The truth about daybeds

By A. Ready | October 29, 2010 - 12:18PM

This week Apartment Therapy rounds up some swanky daybeds-for-a-downsized-dwelling, aimed at filling the vacancy between Aerobed and dedicated guest room. Like every NYC apartment dweller, we are big fans of multifunction, though we find things that sound good on paper tend to fulfill at least one function poorly. Like a daybed. It may be comfortable to sleep on, but does not a dreamy sofa make. (Though, come to think of it, could be perfect for certain privacy-starved parents.)

"Over my 40-year adult life," agrees one commenter on ApartmentTherapy, "I have spent a lot of money trying to use daybeds. I have failed. They are uncomfortable to sit on. It'd be great if they could make cot sized, rather than twin sized. The standard twin size are just too deep for sitting and I'm not much of a lounger." An online comrade offers this solution: "The key to a successful daybed for seating purposes is dense foam angled back cushions with throw pillows in front of them to take up the extra width of the mattress. Throw pillows alone are not supportive enough for comfort."

The daybed pictured here (Restoration Hardware, $2,795-3,610, depending on fabric and filling) seems to have the requisite dense angled-back cushions. Now how about some arms?

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