Stylish Daybed Ideas for Patios, Terraces and Gardens
Interior Styling Blog for Real Homes: Ideas, Advice & Inspiration
Hi, I’m Sandra, this blog is about interior styling for real homes. If you love interiors and want your home to feel stylish, pulled together yet still personal, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll be sharing styling advice to help you edit, layer, and finish your home with confidence, alongside articles on what’s happening in the interiors world — from design events to colour stories - so you get the full picture.
I also take you on tours of beautifully styled homes from around the world, offering inspiration and styling ideas to steal for your own space. Ultimately, I’ll show you how a little bit of styling can be transformational and take your home to a whole new level.
In today’s post, I’m continuing with my outdoor styling series focusing on daybeds, sharing with you a selection of very different designs from high-end designer pieces to a simple DIY option.
Photo credit: Atkin and Thyme
Outdoor daybeds are some of the most stylish and luxurious pieces of furniture you can add to a garden, terrace or patio. Few outdoor items look or feel quite as special, offering a place to relax, read or take an afternoon nap, instantly giving that resort-like atmosphere. A daybed is a design statement in its own right, no matter where it’s placed.
Generous in size and often large enough for two, a daybed offers far more space and comfort than a narrow sun lounger or outdoor sofa. It creates a dedicated place where you can stretch out during the day or spend time under the stars at night. With its on-trend lattice design and subtle retro feel, the model shown here, by Atkin and Thyme, is made of beige woven Everope (PE) rope which has a lovely organic, natural look while also being weatherproof. I chose to feature this particular daybed, as it combines style with durability, with a sturdy powder-coated aluminium frame and removable zip-off cushion covers.
Whether I am on vacation or at home, a daybed is always my preferred place to relax. I like to style mine with cushions, both to prop myself up when reading and to introduce accent colours that complement the base cushion. That said, as you will see from the images in this article, some designs are so striking or come complete with their own cushions that they need very little additional styling. If you have the space and budget, a daybed can be combined with other outdoor furniture, either as part of a terrace set-up or in a separate part of the garden as a standalone piece. If you would like to explore more ways to style your outdoor space and read about all different types of outdoor furniture, visit my post on Outdoor Living Space Styling Ideas for Patios, Terraces and Gardens. With more choices than ever before, from curved-canopied shapes to pergola-style daybeds, this article will take you through a few of the different options available, including a bamboo child’s bed that I repurposed as a daybed!
African-inspired circular daybed
Combining woven rope with natural wood, this elegant daybed has a softly curved silhouette that looks both refined and inviting. The pine green-toned upholstery has a rich, textured finish and feels more akin to a luxurious linen or wool blend than an outdoor fabric, something I personally love as it gives that indoor interior look outdoors.
Harmonising with the surrounding trees and planting, the Karen daybed by Talenti has a calm, muted feel. Inspired by the natural beauty of African landscapes, the design is cocoon-like with a teak base that adds warmth and creates an overall sense of quiet, understated luxury.
Photo credit: Talenti
Outdoor daybeds vs sun loungers
Before choosing between a daybed or a more traditional sun lounger, it’s worth taking into consideration the differences between the two. In general, daybeds are more spacious and design-led, while sun loungers are slimmer and more flexible, so easier to move around or bring in and store during the winter months. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of both.
Daybeds
A statement focal point on a patio or terrace
Often include a built-in sunshade or canopy for sun protection
Durable and weather-resistant, which is important as they are often too large to store away.
Sturdy and substantial, making them ideal for windy spots but less easy to move
Spacious and comfortable, with enough room to stretch out fully
Sun loungers
Designed for one person, making them ideal for balconies or small patios
Flexible and adjustable, allowing you to move into different positions for sunbathing or reading
Practical and easy to store, as many can be folded and stored away over winter
Lightweight and compact, making them easier to move around to different parts of the garden, terrace or patio
Wooden-framed single daybed
Paired with a parasol and styled with green striped cushions, these refined wooden daybeds beside the pool really give me that wonderfully relaxed resort-like feel.
Designed with balanced proportions, these daybeds by Cox & Cox feel slimmer and more versatile than some of the larger or more enveloping styles. The acacia wood frame brings warmth and elegance, while the woven detailing and neutral-toned cushions keep the look elegant.
