At any given time, half the world's awake and half the world's asleep. Sounds like a planet fit for a daybed. Throughout history, the daybed's unique day-or-night versatility has made it the centerpiece not only of bedrooms, but also of social life within other areas of the home. And along the way, many different countries have put their own distinctive stamp on the daybed's style and function. These are some of the most influential examples.
China
China's rich history of technological and design innovation includes some of the earliest known examples of the daybed. The origin of the Chinese daybed can be traced back to legged, low-lying platforms known as ta that emerged during the Han dynasty (206BC-220AD). By the time of the Qing dynasty (1644-1912AD), Chinese daybeds had taken three notable forms:
Canopy daybeds were commonly used by Chinese women of the Qing era. The tradition of foot binding limited their mobility, and their beds were thus a combination of reception hall and status symbol. These daybeds featured curtains which were opened by day and closed by night. Women's daybeds from this era feature carved wooden symbols which represented immortality, happiness, and other qualities.
The antique daybeds of Qing-era Chinese men, on the other hand, are frequently mistaken for tables. These long, narrow, table-like wooden platforms were often moved from indoor study to outdoor garden.
The luohan chuang or couch bed was a stationary variation on the men's daybed style. These beds were heavier, with a low back and sides, and were kept within a study or bedroom.
France
The daybed forms that are most familiar in the Western world originated with the Directoire and Empire furniture styles of Napoleon-era France (about 1800-1840AD). The Recamier, named for the French socialite portrayed in a famous painting by Jacques-Louis David, featured raised ends on which a sitter could recline—with bolster pillows, of course, just like Madame Recamier in her portrait. The meridienne-style daybed often eliminated the raised foot altogether, with an asymmetrical form that featured a high headrest sloping down into a lower half-length back.
Bring France home: With taupe microsuede (and bolster pillows) for contemporary comfort and a classic backless, raised end form, this daybed would make Madame Recamier feel right at home.
Modern daybed styles from around the world
Sweden
In the U.S., Sweden has become synonymous with modern furniture style. But Swedish day bed styles can actually be traced back to the Gustavian period (1755-1810AD), which furniture historian Judith Miller has called "the golden age… beginning of a recognizable Swedish furniture style." The Gustavian era's pale colors and neoclassical motifs have since given way to light, blonde-colored woods, and expressive contemporary fabric motifs.
Japan
The simplicity and clarity of Japanese furniture design was a strong international component of the Modernist movement of the 1940s and '50s. The clean lines and low platforms of Japanese daybeds reflect the traditional roles of portability, flexibility, woodcraft, and Zen Buddhist-inspired minimalism within Japanese design.
Bring Japan home:
The Japanese-influenced design of this sleigh-style daybed is handsomely complemented by Asian hardwood. The clean modern lines of this Japanese-style platform daybed are accentuated by open slats and a rich cherry finish.
Indonesia
Indonesian furniture styles combine the historic local tradition of teak furniture making and the absorption of design influences from Southeast Asia, Europe, and elsewhere. Modern Indonesian daybeds are notable for their outdoor aesthetic featuring natural materials such as wicker, bamboo, and meranti wood.
Bring Indonesia home:
South Seas outdoor ambience gets a modern makeover with the contemporary black resin wicker of this unique canopy daybed.
