What Do You Need From Your New Divan Bed?
Before choosing your divan bed, think about how much sleeping space and storage you need, the style you prefer and the size of your bedroom.
What Size?
Choose the right divan size based on who will use it and how much sleeping space you need.
What Storage?
Choose from drawers, continental drawers or ottoman storage to make the most of your bedroom.
Which Style?
Select a fabric, colour and base style that works with your existing bedroom décor.
Need a Headboard?
Complete your divan with a compatible headboard in a style and height you love.
What Is a Divan Bed?
A divan bed consists of a sturdy upholstered base designed to support your mattress. Unlike many traditional bed frames, a divan base can incorporate practical storage options while providing a simple, streamlined appearance.
Sturdy Base
Divan bases provide a stable foundation for your mattress and are designed for everyday use.
Built-In Storage
Choose drawers or an ottoman mechanism to create useful storage underneath your mattress.
Upholstered Finish
Choose from different fabrics, colours and finishes to create a bedroom look that suits you.
Flexible Styles
Divan beds can be paired with a wide range of headboards to create a complete bedroom set.
Multiple Sizes
Divan beds are available in popular UK sizes, from small single and single through to super king.
Space Efficient
Their practical design makes divan beds particularly useful in bedrooms where space is limited.
What Size Divan Bed Should I Choose?
Choosing the correct divan size is essential. Consider who will sleep in the bed, how much space is available and whether you need additional room for storage or furniture around the bed.
A compact option for children's bedrooms, smaller rooms and guest spaces.
A practical choice for one person and popular for children's, teenagers' and guest bedrooms.
Provides more sleeping space than a single while taking up less room than a standard double.
Provides extra width and length for a more spacious sleeping area.
The largest standard UK size, ideal for couples wanting maximum sleeping space.
Which Divan Storage Option Should I Choose?
One of the biggest benefits of choosing a divan bed is the ability to add useful storage beneath the mattress. The best option depends on what you need to store and how often you need to access it.
Drawer Storage
Drawers are ideal for items you want to access regularly, including spare bedding, pillows, clothing and blankets.
Continental Drawers
Continental drawer configurations combine different drawer sizes to make efficient use of the available space.
Ottoman Storage
A lift-up ottoman base provides a large hidden storage compartment, ideal for bulkier or less frequently used items.
How Many Divan Drawers Do I Need?
The number and position of drawers can make a big difference to how practical your divan bed is. Think about what you want to store and the amount of clearance around the bed.
A simple storage solution when you only need space for a few everyday items.
Provides additional storage for bedding, clothing and other bedroom essentials.
Different drawer sizes can help maximise storage while maintaining access around bedside furniture.
Ideal if you want one large storage area for bulkier or less frequently used belongings.
What Are the Benefits of a Divan Bed?
Divan beds are a popular choice because they combine a supportive base, practical storage and a range of styling options in one complete bedroom solution.
Built-In Storage
Keep bedding, clothing and other belongings neatly stored beneath your mattress.
Space-Saving Design
Use otherwise wasted space underneath the bed, particularly useful in smaller bedrooms.
Sturdy Base
A solid base creates a stable foundation for your mattress.
Choice of Fabrics
Choose from different colours, fabrics and finishes to complement your bedroom.
Wide Range of Sizes
Find a divan to suit everything from compact bedrooms to spacious master bedrooms.
Add a Headboard
Create a finished bedroom look by pairing your divan with a compatible headboard.
Divan Bed or Bed Frame?
Both options can work well, but a divan bed is particularly suited to anyone who values practical storage, a compact footprint and a coordinated bedroom look.
Choose a Divan If...
- You prioritise storage and practicality.
- You want to make use of space beneath your bed.
- You prefer a streamlined upholstered base.
- You want drawers or ottoman storage.
- You want to pair your base with a matching headboard.
Choose a Bed Frame If...
- You prioritise frame design and aesthetics.
- You want a wooden, metal or statement upholstered frame.
- You have a particular furniture style in mind.
- You don't need built-in storage.
- You prefer a more traditional bed-frame appearance.
How Do I Choose the Right Divan Bed Height?
The finished height of your divan depends on the base, feet and mattress. Think about how easy you want the bed to be to get in and out of as well as the overall appearance.
Choose a finished height that allows you to sit down and stand up comfortably.
A deeper mattress will increase the overall height of your finished divan.
