Like many modernists, George Nelson (1908–86) relished design that solved a problem. And there’s probably no more common design problem than not having enough space. A daybed, the Connecticut-born writer, architect and furniture maker reasoned, is “ideal for the bedroom that has to double as a sitting room.” Nelson’s versatile design — particularly with its slim profile and unassuming legs — fits neatly into a compact space, both in its small square footage and its quiet presence.
Nelson conceived an early version of the daybed for use in his own home in 1941. By 1948, he had perfected the design and presented it to Herman Miller, where Nelson had been director of design since 1947. The furniture maker has called his work as a designer “to do much more with much less,” and the final design for his daybed is the culmination of one of Nelson’s trademark efforts to simplify to the greatest degree.
A single, honed wood platform is supported by four graceful legs, either in wood or a more industrial-looking brushed-steel hairpin. Atop this basic frame rests a boxy foam cushion; side bolsters, which are removable for the quick transition from sofa to bed, are optional.
Nelson famously referred to his moments of creative inspiration as “zaps” — though the term appears to imply immediate, fully formed ideas, the daybed proves that sometimes a moment of genius is really the distillation of a long period of perfecting that idea.
The Nelson daybed is still manufactured by Herman Miller today.
George Nelson Modular Sofa Table System Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, BE
This original George Nelson Modular Sofa Table System for Herman Miller is a versatile and well-preserved example of Mid-Century Modern design. The system combines two upholstered se...
Steel
George Nelson, Modular Sofa and Table Seating System, 1966 for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Munster, NRW
George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s, United States. Very fine Modular §seater sofa by George Nelson (1908-1986) for Herman Miller. This sofa has a metal frame with square chro...
Steel, Chrome
$3,999
H 27 in W 106 in D 30 in
Vintage Mid Century Sofa with Tables by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a fantastic modular sofa and table set by George Nelson for Herman Miller, circa 1960s. This item is in excellent condition for its age and was re-upholstered in 2007 with a...
Steel
3 Piece Modular Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Preview, 1988
By Preview, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
3 Piece Modular sectional sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Preview, 1988. Original white fabric is in good condition. There is a spot on one cushi...
Fabric
Nelson Slat Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1990s. USA. Black painted frame
Wood
$12,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.5 in W 87 in D 32 in
Rare George Nelson for Herman Miller Sling Sofa, Model 6832 in Rohleder Velvet
By George Nelson
Located in Culver City, CA
An extraordinary, true museum-grade rarity for the serious 20th-century design collector. Designed by George Nelson & Associates for Herman Miller in 1963, the Sling Sofa (Model ...
Chrome
$6,250
H 31 in W 52 in D 31 in
Limited Edition Multicolor George Nelson For Herman Miller Marshmallow Sofa
By Herman Miller, Irving Harper, George Nelson
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
George Nelson Office – Limited Edition Marshmallow Sofa Designed by Irving Harper for the George Nelson office, this multicolored Marshmallow Sofa is a limited edition piece manufact...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Vintage Sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Offered here is a rare and highly collectible “Model 0693” Sofa, designed by George Nelson as part of his visionary Modular Seating System for Herman Miller, produced between 1956 an...
Metal
$1,649Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 84.65 in D 30.71 in
Saporiti Modular Sofa George Nelson Herman Miller style 1950s Italy
By Fratelli Saporiti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Sofa set with black coffee table and light green two-seater sofa, the small one measures height cm.74, width cm.140, depth cm.78, seat height cm.38.
Fabric, Walnut
George Nelson for Herman Miller 0639 Mid Century Sofa
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller 0639 Mid Century Sofa This sofa measures: 95.5 wide x 30.5 deep x 27.25 inches high, with a seat height of 15.75 and arm height of 22 inches Good Vi...
Upholstery
$12,610 / set
H 26 in W 110 in D 54 in
8-piece Don Chadwick Herman Miller modular sectional sofa persimmon orange
By Don Chadwick, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
8-piece vintage Herman Miller modular sectional sofa by Don Chadwick in original persimmon orange wool upholstery. Comfortable, endless options, great condition. 6-piece U-shape is...
Wool
$2,499Sale Price|30% Off
H 23 in W 75 in D 30 in
Mid Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller Hairpin Leg Daybed Sofa
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Case Study daybed / sofa / couch / chaise lounge featuring iron hairpin legs with pine back suppor...
Metal
George Nelson for Herman Miller Chaise Longue
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare George Nelson chaise longue for Herman Miller. Heavy chromed steel frame with newer upholstery.
Chrome
George Nelson Modular Group Sofa
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Highland, IN
The modular seating group designed by the Nelson office in 1955 is one of our favorite sofa designs. It was designed on a 30" module and offered in a wide variety of configurations. ...
Steel
George Nelson for Herman Miller Daybed
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Astoria, NY
George Nelson for Herman Miller Daybed, walnut frame with red wool upholstered cushions on four steel hairpin legs. 25.75" H x 73" W x 33" D; sea...
Steel
Sold
H 27.5 in W 110.25 in D 30 in
Mid Century Modern Sofa with Side Tables George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Sofa with Integrated Side Tables for Herman Miller – This exquisite vintage piece, dating back to the 1950s-1960s, epitomizes the functional elegance...
Steel
Early Production George Nelson / Herman Miller Modular Steel Frame Sofa
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early Production George Nelson / Herman Miller Modular Steel Frame Sofa,, Professionally reupholstered. Stunning gray wool fabric. Retains origi...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Early George Nelson Herman Miller Walnut Daybed Chaise, 1950s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a rare and beautiful, walnut wood daybed or chaise, by George Nelson for Herman Miller, circa 1950s. In excellent vintage condition. Can be used as is, orig...
Walnut
Vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller Daybed Cot Sofa Chaise Lounge
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller daybed in very good original condition, circa 1950s.
Maple
George Nelson for Herman Miller Daybed Sofa
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Phoenix, AZ
This early George Nelson for Herman Miller daybed with mustard yellow upholstery features a seldom-seen side table arm. Please n...
Upholstery
