---
title: "Daybed Cushion Sets That Work as a Sofa and a Guest Bed"
url: "https://cushionguide.com/concepts/daybed-sofa-cushion-sets/"
section: "Concept Sketches"
author: "Élodie Marchand, The Colorist of New Orleans"
author_url: "https://cushionguide.com/masters/elodie/"
published: "2026-03-29"
updated: "2026-09-24"
keywords: "daybed cushion set, daybed sofa cushions, daybed back cushions, IKEA Hemnes daybed cover set, twin daybed mattress cover, daybed bolster pillows, guest room daybed cushion"
---

# One daybed, three jobs: a cushion set for sofa days and guest nights

*A daybed is only as much of a sofa as its back cushions and its color allow. Eight past daybed projects, and what each taught us about height, bolsters and a fabric a guest can sleep on.*

> **The quick answer:** A daybed cushion set that works as a sofa is a fitted mattress cover, two back cushions about 20 in (50 cm) tall and a bolster at each arm. For guests, choose a smooth, breathable fabric. For two stacked mattresses, order one cover at the combined height. On a frame with a raised rim, make the cushion thicker than the rim.

![Sage green wide-wale corduroy bolster with beaded corded edge resting on the arm of a rust red woven sofa](https://cushionguide.com/media/bolster-pillows/sage-corduroy-bolster-terracotta-sofa-arm-1600.webp "End-on view of a sage corduroy bolster, its ribbed cap and bobbled seam set against rust-red upholstery.")

## The daybed works three shifts

A daybed stays a bed right up until you set two back cushions about 20 in (50 cm) tall behind it. Then the whole room starts calling it a sofa.

In a small home the daybed works three shifts: sofa by day, reading spot when the late light turns the walls amber, [guest bed](https://cushionguide.com/cushions/bedroom-cushions/) when family stays over. A good **daybed cushion set** has to be honest about all three.

Questions about [daybed cushions](https://cushionguide.com/cushions/daybed-cushions/) keep returning to three things: how tall the back should stand, which fabric a guest can sleep on, and how one cover holds two mattresses. The eight daybeds below are past projects, most for homes in the US, and their sizes are kept exactly. Which of the three jobs does yours do most, my friends?

## Eight daybeds, sofa side up

### 01. Green corduroy that sits upright

![Light gray wide-wale corduroy bolster with a beaded corded edge lying against a white beadboard daybed back](https://cushionguide.com/media/bolster-pillows/light-gray-corduroy-bolster-beaded-edge-daybed-1600.webp "Chunky corduroy ribs run the length of the roll and wrap the end cap, finished with a bobbled cord at the seam.")

A buyer in the US didn't want the full set. The twin daybed stood against a wall as a sofa, so they asked for one long back cushion firm enough to sit upright against, one armrest bolster, and a fitted cover for a 39 x 75 x 11.5 in (99 x 191 x 29 cm) mattress in green corduroy. The workshop suggested foam-filled back and arm pieces for structure and sent backrest photos to choose from.

**The takeaway:** If the daybed is mostly a sofa, ask for a foam-filled back cushion rather than loose fiber fill.

> **Tailor's margin:** A daybed that is mostly a sofa wants a foam-filled back cushion, not loose fiber fill.

### 02. Twenty inches of back on a twin

![Navy velvet Hemnes daybed covers edged in cream piping in a home office with an oak desk, laptop and pine shelving](https://cushionguide.com/media/ikea-hemnes-daybed-covers/navy-velvet-hemnes-daybed-cream-piping-study-1600.webp "Navy velvet with cream piping turns a Hemnes daybed into a tailored study sofa. The oak desk, pine shelving and potted plants keep the room warm.")

A buyer in the US wanted a new cover for a twin daybed mattress and a back pillow as good as the one on her corner sofa. We settled the mattress at 38 x 79 in (97 x 201 cm) and the backrests at about 20 in (50 cm) tall: two stuffed L-shaped back pillows running end to end.

**The takeaway:** Height is what turns a bed into a sofa, so ask for daybed-height backs, not bench-height ones.

> **Tailor's margin:** Daybed back cushions stand about 20 in (50 cm) tall; a standard bench back is 16 in (40 cm).

### 03. A yellow a guest can sleep on

![White IKEA Hemnes daybed with a cream linen-look mattress cover, back cushions and bolsters edged in navy piping](https://cushionguide.com/media/ikea-hemnes-daybed-covers/cream-hemnes-daybed-cover-navy-piping-bedroom-1600.webp "A cream linen-look set with navy contrast piping dresses a white Hemnes daybed for a guest bedroom. The piping outlines each piece so the bed reads as a sofa during the day.")

