The best day beds for relaxing, day or night

Multifunctional, space-saving and chic: welcome the trusty day bed. Serving as a stylish sofa by day and a comfortable sleeper by night, a day bed is the ideal all-in-one solution for guest bedrooms, living rooms, home offices or playrooms.

But not all day beds are made the same; some are designed with extra pull-out mattresses to accommodate multiple sleepers, while others are more comparable to a chaise longue. Whether you're looking for additional sleeping space for overnight guests or you simply want to add an extra level of cosiness to your space, there are plenty of day beds to choose from.

What is the difference between a day bed, a sofa bed and a futon?

While all three of these multifunctional furniture heroes offer the versatility of sitting and sleeping, they differ widely in their design. Typically, a day bed incorporates a mattress – having a head and a foot end – branding it a hybrid between a bed and a sofa. Yet unlike a sofa bed, a day bed won't need to be pulled out (unless you've opted for a day bed with an added trundle bed underneath).

Contrary to this, futons and sofa beds usually require pulling or folding out, but the two differ in that one is made to look just like a sofa while the other doesn't hide the fact that it's also a bed. Wooden base futons are lightweight and can be easily moved, whereas sofa beds and day beds are designed to be a sturdier and longer-term solution.

What are the different day bed styles?

One of the great things about day beds is that they come in a plethora of sizes and styles, so you can pick and choose depending on your requirements. Some are designed with a single mattress, some sized to fit a small double, and others have a pull-out trundle to sleep two people. You'll also find different materials on offer, from Scandinavian-inspired solid wood to those with industrial metal frames.

Best mattresses for day beds

Don't forget, some day beds only come with the frame, so you may need to buy the mattress separately. We'll outline below if our favourite picks come with a mattress, but we'd always advise reading the small print to see if it's included. If you need to buy a mattress separately, most day beds fit a single mattress (90 x 190cm), though there are small double options available, so it's best to check before you buy.

Let's take a look at the best day bed options on the market in 2024.