How to Style a Daybed, According to Designers

Daybeds provide plenty of lounging opportunities throughout the home, but if you're not sure exactly how to design around this piece of furniture, we're here to help. We spoke with interior designers who weighed in with a number of styling rules to keep in mind when dealing with a daybed, no matter where it is stationed. Read on for their advice so that you can make your own daybed shine.

Note That Daybeds Can Live in Many Spaces

Remember that a daybed certainly isn't just for the bedroom; these furniture pieces are common fixtures in living rooms, family rooms, and other areas of the home, too. "When styling a daybed, I think the most important tip to think about is the use of the space and where the daybed will be located," Jasmine Crockett of Joy Meets Home says. "Is it for a playroom, office, or an extra guest room? When you know the use of the space it'll help you better with styling."

Not sure how you would integrate a daybed into a living room or family room? "A daybed is a wonderful crossover piece for large narrow rooms to plan seating arrangements on both sides," Dawn Cook of BLDC Design explains. "Not to mention, it's a lovely place to read a book or take a nap." Think about where in your home you may benefit most from a piece of this kind.

Style Your Daybed Based on Your Room's Color Scheme

Once you have determined where your daybed will be housed, you will then want to look at the existing colors at play within that room, experts say. "This can help you make sure everything you're designing flows within the space," Crockett explains. Styling your daybed can involve anything from mattress covers, strategically placed throw pillows and blankets, and more. "I think the most important thing with a daybed is carefully considering the cover for the mattress or cushion," Bradley Odom of Bradley Odom Interior Design Studio says. "We love to have it fully upholstered in a lush fabric so the daybed becomes a considered and intentional piece when in use or not." Alternatively, if you cover your daybed with actual bedding, keep the look nice and neat. "We recommend tucking in the bedding as it helps to keep it clean and highlights the silhouette of the frame," Alicia Cheung Lichtenstein of studioHEIMAT adds.

Prioritize Comfort When Styling

Additionally, Julie Rootes of Julie Rootes Interiors believes it's important to keep a daybed's sleep or nap-related function top of mind when it comes to styling. "I prefer to keep the styling more on the cozy, lounge-y side and not too formal," she says. "Layering a daybed with decorative pillows in various sizes and shapes helps keep things on the casual end of the spectrum." And don't be afraid to really pile on those pillows. "We feel strongly that you can’t ever have too many pillows on a daybed," Lichenstein notes. "It makes for a great contrast to have an odd number of pillows and to play around with fun pillow shapes."

Don't forget to incorporate a bolster or two, too. Odom generally opts for a fabric that matches the daybed's cover or is a neutral hue. "This creates a streamlined look that’s especially beautiful when using a spectacularly patterned fabric," he says. "For a custom burled maple daybed we're putting in an upcoming project, the tiger pattern jacquard fabric of the cover speaks for itself, so a simple bolster was the perfect finishing touch."

Finish Off the Look With a Table Beside It

To finish off your daybed setup, consider this tip from Cook. "A daybed isn’t complete without a C-table which can tuck nicely up to the daybed to place a drink, pair of glasses, or the remote," she notes. If you're looking to create a comfy work-from-home setup, note that a C-table is the perfect size for housing a laptop, too. The exact style of C-table you select is entirely up to you. "So many beautiful ones in marble, brass, or interesting shapes add some interest to the space for function and form."