An electric TV lift bed is an upholstered bed frame with a motorised mechanism hidden in the footboard that raises a television into view and lowers it out of sight at the press of a button. They are made in the standard UK sizes from small double to super king, in styles ranging from plain panelled to buttoned and wingback, and in finishes that include woven fabric, velvet and faux leather. Size decides your screen width, style decides the look, and finish decides how much care the bed will need.
That is the short version. The detail is where good decisions get made, so this guide works through each element in turn. You can see how the options come together in our range of modern TV beds UK sale, which sits within our wider bedroom furniture UK collection.
Inside the footboard is a vertical frame with a bracket for the television. A small electric motor drives the bracket up and down. A hinged or sliding lid at the top of the footboard opens as the screen rises and closes again when it lowers.
Control is usually by a handheld remote, a wired switch or both. The motor plugs into a mains socket, so you need power near the foot of the bed. The television plugs into the same area, so it is worth planning a tidy cable route along the skirting before the bed arrives.
Most mechanisms include a safety stop that halts movement if the lid or screen meets an obstruction. Even so, it is good practice to keep the top of the footboard clear before you press the button.
Electric TV lift beds follow standard UK mattress sizes. The frame itself will be larger, because of the upholstered sides, headboard and the deeper footboard.
The size of the bed directly limits the width of television it can hold, because the screen has to fit inside the footboard. Every product page lists a maximum screen size and weight. Measure your television across its full width rather than relying on the diagonal figure, as bezel thickness varies between models.
A double frame is a common starting point. Our selection of double fabric beds UK shows how that size sits in a typical bedroom, which is helpful even if you are comparing it with a TV design.
Simple upholstered panels give a clean, modern look. They suit contemporary rooms and are the easiest to keep clean, since there are no seams or buttons to collect dust.
Vertical padded columns stitched into the headboard add texture and rhythm. The style works particularly well in velvet, where each channel catches the light.
Deep buttoning creates a classic, structured headboard. It suits period homes and rooms where the bed is meant to be the focal point.
Side panels extend forward from the headboard, framing the pillows. The effect is sheltered and soft, and suits larger rooms where the extra width will not crowd bedside furniture.
A lower headboard keeps sight lines open, which can make a smaller bedroom feel more spacious. It also suits rooms with sloping ceilings.
Linen look and textured weaves are durable, forgiving of light marks and available in a wide range of neutrals. They suit most rooms and are a sensible default if you are unsure.
Velvet adds richness and colour depth. It shows pressure marks where the pile is pressed flat, which a soft brush will usually lift, and it benefits from protection against strong direct sunlight.
Smooth and easy to wipe clean, faux leather gives a tailored, contemporary finish. It should be kept away from radiators and cleaned only with mild soapy water.
Some electric TV lift beds include extra storage. An ottoman base lifts the mattress platform on gas struts to reveal a large storage well. Side drawers offer easier daily access but need clear floor space to open. A plain slatted base gives the best airflow under the mattress and keeps the frame lighter.
Whichever you choose, the housing for the lift takes up some room at the foot end, so storage space will usually be a little shorter than the mattress.
The mattress affects both comfort and viewing. A very deep mattress raises your sleeping position, which may bring your eye line closer to the top of the footboard and hide the lower edge of the screen. Each bed has a recommended mattress depth, and it is worth staying within it.
Our range of mattresses UK sale lists depth alongside size, which makes it easier to match the two. For a closer look at how frame size, mattress size and room size relate, our guide to UK king size bed dimensions for frames and rooms is a helpful read even if you are choosing a different size.
Size, style and finish work together, so it helps to think of them as a set rather than three separate choices. A super king in deep buttoned velvet makes a bold statement that needs a large room to breathe. The same size in a plain woven fabric with a low headboard feels much calmer and sits more easily in a contemporary space.
In a compact bedroom, a small double or double with a low profile headboard and a light neutral finish keeps the room open. In a period property with tall ceilings, a buttoned or wingback headboard in a richer colour suits the proportions. In a modern flat, faux leather or a smooth woven fabric in grey or charcoal works with clean lined cabinets and simple lighting.
Think about the floor and walls too. A dark frame against pale walls becomes a clear focal point, while a frame close to the wall colour recedes. Neither is better; it depends on whether you want the bed to lead the room or sit quietly within it.
The television you place in a TV lift bed should be light, slim and within the listed weight limit. Most modern flat screens are well suited, but older or heavier models may not be. Check where the mounting holes sit on the back of your screen, as the bracket needs to line up with them.
Plan how the screen will receive its signal. A streaming stick or small box plugged directly into the television is the simplest option, because it moves with the screen and avoids extra cables. If you use an aerial or a separate box, allow enough cable slack for the full range of movement so nothing pulls tight as the lift rises.
Finally, set the picture brightness with the room lighting you use at night. A screen that seems right in daylight can feel harsh in a dim bedroom.
Electric lifts need very little maintenance. Dust the screen before lowering it so grit does not settle inside the housing, and vacuum the top of the footboard regularly. If the motor ever sounds strained, check that nothing is resting on the lid and that the television is within the stated weight limit.
Unplugging the lift during long periods away is a sensible habit, just as you would with other household electricals.
When you are ready to compare sizes, styles and finishes side by side, the full range is available at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
It depends on the width of the bed. Each product page lists a maximum screen size and weight. Measure your television across its full width, including the bezel.
No. They plug into a standard mains socket, which should be within reach of the foot of the bed.
Faux leather is the quickest to wipe clean. Woven fabrics are also practical and forgiving of everyday marks.
Yes. Many designs offer ottoman bases or drawers, though the lift housing reduces storage length slightly at the foot end.
They produce a low hum for the few seconds it takes to raise or lower the screen, which most people quickly stop noticing.
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