Good Questions: Modern Trundle Bed Options?

Help! My in-laws are coming to visit and we (I) want to host them properly. We have an empty space in our office that is just perfect for a daybed/trundle bed. We are looking for good-looking, modern, cute daybed that can also function as a seating area in an office. We have only come up with these vaguely satisfying options: the Woodcrest Ethan trundle bed (left) and the Argington Ayres trundle bed (right). Any other suggestions? It has to be a trundle since my father-in-law has had hip surgery and can't bend down to an air mattress and my mother in law doesn't like the heavy lifting of a sofa bed or futon. Thanks for your help!

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first. Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: newyork(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)

Anyone?

Comments (13)

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30080316

Two foam matteresses or one spring and one foam stack on top of each other and then the top foam one pulls off so the two twins are side by side (make sure they're the same height!), not above and below. And it has storage! Not really modern though but its fairly plain.

however, couldn't you just operate the sofa bed for them?

posted by Enamorada on January 13th 2009 at 4:06pm
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Your mother-in-law would be sleeping on the floor with a trundle bed. If your father-in-law had to get up lat at night, he'd undoubtedly step on his wife's head.

1. Take the money and send them to a good hotel so they are comfortable and everyone gets some downtime.

2. Give them your bed for their visit and purchase twin sofa beds for your office. They look like chairs and are nearly as uncomfortable as a trundle bed.http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=8110&f=31243

posted by joey_brill on January 13th 2009 at 4:20pm
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While I love that you're being so thoughtful, I do have to agree with the other posters regarding practicality of a trundle bed in this instance.

Two things to consider:

1) A good many air mattresses made today are "chair height" or even "bed height." I know, I've slept in my share!

2) The better sofa beds will have very light and smooth mechanisms that would be no trouble at all.

One last thought: This is an investment you're making. I'd make sure you buy a piece of furniture that would make sense all your future overnight guests, not just your in-laws.

Just some thoughts!

posted by modtramp on January 13th 2009 at 4:33pm
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I agree with modtramp, you should consider a bed-height air mattress. This will free up room space for more suitable seating for the 99% of the time that your in-laws are *not* visiting:

http://www.thinkaero.com:80/group/1/store_ProductDetail.html

posted by TheNewUtahHouse on January 13th 2009 at 4:46pm
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Costco carries the air mattress I referred to for around $130. My brother and mother both have one.

posted by TheNewUtahHouse on January 13th 2009 at 4:47pm
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Believe it or not, murphy beds are interesting options.
check it out.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24611272@N04/3194560475/

posted by jseetin on January 13th 2009 at 5:31pm
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I'd splurge for the murphy bed, or better yet, a hotel.
Not because I like to advodate spending a bunch of cash, but that with those restrictions I doubt they'll be very comfy on the trundle either.
That said
they do make trundles that "pop-up" to bed height once pulled out.

posted by DahliaCactus on January 13th 2009 at 5:34pm
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I thought this one looked nice, but it's not terribly modern.

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1011&f=25112&q=trundle&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1

I agree with others that this may not be the best option long-term, and unless you're very wealthy and can throw the money away/around, I'd rethink such an investment.

My suggestion is to send them to a hotel this time and save up for the perfect piece of furniture for next time. If you're worried about the impression you'll give, just tell them the truth: You were concerned for their comfort and weren't able to find a suitable piece of furniture in time for their visit.

If they're very sensitive, give them a "gift basket" filled with goodies they can use to better their stay at the hotel, like nice soap/shampoo, some snacks, bottled water, something for them to read, etc.

posted by Mrs.Mack on January 13th 2009 at 6:13pm
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My mother in law has day bed with a trundle that pops up to the same height as the other main mattress.

I recommend one in particular but I found this example with a web search. http://tinyurl.com/98at3d

posted by Niamh on January 13th 2009 at 6:36pm
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Sorry! I meant "I can't recommend one in particular"

posted by Niamh on January 13th 2009 at 6:37pm
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We've been really happy with the sofa bed we purchased last year - it's comfy and stylish as a sofa, and our holiday guests raved about how comfortable the bed is. (Maybe too comfortable - they stayed for a week and a half...)

While it is heavier than a regular sofa, the blow-up mattress (pump included) lightens the load and makes the bed more comfortable than traditional sofa bed mattresses. It's super-easy to unfold the frame and then just plug in the pump - voila!

http://www.rowefurniture.com/collections/sleep_sofas/martin/default.htm

posted by snacktime on January 14th 2009 at 12:04pm
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Thanks, everyone! We thought about a hotel but we rarely get to see them and wanted to share our day to day with them. We're axing the trundle bed and will look into finding a good sofa bed so any of your thoughts are welcome.

posted by werlemmings on January 14th 2009 at 3:48pm
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Charles P. Rogers is an excellent source

http://www.charlesprogers.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2_55

posted by daybeduser on January 18th 2009 at 12:07pm
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