The Best Leather Beds with Built-In TVs

The most dependable leather beds with built in TVs combine a smooth, quiet lift mechanism, a clearly stated maximum screen size and weight, a sturdy footboard cabinet and leather upholstery that wraps neatly around the TV housing. Before choosing one, check three numbers: the largest screen the lift will hold, the total length of the bed including the footboard, and the distance between the foot of the bed and the opposite wall. If those work for your room, a TV bed is a tidy way to enjoy television in the bedroom without a wall bracket or a separate unit.

You can compare lift designs, sizes and leather finishes in our modern TV beds UK sale collection. This guide explains what to look for and how to make a TV bed sit comfortably in your bedroom.

How a TV Bed Works

A TV bed has an enclosed cabinet built into the footboard. Inside sits a lifting mechanism with a bracket that holds a flat screen television. When you press a button on the remote control, the bracket rises and the screen emerges from the top of the footboard. Press it again and the screen lowers back inside, usually behind a hinged lid that closes over it.

Most mechanisms are electric and plug into a standard wall socket. Some are hydraulic or use a gas assisted lift. Electric versions are the most common because they are quiet, controlled and easy to operate from bed.

Because the television is hidden when not in use, a TV bed keeps the room calmer and more restful than a screen that is always on show. It is one reason these beds have become a popular piece of modern bedroom furniture UK buyers look for when space or wall fixings are limited.

Key Features to Check

Maximum screen size

Every TV bed is designed for a specific range of screen sizes, usually stated as a maximum diagonal measurement in inches. The limit is set by the width of the footboard cabinet and the depth of the housing. Measure your television, including the bezel, and make sure it fits within the stated maximum. Do not assume a screen will fit simply because the bed is a king size.

Weight limit

The lift mechanism also has a maximum weight. Modern flat screens are much lighter than older models, but larger screens can still be heavy enough to strain a mechanism designed for smaller ones. Check your TV’s weight without the stand.

Mounting fixings

Most TV beds use a standard VESA mounting pattern on the bracket, which matches the fixing holes on the back of most televisions. Confirm the pattern on your TV matches before ordering.

Swivel function

Some TV beds include a swivel mechanism, allowing the screen to rotate once it has risen. This is useful if the bed sits at an angle to a window or if you sometimes want to watch from a chair elsewhere in the room.

Lid design

The lid that covers the screen when it is lowered should close neatly and sit flush with the top of the footboard. Some lids are separate panels; others are part of the TV bracket and rise with the screen. Either works, but a tidy finish when closed is what makes the bed look like an ordinary frame during the day.

Space and Room Size

The footboard cabinet adds length to the bed, often 20 to 30cm beyond a standard frame. When you add this to the mattress length, a double TV bed can easily be 230cm long or more, and a king size even longer.

You also need space between the foot of the bed and the opposite wall or furniture. When the TV rises, you will want to be able to walk past the footboard comfortably. A gap of at least 60 to 75cm is a sensible minimum.

Viewing distance

One advantage of a TV bed is that the screen is always at a fixed, predictable distance from your pillows. For most bedroom sized screens, that distance feels comfortable, roughly the length of the bed. Larger screens can feel overwhelming at close range, so it is usually better to choose a modest screen size rather than the maximum the mechanism allows.

Viewing height

When raised, the screen typically sits a little above the footboard. Sitting up against pillows, your eyes will be roughly level with the middle of the screen, which is comfortable for most people. Check the raised height in the product specifications if you have a particularly tall mattress or headboard.

Power, Cables and Connections

A TV bed needs power for both the lift mechanism and the television, so plan where it sits in relation to wall sockets. Ideally the foot of the bed should be within reach of a socket, or you will need a cable run under the bed from the headboard wall. Use a good quality extension lead with surge protection rather than a cheap multi plug adapter.

Inside the cabinet, there is usually space to route the television’s power lead and an aerial or HDMI cable. If you stream through a smart TV or a small streaming stick, connections stay simple. If you use a set top box or games console, check whether the cabinet has room for it, or plan to place it on a nearby shelf.

Avoid pinching cables when the mechanism moves. Leave enough slack for the TV to rise fully, and tidy cables with clips so nothing catches.

Other Features Worth Considering

Many TV beds include extras that make them more useful.

• Storage: Some frames combine the TV lift with drawers or an ottoman base, which adds valuable space in smaller bedrooms.
• Speakers: Built in speakers in the footboard or headboard can improve sound compared with the TV’s own speakers.
• USB charging: Ports in the headboard or sides let you charge phones without reaching for a wall socket.
• Lighting: Some designs include soft LED lighting in the headboard for reading.

These extras can be handy, but each one adds complexity. Choose the features you will actually use rather than buying the most elaborate design available.

Leather Colours and Headboard Styles

TV beds are available in most of the same colours as our wider range of leather beds UK shoppers browse, and the right colour depends on the rest of your room. Black leather is the most common choice for TV beds, as it blends with a dark screen and gives a sleek, modern finish. White and cream look light and fresh, and suit brighter rooms. Grey is a versatile middle option, and brown or tan adds warmth.

Headboards range from simple panelled designs to tall buttoned or winged styles. Because the footboard on a TV bed is already substantial, a headboard of moderate height usually keeps the bed balanced. A very tall headboard and a deep footboard together can make a bed look heavy in a smaller room.

TV Bed or Wall Mounted TV?

If you own your home and have a solid wall opposite the bed, mounting a screen on wall TV brackets UK is the main alternative. A wall mounted TV is always visible, which suits people who watch most evenings and do not mind seeing the screen. It also frees you to choose any bed you like.

A TV bed suits a different set of needs:

• Renters who cannot drill into walls
• Rooms where the wall opposite the bed is a window, wardrobe or chimney breast
• Bedrooms where you prefer the screen out of sight most of the time
• Studio flats where the bed area needs to look tidy from the living space

A third option is a low TV unit or chest of drawers at the foot of the bed. Our guide to styling TV units with UK bedroom furniture explains how to make that approach work alongside wardrobes and bedside tables.

Keeping the Room Restful

A television in the bedroom does not have to disrupt sleep. With a TV bed, the simplest habit is to lower the screen before you settle down for the night, so it is out of sight and the room returns to being a place for rest. Avoid using the bedroom TV as the main screen in the home if you can, and keep lighting soft in the evening so the room still feels calm.

Looking After a TV Bed

Keep the area around the footboard clear so nothing blocks the screen as it rises. Avoid placing heavy items on the lid. Clean the leather with a soft, slightly damp cloth and a suitable leather cleaner, and dust the screen gently with a dry microfibre cloth. If the mechanism ever sounds strained or stops partway, switch it off at the wall and check for obstructions or loose cables before trying again.

In Summary

A leather TV bed is a practical, tidy solution for bedrooms where a wall mounted television is not possible or not wanted. Check the screen size and weight limits, measure the full length of the bed and the space around it, and plan power and cables in advance. Browse our TV beds and wider bedroom ranges at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size TV fits in a TV bed?

It depends on the model. Each TV bed lists a maximum screen size and weight, so measure your television, including the bezel, before buying.

Are TV bed mechanisms noisy?

Most electric mechanisms are quiet, producing a gentle hum as the screen rises and lowers.

Do TV beds need a special TV?

No. Most work with standard flat screen televisions that use common VESA fixing patterns. Check the pattern on your TV first.

Can I add storage to a TV bed?

Some TV beds include drawers or an ottoman base. Check the product details, as storage options vary between designs.