We loved Antero Kjaer's use of twin beds as a sofa/guest bed in her small home. Here's yet another twin bed under cover in a stylish home.
As seen in House Beautiful, Roman Alonso used a twin bed covered with painter's linen as his living room sofa. Add a long bolster to the "back" and you have what looks like an expensive custom sofa, not a simple box spring and mattress covered in affordable material from the hardware store!
Be sure to check out the rest of Alonso's home, too: A Los Angeles Apartment with Bohemian Decorating Style.
Image: Amy Neunsinger/House Beautiful
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Beatriz's Fun & Functional Workspace
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sheex Bedding
How to Cook Rice on the Stove
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
Here's the thing. I used a twin bed for a sofa in an apartment and it felt like I was spending all my time in bed! I bought a sofa.
painter's linen, is that a type of canvas?
Ummmm, what I'm seeing in the picture is tufted? That can't be a twin mattress unless it has been modified tremendously, no?
Ahhhh, sorry, along in the description: "It's the cheapest sofa in the world — just a box spring and a mattress upholstered in the Belgian linen that artists use for painting canvases." It would in fact be cheaper than most couches, I would imagine, but tufting a mattress does take some upholstery skills or money.....
they probably had the upholsterer tuft it.
This is very common in Indian middle class houses. You use a single bed as a sofa in the living area. cover it with an ornamental bedcover, throw in some jeweled cushions. Looks good, and can be covered over in a comfy white bedspread when a guest arrives :-)
the tufting part its really easy to diy!!! and i personally love the look (to bad i already had a couch), in this economy not everybody can afford a couch let alone a sectional, kudos for the idea.....
I have two IKEA twin beds in out livingroom. A couple daybeds pretending to be extra-deep sofas. People love them when they come over becuase their so roomy and you can really lounge on them. It feels luxurious and informal at the same time.
the thing is.... that really really does look like a mattress. I don't see the point if it just looks like a bed is in your living room.
We considered this, too. Though, we would probably add storage underneath to maximize space. Love the look and the price/function can't be beat!
Love this room. So pretty ;D
We had a twin bed in the living room for quite some time, with bolsters for back cushions, and it was just not comfortable at all.
Hm, I really like the bed in the photo above, but not sure that I could actually pull it off in my home (though our styles are rather similar)...
I agree with cacleland that I might feel odd spending so much time in bed :)
@lotusmoss: I'm pretty sure the mattress I grew up sleeping on was tufted. I don't think it's really that strange to see a tufted mattress.
this is my dream: to make a big, loungey sectional with a couple of twin beds. I just cant seem to sell my husband on the idea.
I'm not digging this idea, at all. Agree with an earlier post that it will feel like a bed. And, I just don't know how often you want to explain the deal with your couch to guests. Which is the reality of doing something like this. I'm all for artistic purity but this concept is not worth the hassle.
I'm not so crazy about the bed-in-living-room idea, but I really like those floor cushions and the pictures in the background.
YHL had a twin daybed which seemed to be used as a couch in their sunroom. It had a great frame and is actually something I would consider.
I think it depends on how formal or informal you like your space to be. It would work much better in an informal setting where the only people you have over are the ones you wouldn't think twice about taking about the daybed they are sitting on. Some people have living rooms and the kinds of guests over who would love to lounge in a laidback way.
With no money and no couch, I finally came up with an idea. I also needed a place for over nighters. I bought 2 of the same exact twin beds from a resale shop, ($50.00) took the 2 footboards, attached, wood for slats ($0.00), a very inexpensive mattress ($100.00) and asked for a linen daybed cover for my christmas present, then resold the 2 headboards for $25.00...total cost $125.00. I already had 2 bolsters and assorted throw pillows. It's comfortable and cozy with all the pillows and looks great. I didn't like the look without the arms (foot boards), but now it looks finished.
I think this is perfect for a den where you might stretch out to watch TV. It might be a little more difficult in a sitting room where you are having guests who want to sit up with some back support.
I loved everything about this space in HB – one of my faves.
Agree with Abstractionist, though. If you’re over the age of 30, this ain’t gonna fly as a sofa.
I find a twin bed way too deep to sit on comfortable when using it as a sofa. Futons are getting inexpensive - if you must need the sleeping space, it's a better route.
I had used twin bed for seating in our living room when I moved to US (there was no way I could afford a couch and a sleeping quarters for travellers from Europe. Everyone loved it...
As someone who used to live in a space very similar to that, I can attest to the fact it is NOT comfortable at all. Looks pretty and deconstructed, but in reality nobody ever knows where to sit and when you are on the bed/sofa it's really difficult to lean up and get your drink.
LOVE THIS POST!!! However I have seen similar ones so the idea has been in the back of my brain just waiting for us to have the space to actually use it. We are moving soon and we'll have the extra bedroom that we aren't used to that will become a multi-purpose room with 2 of these "couches"!!
They are not workable if you actually want to sit. I speak of my own idiocy in attempting this numerous times in my 63 years, in several houses and many rooms. It is OK if you HAVE to do this, but you will - sooner than later - buy a sofa or armchairs.
I like it a lot, it can be very versatile if you need a spare bed a lot. I wanted modern so I got foam and it gave me the square lines I wanted. Washable covers means the cats are happy too http://www.flickr.com/photos/28068117@N02/5066233820/
Loving this room. I can't quite pin it but I just love everything about it.
i like the idea. but love that lamp....
The moment I first saw my livingspace I knew I needed a sectional.So I had two steel frames made,I put a plywood base,bought IKEA foam matresses for the back too,large pillows and had everything cheaply upholstered.I painted the frame silver and everything costed 650$ for a handmade sofa that measures 2,60*2,00 meters!
I considered using a daybed when I was to buy a new sofa. I personally like to curl up, recline or sit cross-legged when on the couch, so it would've been perfect for that. A bed would also be just right to snuggle with someone.
To make twin beds look similar to daybed / sofas, try using a three-shelf book case at each end of bed.......looks like arms of a sofa...somewhat. Can also line bookcases behind bed