What is A Day Bed and... What Happens At Night?

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

27 Sep 2006 09:03 AM

The main difference between a day bed and others is that it resembles a couch much more than a bed. The back of the "couch" serves as the day bed's headboard. It differs from a futon in that the futon does not have a headboard. A futon must also be folded in order to be used as a bed, while the mattress on a day bed does not fold (or bend or spindle or mutilate in most instances). Most people consider a day bed more comfortable than a futon because it uses actual twin size mattresses. On the other hand, a day bed usually takes up more space than a futon and has a more permanent presence in a room. (This makes your decision to use one or the other neither easier nor harder, or better put, six of one and a half dozen of another)

Many day beds have what is known as a trundle, which gives them another identity. Although this can't be utilized in the witness protection program, it does serve to disguise the bed as an innocent bystander couch by day. By night, another identity unfolds, as the trundle, which is on wheels and is easily pulled out from underneath the "couch," becomes a bed. It usually needs to be popped up via a lever in order to be level with the main portion of the day bed. It is versatile, as a day bed link-spring will permit the trundle portion to connect in such a way that it becomes a king size bed. It can also be left separate, in which case it will create two twin size beds.

The day bed is most often used to create a transitional guest room that also serves some other purpose like an office or the secret boudoir for some attractive deposed spy on the lam. Whatever you use it for, it will be a welcome piece of furniture in your home.

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Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

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