Velvet TV Beds Explained: Sizes, Styles and Finishes

A velvet TV bed is an upholstered bed frame covered in a soft, short pile fabric, with a television lift hidden inside the footboard. At the touch of a button or remote, the screen rises from the end of the bed and lowers again when you have finished watching. Velvet versions come in the standard UK sizes, from small double through to super king, and in a range of styles that run from clean panelled headboards to deep buttoned and winged designs. Finishes vary by pile, sheen and colour, and each one behaves a little differently in daily use.

If you are weighing up whether velvet suits your bedroom, the short answer is this: it brings warmth, depth of colour and a tactile quality that few other upholstery materials match, and it hides the television mechanism neatly behind a soft, solid footboard. You can browse our range of modern TV beds UK to see how the different velvet finishes look side by side. Below, we explain the sizes, the main styles and the finishes in more detail so you can choose with confidence.

What Makes a Velvet TV Bed Different

Every TV bed shares the same basic idea: a lift mechanism housed in an enlarged footboard, with the bed itself built around that unit. What changes from one bed to the next is the upholstery, the headboard design and the quality of the lift. Velvet sits at the softer, more decorative end of the spectrum. It catches the light in a way flat weave fabrics do not, so colours appear richer and slightly shift as you move around the room.

Because the footboard on a TV bed is taller and deeper than on a standard bed, it becomes a visual feature in its own right. In velvet, that large upholstered surface looks intentional rather than bulky. It reads more like a piece of upholstered furniture, similar to an ottoman or a bench, than a box containing a screen. That is one reason velvet has become such a common choice for this type of bed.

Velvet TV beds sit within our wider collection of bedroom furniture UK sale, so it is worth thinking about how the bed will work with your existing wardrobes, drawers and lighting before you commit to a colour.

Velvet TV Bed Sizes in the UK

UK bed sizes refer to the mattress, not the frame. This matters more with a TV bed than with almost any other type, because the footboard adds length and the upholstered sides and headboard add width. Always check the external dimensions before ordering.

Small Double

A small double takes a mattress of 120cm by 190cm. It suits single sleepers who want more room, guest bedrooms and smaller rooms in flats and terraced houses. A small double velvet TV bed can still carry a television, though the screen sizes supported are usually more modest.

Double

The UK double takes a 135cm by 190cm mattress. It is the size most couples start with and it works in a good number of standard bedrooms. With a TV bed, the total length can be noticeably more than the mattress length, so measure the walk space at the foot of the bed carefully.

King Size

A UK king size takes a 150cm by 200cm mattress. The extra width gives couples more personal space, and the extra length benefits taller sleepers. A velvet headboard at this width becomes a broad expanse of colour, so the finish you choose has a strong effect on the room.

Super King

The super king takes a 180cm by 200cm mattress and needs a generously sized room. In velvet, a super king TV bed has real presence, so it works best where there is enough space around it to let the shape breathe.

How Much Space to Leave

As a general guide, aim for comfortable walking space on both sides of the bed and at the foot. Remember that the television rises upward rather than outward, so the main space demand comes from the footboard depth rather than from the lift itself. Check ceiling height in rooms with sloping eaves, as the raised screen needs clear space above the footboard.

The Main Styles of Velvet TV Bed

The headboard shapes the character of the whole bed. Velvet suits several distinct looks, and the right one depends on the feel of your room and how much visual weight you want the bed to carry.

Vertical Panelled Headboards

Fluted or channelled panels run vertically up the headboard. This style draws the eye upward, which can make a room with a lower ceiling feel taller. In velvet, the channels catch light along their ridges and create a gentle rhythm across the wall.

Deep Buttoned Designs

Buttoning adds a traditional, tailored look. On velvet, the folds around each button create soft shadows that give the headboard depth. This style sits comfortably in period homes and in rooms with classic mouldings, but it can also add contrast to a more minimal space.

Winged Headboards

Wings curve forward at the sides of the headboard, giving a sheltered, enclosed feeling when you sit up in bed. They also take up a little more width, so factor this into your measurements if the bed sits between two bedside cabinets.

Plain and Low Profile Headboards

A plain, smooth headboard keeps the look calm and contemporary. It is a good choice for smaller rooms or where you plan to hang artwork above the bed, because the headboard does not compete for attention.

Velvet Finishes and How They Behave

Not all velvet is the same. The term covers several finishes, and each one has its own appearance and care requirements.

Plush Velvet

Plush velvet has a dense, even pile with a soft sheen. It feels smooth and substantial and shows colour very well. Deep shades such as emerald, navy and charcoal look particularly rich in this finish. Plush velvet can show pressure marks where the pile has been pressed in one direction, though these usually soften back with light brushing.

