True, having a daybed for guests does limit the sleeping options. Most daybeds, of course, aren't big enough for two. But if your guests are commonly single travelers—a parent, or a college-age kid home from school, or a couch-surfing friend—then the daybed is a great solution. You can always keep the dreaded (gasp!) airbed in a closet in case you end up with a crowd.
Here are some images for inspiration:
FIRST ROW
• 1 - A cozy guest room and den from luvdecor on Decorpad.
• 2 - Comfy home office and guest room in one from designer Mae Brunken on Design*Sponge.
• 3 - A daybed/window seat in a walk-in closet (!!) from Domino. Perfect for curling up with a book when your home is guest-free.
• 4 - Martha Stewart shows how a daybed can provide a nice place for family time when it's not being used for guest quarters.
• 5 - Another day bed and den from PointClickHome.
SECOND ROW
• 6 - Coburn Architecture uses a daybed in a long, narrow TV room that doubles as guest quarters.
• 7 - This sunny office from House to Home is a perfect place to work, and with tidy storage solutions, guests won't feel unsettled by all your paperwork. The opposite side of the memo board in this photo is actually a mirror guests can use.
• 8 - Nicole from Making it Lovely chose a daybed from CB2 for her guest room. That rug would feel great on the feet in the morning.
Does your guest room do double-duty? How do you make it work?
The Ultimate Used Furniture Cleaning Kit
Ana Creates a Community at Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Z2 iPod Dock and Wi...
10 Low-Budget Pantry Items Everyone Should Have
Recipe: Spring Fruit and Nut Tabouli
You can also slide a mattress under the daybed if it's tall enough. When I was younger, my family and I would visit some relatives in Naples, Fl. They had very little room in their house, so my cousin's room had a twin-sized bed with a roll-out mattress underneath. That way, it was out of the way most of the time, but when they needed it they just pulled it out and set it up.
Day bed Hidden Roll-Out Mattress Air Mattress = a guest bedroom for a family of four.
Make that a day bed, a hidden roll-out mattress, and an air mattress would make up enough sleeping spaces for a family of four.
I really love the bed in the third picture.
Thanks for including my guest room (the last picture)! The thing I love about that daybed is that the top comes apart and the whole thing turns into a double bed.
What beautiful rooms. Apart from the daybed idea, I am getting a lot of decorating inspiration out of this post.
I've been on the lookout for a nice-but-affordable daybed for our office/music room/"man cave." Those rooms are lovely. I really like the one in the walk-in closet.
One comment about guest beds...no matter what route you go, please, please sleep in your guestroom once in a while. Make sure there is light within reach, and that the bed is as comfortable as your own. I have a big circle of family & friends--love 'em all--but you wouldn't believe what I've had to sleep on and in over the years.
I just gave away a futon & frame that had been in my guestroom/office. It was comfortable but unattractive. I'm replacing it with a twin bed that has drawers underneath to store linens and other guest supplies for when the room needs to quickly transform from its usual office space.
I forgot to say--if I have a couple come to stay they will sleep in my room and I will sleep in the guest room. Another reason to make sure it is as comfy as my own bed!
Nicole, where did you get your daybed?
Where to find affordable daybeds? I've been on the hunt for a while.
It's the lubi daybed from CB2. I don't know if they've changed it since I bought it because mine does not turn into an "oversized queen bed with king sheets", it's a double – maybe a queen at best.
Awesome eye candy!
Thx
Thanks for all the lovely ideas. Seeing the very first picture gave me a great idea for a DIY project. I have a twin bedframe ("This End Up" craigslist score) - and I have a book that explains basic upholstery techinques. I think I will try to staple some batting & fabric on the wood frame in such a way as to imitate that first bed. Oh thank you for the inspring photos!!
Nicole (PLB): have you slept on the Lubi yet? I am considering that for my guest room,but its usually my parents who come to stay, and I want to make sure they won't complain about the bed the entire weekend!
TIA!
This would make a great day bed. If you position it against the wall add bolsters and the right size cushions along the wall it would look great.
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/comShop/customProdAction.do%3Faction%3DinitCustom?ruleID=2357&path=1%2C2%2C1752%2C1754%2C2577&iProductID=1060&itemID=1060&itemType=PRODUCT
West Elm has a good looking one have not tried it.
This one from Potter Barn kids you can add a trundle
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/sb120/index.cfm?pkey=cbeds%2Dmattresses%7Ck
This one from Garnet Hill-
http://www.garnethill.com/jump.jsp?itemID=14337&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C5%2C8577%2C8578&iProductID=14337
I had a day bed in my office I used a twin bed and bought a very tailored bedskirt and a queen size guilt that draped over with bolsters and pillows. Stored the quest pillows and duvet in air tight containers under the bed. Nothing original but it looked good and was very comfortable.
Country Living online has a DIY daybed project. The sides are made from two twin size bed boards.
babymomma, one of the nice things about CB2 is that you can read and submit reviews of their products: http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=400&f=3979#reviews.
I'm using the positive reviews to try to convince my husband that we should replace the queen bed in the overcrowded guest room with the Lubi. :)
Personally, I think daybeds are usually fine to sleep on, but not that comfortable to sit/relax/lounge on...which kindof defeats the purpose. Maybe I just need to try some of those suggested here, but in general I think an inexpensive sleeper sofa can meet both needs better.
Look at the day beds here, I think they are west elm..they look short to me and for a tall guest not comfortable..but I love the look she created.
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2008/12/sneak-peek-leah-hennen.html
that first image is just amazing! such a gentle use of color and textures. i feel naptime comin' on.
I love the first picture.The wallparper is so beautiful!
My husband and I just turned our guest room bed so the long edge of the bed is against the wall. It's daybed style but 2 people can still stay over if they need. That way we also get extra space for our desk. Just posted about our new bed frame actually: jjtubbs.blogspot.com
Can anyone please help me find the chair in the first picture?
Does anyone know where the 1st upholstered daybed is from?
Daybeds must be the most beautiful thing a house can have. I decorated my home with the daybed I bought at Ballard Designs before moving into my house.
I love love love the first picture! Does anyone know where I can get the wallpaper?? the Cherry blossom with the birds? :-) also, the daybed?