Photo credit: Cox & Cox
Modern canopy daybed
Complete with a canopy, this curved daybed by Pacific is the perfect nook to spend a peaceful day of reading, with the option of shade when needed. Crafted with a synthetic half-round rattan weave, it has a modern look while also offering a weather-resistant finish. The powder-coated aluminium frame ensures strength and longevity, while the cushions are water-repellent and suitable for use throughout the seasons.
Situated on a terrace, the styling of the daybed has been thoughtfully considered with outdoor cushions, lanterns and a woollen throw to snuggle up under during those long alfresco summer evenings.
Photo credit: Next
What are daybeds made of?
Wood - teak is the most robust wood used for outdoors and can be treated with teak oil to help replenish its colour and protect the surface. Other hardwoods, like acacia, are also commonly used and can work outside when maintained properly.
Synthetic rattan, wicker and rope - many outdoor daybeds combine a wooden or aluminium frame with woven rattan, wicker and rope details. These materials are now often made from hard-wearing synthetic materials made to withstand the elements while still looking natural.
Aluminium - daybeds made from aluminium are more lightweight than wooden versions, making them more flexible and easier to move around. Aluminium is also far more weather-resistant and less likely to rust than other metals, which can corrode if left out all year, especially in coastal areas due to the salt in the air. For extra protection, many aluminium frames are coated with marine-grade paint.
Daybed mattress and base cushions - the inner cores of these cushions are often made from quick-dry foam, which allows any water to drain through and helps the foam dry out more easily after getting wet. The cushions are usually covered with weather-resistant fabric that is designed to withstand strong UV rays and cope with outdoor conditions.
Weather-resistant outdoor cushions - you may want to add extra throw cushions to your daybed. Look for fabrics that are durable, will not fade from sunlight and are also showerproof.
A pergola daybed for a resort-like feel
If you are looking to create the ultimate retreat - and capture that Ibiza-inspired moment - a pergola daybed can be a stunning focal point in your outdoor space. This striking daybed by Nth Degree comes complete with curtains, giving it that true five-star luxury hotel feel.
The frame, engineered from powder-coated aluminium with teak slats, is designed for durability. It has all the robust qualities that I personally look for in a piece of outdoor furniture - particularly when it’s too large to move, ensuring it can remain outside all year round.
It’s a truly stylish piece with its rope detailing, deep beige cushions and elegant sheer curtains, but it is also practical. It has adjustable backrests to allow you to recline to your preferred angle, while the cushions provide deep relaxation and long-lasting support. And to top it all, it has a built-in retractable canopy to protect you from the strong sun.
Photo credit: Next
How to style a daybed
Colour palette - Daybeds, like sun loungers, often come with neutral-toned cushions, which provide the ideal base for laying coloured scatter cushions of your choice. You can continue your interior scheme by choosing outdoor tones similar to those inside, go for something completely different, or opt for shades that contrast with or reflect the colours of the blooms in your patio pots or garden.
Scatter cushions - Adding a few well-chosen cushions in different tones and textures can instantly elevate your daybed. Outdoor cushions are weather-resistant and now widely available in almost as many textures, designs and colours as indoor cushions. For more inspiration, you might like to read my recent post on outdoor cushion styling ideas.
Throws - A lightweight throw can add that extra layer of style to your daybed; pair with the colour of your scatter cushions for a cohesive look. It’s practical too, giving you something to snuggle up under when the sun goes down or you want to sit outside and gaze at the stars in the evening.
Daybed for poolside style and comfort
Outdoor daybeds, like this gorgeous one pictured here by Rowen, are the ultimate in style. This luxurious design is rather unique as it features a really deep base cushion upholstered in a durable, weather-resistant fabric.
The earthy taupe tone has a refined textured finish and blends seamlessly into the setting; with its matching pillow and a supportive bolster cushion, it couldn’t be more perfect for poolside lounging. I believe that this is the ideal stylish and spacious daybed for relaxing during the day and enjoying long alfresco evenings.
Photo credit: Rowen
Where to place a daybed
By a pool - Daybeds are really suited to a pool setting and give the whole setting that retreat-like feel.
In the garden - Positioning a daybed in the garden beneath a tree provides shade and is the perfect place to relax when the sun’s too strong.
