6 Tips for Styling Your Daybed

Have you ever wondered how those home decorating magazines get the daybeds to look just right? They have the perfect number of pillows and just the perfect fabrics. 

Here are the six tips for Styling your daybed:

1. Use Magazines and Pinterest for Inspiration
2. Choose the Right Daybed for Your Needs
3. Use A Consistent Color Palette
4. Use Lots of Pillows on Your Daybed
5. Add a Throw Blanket or Two to Your Daybed
6. Style A Daybed for Almost Any Room in The House

If you need some guidance on how to style your daybed, this is the guide for you! In this post, we will dive into finding inspiration, choosing the right daybed for you, and how you can style your daybed. 

1. Use Magazines and Pinterest for Inspiration

Before you begin styling your daybed, the first thing you want to do is gather inspiration. You can often find a look, style, or set-up that you want to emulate in your own home. There are a few ways to find inspiration. 

Using Magazines for Styling Your Daybed

An old-school way of designing and styling starts with a mood board or inspiration board. The easiest way to begin your daybed styling journey is to grab some design magazines and start clipping out your favorite pieces. 

The following is a list of magazines you can use for inspiration, but it is not exhaustive:

• Better Homes & Gardens
• Coastal Living
• Country Home
• Country Living
• Do it yourself
• Domino
• Dwell
• Elle Decor
• Ideal Home
• InStyle
• Log Home Living
• Martha Stewart Living
• Real Simple
• Southern Living
• Style at Home
• Traditional Home
• Vogue

The best part about magazines is the tangible aspect of it all. You can certainly download images online and print them out. And the above list of magazines is a great place to start, but you can also flip through some magazines that would not traditionally have design or style as their sole focus. 

To gather inspiration for styling your daybed, use the following steps when using magazines:

• Gather all your supplies – You will need magazines, scissors, glue, and either paper (cardstock if available), poster board, cardboard, or a corkboard.
• Flip through the magazines – Take your time flipping through each magazine and cutting out your daybed inspirations. 
• Glue or pin your cutouts – Once you have gone through your magazines, it is time to arrange your cutouts onto your inspiration board. 
• Step back and take it in – Now that your inspiration board is finished, it is time to go shopping! Or, begin putting together your daybed with items you already have in your house.

However, if you are not into the physical inspiration boards, you can always use Pinterest or another similar online site. 

Using Pinterest for Styling Your Daybed

Pinterest is going to have a lot more resources than your selection of magazines. This site compiles similar items from across the internet for you to create a digital inspiration board. 

You can either choose to explore on Pinterest or shop based on your inspiration. Similarly to the magazine inspiration board, for your Pinterest board, you can:

• Pin any daybed looks you like, based on color palette, room arrangement, and more
• Search by different categories, especially if you are looking to style your daybed for a specific room
• Create multiple boards to organize your different daybed styles

Now, maybe Pinterest is too narrow. If that is the case, you can combine these two options, magazines and Pinterest, and expand your search to the World Wide Web.

Drawing on the Internet to Style Your Daybed

Finally, if your selection of decorating magazines and daybed Pinterest boards have not completed your Daybed vision or style board, you can scour the internet for some amazing inspiration. 

The internet can offer all the following that you may not be able to get from magazines or Pinterest:

• Do-it-yourself, step-by-step build-your-own daybed creations
• Endless style ideas for daybeds and any other furniture item you are looking to pair it with 
• More tailored search functions to bring out your exact aesthetic concerning daybed styling 

Hopefully, now you are geared up with the inspiration to begin styling your daybed with some of our unique tips! Our favorite part of styling any piece of furniture in our home is the inspiration step because you can dream up any design ideas you want, and then bringing them to life brings such satisfaction. 

2. Choose the Right Daybed for Your Needs

Once you have all your daybed inspiration ready to go, you are ready to pick out the perfect daybed for your space. 

Maybe you want to fit one of the following styles, and here is our advice:

• Cottage or Rustic – Opt for a metal or wooden frame
• Modern or Contemporary – Choose a daybed that is upholstered with fabric or leather

If you are choosing a daybed for a specific space, use these points as a guide:

• A daybed for the kid’s room – Opt for one with a trundle bed or storage to maximize space
• A daybed for the living room – Choose a daybed that looks like a chaise lounge, or opt for full leather for an extra modern appeal
• A daybed for your patio or deck – Make sure you select a daybed that is designed for the outdoors and can weather the elements
• A daybed for the office – Select a daybed that is of simple design, so it is not too distracting but can still be the center of attention if you choose to style it as such

Now that we have covered a few different daybed styles, we have summarized the information in the chart below, along with some models that you may enjoy. 

