Whether you’re sliding into freshly washed sheets after a long working day, or you’re stirring lazily after a weekend lie-in, being in bed is the best spot in the house.
That’s why everything from the bed linen to the pillows and mattress right down to the frame requires strong consideration.
Storage is always a welcome bonus, whether your home is big or small; one can never seem to get enough. With beds taking up a good chunk of the room, it makes sense to find a frame that gives you more than just a place to lay your head at night.
One that comes with built-in storage is infinitely better than without, and alongside ottoman bed frames, divan beds should also be on your radar.
What exactly is a divan bed?
A solid block of a bed base, a divan frame is usually made from robust timber or strong metal before being finished with soft wadding and wrapped in fabric upholstery.
They’re made to match mattress length and width perfectly, making them more compact than standard bed frames - a welcome element if you’re working with a small bedroom. Unlike bed frames, a divan acts as a seamless platform for a mattress which also means a more polished aesthetic when adding bed sheets.
Why get a divan bed?
Divans don’t have slats to worry about so you’re less likely to snap them accidentally (and have to replace the entire bed). The full base also means a higher level of support, particularly helpful for all-foam beds which can ‘leak’ through the slats of a traditional frame.
The biggest benefit most divan bed frames offer is extra storage which typically comes in the form of a pull-out drawer or a lift mechanism to get to the hollow compartment underneath.
Many divan beds come with matching headboards for an additional cost, but if you already have a design you love, you can keep it while upgrading your base with a divan model.
If you’re in the market for a divan bed, we’ve rounded up the best designs to help you narrow down the search.
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Happy Beds Duck Egg Fabric Divan Bed & Cornell Plain Headboard
The best thing about a divan is that you can change the colours and fabrics of the upholstery to nail the look you’ve been dreaming of. Happy Beds goes one further and allows you to customise the base with your ideal number of drawers (up to four) or choose an ottoman for quick and easy access to your stored items.
Available in all standard UK bed sizes, the handmade bed comes with a Cornell Plain Headboard in your preferred shade for a slick finish.
Buy now £419.98, Happy Beds
Soak & Sleep Wentworth Upholstered Headboard & Divan Base
Squeezed for square footage? This divan bed has all your storage problems sorted. With two deep drawers positioned on each side of the base, there’s plenty of space to stash your spare linens, blankets, books and other necessities. The 6cm deep headboard is comfy and bookworm-friendly, making this a great combination of form and function.
Buy now £435.00, Soak & Sleep
Highgrove Sanctum Nature 2000 2 Drawer Divan Set with Harding Headboard
Highgrove delivers all the sumptuousness with modest storage in this divan set which comes with a matching headboard. The base features sprung edges to offer heightened levels of support and you can choose from a medley of storage drawers to make the best use of the dead space under the design.
It comes in myriad earthy tones as well as pops of yellow for those who want to add a splash of colour to their bedroom sanctuary.
Buy now £1949.00, Furniture Village
Divan Base Direct Signature Ottoman Storage End Lift Divan Bed Base
Combine a divan base with an ottoman-style opening and you have one hardworking bed frame that gives you plenty of storage too. A headboard and mattresses can be added onto the base purchase, allowing you to get everything you need in one go, or you can forgo the extras if you already have the other bedding bits in place.
Made from white wood and boasting an end lift, the under-bed storage is divided into two compartments, making it easier to organise your things. The frame is finished with upholstery which comes in various colours to suit your space.
Buy now £499.95, Divan Base Direct
Silentnight Middleton Double 2 Drawer Divan Bed - Blue
Add a stylish touch to your bedroom with a divan in royal blue velvet. The case comes with two drawers to pack away extra bedding, towels, off-season clothes, festival clothes and whatever other clutter you want out of sight. This purchase includes both a mattress and a headboard, making it astonishingly good value for money. A four-drawer version is available for an additional cost.
Comes with a five-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Buy now £559.00, Argos
Divan Base Direct Grandeur Luxury Side Lift Ottoman Divan Bed Base
If you’re yearning to create a clutter-free zone in your bedroom but your cupboards and drawers are already full, an ottoman divan base can unlock the extra room you need.
This option features a gas piston side lift allowing you fast access from one end while keeping your mattress stable on top. Strong corner joints and reinforced edges add to the durability of the design. Comes with a one-year warranty.
Buy now £439.95, Divan Base Direct
Dreams Classic Divan Bed Base
You know what they say; if it ain’t broke. Dreams’ classic divan bed base comes in two vertical pieces for a double bed size with fastenings to keep them locked and steady. Only the single size comes as one base.
The design comes in a choice of four colour options with plastic castors to help make moving it around easier. Underbed storage is optional with choices that include two drawers on either side (four in total) or two on the right or two on the left.
A matching headboard is also available to shop on Dreams’ site.
Buy now £160.00, Dreams
Bensons for Beds Tech Motion Plus Adjustable Divan Bed Set
Give your bed the tech revolution it deserves with this model from Bensons for Beds that has the motorised capacity to give your body support in the areas that need it most.
With a wireless remote, or via an app on your phone, you can adjust the bed. There’s a built-in USB port for charging the remote and backlighting to make it easy to navigate.
It comes with three neutral tones; sand, steel and graphite with a simple but effective rectangle headboard. Pick the mattress that suits you best from a range of medium and firm. Ideal for couples with differing sleep preferences, you can have the left medium and right firm. The hybrid mattress has pocket springs at the core with a layer of memory foam and natural latex that will be a godsend to those suffering from aches and pains. There’s also a responsive layer of a trademarked fabric that works to regulate temperature and prevent you from overheating.
The bed is available as a single, king or super king. The latter two have separate motors and can be controlled independently.
Buy now £2499.99, Bensons for Beds
Silentnight Toulouse Single 2 Drawer Divan Set - Sandstone
Dimensions: W90 x L190 x H105cm
So often, single beds are designed for children, but Silentnight pulls it out of the design bag with this design that is so chic it wouldn’t look amiss in a hotel room. The slimline base and beech legs offer elegance, while the upholstered headboard with border detail gives it wide appeal. Two side drawers covered in matching fabric make the whole thing appear seamless while offering plenty of extra storage space.
Buy now £280.00, Argos
Silentnight Maxi Store Divan Base
Dimensions: H38 x W90 x L190cm
Drowning in clutter? This single platform-top divan bed may offer the answer. The entire side is fixed in place with press studs and opens to reveal a huge secret space offering five times more storage than a traditional two-drawer bed. That’s a whole mountain of Lego bricks and board games.
Our one gripe? The headboard costs extra but we still think it’s worth adding anyway. This is one of the few kids’ beds we found upholstered in soft fabric rather than the usual metal or wood and the headboard is perfect for sitting up and reading in bed. There are nine different colours including slate grey and plum to match every colour scheme too.
Buy now £279.00, Silentnight
