The best beds with built in TVs combine a quiet, reliable lift mechanism, a footboard deep enough to hide the screen completely, a sturdy frame and a mattress platform that feels like any good bed. Look for a lift that raises the screen smoothly by remote, clear guidance on the maximum screen size, sensible cable management and an upholstered or padded finish that keeps the footboard from looking bulky. If those basics are right, a TV bed lets you enjoy a screen in the bedroom without a television dominating the room during the day.
Below we look at how these beds work, which features are worth prioritising and how to fit one into a typical UK bedroom. Our modern TV beds UK collection is a good place to see the range of shapes and finishes available.
A TV bed has an enlarged footboard that houses a motorised lift. The television is fixed to a bracket inside, and when you press the remote, the lift raises the screen up from the footboard to a comfortable viewing height. Press again and it lowers back out of sight. Most mechanisms run on mains power, so the bed needs a socket within reach of its foot end.
The rest of the bed is a conventional frame: a headboard, side rails, a slatted or solid base and space for a standard mattress. Some designs add a gas lift storage base underneath, which turns the whole bed into a useful storage piece as well.
The appeal is simple. A wall mounted or freestanding television can feel out of place in a calm bedroom. A TV bed hides the screen when you are not watching, which helps the room feel restful again. It also means the bed can be planned alongside the rest of your modern bedroom furniture UK without leaving a wall free for a screen.
The lift is the heart of the bed. A good mechanism is quiet enough not to disturb a sleeping partner, raises the screen steadily without wobbling, and stops cleanly at the top. A soft start and soft stop helps protect the television. Ask whether the motor has a safety cut out in case something is resting on the footboard when it moves.
Every TV bed has a maximum screen size, usually expressed as a diagonal measurement. This depends on the internal width and depth of the footboard and the weight the lift can carry. Check your television’s width without its stand, its depth and its weight before choosing. A screen that is too wide may not fit, and one that is too heavy may strain the motor over time.
Television, aerial or streaming device and lift motor all need power. Well designed beds include channels or clips that guide cables tidily inside the frame, so nothing catches as the screen rises and lowers. This matters more than many people expect, because loose cables are the most common cause of problems.
Under the mattress, look for closely spaced slats or a solid platform that spreads weight evenly. A sprung slatted base gives a little give and helps airflow, which keeps the mattress fresh. Make sure the base suits the type of mattress you plan to use.
TV beds come in double, king size and super king size, with doubles and kings being the most common. The lift housing makes the footboard deeper than a standard frame, so a TV bed is usually longer overall than an ordinary bed of the same mattress size. Expect it to add noticeably to the length of the frame.
That extra length matters in UK bedrooms, where many main bedrooms are not especially long. Measure from the headboard wall to whatever sits opposite the foot of the bed, whether that is a wall, wardrobe or chest of drawers. You need enough clear space to walk past the footboard comfortably, ideally around 70 cm, and enough room to open wardrobe doors without hitting the frame.
Viewing distance also plays a part. Because the screen rises from the foot of the bed, you will usually be watching from around two metres away when sitting up against the headboard. That suits mid size screens well, which is part of why TV beds rarely need the largest televisions.
Most TV beds are upholstered, since fabric or faux leather softens the large footboard and makes it look intentional rather than boxy. Fabric finishes such as plush velvet, chenille or textured weaves bring warmth and suit most bedroom schemes. Faux leather wipes clean easily and gives a more tailored look.
Consider colour carefully. A large footboard in a pale shade can make a small room feel lighter, while a deep charcoal or navy gives a stronger, more enclosed look that some people find cosy. A midtone grey or taupe tends to sit comfortably with most wall colours and bedding.
Look at the headboard too. Tall panelled or buttoned headboards balance the deep footboard and give the bed a settled, symmetrical feel. A very low headboard paired with a deep footboard can look unbalanced.
A TV bed is first and foremost a bed, so the mattress deserves as much thought as the lift. Check the mattress depth the frame is designed for, because a very deep mattress can raise your sitting position and change the viewing angle. A mattress that is too shallow can leave a gap above the side rails.
Pocket sprung, memory foam and hybrid mattresses all work well on TV bed bases, provided the base offers even support. Our range of modern mattresses UK includes options in the standard UK sizes that suit these frames. If you watch television sitting up, a mattress with a firmer edge helps you sit comfortably without sliding.
A TV bed is a substantial piece, so the furniture around it should feel calm and proportionate. Bedside cabinets with drawers keep the remote, glasses and chargers within reach. Choose cabinets roughly level with the top of the mattress so you can reach them easily while sitting up. Our bedside cabinets UK sale range covers finishes that pair well with upholstered frames, from high gloss to warm wood.
Keep the wall opposite the bed simple. Because the television rises from the footboard, you do not need a television unit there, which frees the wall for a chest of drawers, a dressing table or simply open space. If you are deciding between a TV bed and a separate unit, our guide on how to style TV units with UK bedroom furniture shows how the alternative approach can work.
Wardrobes, chests and mirrors in finishes that echo the bed’s upholstery or legs help the room feel considered as a whole, rather than built around a single large piece.
A few practical checks save trouble later:
Once installed, a TV bed is straightforward to live with. Avoid placing anything on top of the footboard, as it can obstruct the lift. Dust the lift opening now and then so debris does not drop inside. If you have young children, teach them that the footboard is not a step or a seat, and keep the remote out of reach.
Think about the habits a bedroom television encourages. Many people find that being able to hide the screen makes it easier to keep the bedroom a place for rest. Lowering the television at night creates a clear signal that the evening is over, which some find helpful for winding down.
A TV bed suits households who enjoy watching in bed but want a clean, uncluttered room during the day. It works well in main bedrooms where wall space is limited, in rooms with sloping ceilings where mounting a screen is awkward, and in rented homes where drilling into walls is not allowed.
It is less suited to very short rooms, where the extra footboard depth makes the floor feel tight, and to anyone who rarely watches television in the bedroom. In those cases a standard frame with a slim footboard leaves more floor and keeps things simpler.
If a TV bed fits the way you live, take time over the measurements and the lift, then build the rest of the room around it. You can browse our full bedroom range at Furniture in Fashion, where we offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Each bed lists a maximum screen size based on the footboard’s internal width and the lift’s weight limit. Measure your television’s width without its stand, plus its depth and weight, and compare these with the bed’s specification.
A good lift is fairly quiet, producing a low hum as it moves. Quieter motors with soft start and soft stop are worth prioritising if you share the bed.
Most standard UK mattresses work, provided they match the bed size and suit the base type. Check the recommended mattress depth so the viewing angle stays comfortable.
They are longer than standard beds because of the deep footboard. Allow for the extra length plus a comfortable walkway at the foot of the bed.
Some designs combine the television lift with a gas lift storage base, giving useful space for bedding and out of season clothes underneath the mattress.
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