JOIN USFor frugal use of space, use a daybed — a chaise lounge or couch
by day, and a bed by night, writes A Dyuti.
Wishing you had a versatile and functional furniture piece that could spruce up your living space too? Especially when you’re hard-pressed for space? Then, how about a date with daybeds? Yes, deploy daybeds to create a spacious ambience you’ve always dreamt about!
Daybeds combine the features of a chaise lounge, couch and bed. They’re designed to be placed against a wall and bear headboards, footboard and sideboards. The frames are made of wood, metal or a combination of the two.
Wicker, rattan and white lacquer are other possibilities. Many modern daybeds incorporate a link spring (rectangular metal frame with cross support) as a support for the mattress. Daybeds are commonly found in guest rooms and kids’ rooms. But they can be placed in living rooms too for TV-watching, napping, lounging, reading, long telephone conversations or storytelling sessions.
As for the placement requirements, since daybeds are meant to sit against a wall, choose a wall that’s free for some length. The recommended proportion is half/one-third wall coverage. You can also place a daybed at a diagonal in a room’s corner.
Now, what about the most important criteria determining daybed choice? First, the purpose for which it’s used, say, sleeping space for guests, venue for kids’ daytime activities or lounge space for the house’s adult denizens. Select the design, size, material, colour and special features of it suited for that particular purpose. Plan location beforehand and go for a corresponding size/style.
The taste and requirements of those who’ll actually use it also dictate daybed choice. A wrought-iron/brass style is unsafe where kids are regular users. Choose from among any one of these styles — relaxed, modern, classic, traditional Victorian, colonial or chateau.
Thematic choice
A wooden daybed imparts a warm and rustic look. One with simple/clean lines is suitable for a modern-themed room. A rattan one fits in amicably with Asian décor. A chaise-style daybed sits snugly in a modern, sophisticated décor. Your biggest constraint, however, is budget!
Daybeds doubling as beds by night need soft and comfortable padding. Picking one that has storage space for the night’s bed linen during the day and the day’s covers by night is a practical idea. A daybed could serve as a standard bed if your bedroom’s really small. Here, consider a four-poster one with sheer curtains.
Daybeds with trundles tucked in during the day extend bed size when drawn out for the night. For a guest room/small space, select a small one with storage space. Use one sans a headboard before a window offering a view too good to be blocked. Two daybeds adjacent to each other at a room’s corner offer increased seating space.
For enhancing elegance, opt for upholstered headboards. A curved, upholstered valance projecting from the wall makes room for a stylish canopy above. Mounting curtains high above the window frame not only softens the space but adds to the grandeur. Creating an art wall with tasteful lighting completes the ambience. Using straight-hung panels ensures greater privacy.
Camelback design, roller feet foam mattress at the base, padded back, couch-like appearance and daybeds with wheels (to be moved anywhere, anytime at will!) make for uniqueness.
Accessorise with care. Common daybed beddings are covers and sheets. Pick them in compliance with your overall colour scheme of the house. Remember, bright colours create a modern look, while shabby chic designs give a feminine appearance. Exotic leopard prints or stripes match most décor types. Cotton and synthetics are the most popular bedding materials — the first for comfort and the second for maintenance ease. Bamboo and hemp are eco-friendly choices.
A dashof decoration
For a regal touch, choose beddings in velvet/fur. Covers tightly covering the daybed and dropping down its sides lend a modern look. If it doesn’t reach the floor, add a dust ruffle/bed skirt. If you don’t mind the expense, go for complete bedding ensembles consisting of bedding, cover, pillow, dust ruffle and mattress. Plenty of toss cushions and pillows with covers in patterns and hues to match the wall colour and the room’s overall décor theme are both aesthetic and cosy.
Removable fabric covers facilitate frequent makeovers. For a daybed in a common living space, use contemporary bedding with sleek lines. Place a recliner/armchair by its side. Also, conceal the frame using pillows. Large pillows are a vital bedroom-daybed accessory. They ensure maximum supportive back cushioning. Also throw in smaller bed pillows around the frame.
Additional seating isn’t necessary here. Bolster pillows at its sides make for comfortable arm rests while being easily removable for greater sleeping space at night. Rugs provide comfort while demarcating the area. Co-ordinate their colours and material with the daybed design.
Arrange little furniture pieces like low coffee tables, lamp tables and ottomans around your daybed. End tables with plants/photo frames, chenille throw (blankets) or stuffed animals are other decorative options.