Space divider, seating provider and a refuge of comfort, the daybed doesn’t just make a statement of style, it can be the most versatile seat in the house
Chic and stylish, daybeds have become an undeniable staple in today’s design-savvy spaces. Even if you’re not yet hip to their multifunctional charm, your designer certainly is. Despite their sleepy-sounding name, daybeds bring energy and versatility to today’s thoughtfully curated interiors. Along with kindred pieces including loungey chaises, large benches and tête-à-tête sofas, daybeds are masters at dividing open spaces, grounding seating arrangements and providing versatile, multi-directional seating across various settings. With its low-profile silhouette, the daybed can unobtrusively add comfort and style to any room. To celebrate this design powerhouse, we present designer-crafted spaces from the US&D archives alongside a selection of today’s most captivating daybeds.
1. In a Deer Valley Montage residence, designer Beth Ann Shepherd visually segmented an open floorplan with a low-armed, two-sided daybed. “I wanted to keep the space open and energetic to accentuate the mountain views,” she says. The daybed’s upholstery matches that of the nearby sofa, creating a sense of connection and continuity with the sitting area. Winter 2017/Photo by Scot Zimmerman, Pictured above.
2. Designer Allison Campbell responded to a Lehi home’s spacious interior by choosing large-scale seating pieces for its open living room. Among them is a wide contemporary chaise that helps to define the sitting area without obstructing flow or valley views. Spring 2023/ Photo by Amanda Peterson
3. With its fireplace adjacency, a large custom tête-à-tête sofa by Cara Fox is a favorite spot for her clients’ family to get cozy in their Salt Lake City home. Summer 2023/Photo by Rebekah Westover
4. In a Holladay home’s primary bedroom, a tufted daybed extends nearly the length of an inset nook, creating additional seating and a serene spot to take in garden views. Designer Catherine Goodsell upholstered the piece in linen to foster its unstructured form and to enhance the relaxed setting. Summer 2021/ Photo by Lindsay Salazar
5. Inside the cottage of a Holladay estate, Jessica Bennett of Alice Lane Interiors strategically placed a button-tufted daybed in front of a window, offering a prized spot from which to admire the gardens while doubling as an bed for overnight guests. Summer 2020/ Photo by Joshua Caldwell
6. A broad bench separates two sitting areas in a Holladay’s home’s large living room. Designers Kimberly Rasmussen and Elizabeth Wixom Johnsen of Establish Design centered this lounge-sized piece to accentuate the room’s calming symmetry. Striped bolster pillows and a cashmere throw dress the classic, button-tufted frame. Summer 2011/ Photo by Russell Chander Ford
7. In a Park City home, designer Paula Berg created a secondary sitting area in a large living room by centering a walnut daybed by Ralph Pucci by a corner window. The elegant piece provides the comfort of additional seating without blocking the spectacular wooded scenery.
Fall 2017/ Photo by Scot Zimmerman.
8. As seen from an Alpine home’s grand entry, a low-sitting, button-tufted chaise by Oly Studio helps define an expansive seating area without obstructing the light or views emanating from a two-story wall of windows. The piece, selected by designer Cara Fox, exudes a sense of luxury while offering a perfect place to lounge.
Spring 2024/ Photo by Lindsay Salazar
