Divan Beds & Bases

What is a divan bed?

A divan is a type of storage bed frame that consists of a wooden structure covered in a soft upholstered fabric. They typically come with built-in drawers, either two or four, and often have wheels, making them easy to move around a room.

Some divan bases come with ottoman storage instead. This simply means you can lift the mattress and access the inside of the divan bed to store your items – whether that be out of season clothes, bedding, children's toys, or whatever you deem fit.

Read on for more information or check out our divan bed buying guide.

What type of divan storage do you need?

A divan bed will either come with no storage, with drawers or with an easy-access ottoman storage space.

For those who choose a divan with drawers, you'll typically be able to choose between 2 or 4 drawers. This will either consist of one or two drawers on either side of the divan base.

The only time this won't apply is if you’re choosing anything smaller than a double divan bed, where the drawers will only be accessible from one side of the bed. Be sure to consider which side is best if you’re opting for a divan single bed.

Finally, if you're considering placing your bed against a wall and aren't opting for a single divan or smaller, it's better to choose an ottoman bed base instead. This means you won't lose out on storage as your drawers won't be blocked by the wall.

To learn more about the different types of divan storage, from sliding drawers to continental, check out the storage types section of our divan guide.

Are there any differences in comfort grade?

Divan bed bases come in two styles – platform and sprung top. Platform divan bases have a solid panel top that offers firm support and a sturdy base for your mattress. A sprung divan base has built-in springs to offer a more cushioned and softer base for your mattress.

What size divan base should I get?

We have divans suitable for every sized bedroom. They start from small single which are 2ft 6ins wide and go right up to spacious king-size beds and super king bed frames suitable for a mattress that is 6ft wide. Make sure you measure your room size to find your perfect divan size. For family households with a master bedroom, you may want to consider a larger divan size so that it will provide you with more storage space. Learn more in our guide to bed sizes.

Do they take up lots of space?

Divan beds take up less room than most other styles because they’re the same depth and width as the mattress that goes on them. This differs from other frames where the mattress sits inside with the frame around it. If space is an issue or your bedroom is on the small side, check out this article on tips for making your bedroom appear larger.

How long do divan bed frames last?

Typically, bed bases will last you around ten years, which is longer than the recommended time for a mattress. Divan beds are built to be robust and must conform to trading standards which ensure they’re more than stable. You can also join two single divans together to create a double. These will remain sturdy, especially if you use the right size bedding to ensure maximum tension and keep the mattresses together.

Styling a divan bed & base

At Dreams, we have a vast range of divan beds and bases in a variety of colours to ensure there’s one to match your bedroom carpet, bedding, and wall colour. From grey divan beds to black bases to pink bases, you're sure to find one you love.

There's also a diverse range of headboards that'll fit your chosen divan bed. Make sure you match the base to your headboard colour for a seamless design. To create a bold statement, you can contrast our grey and black divans with light-coloured walls. Or, for a calm aesthetic, opt for a more natural shade such as sandstone or a beige divan bed.

For more information on beds in general, our bed buying guide breaks down the benefits of each type and which would be right for you.