Have you been pondering over what kind of bed you’re going to put in your guest room? The possibilities seem endless, but some of the most popular choices out there have people flip flopping back and forth between a futon or a day bed. What’s the difference you ask? Well, it might not seem like a huge difference between the two, but there really is. Don’t believe me? That’s alright! Keep reading and I maybe I can help you ultimately make the choice between a futon v.s. a daybed.
Futon
As both a futon and daybed owner as a teenager, I can certainly give you my own personal experiences with each. Honestly, the futon was my favorite, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is going to be yours. Let me break down some of the features for you and you and you can then decide which one will work best for your home and your style.
The Pros and Cons – Futon
Pros
- Come in a variety of styles
- Convert from a couch to a bed
- Can be easily moved
- Little to no assembly required
Cons
- May be pricey
- Mattresses are bulky and heavy
Conversion
Okay, so the one feature that we are really looking at here is the useage between couch and bed. If you don’t have the space for a couch and a bed in the room, but enough space for just a bed, the futon is where this problem is solved. When you are entertaining guests, the futon simply stays folded upright into the couch position. When it’s time for bed, it easily folds out into the bed position. Once you or your guests are done using it, simply fold it back up and voila! It’s back in the couch position.
Space Saving
The idea behind a futon is to save space when it’s not in use as a bed, correct? Here’s where we have a problem. If you don’t have adequate room for the futon to fold down, you may have an issue when it comes time for sleep .You may have to shuffle some furniture around or you may have to end up just leaving the futon folded up in the couch position, which is what I did for most of my teenage years, mostly because I was just too lazy to fold it down every night. However, if you have enough space to fold it down, it saves room because you don’t have to purchase a separate bed.
Affordability
Futons are known for being both affordable and pricey. The only reason I say this is because they come in a wide variety of styles, colors, shapes and sizes. You can buy a futon that is made from solid wood and in a queen size. This is going to cost you much more than a twin size metal daybed would. However, it’s probably going to last you a lot longer.
If you want a futon that’s just going to be used once in awhile, you can grab one for just over $100 that’s simply made from metal with a twin or full mattress. You can even find one in a bunk bed option like my kids have for just over $150, depending on where you grab it from.
Linens
Futons don’t really require any kind of special linens. You can use whatever size sheet and comforter that matches the mattress. You can also use whatever kind of pillow you want. Honestly, I would recommend a body pillow because it’s less to move around when making the conversion.
Daybed
As a teenager, I also had one of these beautiful beds. I loved this bed because it didn’t require me to do anything to it in order to use it as a bed. However, it didn’t give me much sleeping space and it wasn’t really comfortable to use as a couch. However, if you’re looking for something simply to use for guests, the daybed may be a feasible option for you. Side note: I was a teenager and really picky, so don’t take my word for it.
The Pros and Cons – Daybed
Pros
- Many options available
- Mattresses are standard sizes
- Easy to move around
- Affordable
Cons
- Assembly can be a hassle
- Special pillows and accessories required for couch use
Conversion
In terms of conversion, it took no effort because there wasn’t anything to convert. The daybed is simply a bed/loveseat hybrid. However, if you have the trundle bed option, you can convert the single bed into trundle, which is perfect for a sleepover or multiple guests with minimal room. This option is more costly, but best for when family come over for the holidays. I am more partial to the daybed because you don’t have to fold it up and down when it comes time for sleeping.
Space Saving
Unlike a futon, daybeds save tons of space whether you are using them as a bed or a loveseat. Not to mention, they are a lot higher than a futon, which makes more room for storage under the bed if needed. If you have the funds, you can choose a daybed with the drawer option. It’s mostly the wood daybeds with this feature for underneath storage and cost more, but they are more durable and better for rooms with limited means of clothing storage.
Affordability
As with the futons, the better the material, the higher the price. However, the one main difference between the two is that daybeds come with more features than the futons do. As stated above, the daybed can come with the trundle or drawer feature, but the more features, the more costly they are. There are also many different finishes and and styles that can attribute to the price.
Linens
The linens that go on a daybed are a little different than that of a futon. The sheets are normal, but you will need a special comforter and a skirt in order for it to fit properly. You will also need special large back pillows if you are going to use it as a loveseat. You can find day beds that are backless, making them easier to use with normal bedding and these are more casual looking. These may also save you money because they don’t require the special comforters.
You may want to check out: Best Daybed
Futon Vs. Daybed Comparison Table
| Futon | Daybed |
|---|---|
| Affordable | May cost a pretty penny |
| Double as a larger bed | Only small sizes |
| Mattresses are big and bulky | Mattresses are standard |
| Not many options for storage | Many different options for storage and other sleepers |
| Easy to put together | May require advanced assembly |
Conclusion
It may seem like a hard decision to make, I know, but if I had to choose one, it would be the daybed. If you only have one guest at a time, the day bed would be the most affordable and space saving option. However, if you plan on having more than one guest, I would go with the trundle option for the daybed. If you really need the extra sleeping space for a couple and have the room to fold it out, the futon would be my last resort. To sum it up, daybed first, daybed with trundle second, futon last.