Pros & Cons of Divan Beds

Divan beds remain a popular option due mainly to their practicality and versatility. Below we outline some of their main pros and cons:

Benefits of Divan Beds

1. Practical

Most divan beds come with built-in storage, such as drawers, which can provide a space-saving way to store items such as bedding.

2. Plenty of choice

The variety of divan beds available has increased significantly over the years. Divan beds are available in a wide range of colours and fabrics. They also offer a choice of headboards, footboards and storage options. The ability to customise your divan bed to suit your needs and decor is certainly a pro for most people when deciding what kind of bed would best suit them.

3. Easy to assemble

Assembly is generally straightforward, with bases usually arriving in two separate blocks that fit together easily. We explain more about how to assemble them later in this guide.

4. Supportive

Platform-top divan bases can make your mattress feel firmer and more supportive. 

Cons of Divan Beds

There are a few drawbacks to divan beds that you may want to consider before you buy:

1. Reduced under-bed space

Although divan beds offer a means to store clothes and bedding out of sight, a drawer system inevitably offers less space than would be available by simply stuffing items underneath a bed.

2. Tricky to hoover underneath

Because divan beds are close to the floor, it is tricky to vacuum underneath them. However, as many of the bases are on castors, it is very easy to move the bed so you can vacuum underneath. 

3. Can be more expensive than standard bed frames

Divan beds tend to cost more than standard bed frames, partly due to features including:

• Fabric upholstery
• Custom fabric
• Customisable headboards
• Support springs
• Drawer storage
• Ottoman storage

However, retailers generally offer a wide range of divan beds that vary in design and construction, which can affect their overall cost.

Back to the top

---

Types of Divan Bed Bases

Like bed frames, divans come with different support systems. These support systems work in harmony with your mattress and contribute to overall support and firmness. There are two main types of support options for your divan base: a platform top base and a sprung divan base.

• Platform top divan base

A platform top divan base is constructed from a wooden frame and a solid panel top. It offers firm support and a sturdy, solid base for your mattress. For more information, read our guide, what is a platform top divan base?

• Sprung divan base

Made from a built-in spring unit, sprung divan bases offer more flexible, gentle support - slightly softening the feel of even the firmest mattress. This divan base is a good choice if you prefer a softer, cushioned level of comfort. Want to find out more? Head over to our page, What Is a Sprung Divan Base?

Back to the top

---

Divan Bed Storage Options

Most divan beds have a lot of customisable options, including storage. This makes this type of bed a practical choice if you need additional space.

Below is a list of divan bed storage options available from most retailers:

DIVAN BED STORAGE OPTIONS
Two drawers	Two drawers on either side of your bed
Four drawers	Four drawers, two on each side of the bed
Two full and two half drawers	Two full drawers on either side of the bed and two half drawers
End drawer	One drawer at the end of the divan
Full ottoman	Storage within the entire underneath of the bed
Half ottoman	Storage within the lower half of the bed

Drawer storage

If you plan on using your under-bed storage regularly, then choosing drawer storage may be best for you. This is because it’s easily accessible, working much like a dresser or cupboard, where you might keep things like clothes, towels or toys.

Ottoman storage

Ottoman storage is great for keeping larger items that you don’t need to access as often. For example, you could store all out-of-season clothes in your ottoman and then only open it again when you need them in a few months. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t access your ottoman storage regularly, but these beds were designed to hold bulkier belongings.

If you can’t decide between drawer or ottoman storage, some models combine drawers with ottoman space. This can be useful if you want to separate different types of items - perhaps you need somewhere for a few extra clothes and the ottoman section to store your suitcases. Storing items this way can help you keep your bedroom nice and tidy.

Back to the top

---

Does my divan bed come with a mattress?

In most cases divan beds are sold without a mattress. This allows you the flexibility to pair your divan  with your own choice of mattress most suited to your comfort and support needs. But if you wish to buy a divan-and-mattress set, some brands offer that option too. 

No matter which type of mattress you prefer, your divan base has been designed to complement and enhance the feel of both your current mattress and any new mattress.

Back to the top

---

How to assemble a divan bed

Divan beds are the easiest type of bed to assemble. Your bed will arrive in two pre-built base halves (or one whole piece if you buy a single-sized bed), complete with legs and, sometimes, a headboard if you've chosen one. If you have assembly instructions, please follow the guide that came with your bed.

If you do not have any assembly instructions, you can follow these step-by-step assembly instructions:

1. Turn the two base halves upside-down and attach the legs
2. Turn the bases over and push them together, securing them with the locking clips on either side
3. Add the headboard (if you've chosen one) using the pre-drilled sockets. The sockets are found at both ends of the bed, for convenience

While assembling your new bed, remember to be careful not to damage the base in any way. This can affect the warranty or guarantee attached to the mattress and it could potentially affect the way your mattress feels.

How to assemble a divan base

If you’d like to see how to assemble a divan base, check out the helpful video below.

How do I put a headboard on a divan bed?

All divan bed bases come with a means of attaching a headboard. Some of our divan beds come with a headboard as standard, while others will give you the option of adding a headboard later.

When attaching a headboard to a divan base, you should always check the specific manufacturer's assembly instructions, which you'll find included within your packaging.

However, here's a quick guide to putting a headboard on a divan bed to explain the basics:

1. Find the pre-drilled sockets on the end of the bed - these are covered by fabric, with a sticker showing where you should pierce the fabric
2. Pierce this fabric with your screwdriver to create a small hole
3. Screw all the bolts into the holes, leaving around 3-4cm of the thread exposed
4. Slide your headboard onto this exposed thread
5. Tighten the bolts to secure it
6. Need to adjust the height? Simply loosen the bolts slightly, move the headboard, and re-tighten

Please be careful when assembling the headboard to not damage the bed or the fabric.

How to assemble a full-length headboard

If you’d like to see how you should attach a headboard to your divan, watch the video below.

Back to the top

---

We hope we’ve managed to answer a few of your questions about divan beds. They’re easy to assemble, compatible with most mattresses and offer built-in storage solutions to meet your needs.