Choose a velvet TV bed if the look and feel of the bedroom matter most to you, and choose a TV bed with storage if floor space is limited and you need somewhere to keep bedding, clothes or luggage. The two are not mutually exclusive: many velvet TV beds now come with a gas lift base, so the real question is which feature should lead your decision when you cannot have both in the design you like.
In our TV beds UK sale collection you will find velvet frames, storage frames and designs that combine both. This guide sets out the strengths and trade offs of each, so you can decide what belongs in your room rather than what simply looks good in a photograph.
A velvet TV bed is upholstered in a fabric with a short, dense pile that catches light and gives colour real depth. Deep greens, inky blues, warm mustards and dusky pinks all look richer in velvet than in a flat weave. The finish brings a softer, more tailored feel to the bed, which is why velvet frames often have panelled, scalloped or channelled headboards that show off the texture.
Modern velvets used in furniture are typically polyester based, which makes them more practical than older cotton or silk velvets. They tend to resist fading better and handle everyday use well, although they still need a little more care than a smooth, tightly woven fabric.
A storage TV bed adds a hidden compartment beneath the mattress. The most common arrangement is a gas lift ottoman base, where the mattress platform rises on struts to reveal the full area underneath. Some designs use drawers in the side rails instead. Either way, the aim is to turn space that would otherwise sit empty into somewhere useful, and it is the same thinking that runs through much of our bedroom furniture UK collection.
Because the television mechanism already sits in the footboard, storage on a TV bed usually runs from the headboard to the footboard but stops short of the foot end. It still offers a generous volume, often enough for spare duvets, pillows and seasonal clothing.
Velvet changes the character of a room. It draws the eye and creates a focal point, which suits a bedroom where the bed is the main piece of furniture. In a room with plain walls and simple flooring, a velvet frame can provide all the colour and interest you need.
A storage bed, by contrast, is defined by what it does rather than how it looks. Storage frames come in fabrics, faux leather and velvet, so the visual style depends on the upholstery you choose. The main visual difference is that ottoman bases tend to sit closer to the floor with a solid base, whereas some non storage velvet beds stand on legs and feel lighter.
Practicality is where storage frames have the clearer advantage. In many UK homes, bedrooms are small and built in storage is limited. A TV bed with an ottoman base can do the job of a blanket box or a chest of drawers, freeing floor space for a reading chair or simply more room to move.
Velvet is practical in other ways. The fabric is soft against the skin, which matters on a headboard you lean against while watching television. Polyester velvets also tend to be easy to vacuum and spot clean. Where velvet asks more of you is with pets and very young children: claws can catch the pile, and the fabric shows marks where it has been pressed or brushed in different directions.
A TV bed is used differently from an ordinary bed. You spend more time sitting up against the headboard, so its shape and padding matter. Velvet frames often have deeper, softer headboards with vertical channels or panels, which are comfortable to lean against for an evening film. Storage frames vary more: some have tall, padded headboards, while others are slimmer and more upright.
Whichever route you take, look at the headboard height relative to your mattress. A headboard that rises well above the pillows gives proper back support. It is also worth adding a firm reading cushion or two, since even a well padded headboard is more comfortable with some support at the lower back.
Both styles need the same basic planning as any TV bed. You need clearance at the foot for comfortable viewing and access to a power socket near the footboard. A storage bed adds one more requirement: space to lift the base and reach inside. With a gas lift frame, you will usually access the storage from the foot or the side, so allow room to stand there and lean in.
If your bed has to sit tight against a wall on one side, a lift up ottoman is usually easier to use than side drawers, which need clear floor space to pull out. This is worth checking before you order, especially in a narrow room.
Velvet rewards a gentle routine. Vacuum it regularly with a soft brush attachment, working in the direction of the pile. If marks appear where the pile has been flattened, a light brush with a soft clothes brush usually lifts it again. Deal with spills promptly by blotting rather than rubbing, and always follow the care guidance supplied with the bed.
Direct sunlight can soften strong colours over time, as with most upholstery. If the bed sits under a south facing window, a blind or lined curtain helps protect the fabric during the brightest part of the day.
A storage base needs very little maintenance, but a few habits help. Avoid overfilling the compartment, since a heavy load makes the lift harder to operate and can strain the struts. Vacuum inside occasionally, and use breathable bags or boxes for textiles so they stay fresh. If you store clothing, a few cedar blocks inside the base are a simple, traditional way to keep things smelling clean.
It often helps to think about who uses the room and how.
If you like the tailored look of velvet and need storage, a velvet TV bed with a gas lift base gives you both. These frames combine a plush headboard with a practical base, and they suit people who want the bed to look considered without giving up useful space. Our broader range of modern fabric beds UK includes velvet and textured weaves in many colours, which helps if you are matching the bed to existing furniture.
When comparing combined designs, check the depth of the storage compartment and how the lift operates. A smooth gas lift that holds the platform securely in its raised position makes daily use much easier. If you choose a velvet frame without storage, a freestanding modern ottomans UK piece at the foot or under the window adds somewhere to sit and keep blankets without crowding the room.
Velvet frames pair well with matt finishes, natural wood and simple bedding, which allow the texture to stand out. Rich colours look settled alongside warm white walls, while softer velvets such as blush or pale grey sit comfortably in calm, neutral rooms. For more on choosing colours that suit your space, our article on bedroom furniture colour trends in UK homes is a useful starting point.
A storage bed reduces the need for extra furniture, so the room can stay clear and calm. With fewer pieces competing for attention, the upholstery colour and headboard shape do more of the work, so choose them with care.
If storage is your main problem, start with a storage TV bed and choose the upholstery afterwards. If the room needs warmth, colour and a clear focal point, start with velvet and look for a design with a lift base if you can. Both routes lead to a bed that works well when chosen with the room in mind. Explore the full range at Furniture in Fashion, where you will find detailed dimensions and fabric information on every product page.
Yes, modern polyester velvets are soft, comfortable to lean against and generally easy to care for with regular vacuuming and prompt spot cleaning.
Many velvet TV beds include a gas lift ottoman base, so you can have the look of velvet and practical underbed storage in one frame.
It needs the same floor area as a similar frame, plus room to stand and lift the base. Check how the storage is accessed before choosing a position.
Velvet can work with pets, but claws may catch the pile. A tightly woven fabric or faux leather is often easier in busy households.
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