Divan Beds Buying Guide

Divan beds have a sturdy, hollow wooden frame usually covered in wadding and upholstered with fabric. A divan usually comes in two parts (also called ‘blocks’), which are attached to create the platform for your mattress to sit on top of.

They come in various styles and colours and can even include storage options. A divan bed with storage is ideal for a family or anyone running short on space. You can use your divan bed to store clothes, toys, bedding and much more.

Often, a divan bed comes with a mattress as standard, although if you only need a bed base, you can buy them separately, too.

An incredibly versatile and practical piece of bedroom furniture, divan beds offer plenty of excellent benefits such as:

• Available with built-in storage - a divan bed with storage allows you to store items inside the divan base itself to keep your bedroom neat and provide much-needed additional storage for smaller bedrooms.
• Space-saving design - as well as having built-in storage, divans are designed to take up less space in your room. The mattress sits directly atop the divan base, creating a smaller footprint than a bed frame that surrounds a mattress.
• Quick and straightforward to put together - divan beds consist of two easily attached sections, and then a mattress is added on top.
• Customise your headboard - headboards are optional and can usually be interchanged for other headboards to transform the look of your divan.
• Ottoman storage available - a wide range of Happy Beds divan beds include ottoman storage, providing even more storage space.
• Easy to manoeuvre - there's no need to get stressed when rearranging your bedroom. Because they’re lightweight and often come with castors, divan beds are easy to move around.
• Offers plenty of support - divan beds offer more support than other beds, making your mattress feel firmer and more supportive.

Now that we've discussed all the great benefits divan beds can offer, it's time to get some helpful advice on deciding which divan bed is suitable for you. In this next section, we’ll cover the 6 most important considerations when choosing a divan bed.

1. Decide on your base type

The first thing to decide is which divan base you’d like. There are two options:

• Platform top divan bases
• Sprung divan bases

Platform top divan bed bases have a solid panel where your mattress would sit. This allows the bed base to offer firmer levels of support. Even if you have a soft or medium mattress, it can feel firmer when on a platform top divan, so keep it in mind when considering what mattress you’ll use.

A sprung divan base features built-in springs. This gives the base more ‘give’, providing gentle support that is ideal if you’re looking for a softer comfort level.

At Happy Beds, we stock platform divan bed bases, offering high levels of support in a bed frame designed to last.

2. Choose your storage option

We have a selection of storage options available, but the first step is to decide how much storage you’ll need from your divan bed.

Divan bases with built-in storage are often more expensive than those without, so if you don’t necessarily need the storage, you could choose a cheaper option by opting for a bed base without.

Weigh up what you’ll likely store in your divan bed. Remember to consider your future plans, too; for example, if you’re going to start a family soon, it might be wise to purchase the extra storage now before the toys take over!

Two types of storage options are available with divan beds:

1. Drawers

Drawers are a great choice if you’re looking for an easy-access space to store your belongings. You won’t have as much storage space as you would have if you went for an ottoman storage bed, but you’ll still have plenty of space to work with.

The number of drawers your divan bed has will depend on its size. If you're looking for a single divan bed, there is the option to have 2 drawers on the same side, making it perfect for a child's room or a guest room.

Alternatively, many of our larger sizes, such as the double divan bed or king-size divan bed, have four drawers, two on either side of the bed.

2. Ottoman storage

A divan bed with ottoman storage lifts to reveal a large underbed storage space. Unlike with drawers, you’ll have the full size of the underneath of the bed to work with, so there is plenty of room for all your things. Hydraulics make it easy to access your items whenever you need to.

When choosing which storage option you’d like, consider the practicalities. Ensure you have enough space in your bedroom to access each easily. If you opt for drawers, decide what side they need to be on.

3. Pick the right feet

Another choice you’ll need to make is the type of feet you want your divan bed to have. While it may seem like a minor detail, getting it right now could save you a headache further down the line.

Our divan beds have different types of feet depending on their style, but in general, there are three different types:

1. Castors

Castors are wheels that attach to the bottom of your divan bed to make it easier to move around, such as when you’re cleaning or switching up your bedroom’s layout.