Crushed Velvet

Crushed velvet has been deliberately twisted or pressed during manufacture to create an irregular, shimmering surface. It has more sparkle than plush velvet and tends to disguise pressure marks well because the pile already runs in many directions. Silver, champagne and grey are common choices in this finish.

Matt or Soft Touch Velvet

Some velvets are made with a lower sheen, giving a softer, more understated look. This finish suits contemporary interiors and calmer colour schemes. It still feels soft to the touch but reflects less light, so it can look closer to a fine brushed fabric.

Choosing a Colour

Velvet intensifies colour, so a shade that looks muted on a swatch can appear deeper once it covers a full bed frame. Consider the light in your bedroom. North facing rooms receive cooler, softer light throughout the day, which can make blues and greys feel quite cool. Warmer tones such as blush, ochre or mink can balance this. South facing rooms get stronger, warmer light, which brings out the sheen in velvet and suits deeper, cooler colours well.

Neutrals such as grey, stone and oatmeal remain a safe and flexible option. They pair easily with most wardrobe finishes and bedding, and let you change the look of the room with cushions and throws. Bolder shades make the bed the focal point of the room, which works well when the rest of the furniture is kept simple.

Pairing a Velvet TV Bed With Other Furniture

A velvet TV bed looks most considered when the surrounding pieces support it rather than compete with it. Smooth finishes such as high gloss, mirrored glass or painted wood offer a clean contrast to the softness of the upholstery. Choosing modern bedside cabinets UK in a complementary finish helps tie the bed into the rest of the room.

If you like the look of velvet but are not sure about a television in the footboard, our selection of modern fabric beds UK sale includes velvet and other upholstered frames without the lift, so you can compare styles before you decide. If you are leaning toward a larger frame, our guide to UK king size bed dimensions for frame, mattress and room is a useful reference for planning the space.

Caring for Velvet Upholstery

Velvet is more practical than many people expect. A few simple habits will keep it looking good for years.

• Vacuum gently with a soft brush attachment every week or two to lift dust from the pile.
• Brush the pile in one direction with a soft clothes brush to refresh pressure marks.
• Blot spills straight away with a clean, dry cloth. Avoid rubbing, which can flatten or distort the pile.
• Keep the bed out of strong direct sunlight where possible, as prolonged exposure can fade deeper shades over time.
• Follow the manufacturer care label for any spot cleaning, and test a hidden area first.

Many velvets used on beds today are polyester based, which tends to be more resistant to crushing and staining than traditional cotton or silk velvets. Check the product details for the fabric composition if this is important to you.

Checking the TV Lift Mechanism

The upholstery is only part of the story. The lift itself needs to suit your television. Look for the maximum screen size and weight the mechanism supports, and check the VESA mounting pattern on the back of your TV matches the bracket. Most TV beds have a power cable that runs from the footboard to a nearby socket, so think about where that socket sits in your room and whether you will need a cable cover to keep the run neat.

Some beds also include storage in the base or under the mattress platform. If storage matters to you, compare this alongside the lift, since the two features share space within the frame.

Is a Velvet TV Bed Right for You?

A velvet TV bed suits anyone who wants a television in the bedroom without a wall mounted screen or a separate TV stand. It keeps the room tidy when the screen is lowered and brings a soft, decorative finish that works across traditional and modern interiors. If you have pets that like to climb on furniture, or young children with sticky hands, a crushed velvet or a darker shade will be more forgiving than a pale plush finish.

Take time to measure your room, check the footboard depth and think about the light before choosing a colour. With those details settled, the decision becomes much simpler. You can explore the full range of beds and bedroom pieces at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Velvet TV Bed FAQs

Does velvet show marks easily on a TV bed?

Plush velvet can show pressure marks where the pile is pressed down, especially on the footboard where people sit. These usually recover with a light brush. Crushed velvet disguises marks more effectively because its pile already runs in different directions.

Is velvet a good choice for a bedroom with pets?

Velvet has no loose weave or loops, so claws are less likely to snag it than they are with textured fabrics. Hair can cling to the pile, but a lint roller or soft brush removes it easily. A darker or crushed finish is more forgiving in a home with pets.

What size television fits in a velvet TV bed?

This depends on the lift mechanism rather than the velvet. Each bed lists a maximum screen size and weight. Larger bed sizes often accommodate larger screens because the footboard is wider, but always check the specific product details before ordering.

Can I fit a velvet TV bed in a small bedroom?

Yes, provided you measure the full external length, including the footboard. A small double or double with a plain headboard is usually the most space efficient option, and a lighter colour will help the room feel more open.