How to Choose a Divan Bed: A UK Buying Guide

A divan bed is the most common bed type sold in the UK, and for good reason: it's straightforward, durable, and comes with an option most other bed frames don't offer as standard, built-in drawer storage. If you're trying to work out how to choose a divan bed that actually fits your room and your sleep needs, the decision comes down to four things: base type, storage, size, and who's sleeping in it.

What Is a Divan Bed?

A divan bed consists of two separate parts: an upholstered, load-bearing base (the divan) and a mattress that sits on top. Unlike a slatted frame, the base itself is solid and structural, which gives a firmer, more even feel underneath the mattress. Because the base and mattress are sold and replaced separately, a divan is also one of the easiest bed types to upgrade later without buying an entirely new frame.

Base Types: Platform Top vs Sprung Base

Platform Top Divans

A platform top divan has a solid, flat surface (usually wood-based board over a timber frame) with a thin layer of padding on top. It's the firmer of the two options and gives consistent support across the whole surface, which makes it a safe default for most mattress types, including memory foam and hybrid mattresses that need a stable base to perform correctly.

Sprung Edge Divans

A sprung edge (or "sprung base") divan has springs built into the base itself, adding a layer of give before the mattress even comes into contact with the frame. This can make the overall feel softer and slightly more forgiving, but it's less commonly chosen today since most modern mattresses, particularly pocket sprung and hybrid designs, are built to provide their own support and don't need it duplicated underneath.

Storage Options: 0, 2, or 4 Drawers

This is the feature that sets divans apart from most other bed frames. A base with no drawers keeps costs down and works well if you already have enough bedroom storage. Two drawers (typically fitted to one side) gives a useful amount of extra space for bedding or out-of-season clothes without taking up much additional depth. Four drawers, two per side, roughly doubles that capacity and is worth the extra cost if you're short on wardrobe space or furnishing a smaller flat where every drawer counts.

Divan Bed Sizes: Which Fits Your Room

UK divan beds come in five standard sizes: Single, Small Double, Double, King, and Super King. Beyond the mattress dimensions, the practical question is clearance, both around the bed once it's assembled and through the doorways and staircases it needs to travel through to get there. As a rule of thumb, leave at least 60 to 70cm on any side you'll regularly walk around, and always measure your narrowest access point before ordering a King or Super King divan, since these are the sizes most likely to cause access problems.

Who a Divan Bed Suits Best

Divans suit almost any household, but they're a particularly strong choice if you want a bed that's simple to live with: no visible frame to clean around, straightforward to move, and, if you choose a drawer base, functional storage you'd otherwise need to buy separately as furniture. They're also the most flexible option if you expect to change your mattress in the next few years, since the base and mattress are entirely independent purchases.

Every divan bed at Hartley Dreams is handcrafted to order in our West Yorkshire workshop, with a choice of base type, drawer configuration, headboard height, and over 40 fabric colours, all backed by our 12-month guarantee.