Castors are best for carpeted bedrooms. If you’re choosing a bed with castors and your room has a wooden floor, you should invest in some castor cups or a different leg type to prevent your bed from moving around too easily, such as when you get in and out of it.

2. Glides

Seen as a middle ground between castors and legs, castors are flat feet that help you move the bed more easily than legs but not quite as easily as castors. They’re a great choice regardless of your flooring type.

3. Legs

You could opt for a divan bed with legs, making your bed feel sturdy and grounded. Legs can also be used to boost the height of your bed, making it easier to get into and out of.

4. Choose your size

Here at Happy Beds, we have six available bed sizes to choose from:

• Small single
• Single
• Small double
• Double
• King size
• Super king size

You should choose the bed size you need based on the size of the bedroom and who will be sleeping in it. If you’re shopping for a guest bed, consider who will most likely sleep there.

We recommend measuring your room before purchasing a divan bed - look at our measuring guide to find more useful information!

5. Mattress or no mattress?

It’s often easier to buy your divan bed with a new mattress. When purchasing a divan bed here at Happy Beds, we give you the option of four mattresses to choose from automatically.

However, you don't need to pick one of these and can select something from our extensive mattress range. You’ll get 10% off your mattress if you purchase it with your divan bed.

If you don’t need a mattress, you can buy the divan bed base on its own. However, if you’re unsure when you last changed your mattress, there’s a good chance it’s time to upgrade it! Find out more in our guide to how often you should change a mattress.

6. Find your style

Once you’ve decided on the practicalities, it’s time to start styling! Consider the following:

1. Colour

Whereas divan beds were once considered an ‘ugly’ option for bed frames, they’re now more stylish than ever! Our divan beds are available in various colours, from bold and bright shades to timeless tones.

Decide whether you want to make your bed the focal point of the room or whether it will need to complement your existing decor and bedding. This should help you find the perfect colour for your bed.

2. Headboard

Many of our divan beds come with a headboard included, perfect for finding a bed base and headboard that beautifully matches in one easy bundle.

We have 21 different headboard options available at Happy Beds, so there's something for everyone. Our headboards are also available in various styles, including lined, buttoned or plain.

If you have an existing headboard you’d like to use or have seen a headboard you’d like to buy; we recommend checking the description of your chosen divan bed to make sure that the headboard can be swapped out before you buy.

Whichever headboard you opt for, ensure you have enough wall space for it. For example, sloping ceilings or light fittings on your wall can impact where you can position the headboard against the wall.

We would always recommend using a headboard with your divan bed as it helps the frame look more finished. It also supports the sleeper’s pillows and offers a level of insulation and comfort between the sleeper and the wall.

Your new divan bed has arrived; it’s time to make it your own with some clever styling. Here’s how to make your divan bed look its best:

• Invest in high-quality or expensive-looking bedding - even if you’ve invested in a budget divan bed, you can certainly add some luxury with some plush bedding. Opt for a fluffy duvet and quality linen to give your divan that luxe hotel feel.
• Wash and iron your bedding before putting it on your bed - getting rid of those creases is an easy way to make your bed more aesthetically pleasing.
• Pull your duvet cover back - make your bed with the duvet cover pulled back to reveal around a third of the sheet beneath it.
• Complement your pillows with throw cushions - they’re not for sleeping on, but throw cushions (perfectly placed on your bed, of course!) are a great way to introduce colour and pattern to your room. Choose a complementary colour or add a contrast with a different shade or pattern.
• Use accent colours - from the rest of your room and complementary shades throughout your accessories to tie the space together.
• Finish with a throw - a throw or blanket draped over the edge of your bed is effortlessly stylish. If you have patterned bedding, opt for a plain throw and vice versa to avoid overloading the space. Change your throw seasonally to prevent getting too hot or cold as you sleep.

Taken a look at our range of divan beds and not found your dream bed? Don't worry; we've got the perfect solution for you! Our Build Your Own Bed tool allows you to choose various colours, sizes, headboards and storage options to create your ideal bed.

With over 2 million combinations, there's guaranteed something for you. Not sure how to use our Build Your Own Bed Tool? Have a look at our helpful guide.

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