Good Questions: How To Dress a Daybed?

Hello AT,

Can anyone suggest ways to "dress" a day bed? Because of the depth you need to create back support, but is there way to do so (with pillows, bolsters, etc.) that's comfortable, modern, and masculine? Any pictures or resources (online or NYC stores) would be most appreciated.

Thanks! Lenny

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Dear Lenny,

Good question. You are quite right that the excess of pillows you need sort of leads you away from a modern look. We would recommend large bolsters and fewer pillows. The pic above shows the bolsters that DWR sells and the look it creates. We would pair this type of thing with smaller colorful throw pillows and remove any hint of bedroom pillows in order to make it firmer and more decorative.

Anyone else?

Comments (12)

To keep it masculine, I would keep the number of pillows to a minumum. Perhaps having two long bolsters of substantial size and then two small accent pillows. I would also suggest choosing a heavy fabric (such as grey felt or a nubby darker color) that matches the bolsters to keep the effect streamlined.

posted by Brooke (rainbow) on 2006-02-13 12:21:20

What about the Wegner Daybed you had on two weeks ago? A pillow with an angled edge? Doesn't B.U.I.L.T. also amek something along those lines?

Any memory foam cushions that could work?

A daybed-bench is just what I'm looking into as well... Something like the one in the photo I will email Maxwell and the Wegner bed.

The bolsters really look great (any other sources?), but what about back support when sitting?

posted by paul on 2006-02-13 12:24:51

I've always wondered... what is the reason for having a daybed? Why not a sofa bed? I always think of daybeds as such old-fashioned item, and don't like the idea of guests sitting on my matress. In what situations would a daybed be preferred? I'm not criticizing, just curious because it's a piece of furniture I doubt I would ever consider getting. That said, I have seen some nice ones with backs as part of their frames (usually the wrought iron ones). And I would think it fairly easy to get somewhat triangular-shaped pieces of foam cut at a foam center for bolsters and then make (or have someone else make) custom covers for them in a "masculine" fabric.

posted by donna on 2006-02-13 12:31:37

For a modern looking daybed that looks "masculine" take a look at the Case Study Daybed at http://www.modernica.net/browseProducts.asp?CatId=1020#

posted by jimkk on 2006-02-13 13:02:22

West Elm is still having a nice sale on their bolster pillows. I have two small and one long one and I love them. The foam is quite dense and comfortable to lean against/on, they sell a variety of covers for them (though the suede-like fabric they are covered with is nice too), and they are so CHEAP right now:

Long bolser: $19.99

Short bolser: 9.99

posted by holly on 2006-02-13 14:17:29

The site stripped out my urls. No "a href"'s? :(

http://ww1.westelm.com/cat/pip.cfm?template=8grid&pkey=cslerug&gids=r071&cid=slerug&area=shp

http://ww1.westelm.com/cat/pip.cfm?template=8grid&pkey=cslerug&gids=b035&cid=slerug&area=shp

posted by holly on 2006-02-13 14:18:22

Yoga bolsters (round/rectangular) might be good, too. The standard cotton canvas covers may not be 'chic' enough but perhaps some custom-made covers would do the trick.

They definitely are comfortable - should be filled with futon like cotton. Soft but supportive.

posted by Jennifer on 2006-02-13 16:14:07

Hi. I do have several suggestions.

1. To keep it masculine, try to find a cover that is as tailored as possible. My personal preference would be that it fit tightly.

2. The fabric you choose will do a lot to give you the masculine look you seek.

3. You can make the daybed look more like a settee with firm pillows constructed so as to seem like a sofa back (the bottom and back at right angles and the front at an incline so as to provide back support). (If you like this idea, I'll email you a sketch.) These could be upholstered in removable covers that match your daybed cover.

4. On a recent "Small Space, Big Style," a guy who called his apartment a "skyloft" used two twin beds to make a sofa. That was a brilliant idea and a great use of daybeds. (http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_small_space/article/0,1793,HGTV_3382_4272884_08,00.html)

Kudos on your use of a daybed! I love them.

posted by Terry on 2006-02-13 19:05:13

I love this. It's masculine and fun; the same sort of cushion idea as the case study daybed:
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2005/09/30/style/tmagazine/20051009_LOTEK_SLIDESHOW_1.html

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2005/09/30/style/tmagazine/20051009_LOTEK_SLIDESHOW_5.html

posted by setdec on 2006-02-13 19:12:10

Check this site.
We have one . Very good quality and plenty of storage.http://www.wiederusa.com/

posted by Ben on 2006-03-05 10:59:01

Rodger, West Elm has an outdoor mattress cover:
http://ww5.westelm.com/cat/pip.cfm?gids=f215&cid=frnbed&area=shp&bnrid=3900119&cm_ven=SEARCHDEX&cm_cat=General&cm_pla=Content&cm_ite=MasterURL

posted by Christina on 2006-05-19 18:42:31

Looking for a fitted cover for a full sized mattress that I'm turning into a daybed on a roofdeck. I was thinking canvas or cotton, something heavy but nice material, maybe unbleached. I'm trying to find a store in Manhattan/Brooklyn that might sell something like this so I don't have to buy online. Ideas, anyone?

posted by Rodger on 2006-05-05 16:01:36