A metal day bed is the better choice when a room needs to work as both a sitting space and an occasional bedroom, such as a study, snug or small guest room. A metal storage bed is the better choice when the room is used mainly for sleeping and you need extra space for clothes, bedding or seasonal items. In short: day beds add flexibility, storage beds add capacity. Some day beds include a trundle underneath, which gives you a second sleeping space rather than storage, so it is worth deciding which you need more.
Both options are found across our range of metal beds UK, and both are common solutions in UK homes where space is tight. They also work well alongside the compact storage in our bedroom furniture UK sale collection. Here is how to work out which suits your room.
A day bed is a single bed, usually 90cm by 190cm, with a back rail along one long side and arms at each end. It sits against a wall like a sofa. During the day it is dressed with cushions and used as seating. At night it becomes a bed.
Many metal day beds come with an optional trundle, a second mattress frame on castors that rolls out from underneath. This turns the day bed into a sleeping space for two separate guests.
A metal storage bed is a conventional bed with built in storage. This can take a few forms:
Storage beds come in all sizes, from single to super king.
Day beds come into their own in rooms that need to do more than one job.
Because the day bed is pushed against a wall, it keeps the floor space more open than a standard single. A study with a desk and a day bed can still feel like a working room rather than a bedroom.
Storage beds are most useful in rooms where sleeping is the main purpose and wardrobe or drawer space is limited.
Think about what you need to store. Bulky items such as duvets, suitcases and winter coats suit a lift up storage bed. Folded clothes and smaller items suit drawers. Seasonal items you rarely need suit under bed boxes on a raised frame.
A day bed takes up a single bed footprint but feels smaller because it sits against a wall and reads as a sofa. A storage bed takes up the same space as a normal bed of its size, though it can save floor space elsewhere by replacing a chest of drawers.
Drawers need around 50cm to 60cm of clear floor to open fully, so check the room layout. Lift up storage beds need clear space above the mattress, which can be tricky under a low ceiling. Day beds with trundles need enough floor in front to roll the second bed out.
Both can be very comfortable with the right mattress. Day beds work best with a medium firm mattress of moderate depth, so it is comfortable to sit on without feeling too soft. Check the recommended mattress depth for trundle beds, which are usually thinner.
A day bed with a trundle offers more flexibility for guests. A storage bed offers more day to day practicality.
Metal day beds have a light, open look, especially in white or pale grey. Traditional designs with spindles and curves suit cottage and period rooms. Simpler frames in black or gunmetal suit contemporary spaces.
Metal storage beds tend to have a more solid look at the base, particularly those with drawers. If you prefer the airy appearance of an open frame, a raised design with storage boxes underneath may suit you better than integrated drawers.
Ottoman storage furniture is another way to add capacity without changing the bed itself. A storage ottoman at the foot of the bed holds bedding and blankets and doubles as a seat. Our range of ottomans UK sale includes compact designs that suit both day beds and standard frames.
Getting the measurements right matters more with these two designs than with a standard bed, because both rely on clear space to work properly.
Measure the length of the wall where the day bed will sit. Most frames are slightly longer than 190cm once you include the arms, so allow around 200cm to 210cm. Depth is usually close to 100cm. If you are adding a trundle, measure how far it extends when fully open and make sure there is still a path past it to the door or window.
Check the height of any window sill on that wall too. A day bed back rail is usually lower than a headboard, but it can still clash with a low sill or radiator.
For beds with drawers, measure the floor beside the bed and confirm the drawers can open fully without hitting a wardrobe, radiator or bedside table. For lift up designs, check the clearance above the bed, especially under a sloping ceiling or a shelf. Raised frames need enough under bed height for your chosen storage boxes, typically 20cm or more.
Both designs usually arrive flat packed, but lift up storage beds can include heavier components. Measure the stairs, landing and doorway, and plan assembly in the room itself.
If neither a day bed nor a storage bed feels quite right, two other options are worth a look.
A sofa bed is a good choice when the room is primarily a living space and guests stay only occasionally. It looks like a standard sofa and folds out when needed. You can explore our modern sofa beds UK if this suits your home better.
Separate storage furniture, such as a slim chest of drawers or a wardrobe with internal drawers, can also free up the bed to be a simple frame.
If the bed is going into a room shared by children, our article on storage furniture for UK homes where children share rooms has practical ideas that work alongside both day beds and storage beds.
Start by asking how the room will be used on an ordinary day. If it is a working or sitting space that hosts the occasional guest, choose a day bed. If it is a bedroom that is always short on storage, choose a storage bed. You can browse everything at Furniture in Fashion.
Yes. A good quality day bed with a supportive mattress is comfortable for nightly use. It is a common choice for teenagers and in studio flats.
Most day beds take a standard UK single mattress of 90cm by 190cm. Trundles usually take a slightly thinner single mattress, so check the recommended depth.
Most use gas struts that make lifting the mattress fairly easy. Larger sizes may need a little more effort, so check the mechanism before ordering.
A day bed with a trundle offers the most flexibility, as it works as seating and can sleep two guests. A storage bed is better if the room also needs to hold belongings.
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