A buyer in the US wanted a yellow daybed cushion that guests could sleep on through hot summers: nothing scratchy, nothing plush. The workshop matched the color in a smooth, breathable soft fabric with self-colored piping, cut it at 23 5/8 x 79.5 in (60 x 202 cm), and moved it up the line for a July deadline.

**The takeaway:** For a surface people sleep on, choose smooth and breathable over deep pile.

> **Tailor's margin:** For a guest daybed in hot summers, pick a smooth, breathable weave: nothing scratchy, nothing plush.

### 04. Two Hemnes mattresses, one cover

![Front view of a white Hemnes daybed in cream velvet with burnt-orange piping, bolsters at both arms, monstera and sketch](https://cushionguide.com/media/ikea-hemnes-daybed-covers/symmetrical-cream-velvet-hemnes-daybed-monstera-1600.webp "Seen straight on, the set is balanced: a bolster at each arm and two equal back pillows meeting in the middle. The piping traces each piece like a drawn outline.")

A buyer in the US stacked the two mattresses on an IKEA Hemnes, 9.5 in (24 cm) together, and received two separate covers. Each was too tight to lie flat. The fix was a single cover, 31.5 x 79 x 9.5 in (80 x 201 x 24 cm), zipped around both mattresses at once.

**The takeaway:** When you give a stacked height, say plainly that you want one cover around both mattresses.

> **Tailor's margin:** Two stacked Hemnes mattresses take one cover at the combined height, 9.5 in, never two separate covers.

### 05. A sleepover window seat in mustard velvet

![Two mustard wide-wale corduroy bolsters with twisted self-cord edges resting on a linen seat inside a white daybed](https://cushionguide.com/media/bolster-pillows/mustard-corduroy-bolster-pair-white-daybed-1600.webp "Chunky golden corduroy with a rope-like edge where the ribbed end caps meet the body.")

A buyer got in touch about a window seat, 31.5 x 95.7 in (80 x 243 cm), that doubles as a bed for sleepovers. She wanted a black or gray French stripe; we had no match, so she moved to plain velvet. Between a golden yellow and a mustard, she chose the quieter mustard.

**The takeaway:** When the pattern you want isn't there, a strong plain velvet can carry the room. Compare the two nearest shades side by side.

> **Tailor's margin:** When the stripe isn't available, choose a strong plain velvet and compare the two closest yellows in daylight.

### 06. The sofa that opens to a king

![White Hemnes daybed dressed in red and cream striped cotton covers with bolsters, beside a bench with a cream throw](https://cushionguide.com/media/ikea-hemnes-daybed-covers/red-cream-striped-hemnes-daybed-guest-room-1600.webp "Red and cream stripes on every piece make a white Hemnes daybed the brightest thing in this guest room. A cream throw and a wicker basket keep the look relaxed.")

A buyer in the US who hosts guests for weeks at a time asked whether our floor sofa is good to sleep on, and what the foam is. It measures 39 x 79 in (99 x 201 cm) as a sofa and lays out to about 79 x 79 in (201 x 201 cm), a king-size sleeping surface, on about 1.75 lb/ft³ (28 kg/m³) cold foam under machine-washable corduroy covers.

**The takeaway:** When a sofa will work as a regular bed, ask for the foam density as a number.

> **Tailor's margin:** A sofa that doubles as a guest bed for weeks needs a density number, such as 28 kg/m³ cold foam.

### 07. Burgundy velvet above a 4 in rim

![Elevated view of a burgundy linen-look Hemnes daybed with ivory piping, bolsters at both arms, gallery wall and plants](https://cushionguide.com/media/ikea-hemnes-daybed-covers/burgundy-hemnes-daybed-overhead-fit-view-1600.webp "The overhead angle shows how snugly the burgundy mattress cover, back cushions and bolsters fill the Hemnes frame. Ivory piping outlines every piece.")

A buyer in the US bought a black metal daybed whose sides rise about 4 in (10 cm), and needed a seat plus two bolsters. The first quote was for a 4 in cushion, which would have sat flush with the rim, so she moved to 8 in (20 cm). After re-measuring, the seat became 46 x 21 x 8 in (117 x 53 x 20 cm) in burgundy velvet, with two bolsters 21 in (53 cm) long to match the seat depth.

**The takeaway:** Make the cushion thicker than the frame's rim so it sits proud of the edge, and cut the bolsters to the seat depth.

> **Tailor's margin:** On a frame with a 4 in raised rim, an 8 in cushion sits proud; a 4 in one sits flush.

