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Day bed mattresses
Most day beds take a single mattress, 90 x 190 cm (3ft x 6ft3), and a slimmer one of around 15 to 20 cm keeps the seat at a comfortable height when the day bed is used as a sofa.
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What size mattress does a day bed take?
Most day beds take a standard single mattress, 90 x 190 cm (3ft x 6ft3). Some take a small single (75 x 190 cm) or a European single (90 x 200 cm), so measure the inside of the frame before you order rather than going by the description.
Measure between the arms and in front of the back rest, where the mattress actually sits, not across the outside of the frame. A mattress that's too big bows up against the back; one that's too small leaves a gap along the front where cushions and phones slip down. Our single mattresses and small single mattresses cover the two usual sizes.
How thick should a day bed mattress be?
A day bed mattress is usually best at around 15 to 20 cm deep: slim enough to keep the seat at a comfortable height and leave the back rest useful, and deep enough to sleep on.
| Mattress depth | As a sofa | As a bed |
|---|---|---|
| About 15 cm | Lower seat, more of the back rest showing | Fine for children and occasional guests |
| About 20 cm | Higher seat, a little less back rest | Better suited to regular adult use |
| 25 cm and over | The seat can feel high and the back rest low | Usually more comfort layers; check the frame allows it |
To check before you buy, measure from the floor to the top of the base the mattress sits on, add the mattress depth, and compare the total with the seat height of a sofa or chair you find comfortable. Every centimetre of mattress also comes off the visible back rest, so a deep mattress can leave too little to lean against. If your frame suits a slim mattress, our thin mattresses are a good place to look.
Which mattress is best for a day bed?
The best day bed mattress has firm edges and holds its shape when people sit on it, because a day bed is sat on as well as slept on, and sitting concentrates weight near the front edge.
- Pocket sprung: springy and breathable, and one with firm edges copes well with sitting.
- Reflex foam: high-density foam that's springier than memory foam, and light enough to move easily.
- Memory foam: moulds to the body for sleeping, but it recovers slowly, so the seat can show where someone sat for a while.
Then think about who sleeps there. Most children sleep well on a medium to medium-firm mattress. For guests whose sleep position you don't know, a medium feel is a sensible middle ground.
Can you sleep on a day bed every night?
You can sleep on a day bed every night if it has a supportive mattress: a day bed that takes a 90 x 190 cm mattress gives the same sleeping space as a standard single bed.
For a child, a slim, supportive mattress is usually enough. For an adult sleeping there every night, choose the deeper end of what the frame and back rest allow, around 20 cm, and a feel that suits their sleep position. Rotate the mattress head to toe every few weeks for the first three months, then every three months. On a day bed, that also swaps the front edge, which takes the weight when people sit, with the edge against the wall.
Does a day bed with a trundle need two mattresses?
A day bed with a trundle needs two mattresses: one for the day bed itself and a second, thinner one for the trundle, which has to fit the drawer and still let it close, often 10 to 15 cm deep.
The trundle mattress is usually a single or small single, but trundle drawers vary, so measure the inside of the drawer and the clearance under the day bed. Our trundle mattresses page explains how to do both.
A mattress protector is worth having on a day bed that doubles as a sofa, where drinks and crumbs are part of daily life. If you're not sure what your day bed takes, send us the inside measurements and we'll help you choose a size and depth.
Day bed mattresses: your questions answered
Can't see your question? Ask us and we'll get back to you.
Will a normal single mattress fit a day bed?
A normal single mattress, 90 x 190 cm, fits most day beds in width and length. Depth is the thing to check: a mattress of 25 cm or more raises the seat and hides more of the back rest, so around 15 to 20 cm usually works better on a day bed. Measure inside the frame before you order.
Is a day bed a good bed for a child?
A day bed can make a good bed for a child: it takes the same single mattress as a child's single bed, and a medium to medium-firm mattress suits most children. A day bed with a trundle underneath also gives you a second bed for sleepovers without taking up more floor space.
How do I make a day bed look like a sofa?
To make a day bed look like a sofa, use a fitted cover or a throw tucked in over the mattress, line the back with large cushions and put a bolster at each end. A slimmer mattress helps too, because it keeps the seat low and the back rest visible. A protector under the cover keeps spills off the mattress.
Will sitting on a day bed wear the mattress out faster?
Sitting puts more weight on the front edge of a day bed mattress, so that edge works harder than it would on an ordinary bed. A mattress with firm edges copes better, and rotating the mattress head to toe regularly moves the front edge to the back, which spreads the wear more evenly.
Do I need a mattress protector on a day bed?
A mattress protector is worth having on a day bed, because a day bed is used as a seat as well as a bed and is more likely to meet drinks and crumbs. A thin protector adds very little to the seat height, a waterproof one stops spills soaking in, and a protector is far easier to wash than a mattress.
Is a day bed good for a guest room?
A day bed suits a guest room well: it's a sofa most of the time and a single bed when guests stay, and a trundle underneath can sleep a second person. Choose a mattress around 15 to 20 cm deep with firm edges, and a medium feel for guests whose sleep position you don't know.
Can a day bed take a European single mattress?
A day bed takes a European single mattress, 90 x 200 cm, only if the frame was made for that size. A European single is 10 cm longer than a UK single, so it won't fit a UK day bed, and a UK single in a European frame leaves a 10 cm gap at one end. Check the frame's inside measurements first.
Can I put a topper on a day bed mattress?
You can put a topper on a day bed mattress to change the feel, usually making it softer, but the topper raises the seat and covers more of the back rest by its own depth. It also can't rescue a mattress that has started to sag. Add the topper's depth to the mattress's and check the total still suits the seat.
Not sure which mattress?
Tell us about your bed and how you sleep, and we'll suggest a few that fit.