The following is a chart comparing the different types of daybeds that you can start with as the centerpiece for your space:

Type of Daybed	What Features Are Noteworthy?	Our Favorite Models
The Metal Daybed	• Perfect for a cottage feel • Durable • Eclectic and earthy  • Usually enhanced with arching or swirling metal designs, but some have more simple designs • Victorian style	• DHP Astoria Metal and Upholstered Daybed with a Trundle • Giantex Metal Twin Daybed • Zinus Brandi Quick Lock Twin Daybed

Type of Daybed	What Features Are Noteworthy?	Our Favorite Models
The Daybed With A Trundle Bed	• Best maximization of space • Most versatile because it expands sleeping space from one to two guests to two to three guests, comfortably	• DHP Manila Metal Framed Daybed with Trundle • DHP Tokyo Metal Framed Daybed with Trundle  • Zinus Florence Twin Daybed with Trundle Frame

Type of Daybed	What Features Are Noteworthy?	Our Favorite Models
The Tufted Fabric Daybed	• Elegant and mid-century modern • Vintage look	• Novogratz Her Majesty Upholstered Daybed with Trundle • Novogratz Tallulah Tufted Daybed with Trundle

Type of Daybed	What Features Are Noteworthy?	Our Favorite Models
The Faux Leather Daybed	• Clean lines • Contemporary design • Modern and chic • Versatile	• Lexicon Adra Faux Leather Daybed  • Yaheetech Faux Leather Daybed with Reclining Arm

Type of Daybed	What Features Are Noteworthy?	Our Favorite Models
Daybed with Built-In Storage	• Another great way to maximize space • Clean lines • Modern design	• DHP Daybed with Storage Drawers • Upholstered Twin Bed Daybed with Storage Drawers

Type of Daybed	What Features Are Noteworthy?	Our Favorite Models
The Best Option for Kids	• Contemporary design  • Simple designs allow for easy styling	• DHP Franklin Mid Century Upholstered Daybed • Twin Daybed with Drawer Storage and Trundle

Type of Daybed	What Features Are Noteworthy?	Our Favorite Models
Rustic Daybed	• Cottagesque • Durable and versatile • Great for the office, guest room, studio apartment, or living room • Sleek and modern	• Dorel Living Morgan Full Daybed • Hillsdale Madison Twin Daybed with Metal and Cherry Wood Accents • Zinus Suzanne Twin Daybed with Trundle Frame

Type of Daybed	What Features Are Noteworthy?	Our Favorite Models
A Chaise Lounge Style Daybed	• Adds a hint of luxury to any space • A great option for a living room space Modern design	• Hillsdale Winterberry Daybed with Trundle • Jaxx Alon Daybed

Type of Daybed	What Features Are Noteworthy?	Our Favorite Models
The One For Outdoor Seating	• Outdoor furniture that you can easily nap on what more could you want • Sleek and modern designs	• Homall Patio Outdoor Wicker Daybed with Retractable Canopy • Intex Canopy Island Inflatable Daybed

Type of Daybed	What Features Are Noteworthy?	Our Favorite Models
The Fully Upholstered Option	• Contemporary • Modern • Traditional  • Sophisticated design that can blend easily into any space	• Boyd Sleep Umbria Upholstered Platform Daybed with Trundle Bed • Little Seeds Ambrosia Diamond Tufted Design Daybed with Trundle

Alright, so now that you have picked out the daybed that best fits your home’s overall aesthetic and we have given you tips on which style to select based on the room you are redecorating or style you are aiming for, let us get into the nitty-gritty of color palettes.

3. Use A Consistent Color Palette

A color palette is very important when it comes to styling your daybed. Since there are quite a few color palettes to choose from, we cover the most common ones below. Keep in mind, you can always create your color palette or add an accent color that complements the overall palette.

A White Color Palette

Whites are a contemporary and modern approach to a color palette. From eggshell to beiges, you can combine whites, off-whites, and creams to create a striking monochromatic look that is still visually appealing. Add some beiges to your bright whites, and you have got a timeless color palette. 

However, a white color palette may not the best option for your household if you have any of the following:

• An innate clumsiness
• Kids 
• Pets

If your household is prone to messes, white may not be the best color palette for you. But there are ways you can be strategic about an all-white color palette. You can opt for pillowcases, blankets, and fabric covers that you easily bleach, treat for stains and wash in your washing machine.

Choose Blues For Your Daybed

A calming color palette that is great for any bedroom is a range of hues of blues. From navy blue to pastel blue, it is difficult to pair up blues that do not go well together. Additionally, if you need a more subdued hue as a base, you can choose a gray-blue base and accent with turquoise or sky blue. 

When choosing a monochromatic blue palette, you want to choose lighter and more saturated blues of the same shade. 

