Daybed Canada: Buying Guide

9 min read

What a daybed is and is not

A daybed is a bed frame designed to look and function like a couch during the day. The frame has a back (like a couch back) and two armrests (like couch arms), but the seat area is sized for a standard twin mattress (38 by 75 inches). You sit on it during the day with throw pillows against the back, and sleep on it at night with the pillows removed.

A daybed is not a sofa bed. A sofa bed is a couch with a fold-out mattress hidden inside. A daybed is a real bed frame with a visible mattress that just happens to be styled like a couch. The daybed mattress is exposed all the time, covered with a fitted sheet and usually decorative throw pillows.

A daybed is also not a chaise or a chaise lounge. Chaises are one-armed furniture pieces designed for reclining on one end. Daybeds have armrests on both ends and a full back, like a couch.

The origin goes back centuries to formal French sitting rooms where a daybed was literally furniture for daytime reclining. Modern Canadian daybeds are functional space-savers rather than formal statements.

Types of daybeds

Traditional daybed

Metal or wood frame with a back and two armrests. The twin mattress sits in the seat area. Simple design that lasts for years with minimal maintenance. The most common type in Canadian homes.

Daybed with trundle

Same basic design as a traditional daybed but with a second twin mattress that pulls out from underneath the primary bed. When the trundle is out, the daybed effectively becomes a king-width sleeping surface for two people. Best for guest rooms that need to host two guests occasionally.

Daybed with pop-up trundle

A more advanced trundle that not only pulls out but also rises to the same height as the main bed, creating a flat sleeping surface rather than a step. Makes two-person guest sleeping much more comfortable.

Storage daybed

A daybed frame with drawers built into the base. Useful in small spaces where the drawers replace a dresser. Common in kids' rooms and home offices where floor space is tight.

Futon daybed

A daybed that folds the mattress in half during the day and unfolds it flat for night. Technically this crosses into sofa bed territory, but it is often marketed as a daybed because the twin mattress size and general proportions match.

The mattress decision

Most daybeds come with the frame only; the mattress is sold separately. This is actually the most important part of the decision, because the daybed experience depends on the mattress much more than the frame.

For a daybed that will be used as a primary sleeping surface (for example, in a kids' room or a small studio apartment), the mattress should be a quality twin with medium-firm support (around 5-6 on the firmness scale) and 8-10 inches of thickness. The same mattress you would buy if the bed were a regular twin bed.

For a daybed that will mostly be a couch with occasional overnight guests, you can use a thinner mattress (6-8 inches) because it will not be used every night. Budget twin mattresses in the $300-$500 range work fine for occasional use and save money on a mattress that will not see daily wear.

Important constraint: the mattress needs to be thin enough that the daybed's back and armrests still extend above it. A mattress taller than about 10 inches may block the arms and back, which ruins the couch look during daytime use. Check the daybed manufacturer's maximum mattress thickness before ordering.

Best uses for daybeds

Daybeds shine in specific situations where a dedicated bed is overkill but you still want a real sleeping surface.

Guest rooms that double as home offices. The daybed serves as a couch during work hours and converts to a real bed when family visits. Pair it with a nightstand to make the space feel intentional rather than improvised. Better sleeping experience than a sofa bed. Takes up less space than a dedicated bed.

Small apartments and studios. When floor space is limited, a daybed in the corner functions as both seating and sleeping without requiring a separate couch.

Kids' rooms. Older kids who want a more adult-looking bed often prefer daybeds over traditional kids' beds. The trundle version adds sleepover capacity.

Basement family rooms. A daybed gives you casual seating with the bonus of a guest bed when needed. The storage versions handle blanket and pillow storage for occasional use.

Cottage or lake houses. Daybeds in cottage living rooms or screened porches are a classic Canadian cottage setup. One daybed plus a trundle handles four guests in a single room.

Daybed pricing in Canada

Canadian daybed pricing in 2026 varies widely by materials and features.

• Basic metal daybed: $200-$400 (simple frame, minimal styling, short lifespan)
• Mid-range metal or wood: $400-$700 (quality frame, better finish, 5-10 year lifespan)
• Solid wood daybed: $700-$1,200 (hardwood construction, traditional styling, decades of life)
• Storage or trundle daybed: $600-$1,200 (adds functional storage or second sleeping surface)
• Premium upholstered daybed: $1,000-$2,000 (fabric or leather wrapped, designer styling)

Add $300-$700 for a quality twin mattress. Trundle daybeds need a second mattress, usually $200-$500 for the trundle version which is slightly thinner than the primary mattress.

Daybed vs sofa bed vs trundle

The three space-saving bed options overlap but serve different needs.

Daybed: Real bed, styled as couch. Best sleeping experience of the three. Takes the most floor space because the bed is always deployed. Least effort to use at night (remove throw pillows and you are done).

Sofa bed: Real couch with hidden fold-out mattress. Worst sleeping experience because the mattress is thin and the frame has bars across the middle. Smallest floor footprint when closed. Most effort at night (remove cushions, unfold, set up).

Trundle bed: Primary bed with second mattress stored underneath that rolls out. Best when you need two sleeping surfaces but only sometimes. The primary bed is always deployed. The trundle adds a second surface only when needed.

For a dedicated guest room or home office, daybed is usually the best choice. For a living room that only occasionally needs to host a guest overnight, sofa bed is usually the best choice because the couch function matters more than the sleeping experience.

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Daybeds in Quebec (Lit de Jour / Divan-Lit)

Quebec retailers list daybeds as "lit de jour" (literal translation) or sometimes "divan-lit" when referring to convertible sofa-style daybeds. Mattress sizing is the same Canadian twin standard at 96 by 191 cm. IKEA Quebec sells daybed frames under the same English product names (HEMNES, FYRESDAL) with French descriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. Canadian Sleep Society. Sleep environment recommendations for adults. css-scs.ca