TV Beds Glossary: Every Term You Need to Know

A TV bed is an upholstered bed frame with a motorised lift built into the footboard, which raises a flat screen television when you want to watch and lowers it out of sight when you do not. Product descriptions often use technical terms for the lift, the base, the storage and the upholstery. This glossary explains each of them in plain English, so you can compare designs with confidence.

All the terms below apply to the frames in our TV beds UK collection, and most are useful when choosing any bed. We have grouped them by topic to make them easy to find.

The TV lift and its parts

TV lift. The motorised mechanism inside the footboard that raises and lowers the television. It usually runs on a vertical track and is operated by a remote control or a button.

Actuator. The motor driven component that moves the lift up and down. A linear actuator pushes in a straight line and is common in TV beds because it is compact and quiet.

Transformer or power supply. The unit that converts mains electricity to the lower voltage the lift motor uses. It is normally hidden within the frame, with a single lead running to a wall socket.

Remote control or handset. The device that operates the lift. Some are wireless, others are wired to the frame. Keep it somewhere easy to reach but away from pets and children.

TV bracket or mount. The plate that holds the television on the lift. Most use the VESA standard, a set of hole spacings on the back of screens. Check that your television’s VESA pattern matches the bracket.

Maximum screen size. The largest television the lift is designed to hold, usually given as a diagonal measurement in inches. A screen larger than this may not fit inside the footboard or may strain the mechanism.

Maximum screen weight. The heaviest television the lift can safely raise. Check your television’s weight without its stand.

Swivel lift. A lift that can rotate the screen once raised. Not all TV beds have this, so check the product details if you would like it.

Frame and structure

Footboard. The end of the bed opposite the headboard. On a TV bed, it is deeper than usual because it houses the lift and the screen.

Headboard. The upright panel at the head of the bed. It may be plain, panelled, buttoned or shaped.

Wingback headboard. A headboard with side panels that curve forward, giving a sheltered, enclosed feel.

Side rails. The long horizontal sections that connect the headboard to the footboard and support the base.

Centre rail. A support running down the middle of wider frames, often with legs reaching the floor, to stop the slats bowing.

Overall dimensions. The total length, width and height of the assembled frame. On TV beds this is longer than the mattress size because of the footboard. Always plan your room around this figure.

Many of these structural terms apply across the wider bedroom furniture UK sale range too, from storage beds to ottomans.

Bases and slats

Slatted base. A base made from strips of wood running across the frame. It lets the mattress breathe and gives a supportive surface.

Sprung slats. Slats with a gentle curve that flex slightly under weight, adding a little give beneath the mattress.

Slat spacing. The gap between each slat. Mattress makers often recommend a maximum gap, so check this if your mattress has specific requirements.

Solid platform. A base made from a single board rather than slats. Less common on TV beds, where a slatted or ottoman base is more usual.

Storage terms

Ottoman base. A base that lifts to reveal a storage area beneath the mattress, spanning most of the frame.

Gas lift or gas struts. Pressurised cylinders that support an ottoman base as it opens and hold it in place while you reach inside.

End lift and side lift. The direction an ottoman base opens. End lift opens from the foot, side lift from one side. On TV beds, the footboard contains the screen, so openings are often from the side or partway along the frame.

Storage drawers. Drawers built into the side rails. They give quick access but need clear floor space to open fully.

Sizes

UK beds follow standard mattress sizes. Knowing them helps when comparing frames and buying a mattress separately.

• Single: 90cm by 190cm
• Small double: 120cm by 190cm
• Double: 135cm by 190cm
• King size: 150cm by 200cm
• Super king: 180cm by 200cm

Not every size is available as a TV bed, as the lift needs a certain width in the footboard. Check the sizes listed for each design.

Mattress terms

Pocket sprung. A mattress with individual springs in fabric pockets, which move independently to support the body.

Memory foam. Foam that softens with body heat and moulds to your shape, then slowly returns once pressure is removed.

Hybrid. A mattress combining springs with foam comfort layers.

Mattress depth. The thickness of the mattress. It affects the overall sleeping height and how much of the headboard shows above the pillows.

Firmness rating. A guide to how firm a mattress feels, usually on a scale from soft to firm. Ratings vary between makers, so they are best used as a rough guide.

When buying a new frame, matching it with one of our modern mattresses UK ensures the size and depth suit the base and the storage struts.

Upholstery and finishes

Faux leather. A synthetic material with the look of leather. It wipes clean easily and suits busy households.

PU. Short for polyurethane, a common type of faux leather.

Plush velvet. A soft fabric with a short, dense pile that has a gentle sheen.

Crushed velvet. Velvet treated to create a varied, rippled sheen across the surface.

Chenille. A soft, tufted fabric with a slightly raised texture.

Linen look. A woven fabric with the slubbed texture of linen, usually made from synthetic fibres for durability.

Bouclé. A fabric made from looped yarn, with a nubbly texture. Lovely to touch but easily snagged by pets.

Chesterfield buttoning. Deep buttons set into the upholstery in a diamond pattern, often on headboards.

Piping. A thin fabric cord sewn along the edges of upholstery to define the shape.

For other upholstered frames in these finishes, our fabric beds UK sale range offers useful comparisons.

Extra features

USB port. A charging socket built into the frame, often in the headboard or side panel, powered by the same supply as the lift.

LED lighting. Light strips set into the headboard or base, often with adjustable colours.

Bluetooth speaker. A built in speaker that connects wirelessly to a phone or tablet.

Flat packed. Delivered in parts for home assembly. TV beds usually arrive in several cartons, with the footboard being the largest.

Room planning terms

Raised height. The height of the top of the screen when the lift is fully extended. Compare it with your ceiling, any beams and light fittings above the foot of the bed.

Clearance. The free space needed around the bed to walk, open drawers or lift a storage base. Around 60cm along the side you use and at the foot is a comfortable starting point.

Carton size. The dimensions of each delivery box. The largest carton, usually the footboard, is the one to compare with stairways, lifts and doors.

Putting the terms to use

A glossary is most helpful when you turn it into a short checklist. When comparing TV beds, confirm the overall dimensions rather than the mattress size, and check the maximum screen size, weight and VESA pattern against your television. Note the type of base and, if it has storage, whether it lifts from the end or the side. Look at the upholstery name and think about how it will cope with your household. Finally, check which extra features are included and where any USB ports sit.

Working through those points in order narrows a long list down to a few frames that suit your room and routine. It also makes it easier to ask precise questions if a product description leaves something unclear.

Helpful further reading

If you are deciding between sizes, our guide to UK king size bed dimensions and room sizes explains how frame and mattress measurements relate to room space. For mattresses, our article comparing mattress firmness labels with UK test results explains why firmness ratings can differ between brands.

You can explore our full range of beds and bedroom furniture at Furniture in Fashion.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a TV bed and an ottoman bed?

A TV bed has a motorised lift in the footboard for a television. An ottoman bed has a lifting base for storage. Some designs combine both.

What does VESA mean on a TV bed?

VESA is a standard for the hole spacing on the back of screens. The TV bed bracket must match your television’s VESA pattern.

Why is a TV bed longer than a normal bed?

The footboard is deeper because it houses the lift and the television, which adds to the overall length.

Do all TV beds have storage?

No. Some have an ottoman base or drawers, while others have a slatted base only. Check the product details for each design.