Daybeds are a versatile piece of furniture that can serve as a comfortable seating area during the day or a cozy sleeping option for guests at night. When it comes to styling a daybed, there are plenty of opportunities to showcase your unique style. From a glam-style living room to a charming farmhouse bedroom, daybeds can be easily customized to fit in any space. Read on for simple steps on how to style a daybed to fit your aesthetic.

1. Pick the Perfect Location

(Shop this image: blue daybeds, jute area rugs, green throw pillows, knitted throw blankets, and white indoor planters)

You’ll want your daybed to mesh with its surroundings – decide where you’re going to put it before you make your purchase. Daybeds can provide additional space for overnight guests, making them great for small apartments or homes without a designated guest room. They’re typically the size of a twin bed and can double as a sofa when not in use. Due to their versatility, daybeds can be used throughout your home to add seating and sleeping options to any spare space. Common places for a daybed include guest rooms, children’s rooms, living rooms, and home offices.

2. Choose the Daybed Style

(Shop this image: wood daybeds, floral comforters, gray throw pillows, knit throws, striped area rugs, and botanical wall art)
Choose a daybed that will enhance your space's style and functionality. Below are some common interior design styles and types of daybed will fit them best.

• Modern: This style loves soft, sleek furniture, so going with an upholstered daybed will always be a win. Low-profile furniture is also a staple of modern design, so choose a daybed that doesn’t have much space underneath, or opt for one that has a pullout trundle bed to fill the empty space.

• Country/Farmhouse This style calls for classic open-frame beds constructed of wood spindles or iron bed frames. Choose a daybed with a vintage look for traditional farmhouse-style rooms or a sweet cottagecore aesthetic.

• Glam: These daybeds feature luxurious design features such as velvet upholstery, metallic legs, and tufted backs and sides. If you want a daybed that can keep up with your glam-style space, be sure to choose one with plenty of aesthetic appeal.

• Mid-Century Modern: If you love a retro home aesthetic, a mid-century modern daybed will fit right in. These daybeds feature simple designs in wood or upholstered options and feature the retro angles that this style is best known for.

Tip!

Read our guide What Is a Daybed? for more information on the various styles and types of daybeds.

3. Start With Base Layers

(Shop this image: geometric area rugs, upholstered daybeds, wood desks, white quilts, and rattan end tables)

Since daybeds serve as both a sofa and a bed, they can see a lot of daily use. Start with protective layers to ensure the cleanliness and longevity of the mattress. Choose a mattress cover as the first layer, followed by a fitted sheet, before adding other bedding and decorative accessories to style your daybed.

Tip!

To learn more about finding the right fit for your daybed, read Your Guide to Daybed Sizes & Daybed Mattress Sizes.

4. Prioritize Function When Styling

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Determine how you plan to use your daybed. If the daybed is in a central location like a living room, you may want to style it like a sofa to provide functional seating during the day. On the other hand, a daybed used solely in a bedroom could be styled with traditional bedding for a cozy bedtime routine.

Style as a Sofa

If your daybed is placed in a common space, such as a living room or home office, consider styling it to mimic the functionality and design of a sofa. To do this, place a coverlet on your daybed and tuck it in tightly to provide stylish coverage without the bulkiness of bedding. Line the long side of the daybed with throw pillows to act as back support and increase comfort when sitting – similar to the back cushions of a sofa. When you consider how to style a daybed as a functional sofa, it may also be helpful to keep additional bedding elsewhere for when you’re ready to convert the daybed for sleeping.

Style as a Bed

If you plan to mainly use your daybed for sleeping, style it how you would any other twin bed. Opt for a comforter instead of a coverlet and fold it down on one end to reveal the sheets underneath. You may even place standard bed pillows on one end of the daybed to indicate it’s meant for sleeping.

5. Add Decorative Accessories

(Shop this image: Green daybeds, white sheets, animal-print throw pillows, floral throw pillows, black throw blankets, and side tables.)
Now comes the fun part – deciding how to decorate your daybed. Use a combination of accent pillows, throws, and other decorative accessories to add coziness and charm to your daybed. Choose pieces that complement the style of your home and showcase your personality.

Pile On the Pillows

Throw pillows are a must-have on any daybed, but especially those with metal or wood frames that can be uncomfortable to lean against when sitting. Not only do throw pillows offer additional padding, but they come in a range of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures – making them the perfect accessories for daybed styling.

Layer With Blankets

Add a throw blanket to your daybed to create a dimensional look by incorporating different colors and textures. Choose a knit or fur blanket for texture, or pick a bright throw for a pop of color. If you use your daybed for overnight guests, styling it with a throw blanket can give your guests the option to add layers should they feel cold at night. Blankets are also a great way to make your daybed cozier for seating during the day.

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