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.
Mid Century Modern Sofa with Side Tables George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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
George Nelson Modular Sofa Table System Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller Hairpin Leg Daybed Sofa
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
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, Modular Sofa and Table Seating System, 1966 for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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
George Nelson Stool by Herman Miller, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, DE
George Nelson Stool for Herman Miller, USA - 1960s in all original condition with the rare brown base George Nelson (1908-1986) was an American industrial designer and architect who...
Metal
$19,500 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, Laguna Velvet, 1970
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, Laguna velvet, metal and plastic, Italy, 1970, set of four. "Camaleonda" is an icon, redis...
Velvet, Plastic
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.25 in W 72.25 in D 18.625 in
Mid Century George Nelson for Herman Miller Slatted Bench Maple Blonde
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful mid century George Nelson Herman Miller slatted bench with Amazing Patina. This bench is 72.25" Long Slatted coffee...
Maple, Lacquer
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
George Nelson for Herman Miller Sling Sofa, Model 6832 (1963)
By George Nelson
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
A striking example of mid-century modern design, this Model 6832 Sling Sofa was designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1963. Featuring black leather cushions suspended withi...
Chrome
George Nelson for Herman Miller Blue Velour and Chrome Daybed
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century daybed with a royal blue velour upholstered rectangular bed with two matching bolster pillows resting on a chrome frame with a central...
Metal, Chrome
Modular Sofa and Ottomans for Cassina
By Cassina
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Fully upholstered modular seating system with slab sides, tight seats, and ‘saddle bag’ style back and end cushions. Labeled Cassina under the seats on its metal frame as well as lab...
Metal
George Nelson for Herman Miller Marshmallow Sofa in White Leather
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful design by George Nelson for Herman Miller this marshmallow sofa is a sculptural icon. The sofa is done in white leather and bears the Herman Miller tag on the back. The s...
Steel
$2,846
H 27 in W 27 in D 32 in
An Original Herman Miller Modular Seating In Blue Wool by Don Chadwick 1970s USA
By Herman Miller, Don Chadwick
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Original Don Chadwick for Herman Miller Chadwick Modular Seating Comprising of Four Separate Modular Seating Chairs In Original Cornflower ...
Wool, Foam
George Nelson 72” Bench Herman Miller Mid Century Modern
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined modern bench, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, American, circa 2000s. Signed underneath. This bench retails for $2,365.
Wood, Maple
George Nelson Platform Bench by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Highland, IN
Introduced in 1946, the slat platform bench was one of Nelson's first designs for Herman Miller after becoming their design director. Intended to serve as a table, a seat, or a base ...
Maple
$4,995 / set
H 31 in W 18 in D 19 in
Mid Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Dining Chairs in Beech #4669
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous set of 4 beech dining chairs by George Nelson for Herman Miller # 4669 with caned backs and period fabric for seat covers. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. ...
Fabric, Cane, Beech
George Nelson for Herman Miller Daybed
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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
Early Production George Nelson / Herman Miller Modular Steel Frame Sofa
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early Production George Nelson / Herman Miller Modular Steel Frame Sofa,, Professionally reupholstered. Stunning gray wool fabric. Retains origi...
Metal
George Nelson Daybed Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Saint Paul, MN
George Nelson daybed in light grey wool and ash with hairpin legs. Contemporary production.
Metal
Sold
H 17 in W 75 in L 17 in
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
