When it comes to daybeds, there is some confusion about what is what. Perhaps the first question to the un-initiated is: What is a daybed? Perhaps the second most common question is what is a trundle and how is it used?
The first question is simple. A daybed is a three-sided frame - two sides and a back - built to accommodate standard twin-size mattresses. It is a dual-use piece of furniture that serves as a sofa during the day and is easily converted into a comfortable bed for sleeping at night. Daybeds are appreciated for their functionality as well as their decorative attributes. Converting the daybed from sofa to bed typically requires nothing more than removing a couple of cushions and, perhaps, a daybed cover.
Metal Frame Daybeds
The second question is just slightly more complex. A trundle is a second bed stored beneath the main daybed. Their uses depend on the type of trundle available. The two standard types of trundles are the drawer-type and the pop-up trundle. As its name suggest, the drawer-type trundle is like the drawer in any piece of furniture. It pulls out and holds a second twin-size mattress. While convenient, it has but one use and is specific to the model of the daybed.
The pop-up trundle, conversely, can be used in two ways. It can be used as a second bed in its lowered position, or it can be elevated into the pop-up position to convert the twin-size daybed into a king-size bed. Because the pop-up trundle bed is dual-use and is not constrained to use with a specific daybed model, this is the more popular choice. The pop-up trundle is almost exclusively made of metal.
Besides the typical decorative aspects of they daybed, they can serve a more utilitarian purpose as well. For people without a guest room, they can serve as a bed for the guests while operating as a sofa during the day. The pop-up trundle is effective for this as it will give guest couples suitable room in which to lay. For children, a trundle serves as an excellent choice for a sleepover - allowing both the host and the guest to have a bed of their own at night while providing plenty of playroom on the floor when they are awake.
The daybed with pop-up trundle has been around in one form or another as far back as the ancient Egyptians. Something whose style and grace has survived several thousand years of human development and advancement surely warrants a measure of consideration during any home re-design.