Nelson Daybed
George Nelson's 1949 daybed with removable bolsters, a sofa by day and a bed at night.
838 × 692 × 1924 mm
Source: technical drawing image — Daybed with one end bolster (side bolster), as drawn on the product sheet — published as W 33 × D 75.75 × H 27.25 in
1949
USD 3,445, Standard, ash, Mode in Denim, hairpin legs, store.hermanmiller.com, 2026-10-14
Description
Overview
The Nelson Daybed is George Nelson's sofa-and-bed design, originally designed in 1949 and reissued by Herman Miller with removable back or side bolsters. It converts from a sofa to a bed for a momentary respite or a full night's rest.
Construction
A beveled-edge wood platform frame on stainless steel hairpin legs or tapered wood legs, with dual-density foam cushions finished with rounded welt-cord piping.
Specifications
The sheet drawing gives 33 in wide, 75.75 in long and 27.25 in high, not labelled on the drawing.
Story
An early version in 1941
Herman Miller's product page says Nelson designed an early version of the daybed for his own use in 1941, then refined it and launched it in 1949.
Design that evolves
The page ties the daybed to Nelson's view that design should evolve as human behavior changes and that furniture should relate to the whole interior.
More by George Nelson
Coconut Chair
Nelson's 1955 lounge chair: a white shell cut like an eighth of a coconut, on a chrome base
Home Desk
Nelson's 1958 writing desk with a walnut-veneer surround, white top and multicoloured compartments
Nelson Bench
Nelson's 1946 slatted ash bench, from his Fortune magazine office, in two lengths and two colours
Nelson Platform Bench
George Nelson's slatted bench of 1947, a seat, a low table or a base for the Basic Cabinet Series.