Years ago our friends had the most innovative piece of furniture- a daybed that pulled out into a king size bed for when they had guests. I thought it was so cool to have something that could function as a couch during the day but also a bed for overnight guests. We had a small playroom at the time that we decided to turn into a playroom/guest room, so we bought the IKEA HEMNES daybed with drawers. And now here we are seven years later, finally writing a review of it!
If you’ve been searching for a versatile, budget-friendly piece of furniture that can handle the chaos of a busy family home, chances are the IKEA HEMNES Daybed has crossed your radar. It’s a staple in the design world for a reason: it’s a sofa, a single bed, a double bed, and storage all rolled into one.
But how does it actually hold up over time?
We’ve had the HEMNES daybed in our home for seven years now, if you can believe that. We moved it through different rooms, used it for different purposes, and put it through the ultimate durability test: living with kids. If you’re wondering whether this $500+ investment stands the test of time, here is my honest, unfiltered review after nearly a decade of use.
The Appeal: Why We Bought It
Seven years ago, we needed a piece of furniture that could maximize a smaller space. The selling points of the HEMNES daybed (for us, anyway):
- The Footprint: It functions as a standard twin bed or daybed by day.
- The Pull-Out Feature: The base pulls out to seamlessly convert it into a king-size bed for guests.
- The Storage: Three massive, deep drawers sit underneath, offering a ton of extra space for linens, toys, or seasonal clothes.
We chose the classic white finish because it perfectly fits a clean, polished, traditional aesthetic. It has a slight coastal, cottage vibe that feels timeless rather than trendy.
How It Pulls Out (and the Mattress Situation)
The mechanism to pull the bed out into a king-size frame is simple. You just pull the front rail forward, and a hidden slatted base extends. Anyone can do this – you don’t have to be very strong!
The one catch is that you need two twin mattresses, and they can’t be too thick.
- When used as a single twin bed, the two mattresses stack on top of each other. This makes the seating height quite high (great for adults, a little high for toddlers).
- When pulled out, you lay the mattresses side-by-side.
For kids’ sleepovers or the occasional weekend guest, it’s completely fine. However, because it’s a slatted base with two separate mattresses, you will notice the seam in the middle if you’re sleeping as a couple. My mom deemed it to be far too uncomfortable, so if you have a guest who typically sleeps in a very soft bed, this will be much too firm.
Storage: The Real MVP
If there is one feature that makes this bed worth every penny, it’s the three large drawers. They are incredibly deep and run the full depth of the bed frame.
Over the last seven years, these drawers have held everything from extra duvets and heavy winter blankets to board games and toy rotations. The drawer glides have remained smooth, and despite being packed to capacity, the bottoms of the drawers haven’t sagged, which is a common issue with some cheaper particleboard furniture.
Durability: How Has It Held Up After 7 Years?
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. IKEA furniture sometimes gets a reputation for being disposable, but the HEMNES line is made from solid pine, which inherently gives it more longevity. Here is how our bed looks and functions after seven years of daily life:
1. The Paint Finish (4/5)
Because it’s solid wood painted white, it is prone to minor nicks and scratches. We have a few tiny chips where something has hit the frame (or maybe it was during a move), but honestly, it has held up remarkably well. Unlike laminate furniture, because it’s real wood underneath, you can easily touch it up with a bit of white paint if a scratch really bothers you.
2. The Slats and Frame (4.5/5)
The frame itself is incredibly sturdy. There is zero wobbling or creaking when sitting or sleeping on it. The wooden slats have held up perfectly, with none cracking or shifting out of place, even with kids occasionally jumping on it.
3. The Pull-Out Tracks (4/5)
The pull-out mechanism still works smoothly, but you do have to be mindful when pulling it out. If you don’t pull it evenly from the center, it can get slightly misaligned on the tracks. It’s an easy fix, but it requires a little patience.
Pros & Cons at a Glance
| Pros | Cons |
| Storage: The three drawers are huge and highly functional. | Assembly is a beast: It takes hours and requires two people. This is probably the worst part about this daybed. |
| Versatility: Transitioning from twin to king-size is incredibly useful. | High seating height: Stacking two mattresses makes it sit very tall if you use thick mattresses. |
| Solid wood construction: It feels sturdy and doesn’t wobble over time. | Twin-to-King sheets: Finding the right bedding configuration when extended can be annoying. My solution: Just use twin sheets on each of the two mattresses. |
The Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Yes, absolutely. After seven years of real-life testing, the IKEA HEMNES Daybed is still one of the hardest-working pieces of furniture in our home. Its ability to pivot from a cozy reading nook to a massive guest bed makes it an incredible value for us.
If you are willing to survive the notoriously long assembly process, you’ll end up with a classic, polished piece of furniture that can easily grow with your family for a decade or more.
Other IKEA products I’ve reviewed from our home:
Our IKEA Pax Closet System Walk-In Closet
IKEA Outdoor Furniture Review + What You Need to Know Before Buying
Have you tried any pieces from the IKEA HEMNES line? Let me know your thoughts on how they hold up in the comments below!
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