Creating a home that's comfortable and relaxing can be a challenge, especially if you're living in a small studio or apartment in the city. Fitting all your furniture and stuff in your home requires a bit of planning and thinking. And usually, the space you have is just enough for you and your family or roommates to sleep in.

So what happens when you have a relative or guest that's asking to sleep over? Perhaps your parents are staying for a weekend because their own home is going through some repairs or renovations. Or maybe you have a friend that is on the down and out and looking for some help. How do you accommodate them?

Advantages Of Multipurpose Furniture

Whether it's for a temporary guest, or for yourself, day beds and sofa beds are a good alternative if you're looking for a couch that's comfortable and not a pain to sleep in. After all, falling asleep on the couch that's not optimized for sleeping can cause body pains and back aches. That's why it's good to have seats that can also double as beds.

The problem is that there are a lot of different types of sofas and couches that transform or double as beds. How do you know, then, which one best fits your style, preferences, and space?

That's what we're here to find out. If you're confused about the differences between sofa beds, Murphy beds, and day beds, then continue reading. By the end of this article, you'll probably have decided already which one would fit perfectly into your home.

Day Beds

Day beds are one of the more versatile beds that also act as couches or sofas. Typically, day beds are about the size of a twin bed. However, depending on the style of the maker, they can also look a lot more like a large bench with a headboard and cushion that can be used as a bed.

Day beds are often situated next to windows, at the foot of an actual bed, or in living rooms and recreational rooms. In some cases, they act first as a family's sofa, and second as beds that members would sometimes nap in.

The main advantage a daybed has over a regular couch is that its mattresses are often thicker and more durable, making them better-fit for sleeping than regular couch cushions.

Day Bed Swings

Day bed swings, on the other hand, are a type of day bed that's often placed in patios and porches. Regular day beds are also sometimes placed outdoors, but day bed swings are the more popular choice for such.

Day bed swings are a good alternative to your regular porch swings, especially if you often find yourself falling asleep on your porch. Because they're wider, they offer a lot more comfort. And because they swing, they can be perfect for lulling yourself to sleep.

Sofa Beds

Sofa beds are often directly compared to day beds. The main difference between the two is that sofa beds often require assembly. The bedding in sofa beds usually requires either folding out or pulling out. In terms of design, sofa beds' overall shape and frame also tends to resemble traditional sofas. The same goes with the padding that's used in sofa beds. Most sofa beds eventually become lumped or damaged over the years, whereas day beds' mattresses are built to last longer.

Trundle Beds

Trundle beds are actually more of an add-on to sofa beds and day beds. Depending on the design, some day beds and sofa beds come with a trundle bed that you can pull out and use as a second bed. This is perfect if you're expecting multiple guests.

Trundle beds usually also make use of thicker mattresses and bedding, making them well-suited for sleeping. The best thing about them is that they can easily transform back into a regular couch or daybed once you're done using them. They're a good way to add some versatility to your home. They can both save space and create more of it.

Murphy Beds

Murphy beds are more commonly known as pull-down beds or wall beds, because of the simple fact that they come down from inside your walls. They're a great way to save space, especially if the floor area of your bedroom is limited.

However, the main difference between Murphy beds and the previously mentioned models is that Murphy beds don't essentially serve multiple functions. Murphy beds can also come with added risk, as pulling them out and folding them back into the wall can be tedious and tiresome.

Futons

Futons originally refer to the traditional Japanese style of bedding. They usually consist of a cotton pad or mattress (the futon) and a comforter (called a Kakibuton) that are flexible enough to be folded and stored away when not in use. This creates more space for residents during the day, as their rooms can now be used for other means and purposes.

Compared to a Murphy bed, futons offer a lot more practicality, and are much less of a hassle when it comes to setting aside a place to sleep for your guests.

That said, there are also Western style futons that retain some of the same components as a traditional Japanese futon, but are also entirely different when it comes to design and make.

Western style futons are somewhat akin to sofa beds in that the frames initially function as a couch or sofa, and can then later be unfolded and turned into a bed. The mattresses for these Western style futons are also thicker, and aren't as easily folded as Japanese futons.

Which One Should You Choose?

In the end, the choosing between a daybed, sofa bed, or futon all depends on your plans for them, the available floor area, and your own personal preferences. All of them function well as additional beds in your home, and their versatility can help you save space.

The biggest advantage that day beds and day bed swings have over the other types, however, is that they no longer require any effort to be turned into beds. Day beds function as both relaxing seats, as well as comfortable beds.

If you're leaning towards installing a day bed swing either in your home or on your porch, however, feel free to browse through our selection online, on our website, or get in touch with us through our number (334)202-2870.