Make the Most of Your Living Room With These Daybed Decor Ideas

Looking to add some extra seating and sleeping space to your living room without taking up too much valuable real estate? A daybed just might be the perfect solution. More than just a sofa, a daybed pulls double duty as a cozy place to lounge during the day and a spare bed when needed at night. With the right styling, placement and decor accents, a daybed can be seamlessly incorporated into your living room layout. Read on for our top tips and ideas for maximizing these multifunctional furniture pieces.

What Exactly is a Daybed?

Before we dive into the decor details, let's review what exactly a daybed is. A daybed is a unique piece of furniture that combines the design of a bed with the function and appearance of a sofa or lounge chair. Daybeds consist of a bed frame and mattress but are styled with an upholstered back, arms and pillows much like a traditional sofa. Unlike pull-out sofas which convert from couch to bed, daybeds are designed first and foremost as a bed. The sofa-like styling and positioning are what distinguish them from standard beds.

Daybeds often utilize a twin size mattress but are also commonly found in full and queen sizes. Many daybeds have pull-out trundles stored underneath which can be rolled out at night to provide extra sleeping space. The trundle transforms the daybed into two twin beds side-by-side. And being lower in height than a typical bed, most daybeds don't require a box spring.

Daybed Styles and Designs

There are numerous styles of daybeds on the market ranging from ornate carved wooden frames to sleek upholstered silhouettes. The styling possibilities are truly endless. Here are some of the most common daybed design aesthetics:

• Modern - With clean lines and minimal ornamentation, modern daybeds have adaptable, contemporary styling perfect for a wide range of living room decors.
• Rustic - Made from natural woods with visible grains and textures, rustic daybeds bring earthy, organic flair.
• Vintage - Daybeds with vintage charm feature antique-inspired details like tufted upholstery or scrolled metalwork.
• Upholstered - Offering plush comfort and cushioning, upholstered daybeds are draped in beautiful fabrics from velvet to linen.
• Mid-Century - The quintessential mid-century daybed has elegant sloped arms, tapered wood legs and vintage-chic details.

Why Use a Daybed in Your Living Room?

So why would you choose a daybed over a regular couch or sofa for your living room? Here are some of the best benefits of incorporating a daybed into your space:

Maximizes Small Spaces

One major advantage of daybeds is that they provide versatile seating and sleeping arrangements without consuming large areas of floor space. For studio apartments, small homes and any living room where space is limited, a daybed enables you to get two functions from one furniture piece.

Adds Extra Sleeping Nooks

With their built-in bedframes and mattresses, daybeds handily transform into bonus beds for overnight guests. Friends and family will appreciate the cozy sleep space when they visit. Trundle daybeds maximize space even further, offering two twin sleeping spaces in one.

Blends Seamlessly Into Decor

With their sofa-mimicking upholstered styling, daybeds slip seamlessly into living room designs in place of a couch or loveseat. Choose a daybed style that complements your existing decor scheme for a cohesive look. Add traditional furnishings like side tables, lamps and art above to complete the living room feel.

Provides Flexible Seating

Daybeds are ideal for creating flexible living room seating arrangements. Float one in the center of the room or place against a wall. Face two daybeds across from each other with a coffee table in the middle for conversational lounging. Mix in chairs, ottomans and sofas to customize your setup.

Choosing the Right Daybed Size

Daybeds come in a variety of standard bed sizes to suit your space. Measure your room dimensions and account for how the daybed will be used to choose the best size option.

Twin Daybeds

A classic choice perfect for small rooms, twin daybeds provide a single sleep/lounge space. The compact twin size leaves plenty of open floor area. Look for twin daybeds around 39 inches wide by 75 inches long.

Full Daybeds

With more generous proportions, full size daybeds span 54 inches wide and 75 inches long. They provide expanded seating real estate while still fitting well in apartments and living rooms. Full daybeds can comfortably accommodate two people sitting.

Queen Daybeds

On the spacious end, queen daybeds measure 60 inches wide by 80 inches long. The queen size offers roomy seating for lounging that easily sleeps two overnight guests. But be sure you have ample square footage to devote to a queen daybed.

Daybeds with Trundles

Trundle daybeds are a great option for maximizing daytime seating and nighttime sleeping capacity. The pull-out lower trundle bed provides a second single bed while only taking up the floorspace of one piece. Trundles are commonly found in both twin and full sizes.

Where to Place Your Daybed

Placing your daybed in the right spot within your living room is key for both aesthetic appeal and practical nighttime use. Assess your room layout, traffic flow and dimensions to determine the best daybed location.

Against a Wall

Positioning your daybed against a wall is both space-efficient and visually pleasing. Be sure to leave enough clearance to fully extend the daybed for sleeping if needed. Anchor it beneath a window or float it between two bookcases for a balanced look.

Facing the TV

Angle your daybed across from your media center to create the optimal TV viewing spot. Prop ample pillows against the armrest at one end to get cozy. Add a swivel chair at the open end to conversationalize this media-focused lounge zone.

Center of the Room

For studio apartments and smaller living rooms, floating a daybed in the center of your space maximizes usable area. This versatile placement lets you access both sides and prevents wasting space behind furniture pushed against walls.

Near a Window

Position your daybed beside a sunny window to create a cheerful reading and relaxation nook. Include a small side table for storing books within arm's reach. Hang sheer curtains to soften the space and filter bright light if needed.

