The Best Daybed Sets

Buying Guide

If you have a daybed, you know that it attracts attention no matter what room it’s in. (And as you’ll see, they can fit nicely into nearly any room.) Is it a bed? Is it a couch? Guests might wonder as they look the place over, but if you decorate your daybed the right way, it can serve both functions equally well. The trick is in finding the right bedding.

Sheet sets are particularly important for daybeds because, unlike your actual bed, this is a piece of furniture that’s made to be seen. You can use it in the den or on the patio as a place for relaxation and quick naps, and it works wonders in a child’s bedroom when it’s time for sleepovers. It can even find a home in some living rooms if there’s enough space. No matter where that daybed ends up, it’s likely to get used by guests — and that means style is important. Find a color scheme and a pattern that blends in and inspires a little relaxation. Quilted fabrics are great for rustic decor, and the more “busy” your sheet patterns are, the more likely that your daybed will become the focal point of the room.

But on to practical matters. A daybed set is going to include at least three basic elements: A bed skirt, some pillow shams and a bedspread or comforter. The size of the mattress is almost always a twin, so technically you could simply use any bed set to cover it. The big difference is that a daybed frame only covers three sides of the mattress, and that makes all the difference.

First, the bed skirt. Some people see this item as optional on a full sized bed, but it’s absolutely essential for a daybed. That extra bit of pleated fabric hanging below the bedspread makes it much more inviting, and it also serves a practical purpose. A daybed frame sits high, after all. Whether you’re keeping a trundle bed underneath the main mattress or using the space for storage, a good bed skirt will keep things discreet.

Pillow shams give you an opportunity to get creative and really dress up your daybed. The shortened profile of the furniture means that nice pillow covers will really stand out, so go with frilled edges and patterns that complement the bedspread. More than likely, these won’t be pillows that people actually sleep on, so feel free to buy for looks.

Finally, there’s the question of whether to get a bedspread or comforter. In most cases, you can answer this by deciding whether people are actually going to be sleeping on that daybed. If they are, go with a comforter. A quilted one won’t just convey a rustic, welcoming look — it’ll keep guests plenty warm on sleepovers. If you plan on keeping the daybed in couch mode, a bedspread will be the cheaper option, and it’ll be a lot easier to care for.

If you’re not familiar with daybeds, you might well ask why you can’t use a regular bedding set. The mattress is usually a standard twin size, after all. Of course, most twin beds don’t have a frame that’s open on one side — and that makes all the difference. Daybed spreads are made to hang down on the front, and fit snugly on the other three sides.

If you’re determined to save some money, you certainly can go with regular sheets. Mind you, there will be some unsightly bunching in the corners that you’ll have to hide, but if you’re handy with a sewing machine you can always trim your own comforter to fit.