Daybeds and Futons are both great space saving furniture pieces for your home. You can use a daybed or futon for seating during the day. At night, both can be transformed into a comfortable sleeping space. Futons and daybeds are relatively inexpensive and an easy way to increase sleeping space in a guest room, home office, dorm room, or any room of the house for that matter, without sacrificing space.
Futons
Futons, unlike daybeds, easily fold down to create a flat sleeping surface. More easily put, futons are sofas during the day and beds at night. Futons come in a variety of sizes – Ottoman, Junior Twin, Chair, Full Loveseat, Full Sofa, Queen Sofa, and more. Ottoman and Junior Chair futons are ideal for complimenting a futon loveseat or sofa, but aren’t necessarily suitable for sleeping. Full futon loveseats and futon sofas fold down into a full sized bed, while queen futon sofas fold down into a queen sized bed.
Futons also come in a variety of styles, from sleek and modern to traditional and classic. Many retailers give you the ability to customize your futon by buying it a la carte through first selecting a futon frame, next a futon mattress, and lastly a futon cover. Some retailers also allow you to purchase the futon as a package in a futon and mattress combo. Also, if you ever get tired of your futon mattress or cover design, you can simply update it with a new futon cover.
Convertible sofas should not be confused with futons. While they are similar in function, convertible sofas generally feature a more contemporary design. Futons feature a distinct look, while it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a convertible sofa and a regular sofa. Like futons, convertible sofas fold down into a flat sleeping space. However, unlike futons, convertible sofas are harder to customize because you can’t interchange covers like you can with futons.
Daybeds
Daybeds, like futons, can be used for sitting during the day and sleeping at night. However, daybeds do not fold down like a futon. Generally, daybeds come in a twin size, but some new styles are available in full too, like some of Lea Kid’s by La-Z-Boy daybeds. As for the daybed mattress, you can use any twin or full size mattress, depending on the size of the daybed. Some daybeds feature a pull out or pop-out trundle. Trundles hide during the day under the daybed only to be revealed at night when you need to double the sleeping space of your daybed. It’s important to know, however, that you can’t use just any mattress on a trundle frame. Instead, look for a mattress with a overall height under 8″.
Like futons, daybeds come in a variety of styles, materials, and finishes. Wood frames, metal frames, upholstered frames, or a combination of those are available in almost every finish imaginable. You’ll easily find a daybed to match your personal style – whether that be fresh and contemporary, shabby chic and cottage, mission, traditional, ornate and old world, and more. Daybeds are also great for use as kid’s beds – especially when bought with a trundle to make sleepovers a snap.
When it comes to accessorizing a daybed, all you need is twin or full bedding, depending on the size of the daybed. The only issue that arises when decorating a daybed is if you desire a bed skirt, you need a special one that features 2 short sides and 1 long side (as opposed to a regular bed skirt that features 2 long sides and 1 short side). Many retailers sell special daybed bedding sets that feature coordinating pieces – usually a comforter, pillow sham(s), decorative pillow(s), and a daybed bed skirt. You also have the option of purchasing a daybed cover. Daybed covers serve the same purpose as daybed bedding while eliminating the need for a bed skirt.
So, if you are looking to add sleeping space without sacrificing space or spending a lot of money, buy a futon or a daybed. Hopefully this article will help you choose what is best for you.
Posted by Rodney 