The divan base and feet contribute to the total height of the bed.
Consider how the finished bed height will look alongside your other bedroom furniture.
What Headboard Should I Choose for My Divan?
A headboard can transform the appearance of your divan bed while providing a comfortable surface to lean against when sitting up in bed. Choose a style that complements your divan fabric and bedroom décor.
Upholstered
Upholstered headboards offer a soft finish and are available in a wide range of fabrics, colours and shapes.
Floor Standing
Floor-standing headboards extend down to the floor and can create a bold focal point behind your divan.
Strutted
Strutted headboards attach to the divan base and provide a practical finishing touch.
Statement Styles
Choose a taller or more detailed design if you want your divan to become the focal point of your bedroom.
Matching Fabrics
Matching or complementary upholstery can help create a coordinated bedroom look.
Check Compatibility
Always check the headboard size, fixing method and compatibility with your chosen divan base.
Which Divan Fabric and Colour Should I Choose?
Your divan bed is a large piece of bedroom furniture, so the upholstery can have a significant impact on the overall look of the room. Consider your existing colours, flooring, curtains and other furniture.
Beige, cream and grey tones create a versatile foundation that can work with many décor styles.
Darker upholstery can create a dramatic appearance and make the bed a strong bedroom feature.
Textured upholstery can add depth and interest to a simple divan design.
Consider how the divan colour works alongside your walls, flooring, curtains and soft furnishings.
Which Mattress Works With a Divan Bed?
Your mattress and divan base should be compatible in both size and specification. When buying a new divan, check the mattress dimensions and consider the overall height and feel you want from your finished bed.
Correct Mattress Size
Make sure your mattress matches the specified size of your divan base.
Consider Mattress Depth
Mattress thickness affects the finished height of your divan and headboard.
Think About Comfort
Consider firmness, sleeping position, support and mattress construction when choosing your mattress.
10 Things to Check Before Buying a Divan Bed
Check the available space and leave enough room around the bed.
Decide how much sleeping space you need and who will use the bed.
Decide between drawers, continental drawers and ottoman storage.
Make sure there is enough clearance around the bed for drawers to open.
Check that there is enough room to lift the ottoman base comfortably.
Select a colour and upholstery that complements your bedroom.
Check the headboard size, height and fixing method.
Make sure your mattress matches the specified dimensions of the divan.
Remember that mattress depth contributes to the overall finished height.
Measure doorways, stairways and access points before ordering.
Choose Storage That Works for You
Whether you need a couple of drawers for everyday essentials or a large ottoman compartment for bulky belongings, a divan bed can help you make better use of your bedroom space.
Shop Divan Beds →Frequently Asked Questions About Divan Beds
What is a divan bed?
A divan bed consists of an upholstered base designed to support your mattress. Many divan bases are available with integrated storage options such as drawers or ottoman storage.
Are divan beds good for storage?
Yes. Divan beds can provide useful storage underneath the mattress. Drawer configurations are ideal for everyday items, while ottoman storage offers a larger compartment for bulkier belongings.
What is the difference between a divan bed and an ottoman bed?
An ottoman bed is a type of storage bed that uses a lift-up base to access the storage area underneath. Divan beds can use drawers, continental drawer configurations or an ottoman-style lift-up mechanism depending on the design. Read our Ottoman Bed Buying Guide →
Does a divan bed come with a headboard?
Headboards are often an optional addition to a divan base, although some sets may include one. Always check the individual product listing to see exactly what is included.
Can I use any mattress on a divan bed?
Your mattress should match the specified size of the divan base. You should also consider mattress depth because this affects the finished height of your bed. View our Mattress Size Guide →
Are divan beds suitable for small bedrooms?
Yes. Divan beds can be particularly useful in smaller bedrooms because they can combine the bed and storage into one piece of furniture, helping you make better use of available floor space.
How do I choose the right divan storage option?
Think about what you want to store and how often you need access to it. Drawers work well for everyday belongings, while ottoman storage provides a larger compartment for bulky or less frequently used items.
How do I choose the right divan bed size?
Consider who will use the bed, the amount of sleeping space required and the dimensions of your bedroom. Remember to check the overall dimensions of the divan and leave sufficient space around it. View our Mattress Size Guide →
Explore Our Bed & Mattress Buying Guides
Still deciding what you need? Explore our other buying guides for more helpful advice on divan beds, mattresses, bed frames and bedroom furniture.
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