Tech lovers should look for a TV bed with a smooth, reliable electric lift, a clear maximum screen size and weight rating, sensible cable routing and convenient power at the head of the bed. Useful extras include built in USB charging, a wired or remote control that is easy to use in the dark, and space to integrate a soundbar or smart devices without cluttering the room. The best choice balances clever features with a frame that still looks like good furniture.
For people who enjoy technology, a TV bed is an appealing idea: a screen that rises at the touch of a button and disappears again when you are done. But the features that matter most are not always the most obvious. Our range of TV beds UK sale includes a variety of lift styles and finishes, and this guide explains how to judge them with a tech lover’s eye.
The lift is the core of the bed. Most modern TV beds use an electric motor to raise and lower the screen through a hinged lid in the footboard. A good mechanism moves smoothly, stops cleanly at the top and bottom and holds the screen steady without wobbling.
Pay attention to the specifications. Every lift has a maximum screen width and weight. Measure your television across its full width, including the bezel, and check its weight in the manufacturer’s information. Leave a margin rather than choosing a screen that sits at the very limit.
Noise matters too. A quiet motor is far more pleasant late at night, particularly if you share the room or the walls are thin. If you can, look for details on how the mechanism is controlled and whether it has a safety stop if something blocks the lid.
TV beds are usually operated with a wired handset or a wireless remote. A wired handset is reliable because it never needs batteries and cannot be lost in the bedding, but the cable needs a tidy route. A wireless remote is more flexible but easier to misplace.
Think about how you will use it in the dark. Buttons that are clearly shaped or backlit are easier to find at night. Some tech lovers prefer to keep the handset in a fixed position on the bedside cabinet so it is always within reach.
Every TV bed needs a power supply for the lift and the television. Check where the main cable exits the frame and make sure you have a socket nearby. Ideally, the socket should sit behind the headboard so the cable is hidden.
Some designs include USB charging ports in the headboard or side panels. These are useful for phones, earbuds and tablets, and they reduce the number of chargers plugged into the wall. If a bed does not include them, a bedside cabinet with a charging point or a neat cable route through a drawer does the same job.
If you are planning the bedroom from scratch, our modern bedroom furniture UK collection helps you pair the bed with cabinets and storage that support your devices without clutter.
Most smart televisions work well in a TV bed, as they only need power and a wifi connection. Check the wifi signal in your bedroom first. In some homes, particularly older properties with solid walls, the bedroom can be a weak spot. A mesh system or a wired connection can help if streaming is important to you.
If you use a streaming stick or set top box, consider where it will sit. A small stick can attach to the back of the television and travel with it inside the footboard. A larger box is better placed on a bedside cabinet or shelf, with the cable routed neatly to the screen.
Leave enough slack in all cables so they can move freely with the lift. A cable pulled tight can strain the connection or catch in the mechanism.
Thin modern televisions often have modest built in speakers. Tech lovers may want better sound, but it is important to place speakers sensibly. Avoid resting anything on the footboard lid, as the screen rises through it.
Wireless headphones are the simplest upgrade and suit late night viewing well. A compact soundbar on a low shelf near the foot of the bed can also work well, as can a pair of small speakers on bedside cabinets. Soft furnishings such as curtains and a rug improve sound quality by reducing echo.
Lighting has a real effect on how comfortable it is to watch television in bed. Watching in a completely dark room can feel harsh on the eyes, while soft background light is easier. Some TV beds include LED lighting in the headboard or under the frame, giving a gentle glow without needing lamps.
If the bed does not have integrated lighting, wall lights either side of the headboard are a neat solution. Our wall lights UK range includes designs with soft, directional light that suits reading and evening viewing. Wall mounted lighting also keeps bedside surfaces free for devices.
Technology is only part of the picture. You will spend hours in this bed, so the mattress matters as much as the lift. A TV bed takes a standard mattress for its size, which means you can choose the feel you prefer. If you often sit up to watch, a mattress with good edge support and a supportive surface helps.
Our modern mattresses UK come in a range of firmness options. Check the depth of the mattress against the bed specifications, as a very deep mattress may sit higher than the footboard and affect the viewing angle.
A TV bed has moving parts, so construction matters. Look at the frame material, the slats and the footboard. A solid frame keeps the lift stable and reduces vibration. Upholstery should be neatly fitted, especially around the lid, where it opens and closes repeatedly.
Check assembly too. Most TV beds arrive in sections and are assembled in the room. Clear instructions and well labelled components make setup straightforward. Keep the instructions somewhere safe, as you may need them if you move.
TV beds are longer than standard beds because the footboard contains the lift and the television. Measure the external dimensions and allow walking space at the foot so the screen can rise freely. In smaller rooms, a bedside cabinet that fits the space is important. Our guide to bedside table measurements for UK bedrooms explains how to judge height and depth in relation to your bed.
A TV bed combines furniture with an electric motor, so a little routine care keeps it running smoothly. Most problems with lift mechanisms come from obstruction rather than failure. Before raising or lowering the screen, make sure nothing is resting on the footboard lid, and check that cables inside the housing are not pulled tight or trapped where the bracket moves.
Every few months, lower the television fully and switch the bed off at the wall. Wipe dust from the motor housing and the lid opening with a dry cloth, and check that the power and HDMI cables are still seated firmly in their sockets. Loose connections are a common reason for a screen that flickers or loses signal after the lift has been used many times.
Avoid using the lift while the television is still powering on or updating its software. Let it finish, then raise or lower it. If the bed has a manual override or reset procedure, read about it in the instructions now rather than during a fault, and keep the booklet somewhere you can find it.
Finally, think about future upgrades. Televisions are replaced more often than beds, so note the bracket fixing pattern and the maximum screen dimensions. That way a newer, slimmer model can be fitted later without changing the bed itself.
It is easy to focus on features and forget how the bed will look in the room. A TV bed should still feel like a bedroom piece first. Choose a finish and colour that suit your space, whether that is a sleek faux leather in a dark tone or a soft fabric in a lighter neutral. The best tech friendly bedrooms are those where you notice the comfort and style before the gadgets.
You can explore a wider range of bedroom furniture at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Yes. A smart TV only needs power and a wifi connection. Check the signal strength in your bedroom and leave slack in the cables so they move with the lift.
You can, but place it on a nearby shelf or cabinet rather than on the footboard lid, which needs to stay clear for the screen.
A wired handset never needs batteries and cannot be lost, while a wireless remote is more flexible. Choose based on how you prefer to use it at night.
No. They take a standard mattress for their size, but check the recommended mattress depth so the viewing angle stays comfortable.
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