Top Daybeds to Match Any Style and Budget

Picture yourself relaxing with a captivating book in the most inviting space imaginable—a haven for reading, napping, and basking in sunlight. Does this dream space include a daybed? If not, it’s high time to explore the comfort of one and incorporate it into your sunroom, guest room, or home office without delay.

The finest daybeds offer versatile, space-efficient seating solutions, though they often come with a hefty price tag. To help you out, we dedicated hours to scouring top retailers such as Amazon, Wayfair, Target, and Walmart to uncover stylish yet affordable daybed options.

Below, we’ve curated options in four distinct materials—velvet, upholstered, metal, and wood—all priced affordably at around $500 or less. Additionally, you’ll gain insights from interior design experts Alicia Cheung and Eva Bradley, ensuring your chosen daybed will be a cherished addition to your space.

Top Velvet Pick

Velvet exudes unparalleled luxury, and a velvet daybed can elevate your space with a lavish, high-end aesthetic that’s hard to match. For a timeless jewel-toned look, consider the Mr. Kate Moon Upholstered Twin Daybed, available in olive green, navy blue, or a subtle light gray for those who prefer a softer tone. Its elegant half-moon design is ideal for lounging while reading, working, or enjoying your favorite shows.

If you’re unsure about your preferences, consider the ModernLuxe Velvet Upholstered Daybed with Trundle, which features an enchanting multi-arch design perfect for a child’s room or play area. Alternatively, the Latitude Run Orrin Upholstered Daybed offers a delightful mix of neutral and vibrant hues, all for under $300.

Top Upholstered Pick

Upholstery adds warmth and comfort to any daybed, and the selections below feature materials like teddy fleece, faux shearling, and linen. The Luspaz Corduroy Upholstered Daybed stands out with its corduroy fabric, offering muted earth tones and a contemporary design that makes it one of the most adaptable choices available.

For a similarly sleek option, consider the Rophefx Upholstered Daybed, available in three colors and equipped with two under-bed drawers for additional storage. Alternatively, the Red Barrel Studio Taomi Upholstered Daybed includes a light and a trundle, providing two beds in one with a timeless design.

Top Wood Pick

A wood daybed is ideal for those who love an earthy, vintage aesthetic. Consider the Luspaz Rattan Wood Daybed, with its light walnut finish, intricate legs, and rattan accents, perfectly suited for European farmhouse, cottagecore, or eclectic interiors.

For a more modern vibe, the ModernLuxe Wood Daybed is a great choice. Its white and walnut combination fits seamlessly into kids' rooms or guest spaces, blending effortlessly with various decor styles. For a balanced option, the Safavieh Couture Helena Rattan Daybed and Baxton Studio Veles Wood Daybed offer a stylish, timeless mid-century modern look.

Top Metal Pick

A daybed is a practical and functional furniture choice, particularly metal options, which are often more affordable than other materials. The ModernLuxe Metal Framed Daybed, priced under $200, offers a luxurious look with its warm golden hue and included trundle, making it a popular choice.

Another excellent option is the Whizmax Metal Daybed, featuring a trundle and priced below $200. Available in white, black, and pink, its versatile and minimalist design makes it ideal for those who enjoy frequently updating their bedding and decor.

Expert Tips for Shopping for Daybeds

Type

Daybeds are typically known for their three-sided structure, but they come in various styles. Trundles, such as the CasePiece Metal Daybed, feature a pull-out mattress beneath the main bed, ideal for frequent guests or children’s sleepovers. “A trundle daybed is incredibly practical,” note Cheung and Bradley. “It also adds a relaxed, lounge-like vibe, making the bed appear more like a sofa most of the time.”

For those who prefer additional storage over an extra mattress, a storage bed like the ModernLuxe Wood Daybed or Latitude Run Upholstered Daybed is an excellent choice. These are perfect for kids’ rooms to store toys or guest rooms for extra linens.

Finally, modern daybeds, such as the Birch Lane Nerra Upholstered Daybed, are recommended by Cheung and Bradley for additional seating. These designs mimic sofas and are perfect for lofts, reading nooks, or media rooms.

Material

As highlighted earlier, we’ve included daybeds in four material categories—velvet, upholstery, wood, and metal. Wood and metal are the most durable and long-lasting options, making them ideal for those concerned about stains or discoloration, especially in homes with kids or pets.

If you adore the plush look and feel of velvet or fabric upholstery and don’t want to compromise on that cozy, luxurious vibe, consider placing it in a low-traffic area or a guest room where it won’t see heavy use. Many daybeds also come in performance upholstery, designed to endure regular wear and tear.

Bed Size

All the options on our list are available in twin or full sizes (some even let you choose). Cheung and Bradley suggest full-size daybeds for guest rooms, as they provide more space for guests to relax and feel comfortable.

A twin-sized daybed, however, works perfectly for a child’s room or as an extra spot for napping or reading. Make sure to check if your chosen daybed includes just the frame or both the frame and a mattress. If it doesn’t come with a mattress, you’ll have the flexibility to select one that suits your comfort needs.

Questions You Might Ask 

What size mattress is a daybed?

Daybeds are usually available in twin sizes, but full-size options like the Rophefx Upholstered Daybed or the Red Barrel Studio Taomi Upholstered Daybed are also common. For additional sleeping space, consider models with a trundle, such as the ModernLuxe Metal Framed Daybed or the Whizmax Metal Daybed, which can accommodate two mattresses.

Can a daybed be a primary couch or bed?

Daybeds often don’t include a mattress, allowing you to select one that suits your needs, making them suitable as a primary bed, especially in a child’s room. However, since daybeds are typically twin or full-sized, they may not offer the best comfort unless space is a constraint.

We also don’t recommend using a daybed as your primary couch, as they may not provide the same level of comfort for extended lounging or hosting guests in a living room. Additionally, their design tends to be more casual compared to traditional sofas.

Is a daybed better than a futon or sleeper sofa?

Daybeds often provide more comfort than futons or sleeper sofas because you can select a mattress that suits your preferences. However, if you prefer a guest solution that doesn’t always resemble a bed—especially in spaces like a home office or loft—a futon or sleeper sofa might be a better choice, offering more discreet functionality and potentially more sleeping space.

It’s also worth noting that a daybed differs from a Murphy bed. A Murphy bed is ideal if you need to maximize floor space, as it can be folded into a wall and pulled out only when necessary.

Take Our Word for It

This article was crafted by Camryn Dilger, an associate editor at Mytour with extensive experience in researching, testing, editing, and reviewing countless products. She enjoys any opportunity to relax with a good book and believes a daybed by a window is the perfect spot for an afternoon read.

To create this list, she dedicated hours to researching daybeds, evaluating factors such as price, retailer, material, and customer reviews. Contributions were also made by Jen Woo, who interviewed Alicia Cheung, founder and principal of Alicia Cheung Design, and Eva Bradley, founder and principal of Eva Bradley Studio.