Wicker Daybeds Are Tried-and-True Relaxation Destinations

Outdoor wicker daybeds provide ample, comfortable seating for you and your guests, and as such they are great for parties and outdoor entertaining. And after the festivities, outdoor daybeds are great for napping too. But these luxurious patio furnishings are by no means a “new thing,” though it’s true they have been enjoying a sort of popularity renaissance in recent years. The fact is: daybeds have been around for thousands of years.

The role of the daybed today has become a sort of auxiliary rest-stop, but from the early days of ancient Greece all the way through the last days of the Roman Empire, the daybed was a crucial piece of furniture. Many Greek and Roman citizens showcased their daybeds in the middle of their home or in any open space, where it could be used as a seating or sleeping area. Many homes did not bother with concepts like “master bedrooms,” so there was no need to separate seating and sleeping furniture. The daybed is the logical combination of a sofa and a bed, so this was often the most critical piece of furniture a Greek or Roman could have. Wicker daybeds were used for socializing during the day and sleeping at night.

In Victorian England, daybeds took on a new purpose: often called “fainting beds,” they were placed in (aptly named) “fainting rooms” where women could rest, breathe, and, if the situation called for it, faint. Why were women so prone to fainting that they’d need a whole room and wicker daybed for it? Victorian high-society women were practically obligated to wear corsets, which were considered the epitome of fashion. They also severely restricted a woman’s breathing by tightening her torso and pressuring her ribcage and organs. This led many women to grow faint after even a short stroll in the middle of the day; the price of beauty was surely high. Luckily, they had a wicker daybed to catch them.

While you probably don’t need a “fainting bed,” an outdoor daybed is still a great way to add comfort and style to your backyard.  More outdoor furniture articles here.

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