Daybed Styling Tips and Ideas

Now for the fun part - decking out your daybed with lush layers of bedding, pillows and throws to achieve that cozy yet put-together bed-sofa hybrid look. Follow these tips for styling any daybed for everyday living room use.

Make Up the Bed

Even though it won't be slept in daily, dress up your daybed with a tailored bedding ensemble. Start with cozy sheets, an attractive duvet cover and shams. For a tidy appearance, use a tailored daybed skirt to conceal the bedframe and any under-bed storage.

Pile on the Pillows

An abundance of plush throw pillows take your daybed from basic to beautiful. Stick to identical pillows or mix an assortment of sizes, shapes and fabrics. Try different arrangements until you find a pillowscape you love.

Incorporate Blankets

Folded blankets at the foot of the daybed add a welcoming touch. Drape thicker knit or faux fur throws over the end for cool-weather coziness. Roll up a spare throw and place it within arm's reach.

Flank With Furnishings

Place a floor lamp or sconce behind the daybed for handy lighting. Include side tables for drinks and remotes. Position a chair or chaise facing the daybed to create a conversation area.

Add Finishing Touches

Plants, artwork, curtains or a area rug help complete the living room look. If your daybed faces the TV, angle it slightly to keep the focus more conversational.

Converting Your Daybed for Overnight Guests

When overnight company comes calling, transforming your daybed from seating to sleeping arrangements only takes a few adjustments. Follow these tips for an easy daybed conversion.

Clear Off Decor Pillows

Remove all but two or three basic sleeping pillows. This gives guests ample room to sleep comfortably. Stow the decorative throw pillows out of the way nearby.

Provide Extra Bedding

Make sure you have additional blankets and sheets on hand so the pull-out trundle or both sides of the daybeds can be fully made up if needed.

Add Privacy If Needed

Install temporary screens or curtains to block one end of the daybed for more privacy. Or move it to a more secluded corner and angle it away from the room.

Have Backup Options

In case your living room gets full with overnight visitors, keep a spare inflatable mattress on hand. Outfit it with sheets ahead of time for quick, easy setup.

Maximizing Daybeds in Small Living Rooms

From studio apartments to cozy bungalows, small living rooms can definitely benefit from a space-saving daybed. But the layout needs a little extra planning. Use these tips to maximize daybeds in tight quarters.

Take Precise Measurements

Measure every inch of your living room, including doorways and hallways. Choose a compact daybed size and account for how much clearance you need to fully open it at night.

Favor Floating and Angled Positions

Placing your daybed in the center of the room or diagonally in a corner prevents you from losing valuable space behind furniture pushed against walls. Floating daybeds can also sometimes squeeze into unused alcoves.

Multifunctional is Key

Make every piece of furniture in your small living room pull double duty, like stools that store blankets inside or coffee tables with hidden storage. This leaves maximum space for your daybed.

Edit Your Decor

Skip bulky sectionals and oversized coffee tables. Stick to only essential furnishings in compact, streamlined silhouettes. Minimalism prevents your small room from feeling overwhelmingly crowded.

Unique Daybed Styling Ideas

Looking to elevate your daybed from basic to striking statement piece? Incorporate one of these creative styling ideas to take your daybed decor to the next level.

Dramatic Draping

Transform the wall space above your daybed by installing curtain rods or canopy hardware. Drape with bold patterned fabric for exotic flair or airy sheers for softness.

Elevated Placement

For a cool floating effect, securely mount your daybed a few inches off the floor atop a low platform. This also makes vacuuming underneath easier.

Vintage Details

Play up a retro vibe by topping your daybed with a tufted headboard. Roll the mattress in a vintage quilt and arrange floral throw pillows. Add a rattan or distressed nightstand.

Unexpected Shapes

Break out from traditional rectangular daybeds. Try a rounded or oval daybed for a unique shape. Or attach angled arms for an asymmetrical, contemporary edge.

Bold Colors and Patterns

Make your daybed the focal point by splashing it in vivid hues like emerald or sapphire blue. Contrast vibrant paint with playful printed pillows and throws.

Frequently Asked Daybed Questions

If you're still mulling over whether a daybed fits your living room, browse this FAQ for helpful answers.

Are daybeds comfortable for sitting?

With their plush upholstered styling and abundance of pillows, daybeds can be just as cozy as traditional sofas for sitting and lounging.

How difficult is it to convert daybeds to sleep on?

Converting daybeds from sofa to bed mode is quite simple. Just remove decorative pillows and reveal the fitted sheet underneath. Unroll any trundles and add bedding.

Can I use a daybed every night as my regular bed?

While some people do use daybeds as their main bed, they work best as a spare bed or temporary sleeping space. The lack of privacy and compact size are drawbacks for nightly use.

What's the best daybed size for a small space?

We recommend choosing a space-saving twin size daybed for living rooms under 150 square feet. Still measure carefully to ensure it fits.

How do I decorate a daybed on a budget?

Affordable daybed updates include draping with inexpensive fabric panels, painting the frame, arranging thrifted pillows and making simple DIY nightstands.

From extra seating to overnight sleeping space, daybeds are a flexible living room addition suited for spaces both small and large. With the right placement, dimensions and decor, they handily expand your room's style and function. Use the tips above to start crafting the perfect daybed setup. Soon this adaptable furniture piece will be the new focal point of your living room.