Daybeds with Trundle in Canada: The Space-Saving Bed Nobody Regrets Buying

8 min read

What Is a Daybed with Trundle

A daybed is a bed frame with a back and two sides, designed to sit against a wall and function as a sofa during the day. Add a trundle, the rolling platform that slides out from underneath, and you have two sleeping surfaces in the footprint of one piece of furniture.

The word "trundle" comes from the Middle English "trundel," meaning a small wheel. The concept goes back centuries. In medieval England, servants slept on low truckle beds (another name for the same thing) that slid under the master's higher bed frame during the day. The truckle bed was a space-saving solution before space-saving was a marketing term.

Modern daybeds with trundles are considerably more comfortable than their medieval ancestors, but the idea is the same: two beds, one footprint, stored neatly when not both in use.

Types: Standard Trundle, Pop-Up, and Captain's Bed

Standard trundle: A low platform on casters that rolls out from under the daybed. It sits about 6 to 8 inches off the ground, which means the trundle sleeper is significantly lower than the daybed sleeper. Standard trundles accept mattresses up to 8 inches thick.

Pop-up trundle: This is the upgrade worth considering. A pop-up trundle bed uses a mechanism that raises the trundle platform to the same height as the daybed. When both beds are at the same level, push them together and you have a king-size sleeping surface. When guests leave, lower the trundle and slide it back under.

Captain's bed: A variation that replaces the trundle with drawers. Captain's beds offer storage instead of a second sleeping surface. Some hybrid designs include both a trundle and drawers, though these tend to be larger and heavier.

Best Rooms for a Daybed

Guest room / home office combo: This is the number one use case. A daybed with trundle sits against the wall and functions as a reading nook or sofa while you work at your desk. When guests arrive, pull out the trundle and the room converts to a guest bedroom in minutes. No dedicated guest room required.

Kids' rooms: Daybeds are excellent for children who have outgrown a crib but do not need (or have space for) a full bed. The trundle accommodates sleepovers without a permanent second bed. The daybed back prevents wall scuffing and provides a cozy enclosed feeling that many children prefer.

Small apartments and studios: In a bachelor or one-bedroom apartment, a daybed with trundle can replace both a sofa and a bed. During the day, it is a seating area with throw pillows. At night, it is a bed. When guests stay over, you have two beds.

Cottage and cabin guest rooms: Seasonal properties across Ontario benefit from daybeds because the rooms serve different purposes at different times. A daybed looks intentional year-round, unlike a pull-out sofa or air mattress.

Mattress Sizing for Daybeds and Trundles

Most daybeds use a standard twin mattress: 39 inches wide by 75 inches long. The trundle also takes a twin, but with a height restriction.

Daybed mattress: Standard twin, up to 12 inches thick. No special sizing needed.

Standard trundle mattress: Twin size, maximum 8 inches thick. Thicker mattresses will not slide under the daybed frame. Some trundle designs only accommodate 6 inches.

Pop-up trundle mattress: Twin size, 8 inches maximum when stored. The pop-up mechanism adds height, so a thinner mattress (6 inches) is often more comfortable at the raised position because it keeps the total sleeping height level with the daybed.

Frame Materials: Metal vs Wood vs Upholstered

Metal frames are the lightest and most affordable. Wrought iron and tubular steel designs range from $300 to $700. They are durable, easy to assemble, and have a classic look that works in traditional and modern rooms. The downside: metal can squeak at joints over time.

Solid wood frames cost more ($600 to $1,200) but last longer and feel more substantial. Oak, maple, and pine are common. Wood daybeds look like intentional furniture rather than a bed pretending to be a sofa. They are also quieter than metal.

Upholstered frames wrap a wood or metal frame in fabric or faux leather. These look the most like a sofa, which is the point if you want the daybed to blend into a living space. Prices range from $500 to $1,500. The fabric is harder to clean if kids or pets are in the picture.

The Pop-Up Trundle Advantage

The pop-up trundle deserves its own section because it genuinely changes what a daybed can do.

With a standard trundle, the second sleeper is 6 to 8 inches off the ground. That is fine for kids but uncomfortable for adults who have to get up in the middle of the night. With a daybed with pop up trundle, both sleepers are at the same height, typically 18 to 22 inches off the ground.

Push the two surfaces together and you have a sleeping area of 78 by 75 inches, which is wider than a king bed (76 by 80 inches) though slightly shorter. For couples visiting, this is a genuine double bed, not two separate beds at awkward heights.

Pop-up mechanisms are spring-loaded or use a manual latch system. Spring-loaded versions are easier to operate but cost more. Either way, one person can raise or lower the trundle in under 30 seconds.

How to Make a Daybed Look Like a Sofa

The difference between a daybed that looks like a bed pushed against a wall and one that looks like an intentional sofa comes down to a few details:

• Back pillows: Line the back with 3 to 5 large square pillows (20 to 24 inch). These create the sofa back. Use covers that match your room, not bedding patterns.
• Bolster pillows: Place cylindrical bolsters at each end as armrests. This completes the sofa illusion.
• Fitted cover: A daybed cover or slipcover hides the mattress edge and makes the whole piece look like upholstered furniture.
• Skip the top sheet. When the daybed is in sofa mode, a visible top sheet breaks the illusion. Use a duvet or coverlet that can be folded at the foot when the bed is in use.
• Match the room: Coordinate the daybed textiles with the rest of the room's colour palette rather than treating it as a bedroom piece.

What Mattress Works Best

For the daybed itself, any standard twin mattress works. If the daybed will be used primarily as seating during the day, choose a firmer mattress (foam or hybrid with good edge support) so it does not sag under sitting weight.

For the trundle, choose a thinner profile mattress (6 to 8 inches) that fits the height restriction. Memory foam toppers of 6 to 8 inches work well because they compress slightly when stored and are lighter than innerspring options.

Avoid pillowtop mattresses for either the daybed or trundle. They add height you do not have room for and create an uneven sitting surface when used as a sofa.

Frequently Asked Questions