21 of the best minimalist daybeds

Daybeds may seem like rather decadent additions to the home – luxury items rather than must-haves. But they’re actually very useful and versatile pieces of furniture. They’re much more compact than sofas, so they’re ideal for small spaces or anywhere you might need a bit of additional seating every now and then. Some can even be used as proper beds, making them a great solution for home offices, studies and snugs that double as occasional guest rooms. They also work brilliantly in front of windows and patio doors, providing a place to sit back and watch the view without blocking light or access in the way a full sofa would. And let’s face it: who wouldn’t want somewhere to lie down for an impromptu afternoon nap, sprawl out with a book or lounge around elegantly with an evening cocktail?

There are plenty of beautiful daybed designs to choose from, and I’ve picked out 21 of the best below. Some are sleek and contemporary, others more rustic, but all have the kind of timeless, minimalist style that means they’ll last for years to come. As always there are options to suit different budgets, room sizes and settings, and I’ve added a few handy tips to help you find the right one for you at the end of the post.

1. Skovshoved Møbelfabrik ‘OGK’ beech and linen daybed (also available in black, and with a black frame), from £507, Finnish Design Shop
2. Muuto ‘Outline’ daybed in ‘Fjord 151’ (also available in numerous other colours, and with aluminium legs), £1,879, Someday Designs
3. ‘Wilco’ daybed in ‘Midnight Blue’, £649, MADE [AD – affiliate link]
4. Oak ‘Daybed Four’ in ‘Mid Grey’ (also available in numerous other colours), from £2,965, Another Country
5. Karup Design ‘Pace’ pine daybed in ‘Natural’ (also available in numerous other colours), €539, Decovry
6. Kann Design ‘Mi’ walnut daybed in beige (also available in burgundy, grey and brown), £1,934, Bombinate
7. ‘Reykjavik’ pine daybed (mattress and cushion sold separately), £469, Skagerak
8. ‘Palo’ lounger in beige and black (also available in numerous other colours), from €1,929, Hem
9. Frama ‘KR-180’ oak and linen daybed, £2,180, Nest.co.uk
10. Kristina Dam ‘Minimal’ oak and aniline leather daybed, £1,503 with bolster cushion or £1,335 without, Beaut.co.uk
11. Bamboo and cotton daybed in dark ‘Phantom’ grey (also available in light grey), €355.20, Tine K Home
12. Softline ‘Lubi’ daybed in light grey (also available in ‘Dark Lilac’), £860, Nest.co.uk
13. ‘Harlow’ daybed in ‘Mountain Grey’ (also available in ‘Steel Blue’ velvet), £499, MADE [AD – affiliate link]
14. Carl Hansen & Søn ‘OW150’ oak daybed in tan leather (also available in black and brown leather), £3,604, Nest.co.uk
15. Umage ‘Lounge Around’ daybed in light oak (also available in dark oak), £1,449, Papillon Interiors
16. Handvärk daybed in black metal and vegetal leather (also available in black leather and with a brass-tipped base), from £3,039, Skandium
17. ‘Fusion’ oak daybed in light grey (also available in numerous other colours), from £1,599, BoConcept
18. Ferm Living ‘Turn’ daybed in off-white bouclé (also available in numerous other colours, and with a black frame), £2,215, Someday Designs
19. Knoll ‘Barcelona’ daybed in black leather (also available in white, ‘espresso’ and ‘amber’ leather), £12,360, Utility Design
20. Nikari ‘Linea’ ash daybed, £4,123, Nest.co.uk
21. ‘Assim’ daybed in ‘Manhattan Grey’ and tan leather, £599, MADE [AD – affiliate link]

Tips for choosing a daybed 

If your daybed is going to be used as a guest bed, then check it’s long enough for comfortable sleep – the standard UK mattress length is 190cm, for comparison. You’ll also want a model with fairly deep padding, such as Karup Design’s ‘Pace’ or BoConcept’s ‘Fusion’. The Softline ‘Lubi’ design is particularly useful, as it can act as a single bed or fold out to form a double.

Above: Karup Design’s deep and comfortable ‘Pace’ daybed

Conversely, if your daybed is primarily for seating, think about what you’ll find most comfy and whether you want a bolster cushion to lean against. Many of the above have removable cushions that can be strapped in place to stop them rolling away, and on MADE’s ‘Wilco’ model the bolster pillow can be shifted to the side to reveal a handy built-in table for books and drinks.

Above: MADE’s ‘Wilco’ daybed, with an integrated side table and moveable bolster cushion 

If you have kids or pets (or, like me, you’re prone to spilling things!), then it’s worth looking for a design with washable covers – or at least a removable mattress that can be repaired or replaced if needed. Wipe-clean leather could be another good option.

Above: two designs which come with leather mattresses as standard or as an option – Muuto’s ‘Outline’ and Carl Hansen & Søn’s ‘OW150’

Finally, if you want a daybed that can be stored away when not in use, Tine K’s folding bamboo design is ideal. It can be hidden in a loft or cupboard, or even slotted beneath a bed or sofa; it’s also easy to carry outside for alfresco lounging and comes with useful pockets for holding books and magazines.

Above: Tine K Home’s folding bamboo daybed

Please note this post contains affiliate links (all clearly marked), which means I will receive a small commission on any resulting sales. You won’t pay any more by clicking on these links than you would by visiting the websites directly, and it helps to support the free content I create here.

All photography via the brands named above