The Divan Bed That Gives You the Most for Your Money

The divan that gives you the most for your money is a sprung edge base with four built in drawers and a separate upholstered headboard. That combination delivers storage, mattress support and a finished appearance in one purchase, and it does so at a lower cost than buying a bed frame, a chest of drawers and a headboard separately.

Divans are often dismissed as the plain option, which misjudges them. Because the base is a structural box rather than an open frame, a divan provides a full platform of support, contains storage within the footprint of the bed and can be specified in a range of fabrics. For value per square metre of bedroom, nothing else comes close.

Platform top or sprung edge: the decision that matters most

Every divan base falls into one of two types, and this choice affects both comfort and cost more than anything else.

A platform top base has a solid or firm upholstered top surface. The mattress sits on a rigid platform, which produces a firmer overall feel. Platform tops are less expensive, they are very durable and they suit people who prefer a supportive sleeping surface. They also cope better with heavy daily use.

A sprung edge base contains a layer of springs across the full top surface of the base, effectively acting as a second mattress underneath the first. This gives a softer, more responsive feel, absorbs movement and extends the working life of the mattress by taking some of the load. It costs more.

For most adults buying one divan to last several years, a sprung edge base is the better long term value because of the effect on mattress life. For a guest room, a child’s room or anyone who prefers a firm bed, a platform top does the job at lower cost.

Compare both constructions across our modern beds UK sale selection before deciding, since the difference in feel is significant.

Getting the drawer configuration right

Storage is the main reason most people choose a divan, and the configuration deserves more thought than it usually gets.

Two drawers on one side suits a bed with one side against a wall. Two drawers at the foot work in a room where the sides are tight but there is floor space at the end. Four drawers, two on each side, offer the most capacity and suit a bed with clear access on both sides. Continental drawers are smaller and sit further forward, which helps in rooms where the full drawer depth will not clear a radiator or a wardrobe.

Measure the pull out distance rather than the drawer size. A standard divan drawer needs around 50cm of clear floor to open fully. If the gap between the bed and the wardrobe is 45cm, the drawer will not open and the storage is useless.

Also consider the floor surface. Divan drawers run on castors or glides that work well on hard flooring and short pile carpet. On a thick pile carpet the drawers can drag, so look for bases with a drawer support or plan to lift slightly as you pull.

A divan with four drawers holds roughly the equivalent of a large chest of drawers, which means you may be able to leave that piece out of the room entirely. In a small bedroom that is the single biggest space gain available. Our ottoman and storage beds UK range also includes lift up alternatives if you need capacity rather than daily access.

Ottoman versus drawers: which suits your storage

An ottoman divan replaces drawers with a gas lift base that raises the entire mattress platform, revealing the full area underneath.

Capacity is the advantage. An ottoman holds considerably more than four drawers and takes awkward items such as suitcases and folded duvets that will not fit a drawer. It also needs no side clearance, which makes it the only real storage option in very tight rooms.

Access is the disadvantage. Lifting the mattress is a two handed operation and requires the bed to be clear, which rules it out for anything you need daily.

The practical answer for many households is drawers for clothing and linen you use regularly, or an ottoman if the room is too tight for drawers to open. Some bases combine the two, with a lift up section and drawers at the foot.

Choosing the headboard

Divans are usually sold with the headboard as a separate item, which is an advantage rather than an inconvenience. It means you can choose the headboard height, shape and fabric independently of the base.

Headboards fix to the base with two struts that bolt into predrilled holes, so no wall fixings are needed. Heights are typically described as standard, tall or floor standing. A taller headboard fills more wall and looks more substantial in a larger room. A floor standing headboard reaches the floor and gives the most finished appearance, though it costs more.

Match the base fabric to the headboard if you want a seamless look, or deliberately contrast a plain grey base with a deeper coloured headboard so the headboard becomes the feature. Both approaches work; what does not work is a slight mismatch, where two similar but different greys sit next to each other.

If the base is a neutral fabric, you can change the headboard in a few years without replacing the bed, which extends the useful life of the purchase considerably.

Matching a mattress to the base

The mattress and the base work as a system. Placing a very soft mattress on a sprung edge base gives a bed that feels unsupported, while a firm mattress on a platform top can feel harder than expected.

As a general guide, choose a medium mattress for a sprung edge base and a medium to soft mattress for a platform top, then adjust for personal preference and body weight. Heavier sleepers generally need a firmer specification to avoid sinking.

Depth affects appearance as well as comfort. A deep mattress of 28cm or more on a standard divan base makes the whole bed quite tall, which can look imposing in a small room and makes getting in and out harder for anyone with limited mobility. A 20cm to 25cm mattress on a divan gives a more conventional overall height.

Turn or rotate the mattress according to the manufacturer guidance, usually every three months in the first year and twice a year afterwards. This is easier on a divan than on a framed bed because there are no side rails in the way. See the full range of mattresses UK sale for specifications that suit each base type.

Making a divan look considered rather than plain

The criticism of divans is that they look functional. The fix is straightforward and largely comes down to the headboard and the bedding.

Choose the tallest headboard the room can take. Height is what gives a divan presence, and a standard height headboard on a large bed is the main reason divans sometimes look unfinished.

Use a valance or choose a base upholstered in a fabric you are happy to see. A tired valance over a good base undoes the effect.

Layer the bedding properly: fitted sheet, duvet one size up from the bed, a folded throw and pillows in pairs. This matters more on a divan than on a decorative frame, because the bedding is doing more of the visual work.

Place two matching bedside cabinets at a height close to the mattress top. Divans sit higher than many frames, so lower bedside tables that suited a previous bed may now look wrong. Our bedside cabinets UK sale range includes taller designs suited to divan heights.

Finally, add a rug that extends past the sides of the bed and a bench or blanket box at the foot if the room allows. Both give the bed a context and stop it reading as a box on a floor. You can plan the whole scheme across the bedroom collections at Furniture in Fashion.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a platform top and a sprung edge divan?

A platform top has a firm solid surface under the mattress and gives a more supportive feel at a lower cost. A sprung edge base contains springs across the top, producing a softer response and helping the mattress last longer.

How much space do divan drawers need to open?

Around 50cm of clear floor beside or at the foot of the bed for a standard drawer. Measure this before ordering, particularly if a wardrobe, radiator or chest of drawers sits close to the bed.

Is a divan better than a bed frame?

For storage and support within a limited footprint, a divan generally offers more. A frame usually offers more in terms of decorative detail and airflow beneath the mattress. The right choice depends on whether you need storage or a statement.

Do divan beds come apart for moving?

Most double and larger divans are supplied as two linked halves, which makes them considerably easier to move through doorways and up stairs than a rigid frame. The headboard unbolts separately.

Can I use any mattress on a divan base?

Almost any mattress will physically fit, but the feel changes with the base. Check the mattress manufacturer guidance, since some foam mattresses specify a particular base type, and match the firmness to whether the base is platform top or sprung edge.