On a terrace - A daybed can be combined with other furniture on a large terrace, such as a dining table, to give a complete outdoor room feel.
On a patio - It can act as a focal point, especially when styled with cushions and a throw.
On a balcony - If there’s room, a compact daybed can give a more luxurious feel without overwhelming the space.
The Igloo daybed with LED lighting
It’s the sculptural form that makes this spectacular daybed look like a true work of art, but what I also find impressive is that some versions come with integrated LED lighting that can change colour. Designed by renowned architect Ramón Esteve for the Spanish brand, Vondom, this piece is innovative and inviting.
Inspired by Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes, the frame features a structure of interlinked triangles in a matt ice white finish complete with a canopy made of a light fabric that creates a beautiful interplay of light and shade. It’s also a sustainable choice as the base is made of 100% recyclable polyethylene produced through rotational moulding, making it durable and weather-resistant.
Photo credit: Viva Lagoon
Styles and shapes of outdoor daybeds
Curved, oval, or elliptical shapes - look really stylish, especially when larger.
Open daybeds - are the more straightforward style; can be completely flat or have an adjustable backrest.
Canopy & Clamshell - have a retractable canopy to give cover and protection from the sun.
Pergola - this is ideal for a larger garden or around a pool to create that retreat-like feel.
Swing daybeds - often hang from a frame, but if you have a covered terrace and the ceiling will support it, you can hang one there.
Finely detailed luxury leather daybed
Featuring a headrest bolster-style cushion and two glass holders, I believe that this functional yet striking daybed captures the feeling of being at an exclusive resort. Upholstered in high-quality eco-friendly faux leather with subtle black piping, it has a contemporary, high-end look.
The frame itself is crafted from synthetic resin to mimic woven rattan in a dark natural tone, with its sculptural shape making it a show-stopping piece.
Photo credit: Juliette’s Interiors Ltd
Looking after your daybed
Use a protective cover - Shield your daybed with a high-quality weather-resistant cover that will prevent it from getting too wet or damaged by UV rays when it’s not being used.
Regularly clean it - To keep it looking fresh and new, wipe your daybed with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
Store over winter - If it is movable, store your daybed in a dry, sheltered place over the winter to preserve the frame. If it is impossible to move, bring the cushions in over winter.
Wipe excess water off cushions - Don’t allow cushions, whether base or scatter, to get thoroughly wet, as most of these performance fabrics allow water to bead on the surface but not soak in.
A designer daybed upholstered in bouclé
What really struck me about this daybed by Arteriors is its striking design and the fact that it has been upholstered in bouclé - a fabric which I am a fan of, but one I haven’t seen used outdoors. Here, it’s an outdoor performance fabric in a soft porpoise shade which adds a tactile, almost indoor-quality feel to the space.
The frame is crafted from solid teak veneer, stained in a willow finish with engineered marine-grade hardwoods for durability. The punctured split sides give the design a sculptural feel, creating the illusion of puzzle pieces fitting seamlessly together.
Photo credit: Arteriors
Repurposed child’s bamboo bed as an alternative daybed
Daybeds are often seen as luxury items, as they tend to be larger and more solid than a lounger, but there are options if you want a more budget-friendly alternative. Although not strictly a DIY piece, pictured here is a daybed I created by repurposing a bamboo child’s bed and adding a separate memory foam mattress. I styled it with outdoor cushions and covered the mattress with a cotton throw. It was the perfect width for lounging and sunbathing, but also doubled up as a bench when I had friends over.
As a natural material, the bamboo worked beautifully outdoors, especially when covered at night. However, living by the sea meant high winds and rain, and the cover rarely stayed in place, leaving it exposed to the elements.
I also created a hanging daybed on a veranda in my last house using an old child’s bed, removing the legs and hanging it on chains bought from a DIY shop.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
LET’S SUM UP
I hope you have found inspiration in these stylish daybed ideas and can see how they can really transform a patio, terrace or garden.
Further reading: If you enjoyed this post, here are a couple of others you might like to read that will help you create stylish outdoor areas: from a DIY shop.
Outdoor Living Space Styling Ideas for Patios, Terraces and Gardens
Outdoor Rugs Ideas to Transform Your Patio, Terrace or Garden
Outdoor Cushion Styling Ideas to Elevate Your Patio, Terrace or Garden