The following are ways in which a blue color palette can work well for your space:

• A bluesy cottage or country style – If you have a love of the rustic and charming, a blue color palette can draw your eye into the room, especially if you want the daybed to be the focus of the room.
• A nautical charm – From anchors to seashells, blues as a base for your sea-inspired room can be very appealing and eye-catching.

A blue color palette can look good in any room, but we have a few notes for you if you select a blue color palette for your:

• Guest Room – For a guest room, we love cerulean and turquoise blues. Indigo blue and teal can also look great in a guest room. These colors provide a relaxing palette for styling your daybed.
• Kids’ Room – For a kids’ room, we love sky blue, cornflower blue, powder blue, and royal blue. These shades of blue bring out the fun in a space, making it a joyous and happy space, which is perfect for your children’s daybed. 
• Living Room – Choosing cool hues can balance out any living room. For a living room, we love gray blues, navy blues, and cobalt blues. These are statement colors that pair well with other neutrals like grays, browns, tans, taupes, and whites. 
• Office – For an office daybed color palette, we prefer the more subtle tones so that you can focus on your work. This includes pastel and baby blues, as well as denim and stony blues. 

Maybe blue is not the best color palette for you, do not fret. We have four more color palettes you can choose from: 

Try Some Grays

Next up, you can choose a gray color scheme for styling your daybed.

The following are a list of grays you can pair together to create a monochromatic gray color scheme for styling your daybed:

Ash gray Charcoal gray Fossil gray Graphite gray Gunmetal gray Harbor gray Mink gray

Pearl gray Pebble gray Pewter gray Slate gray Smoky gray Stone gray Trout gray

The key to matching gray colors for styling your day bed means choosing a selection of grays that fall into one of the following categories:

• Cool grays – The cool grays are black and white mixed with varying shades of blue to create cooler shades. 
• Neutral grays – These grays are only a combination of black and white with no tinting.
• Warm grays – These grays are black and white mixed with different amounts of red to create warmer tones.

Maybe you want to branch out and do something a bit more adventurous than a monochromatic color palette. Let us cover some polychromatic color schemes that would be perfect to style your daybed. 

Use Warm Colors

If you are looking to create more drama and love color, using a color palette of warm colors is your way to go for styling your daybed. Warm colors are any color that falls between red and yellow on the color wheel. 

The following is a list of warm color pairings that would complement each other well for a daybed:

• Red and pink – These hues pair nicely in an office or living room. Any combination of corals, pinks, fuchsias, and reds creates a comfortable and welcoming space for your daybed.
• Yellow and orange – These colors can be styled with your daybed in a kids’ room or guest room. Yellows and oranges are known for being colors that are a bit harsher, but if you pair the right shades together, you can get a relaxing look that matches any style, from rustic to modern. 

Other warm colors that are popular for styling daybeds include the following:

• Carrot
• Cranberry
• Marigold
• Rose
• Tangerine

Now, if you are looking to be a bit more creative with your color palette for styling your daybed, you can pair warm colors with neutrals, like:

• Beiges 
• Browns
• Creams

Maybe warm colors are not your favorite, or you are looking to do something different from the rest of your home. Cool colors can be very calming and pair well with every style you are looking for with your daybed. 

Using Cool Colors

Like warm colors, cool colors provide you with some drama, if that is what you are after, especially if you choose more saturated tones. 

The following are a list of cool colors that you can use to style your daybed:

Blue Chartreuse  Emerald Green Hunter green

Indigo  Olive green Plum Purple Violet

Similarly accenting these statement colors should be cool monotone colors, like any shades of the following:

• Blacks
• Grays
• Whites

Finally, if you want to create a truly eye-catching daybed, we suggest using contrasting colors. This way combines a range of warm and cool tones to style a daybed that your guests will remember!

Use Contrasting Colors

Contrasting colors are dramatic and chic. They add depth and beauty to any space, especially when it comes to styling your daybed. To quickly recap what the contrasting colors are, these are colors opposite of each other on the color wheel. 

For example, green and red are contrasting colors. This pair is the highest contrast because they are directly opposite. You can also choose colors that are slightly opposite on the wheel, like red-violet and green, which contrast but not as much. 

Our favorite contrasting color combinations for styling a daybed include the following pairs:

• Navy blue and white with tangerine accents – This color pairing focuses on the contrast between blue and orange.
• Pink and white with dark green accents – This grouping of colors allows you to create a playful energy in the space. Yet by using pink instead of red, you do not get the highest contrast but enough to be pleasing to the eye. 
• Sun yellow and gray with lilac accents – Choosing cool and warm colors is at the heart of what it means to contrast, yet sun yellow is on the cooler side of the warm spectrum. Thus you get the contrast from purple and yellow, but the contrast is subdued due to the cool hues of lilac, gray, and sun yellow.

