Outdoor Daybeds: How to Choose the Best Seat in the Backyard
If there is one piece that turns a patio into a retreat, it is a daybed. It is wide enough to stretch out on, often big enough for two, and it invites the long, lazy afternoons that make a backyard feel like a resort. This guide covers the main styles, the space they need, the materials that hold up, and the questions we hear most.
Three kinds of outdoor daybed
- Open daybeds are a generous, low platform with a back and cushions, like the Skyline Design Krabi or Calixto daybeds. They suit poolsides and open lawns where you want to see the view.
- Canopy daybeds add a sunshade overhead. A folding canopy like the Dynasty lets you choose sun or shade; a four-post cabana style frames the daybed like an outdoor room.
- Pod and cocoon daybeds wrap the seat in a woven dome, like the Skyline Design Sparta and Halo or the Panama Jack Banyan. They feel private and sheltered, and they are a true statement piece.
How much space do you need?
Most outdoor daybeds are 6 to 8 feet across, and pod styles can be just as deep. Measure the footprint, then leave about 3 feet of walking room on the sides you will get in from, and more if a canopy folds back. A daybed works best where it has a view and a little separation from the dining area: a corner of the pool deck, the end of a lawn, or under a tree.
Wicker, rope or teak?
- All-weather wicker is woven synthetic fiber over an aluminum frame. It gives the classic resort look and does not mind sun or rain. Skyline Design's Dynasty, Sparta, Halo and Cube daybeds and most Panama Jack daybeds are built this way.
- Rope and twisted weaves feel softer and more relaxed. Skyline Design's Calixto uses a twisted, honey-toned outdoor weave that reads like natural rattan.
- Teak brings warmth and weathers to a soft silver if left untreated, like the teak-legged Krabi daybed.
Whichever you choose, the cushion matters as much as the frame. Our Skyline Design daybeds come with Sunbrella cushions in your choice of fabric, with removable, zippered covers.
Care and the off-season
Hose the frame down a few times a season and brush out the weave. Bring cushions in during long rainy spells or store them over winter, and use a fitted cover on the frame. Our guide to winterizing patio furniture walks through it step by step.
Daybeds we love
Frequently asked questions
How big is an outdoor daybed?
Can two people fit on an outdoor daybed?
Can outdoor daybeds stay outside all year?
What fabric is best for an outdoor daybed?
Can I see the fabrics before ordering?
Find your daybed
Browse every daybed we carry, or start with Skyline Design daybeds, the widest range of canopy, pod and open designs.
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