds are multi-functional in nature - in fact, that is what sets a day bed apart from an ordinary bed! They are designed to be used by overnight guests as a sleeping space but double up for use as a sofa throughout the day. Daybeds are sometimes used as the primary bed in homes where there is not much room. For example, if you have a studio-style apartment then a daybed serves as your bed and your sofa, all rolled into one, allowing you to use the rest of your room for something else. So it is important that you choose a daybed that you will find as comfortable to sleep on as it is to sit on, and also one that looks right in the room you will be using it. For example, if it will be placed in your living room, or if you plan to use it in a studio apartment, you will want to buy a piece of furniture that resembles a sofa more than a bed, even though you plan to use it for both purposes.
Common Daybed Types
Trundle
One feature that sets a day bed apart from a regular one is the trundle! A trundle is basically a second bed that is stored underneath the daybed. It is usually on wheels or casters and you simply pull it out whenever you need the additional space for an overnight guest. The wonderful thing about having a trundle is that it gives you the room to accommodate two guests overnight, but the frame only takes up the space of one bed when the trundle is rolled back underneath. It is a great solution for small spaces and many people find it ideal for when their children have friends over for a sleepover. One important thing to bear in mind with trundle beds is that the mattress on the trundle sometimes has to be thinner than the mattress on the main bed so that the trundle can be rolled back underneath. Whilst it will still be comfortable for most people - especially children and teens - it may not be ideal for an older person or someone with back issues. The fact that it is so low to the floor can make this problem even more relevant, so think carefully about who will be using the bed before investing in one with a trundle.
Sleigh
A sleigh daybed can be a very striking item of furniture and there are some beautiful designs on the market. Sleigh beds usually have features like scrolled or curved footboards and headboards, which make them look just like sleighs! Some sleigh beds come with a trundle underneath, so not only do they look great but they are very practical too and essentially give you twice the amount of sleeping space. Sleigh beds tend to be very sturdy in their construction and are often more expensive than other types of daybeds, although their durability and pleasing appearance often make that extra investment worthwhile!
Traditional
A traditional daybed is simply a cross between a bed and a sofa, technically giving you two items of furniture in one! Although the principle is very similar to a futon, a traditional daybed is usually far more attractive - and sometimes ornate - than a rather plain-looking futon! Unlike a regular bed, a traditional daybed usually features a frame on three sides of the bed, rather than just a headboard and footboard. Most daybeds require a twin size mattress.
Canopy
A canopy bed is somewhat similar to a four-poster bed and is usually very decorative in design. Although it is possible to find canopy daybeds designed to be used indoors, it is more common to find them made for use around the pool or in the back yard, where the canopy provides some protection from the sun. A canopy daybed can include features found in other types of daybeds - for example, some will come with a trundle and others will come with storage drawers. Because they are more elaborate and ornate than other kinds of daybeds, canopy beds tend to be a little more expensive.
Chaise
A chaise-style daybed looks very much like a traditional chaise longue. A great choice for those who love vintage furniture, a chaise longue is basically an upholstered sofa, but looks more like a type of chair on which you can stretch out and rest your legs. A chaise style daybed is particularly useful for rooms where it will be used primarily as a sofa instead of a bed, although it is perfectly comfortable for sleeping on and is great for afternoon naps! Chaise-style daybeds are different from other types of daybeds in that their mattresses are often 'built in' to the design, meaning that no separate mattress is required.