Now you have your inspiration in hand and your color palette picked out for styling your daybed. It is time to get creating! Choosing a solid inspiration and color palette is important to styling a daybed and creating a cohesive space that fits with your existing furniture and housewares. 

4. Use Lots of Pillows on Your Daybed

Now we have gotten to our favorite part of styling a daybed: the pillows. You really can’t go wrong with the number of pillows you have on a daybed. We love the more, the merrier look. However, if your home is more streamlined, you might take the less is more approach to pillows.

Either way, we have a few tips for you to maximize the pillows while styling your daybed! Again we draw on color here to enhance the overall look of the daybed. 

Start with a Neutral Layer

You will need your fair share of neutral-colored pillows. This adds a good base for the flashier statement pillows.

Add Pops of Color with Accent Pillows

Now, if you choose a monochromatic palette, all your pillows will essentially be “neutral” because no one pillow should stand out above the other pillows. However, if you decide to spice up your color palette, mix in some accent pillows that highlight the contrasting or main color of your chosen palette. 

Use Texture to Your Advantage

If you decide to only use a monochromatic palette for styling your daybed, use texture to create depth and add interest. 

For example, if your daybed is styled with an all-white palette, you can find pillows that have the following pillowcase textures:

• Chenille
• Cotton
• Denim
• Faux fur
• Lace
• Leather
• Linen
• Silk, satin, or chiffon
• Twill
• Velvet

By combining different textures, you draw the eye in and create a welcoming environment.

Try Pairing Patterns

Another way you can add interest to your new daybed is to style it using an array of patterns. Piecing different patterns and textures can be difficult, but if you stick with a monochromatic palette, it is much easier to pull off stylishly. 

The following are a list of patterns you can draw on to style your daybed:

• Animal prints
• Checkered
• Chevron
• Floral
• Geometric
• Gingham
• Herringbone
• Houndstooth
• Lace
• Paisley 
• Plaid
• Polka dots
• Stripes

Keep in mind, some patterns do not mix well with others. In that case, you can stick to solid pillows, with one pattern that is repeated in different hues. The similar colors help to dull the vibrancy of multiple patterns and create a more cohesive look. 

5. Add a Throw Blanket or Two to Your Daybed

In addition to the pillows on a daybed, the blankets and throws you use can add even more interest to the daybed you are styling. 

The number one tip for blankets and throws is to layer different textures. Similar to how you want to choose different textured pillows, layer your throw blankets on the seat of the daybed to add more depth and, again, draw the eye in toward your statement piece. 

Not only will it look appealing it will be extra cozy to sit on! The way we like to do this is by following these steps:

• Start with a basic blanket to cover the base or seat of the daybed.
• Tuck in this blanket on all sides to hide the mattress if your daybed does not have one built-in.
• Add another blanket, usually a small one, on top of the first blanket and tuck in the front and back. 
• Layer your pillows and step back.
• Rearrange as needed to get the perfect amount of each throw blanket exposed. 

6. Style A Daybed for Almost Any Room in The House

You can put a daybed in almost any room of the house because it is such a versatile piece of furniture. It provides seating in a cramped space and can double as a sleeping space if you do not have a guest bedroom or want to maximize the space in your home. 

The following areas would look great with your daybed:

• As the couch in your living room
• As your bed and sofa in your studio apartment
• Create a window seat of comfort
• For your home office
• In the kid’s room
• In your guest bedroom
• On your outdoor patio or deck for versatile seating

Make A Daybed Look More Like A Couch in Your Living Room

One of the most frequent questions we get asked when styling a daybed is how to make it look more like a couch. SO, how do you style your daybed to look like a couch?

Use the following steps to create the couch look that you are going for:

• Start with a daybed frame that has low arms
• Place it against a wall if there is no back to the daybed
• Lay down your textured blankets, as we mentioned previously
• Stack up the pillows. This is the most crucial step because you need a good balance of seat to pillow depth, just like a true couch. This means you do not want to cover the bed with pillows completely. We suggest about half of a twin bed should be stacked with pillows. This also gives you good back support. 

How to Stack Your Pillows to Make Your Daybed Look Like A Couch

In the following steps, we detail how you want to position your pillows to maximize the couch appeal of your daybed:

• Start with two to three large pillows in the back. These act as the “couch cushions” that would normally support you if you were seated on a couch.
• Place two medium pillows on either end of the day bed. 
• Scatter more medium to small pillows in front of those until you build a look you like. 
• Use trial and error, step back occasionally, and rearrange as needed to build a daybed that looks like a couch!

In Summary: Style Your Daybed in Six Ways

Now you have all the tips you will need to style your daybed! From gathering inspiration and choosing the daybed that is best for you to deciding on the right color palette, you are ready to style your daybed. Happy styling!