Everyone’s buying daybeds instead of couches — these are the 6 best ones to buy

A couch is one of the few non-negotiables that everyone must have when furnishing their homes or apartments, but shoppers have recently been buying daybeds as an alternative — and for good reasons.

Combining the compact form and style of a couch with the comfort and ease of a bed, daybeds are the comfiest, most utilitarian, versatile and affordable piece of furniture in your home.

Best of all, in addition to offering much more space to lounge than a traditional couch without looking out of place, a daybed is the perfect transitional piece. It’s ideal for those who entertain often or want a comfortable place for overnight guests to sleep. It’s more aesthetically pleasing than a bulky and expensive pull-out couch and is just right for those with limited space.

If you’re looking for the perfect option to fit your home, we’ve rounded up the six best daybeds to buy, broken into different defining categories:

Each pick — with the exception of the Sundays Doze Off Daybed — requires just a standard twin mattress. If you’re looking for the perfect option that fits any daybed, I recommend the Nest Bedding Quail Love & Sleep mattress. It’s thin, affordable and, best of all, extremely long-lasting.

From the luxe and chic Thuma Daybed that’s criminally easy to assemble to the Amazon best-selling Novogratz Her Majesty Upholstered Daybed that comes with a second pull-out twin bed hidden underneath, these picks will upgrade your living space more than you could even imagine.

1. Best Overall / Easiest Assembly: The Thuma Daybed, $1,195

Credit: Thuma

When thinking of the perfect daybed, for me, The Thuma Daybed is what immediately comes to mind. It easily looks like a comfy extra-deep couch while remaining sleek and streamlined enough to fit any home decor or aesthetic.

What I love most about this daybed is that, like all of Thuma’s furniture, it requires no tools to assemble! All you need to do is slide each leg into the assigned slots, and everything simply locks into place. Then, just fasten the two hand-tightened screws at each end, and you’re done! I’ve done this myself and was shocked by how quickly and easily it came together.

The Thuma Daybed also comes with double-strength slats lined with Eco-fi felt, so you’ll never feel like you’re about to break it when you plop down on the mattress. This daybed also comes with three PillowBoards that add a luxe and elegant touch.

This daybed comes in three premium solid wood options (walnut, natural and espresso) and three PillowBoard colors (light linen, fog gray and dark charcoal). This is definitely the best daybed for the person who loves that clean look and doesn’t like the chore of manual labor.

2. Best Double-Bed Daybed: Zinus Eden Twin Bed And Trundle Set, $161.50 (Orig. $190)

Credit: Amazon

If premium steel is more your style, the Zinus Eden Twin Bed And Trundle Set is the most logical pick. That, however, isn’t its standout feature. This daybed comes with a trundle (an additional pull-out bed) tucked underneath.

This option is perfect for those who need extra sleeping space for guests and want a daybed that’s as structurally versatile as possible.

It has premium steel slats and a matching frame that makes this as sturdy and indestructible as possible. Also, it assembles in just minutes with no tools needed.

3. Top Upholstered Pick: Novogratz Her Majesty Upholstered Daybed And Trundle, $349.99 (Orig. $417.99)

Credit: Amazon

Like the Zinus Eden Twin Bed And Trundle Set, this daybed has a twin-over-twin design but in a much more elevated look that more closely resembles a high-end upholstered couch.

This is hands down the best daybed for those who want extra sleeping space while maintaining a more traditional living room layout and aesthetic.

The mid-century design is a customer favorite on Amazon with its diamond-tufted backrest, wingback arms and tapered brown legs. It also has a sturdy wood frame, and the upholstery is made of premium linen and comes in five different colors.

Also, when you pull out the trundle, the casters lock in place, so you don’t have to worry about the lower twin bed sliding around once it’s out.

4. Best With Built-In Storage: Mercury Row Anais Day Bed, $439.99 (Orig. $810)

Credit: Wayfair

Storage is a No. 1 priority for most shoppers — especially those who live in small homes and apartments. This is why a daybed is a much smarter investment than a couch, to begin with, but add two huge storage drawers into the mix, and it’s a definite home run.

Available on Wayfair, the Mercury Row Anais Day Bed easily plays the part of a sofa and a bed and is crafted from a blend of solid wood and a linen-blend upholstery. What shoppers love most about this option, though, is the two lower drawers that are perfect for storing spare linens, clean clothes, and guests’ items.

This daybed requires minimal assembly and shoppers say it’s a showstopper once put together.

5. Top Minimal Pick: DHP Franklin Mid Century Upholstered Daybed, $276 (Orig. $429.99)

Credit: Amazon

If streamlined and simple is more your vibe, the DHP Franklin Mid Century Upholstered Daybed is a no-brainer. Available in six different colors, this daybed looks like a traditional sofa upon first glance but has a slightly deeper profile, making it perfect for sleeping comfortably.

Its versatile contemporary design matches any room decor and fits in any size room without taking up too much space. It also has a wood slat base for better air circulation to keep the twin mattress fresher and sturdier for longer.

This daybed’s also designed with a durable and sturdy metal construction that keeps it from breaking and wearing over time.

The DHP Franklin Mid Century Upholstered Daybed assembles extremely quickly and doesn’t take more than one person to put together.

6. Most Upscale: Sundays Doze Off Daybed, $1,096.50 (Orig. $1,290)

Credit: Sundays

Sundays is known for its premium living room and bedroom furniture, so it should come as no surprise that its Doze Off Daybed is one of the best-constructed options on this list.

What sets this one apart is its interesting and unique accents that are both practical and beautiful. It has a classic yet modern vibe that easily fits into any space. What shoppers love most about this daybed, though, is its solid pine and poplar wood frame. This material ensures that it lasts a lifetime.

It also has soft linen-blend upholstery and a removable bolster (no need to buy a mattress separately) that’s super plush and comfy. Also, you don’t have to worry about the upholstery changing color over time as it’s completely stain-resistant.

Keep in mind when purchasing that this option is slightly slimmer than the others on this list. So, if you’d prefer a daybed with that clean, luxe aesthetic and a larger and more sleeper-friendly frame, The Thuma Daybed is the one to get.

If you enjoyed this story, check out the 11 best minimalist bed frames you can buy online, according to shoppers’ reviews.

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