### 08. Cream velvet over a slouchy insert

![White Hemnes daybed with cream velvet mattress cover, back pillows and bolsters piped in rust, oak side table and indoor tree](https://cushionguide.com/media/ikea-hemnes-daybed-covers/rust-piped-cream-velvet-hemnes-oak-side-table-tree-1600.webp "One bolster stands at the arm, the other lies along the back, a relaxed way to style the set for everyday sitting. The oak table and stoneware pick up the rust trim.")

A buyer in the US with a baby and dogs wanted a new slipcover for a store-bought daybed and first asked about 100% linen. The workshop recommended velvet for its tight weave and its 86°F (30°C) wash, and she chose cream with mushroom-taupe piping. The workshop also told her plainly that a new cover over the original soft filling would stay slouchy.

**The takeaway:** A cover can't fix a tired insert. If you want a crisp sofa line, the foam has to change too.

> **Tailor's margin:** A new daybed cover over a slouchy insert stays slouchy; the foam, not the fabric, decides the final line.

## Color that says living room, not bedroom

The eye sits down first. A white quilted cover tells the eye *bed* before anyone sits; a saturated velvet with a contrast welt tells it *sofa*.

Look again at the sets above: ink navy velvet with cream piping in a study, burgundy with ivory under a gallery wall, cream velvet warmed by a rust or burnt-orange welt. Piping on a daybed set can be a different color from the cover, and that thin line is what turns a mattress edge into an upholstered edge. [Velvet](https://cushionguide.com/fabrics/velvet/) and [corduroy](https://cushionguide.com/fabrics/corduroy/) are the usual choices, and the [pillow cover studio](https://cushionguide.com/studio/pillow-cover-studio/) lets you try a welt color against the body before you commit.

For guests in hot summers, keep the sleeping surface smooth. If you want linen, know that most linen on the standard charts is a blend; [linen and cotton-linen](https://cushionguide.com/fabrics/linen-and-cotton-linen/) and [real linen vs linen-look](https://cushionguide.com/guides/real-linen-vs-linen-look-cushion-fabric/) explain the difference.

## What each daybed job asks of the set

Measure with the [daybed mattress cover guide](https://cushionguide.com/guides/daybed-mattress-cover-measurements/) or, on an IKEA frame, the [Hemnes cover measuring notes](https://cushionguide.com/guides/ikea-hemnes-daybed-cover-measuring/) and the [Hemnes daybed covers](https://cushionguide.com/cushions/ikea-hemnes-daybed-covers/) hub. For back height, see [daybed back cushions for a sofa look](https://cushionguide.com/guides/daybed-back-cushions-sofa-look/).

| The job | Ask for | Real size from past orders |
|---|---|---|
| Sofa you sit upright on | Foam-filled back cushions about 20 in (50 cm) tall, a bolster at each arm | Twin mattress 39 x 75 x 11.5 in (99 x 191 x 29 cm) |
| Guest bed in hot summers | Smooth, breathable soft fabric with self piping | 23 5/8 x 79.5 in (60 x 202 cm) |
| IKEA Hemnes with two mattresses | One cover at the combined height | 31.5 x 79 x 9.5 in (80 x 201 x 24 cm) |
| Metal frame with a raised rim | A cushion thicker than the rim; bolsters as long as the seat is deep | 46 x 21 x 8 in (117 x 53 x 20 cm) inside a 4 in rim |
| Sleepover window seat | One long piece in a strong plain color | 31.5 x 95.7 in (80 x 243 cm), mustard velvet |
| Store-bought daybed with a soft insert | A new cover plus firmer foam | Cream velvet, mushroom-taupe piping |

> A daybed cushion set reads as a sofa when the back cushions stand about 20 in tall and a bolster closes each end.
>
> — Élodie

## Daybed questions

**A common question:** What comes in the Hemnes daybed cover set? Is the mattress part of it?

**The workshop's answer:** The full set is one fitted, zippered mattress cover made to your mattress size, two filled backrest pillows and two filled bolster armrests, ready to use. The mattress and foam are not included, though a mattress can be supplied at extra cost. Piping is included and can be a different color from the cover. Write your mattress size, for example 75 x 39 x 8 in (191 x 99 x 20 cm), and your fabric codes in the personalization note.

**A common question:** My daybed isn't a Hemnes. Will the cover set still fit a Brimnes, a regular twin or a thicker mattress?

**The workshop's answer:** Yes. The set is designed around the Hemnes, but everything is made to measure, so it fits a Brimnes, a standard twin or any custom size. Send length, width and thickness, such as 39 x 75 x 5 in (99 x 191 x 13 cm); if the thickness is missing, the workshop asks after purchase. Mattresses 8 in (20 cm) or 9.5 in (24 cm) thick are fine.

