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Short answer
For an indoor daybed used every day, choose a tight weave or short-pile velvet of about 15,000 to 25,000 Martindale rubs, with removable, zipped covers. For a balcony or poolside daybed, use a solution-dyed outdoor acrylic that resists fading and dries fast. Mid-tones and textures hide wear best, and bolsters and scatter cushions in a contrasting fabric finish the look.
Which fabric suits an indoor daybed?
| Use | Fabric | Rub count |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional lounging, guest room | Velvet, linen-look or textured weave | About 10,000 to 15,000 |
| Daily lounging, living room | Tight weave or short-pile velvet | About 15,000 to 25,000 |
| Children, pets, heavy use | Performance velvet or tight textured weave | 25,000 or more |
In the JOTEX range, YarnGuard PURIFY and REPEL velvets and the textured weaves BLAKE, MARC and VELA are rated at 40,000 rubs; VELVET and CINEMA are about 280 gsm velvets rated at 20,000. See Martindale Rub Test Explained.
What fabric suits an outdoor daybed?
Balcony, terrace and poolside daybeds face sun, rain and humidity. Solution-dyed acrylic holds its colour because the colour runs through the fibre, and it dries quickly. In the JOTEX OUTDOOR range, PATIO is about 340 gsm, and BREEZE and BRISA about 260 gsm. Use quick-drying foam, and bring cushions in or cover them in the rainy season. See Balcony and Poolside Cushions and Outdoor Fabric: Solution-Dyed Acrylic.
Covers, bolsters and making
- Removable, zipped covers on the mattress and cushions, so they can be cleaned.
- Piping gives a tailored edge and takes the wear on corners.
- Bolsters at each end support the back and arms; round bolsters suit a classic look, box bolsters a modern one.
- Scatter cushions in one plain and one texture or pattern. See Cushion Fabric Guide.
- Fabric quantity: ask your upholsterer; a daybed mattress, bolsters and cushions together can use several metres. See How Much Fabric to Reupholster.
Which colours work on a daybed?
Mid-tones such as greige, sage, stone and slate hide everyday wear; very pale fabrics show marks and very dark ones show dust. A daybed by a sunny window fades, so choose a fade-resistant polyester indoors or solution-dyed acrylic outdoors, and draw a sheer in the strongest sun. See Sofa Fabric Colours That Hide Dirt.
Frequently asked questions
What fabric is best for a daybed?
Indoors, a tight weave or short-pile velvet of about 15,000 to 25,000 rubs with removable covers. Outdoors, solution-dyed acrylic.
Can I use velvet on a daybed?
Yes. A dense polyester velvet with a suitable rub count works well indoors; keep it out of strong afternoon sun.
What fabric should I use for a balcony daybed?
Solution-dyed outdoor acrylic, with quick-drying foam. Bring the cushions in or cover them before heavy rain.
Should daybed covers be removable?
Yes. Zipped covers make cleaning far easier and let you replace the fabric later.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing, and our team can send samples or open a dealer account.