If you've measured and everything fits, I think it's a great idea. If both chairs won't fit, you can always use the extra chair elsewhere in the house.

My only concern about that daybed is, will a sleeping guest accidentally stretch and put their foot through the caning. It is a standard twin size, which I believe is 75". That is kind of short when the head and the foot are both enclosed.

I have a caned daybed in my office and I love it...looks great and several guests have used it...very handy. I have a metal daybed in my guest bungalow and it has a trundle, that has also come in very handy.

I agree that you need to be careful with kids and caning as it is not a resilient material. I think a daybed in that area would be great and a trundle would allow 2 people to sleep there.

Here is a link that might be useful: daybeds

I think it would look very nice if you pile lots of cushions around the perimeter and make it look luxurious.

A twin mattress is 79 or 80 inches long, I think.

I just looked in the catalogue (sitting right next to my computer because I want to log onto their site and enter the sweepstakes) - is it the Louis XVI one?
For an extra $150 I would definitely get the trundle and then even if you don't put a mattress on it right away you could store the toys on it and still have the option of using a mattress on the trundle later.

Turning your porch into a part-time guest room is a GREAT idea -- I believe everyone should use every single inch of their living space to their best advantage at that time! :)

Still -- some wonderful thoughts above! Measure the available space VERY carefully -- and then check out possible sofa beds too. Might be a bit more durable around kids and playtime!

But if you do choose a day bed -- then investigate ways to make it more usable for sitting. Perhaps a thick custom-made bolster pillow (perhaps tied to the wall for stability?) Perhaps a triangular back pillow -- with the wide part sitting on the bed?? And perhaps extra pillows at each end?

Just some thoughts! Hope you don't mind! :)

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

I agree with teacats about using every inch of their space to best advantage. My DD has a daybed in her room and I agree I don't think it would be very comfortable for guests to sit on--since they cannot put their feet on the floor. So, with that in mind, I will throw out another suggestion to consider. Put a console table behind the sectional to divide the two areas. This will also help to anchor the sectional in place so that it doesn't move when the kids (and adults) sit on it. Make sure the console table has plenty of space below to store the kid's toys and books with some attractive wicker baskets (or even doors). Add a couple of lamps on top to allow for reading light for both living room and covered porch. Electrical cords can be routed under the rug to nearest outlet. The console table will also allow a landing spot for drinks, books, etc. since you have the ottoman in front instead of a coffee table. Put the small table between the bergere chairs in the corner between the two windows with a bergere chair to either side. When guests come, use an airbed(s). Your children will enjoy having all the open floor space on the rug to play with their toys.

Let me clarify a few things about the space. First we rarely sit over there. The sectional in the living room right next to it is normally where we sit. When guests come over, usually everyone is in the dining room or hanging our around the kitchen island.
Second, that space in the front porch area is what everyone sees when you first walk in the house. I am more looking for aesthetics, but if I could pull off something like a daybed in the space that could do double duty it would be better. I initially wanted a loveseat, but was thinking maybe I could use a daybed, and store the toys underneath.
Third, I have a console table. It is currently in my bedroom. There is no way I can anchor it, and with my crawling 1 year old who pulls himself up on to furniture, it wasn't safe there. I am worried it will tip.
Fourth, we rarely have overnight guests. Usually it it DH's college aged twin brothers that will crash on our couch after watching some sort of sport, I doubt they would mind they didn't have their "own" room when staying over.

I don't really care that its a bed, or it's awkward to sit at, since we rarely sit there. I'm really just wondering if you all think it will look weird there, since it is open to my living room. I have been stumped for 3 years on how to deal with this area of my house. All suggestions are greatly appreciated.

This is the bed I want to get:

Here is a link that might be useful: Ballard Daybed

Polly929, I think it will be lovely, especially if you were to raise your curtain rods a bit, which would make the room feel bigger imo. I have a daybed in my sunroom which is open to the living room. It sits right under the window, as in your house, and it has become my own personal favorite getaway spot to watch the birds and take a nap!
Best,
Fuzzy

I have an antique daybed in my living room. We don't use it for extra sleeping but I have napped on it. I have a quilt over the mattress and an assortment of pillows on the back. It comes in very handy for extra seating when we have a party and I love the way it looks; plus, it's from my grandmother's family farm so I love it.