How to Convert a Daybed into a Couch

by Caroline Wall Upholstery foams & fabrics supplires in Sydney

Often you don’t go for a daybed because you can’t use it for anything else. What if, you could convert it into a couch when the bed is not in use?

A daybed, especially one with a slide-out second bed, provides a lot of sleeping space in a compact footprint in guest rooms and kids' rooms. It's a multipurpose piece that will be used as a couch by day – or until the next sleepover. Some variants have an upholstered back, arms, and three-sided headboard, similar to a couch. Others are "backless," with side-framed panels that can be panel wood or wicker or mimic couch arms. A twin mattress stretched lengthwise against a wall will suffice. You may achieve the wow factor in your bed-to-couch transformation with the proper pillows, decor, and accessories. To convert your daybed to mimic a couch in Northern Beaches, follow these pointers:

From The Back to Front:

The seat depth is one distinction between a daybed and a couch. Even on most of the plush upholstered ones, when you scoot all the way back, your feet will most likely dangle off the floor. By day, add pillows to take up some of this space and create a couch-like backrest to make usable seating out of the piece. Oversized throw pillows or floor cushions look great on a three-sided headboard daybed. If your daybed is frameless, stack pillows on it by placing it lengthwise against a wall or corner.

Pillows:

The side rails, panels, or "arms" of some daybeds may be too high or narrow to be comfortable in Northern Beaches. Place a plump spherical pillow or fluffy bolster on each end to create extra couch-like elbow rests. These cushions are held in place by the three-sided design and the backless daybed with headboard and footboard ends or panels. Rectangular pillows with an unframed design hold in place fairly nicely. Match arm pillows to back pillows for a fashionable colour play, but choose a contrasting seat or mattress cover, such as black and white or red and grey. Make or buy a matching mattress and cushion covers in durable cotton or microsuede for a homogenous look.

Include the Extras:

Toss cushions and a good-looking throw blanket in the accent colour of the room service make the couch transformation of your daybed in Northern Beaches more convincing. Select one or two decorative pillows in solid hues that complement your decor. Add a few extra cushions with huge, bright designs that fit the room's theme for a livelier look. Pillows with bright colours or strong patterns attract attention away from the daybed's "evidence." Drape the blanket loosely over the daybed's back and one arm.

Perfection Staged:

Arrange to surround your daybed like you would a couch, but keep in mind its dual role. At one end, place a side table and a reading lamp, and at the other, a potted plant or magazine holder. Install artwork on the wall above and an area rug at its feet. A beautiful trunk makes an excellent coffee table for a daybed, and it also serves as storage for pillows or linen. A pair of storage cubes or ottomans provide a more modern version of this coffee-table option; they can also be moved out of the way or used as bedroom tables as needed.

These are some steps you can follow to make sure your daybed in Northern Beaches looks like a couch. Whenever you have guests over, you unfurl the daybed and use it as a bed to crash in for your guest. Other times, it can be used as a relaxing couch in your house.