Divan Beds

A divan bed is built differently from a bed frame. Instead of a visible frame structure with legs and slats, a divan has a solid upholstered base that sits directly on the floor or on a set of low castors or feet. The base is the structural element, the mattress sits on top of it, and the result is a bed that feels lower, more solid, and more compact than most framed alternatives.

The solid base construction gives a divan bed some practical advantages. It provides an extremely firm and even surface for the mattress, which is beneficial for mattress longevity. Mattresses on divan bases tend to wear more evenly than those on slatted frames, where the gaps between slats can over time create slight impressions in the mattress above them.

Storage is the feature that drives most divan bed purchases. Divan bases with drawers are among the most common storage bed designs in the UK, with configurations typically offering two drawers on one side, or four drawers split across both sides. Some divan bases also offer an ottoman-style lift mechanism, giving the full under-bed area as storage rather than the fixed drawer positions.

Divan beds are typically sold in two halves for double, king, and super king sizes, which makes delivery significantly easier than a single large piece. The two sections connect together when assembled, and the join is hidden beneath the mattress. This split design also makes it possible to carry each section up narrow staircases and through tight doorways.

Headboard options on divan beds are handled separately. Most divan beds are sold either without a headboard or with a choice of headboard designs that attach to struts on the back of the base. This gives more flexibility to mix and match the base and headboard independently, and also makes it straightforward to update the headboard at a later date without replacing the whole bed.