Inspiration

Reader DIY: Making an Upholstered Daybed

I loved this bed project when Whitney of The Avarice blog submitted it, but it seemed like an extra great time to post about her idea since we were just talking about daybeds. This is such a easy and affordable way to get a large daybed for your home. Wouldn’t this exact bedframe with a tailored…

I loved this bed project when Whitney of The Avarice blog submitted it, but it seemed like an extra great time to post about her idea since we were just talking about daybeds. This is such a easy and affordable way to get a large daybed for your home. Wouldn’t this exact bedframe with a tailored mattress cover look really cool in a large living room across from a broken-in vintage black leather sofa and a pair of linen-upholstered chairs in an edgy shape? AND how great is the same bed in a little girl’s room? Such a versatile piece!

Whitney’s daughter, Lilly, has a small bedroom and the pair of vintage twin beds that Whitney bought at auction for $70 would not fit side by side in the space, so she decided to make just one bed using the two headboards and two of the four rails.

Whitney said she’s usually up for a light upholstery project, but this one was a little larger than she was willing to undertake. So she had the beds sprayed white and sent off to her upholsterers with four yards of yellow cotton velvet. Whitney also sent in this chair that she found for $10 at the thrift store. She went with a polkadot Sunbrella fabric with a contrasting welt on the chair. Outdoor fabric is always a good idea in kid’s rooms.

Both pieces turned out so well! I love the yellow velvet, and what a smart idea to put the two headboards together! I have a pair of tufted twin-size headboards that could work perfectly for this project and now my wheels are turning! (You can also check that post for tips on DIY upholstery for framed headboards, in case you’re hoping to tackle a similar daybed project on your own). I’d have to figure out a work-around for my lack of matching rails, but that could be as easy as a little  moulding and paint on a standard metal frame (or something simple like this wooden frame).
Here’s another shot from Lilly’s cute room. You can check out Whitney’s blog for more adorable images of this room and other design projects she’s worked on.
If you’d like to share one of your design projects on LGN, submissions can be emailed here. Thank you!
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33 thoughts on “Reader DIY: Making an Upholstered Daybed

  1. CMcG: I don't think you're supposed to put Sunbrella fabrics in the dryer, or wash them in hot water. I haven't had any problems with fading myself, but I know that the care instructions are pretty specific. Might be worth reaching out to Sunbrella for more info? They are super helpful and nice people.

    xo

    1. Hi cd! It's actually Amy Butler fabric. If you don't know of her you should definitely check we stuff out. It's wonderful and very reasonable.

  2. I've used sunbrella/indoor/outdoor fabric on two projects and have found it to fade when you wash it with water, even lightly. Have you had that experience? I thought it would be resilient but it's proven to be less resilient than other fabrics. Am I missing something?

  3. CMcG: I don't think you're supposed to put Sunbrella fabrics in the dryer, or wash them in hot water. I haven't had any problems with fading myself, but I know that the care instructions are pretty specific. Might be worth reaching out to Sunbrella for more info? They are super helpful and nice people.

    xo

  4. I just saw a pair of twins and was wondering about doing this same project! My thought being that I could use them both now and have the option to use them as two matching beds if/when we have two girls later. This particular pair was a little pricey for the amount of work and money I wanted to put into it though. Definitely an idea to file away!

  5. LuAnn- Yeah, I completely get what your saying. But I probably would just have my guests sit on the sofa or the chairs instead. I think it's totally appropriate for there to be pieces of furniture in your home that are for mostly just your use. I don't recommend buying a sofa instead of a daybed, but if you have a living room that's large enough to have both, I think it's a cool look and a nice place to sprawl out with a good book. :)

  6. I have been stewing over whether to do a day bed in our family room (actually a bedroom converted to a family/TV room). We can't get a couch in there. My only concern is whether a daybed is comfortable to sit on casually or if the only way to sit on it is to really lounge. I'm particularly thinking of guests and their comfort. I worry a daybed will be awkward for them. Any thoughts on this, Jenny?

  7. My thoughts exactly LuAnn. Is it really practical to have a daubed in a sitting room. Yes they look fabulous but I have visions of guests just not knowing how to sit / lounge on it.

  8. LuAnn- Yeah, I completely get what your saying. But I probably would just have my guests sit on the sofa or the chairs instead. I think it's totally appropriate for there to be pieces of furniture in your home that are for mostly just your use. I don't recommend buying a sofa instead of a daybed, but if you have a living room that's large enough to have both, I think it's a cool look and a nice place to sprawl out with a good book. :)

  9. Thanks! I thought it looked familiar. I do love Amy Butler fabric. I have yet to commit to anything because I become paralyzed by the choices. I can't be the only one with that affliction when it comes to fabric, right!

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