**A common question:** Is the linen on your fabric charts actually 100% linen?

**The workshop's answer:** Usually not. Most standard linen fabrics are blends or linen-look weaves: the linen-look range is polyester, the natural linen chart is 50% linen and 50% polyester, and another range is 50% cotton and 50% linen. They are chosen because they are durable and easy to clean. A separate 100% linen chart and 100% cotton fabrics are available if you ask.

**A common question:** Could you make bolsters in the same fabric and piping as my seat cushion?

**The workshop's answer:** Yes, and a seat with two bolsters is one of the most common custom sets. Bolsters are specified by diameter x length and made in any size; past examples include 6 in (15 cm) diameter x 17.7 in (45 cm) long, and 8 in (20 cm) diameter x 26 in (66 cm) long in corduroy. Send the cushion size, each bolster's diameter x length, the quantity and your fabric for a quote.

## Questions buyers ask next

### How tall should back cushions be to make a daybed look like a sofa?

Daybed sets use back cushions about 20 in (50 cm) tall, measured from the top of the seat cushion. Standard bench backs are about 16 in (40 cm) tall and 4 in (10 cm) thick, and the workshop doesn't go lower than that, because a shorter back stops supporting you.

### Should a twin daybed cushion be one piece or two squares?

One piece, if a seam down the middle would bother you. A buyer in the US with a 75 x 38 in (191 x 97 cm) twin daybed used as a couch was first offered two 38 in squares, then chose one piece 12 in (30 cm) thick. Silicone fiber-ball fill keeps its loft longer than cotton.

### How do I stop a daybed cushion sliding on a smooth wooden deck?

Order a non-slip bottom. On a 91.5 x 31 in (232 x 79 cm) daybed cushion over a smooth top, the workshop added one and confirmed the cover stayed machine washable. Confirm add-ons in writing after you order; [stopping the slide](https://cushionguide.com/guides/stop-bench-cushion-sliding-ties-nonslip/) covers ties and rugs too.

### Can a daybed cushion set go outside on a patio daybed?

Yes, in outdoor fabric. A buyer in the US priced a 52 x 28 x 4 in (132 x 71 x 10 cm) patio daybed set with a back cushion and two cylinder side pillows. The water-repellent version costs slightly more, and its color range differs from velvet, which is indoor-only.

## Related at the atelier

- [How to make a daybed look like a sofa with back cushions and bolsters](https://cushionguide.com/guides/daybed-back-cushions-sofa-look/): To make a daybed look like a sofa, dress the mattress in a fitted cover, line the wall with back cushions about 20 in (50 cm) tall, and finish each end with a bolster or rectangular side pillow.
- [Daybed Cushion in Mauve: Where to Spend and Where to Save](https://cushionguide.com/readings/mauve-cushion-carved-french-daybed-arched-window/): On a daybed cushion, spend on the cover fabric and the back support, and save by keeping a mattress that is still sound.
- [What measurements do you need for a daybed mattress cover?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/daybed-mattress-cover-measurements/): A daybed mattress cover needs three measurements: the mattress length, width and thickness, in inches or centimeters.
- [How much is a zippered cover only for a daybed mattress?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/daybed-mattress-cover-only-price/): A zippered daybed mattress cover can be ordered on its own, priced by its size: choose the 'cover' or 'mattress cover' option on the daybed listing, then write the exact size, such as 75 x 39 x 5…
- [Daybed Cushion in Ivory Faux Leather on a Walnut Plinth](https://cushionguide.com/readings/ivory-faux-leather-daybed-walnut-plinth-morning-sun/): To seat more people on a daybed cushion, add filled backrests along the wall so it sits like a couch, keep one bolster at an end, and give cups a ledge.
- [Daybed Cushion in Gray Hexagon Jacquard for a Small Room](https://cushionguide.com/readings/gray-hexagon-daybed-cushion-square-back-pillows/): A daybed cushion suits a small room best when the mattress and back pillows share one fabric, so the piece reads as a single block.
- [How to measure an IKEA Hemnes daybed: two stacked mattresses, one cover](https://cushionguide.com/guides/ikea-hemnes-daybed-cover-measuring/)

*With color and care — Élodie*

---

Written by Élodie Marchand (https://cushionguide.com/masters/elodie/) for CushionGuide (https://cushionguide.com/about/). The site explains made-to-measure cushions and the partner workshop makes them; measurements are in inches first. This Markdown mirrors the page at https://cushionguide.com/concepts/daybed-sofa-cushion-sets/