Divan beds – the best choice
Divan beds are one of the best choices when buying a new bed. These box-type beds are simple in design but high in practicality, versatile, and easy to style. If you’re considering purchasing a divan bed and want to know more about them before you order one, or if you’ve decided you want to buy one but are having trouble deciding which would be the right one for you, this buying guide is for you.
What is a divan bed?
Divan beds combine a firm base with a matching mattress. They’re one of the most popular beds and provide good-quality sleep.
Divan beds are built to last, and typically, they’ll consist of a wooden frame (some have metal frames, though) and come in two pieces which you then put together. Most divan beds sit on castors (wheels), which is preferable if you have carpets for manoeuvrability.
When buying divan beds, you can buy them as a set, including the base and the mattress together, or buy the base and mattress separately. Mattress depths range between 19 and 34 centimetres (7.4 and 13.3 inches). Headboards, footboards, and storage features are optional.
A divan bed is made up of a base and a mattress. You can customise the base in many different ways. The divan base primarily uses as a storage facility in many different ways. For example, the standard practice is to have drawers in the base, where you can have two drawers, four drawers, two drawers, and two continental drawers to allow for bedside tables. However, if you don’t require storage, some divan beds have the option of a shallow base, which lowers the bed if height is a problem.
Many divan beds now come as self-assembly, so if you may have trouble getting a whole bed into the room of choice due to narrow corridors, you can take the bed in pieces and assemble it in the room. Many divans also come on castors so that once you get it into the room of choice, bringing it into position shouldn’t be a problem.
The mattress’s depth varies depending on how much filling there is in the mattress.
Divan Beds Come in 6 Different Standard Sizes
Small Single Divan Beds (2FT 6″).
75cm x 190cm.
A typical size for people looking for a single bed but may have more minor room requirements.
Single Divan Beds (3FT).
90cm x 190cm.
This is the standard single divan bed for children and adults.
Small Double Divan Beds (4FT).
120cm x 190cm.
A typical size for people looking for a double bed but may have more minor room requirements.
Double Divan Beds (4FT 6).
135cm x 190cm.
The most popular size for a divan bed is typical for two adults sharing
Kingsize Divan Beds (5FT).
150 x 200cm.
Again, this size is popular for two people sharing but is wider and longer, allowing for more room.
Super Kingsize Divan Beds (6FT)
180cm x 200cm.
This is the most significant standard bed size. This bed is best for two people who want the maximum room.
European Divan Bed Sizes
There are also a lot of none industry-standard European sizes.
European Single – The dimensions of this are 90cm x 200cm, making it slightly longer than the industry standard single.
European Small Double – These dimensions are 120cm x 200cm, slightly longer than the industry standard size.
European Double is 140cm x 200cm, making it wider and longer than the industry standard double. This size could be for people who want a slightly bigger bed but don’t have the room to fit a Kingsize or Super Kingsize bed.
European Kingsize – This is 160cm x 200cm, making it more comprehensive than the industry standard size. This bed size could be best suited for people who want a slightly wider bed yet don’t have the room for a Super Kingsize.
Are our divan beds better?
There are advantages to having a divan bed, from storage to ease of assembly. Here are the main ones:
- Superb for storage. No matter your room’s size, you can still make the most of your space. You can fit them with drawers or sliding storage, or choose an ottoman base and store items away. If the area is at a premium, it’s worth knowing that divan beds take up less space than a standard bed frame.
- Customisable. Divan beds are easy to customise. Besides the storage features, you can also choose the fabric, headboard, and footboard (and their colours).
- Easy to transport. Since divan beds come in two main parts, they’re easier to transport. The castors on the bottom of the base save you some heavy lifting if you’re moving the bed around the room.
- Straightforward assembly. The structure of divan beds makes them as simple to assemble as they are to transport. Join the two main bits together, and you’ve made the bed. You must add the headboard and footboard, which you can attach quickly and easily.
Choosing a divan bed
Where do you start when it comes to choosing a divan bed? This section concerns different beds and what to consider when selecting a divan bed.
Divan bed bases
Regarding divan beds, there are four main types of divan bases. The main reason for choosing one over the other is support. The bases work together with your mattress to provide an overall level of comfort and support:
- Platform. These are the more common type and are preferable if you’re looking for a firmer level of support. They have a robust top-board panel which creates extra firmness. Platform bases can be cheaper as well.
- Sprung-edged. Sprung-edged divans come with springs built into the base. They’re more luxurious and act like a giant shock absorber, relieving some of the pressure on the mattress. A sprung-edged base is more suitable for you if you want a softer feel while sleeping. Their durability can also help your mattress to last a little longer.
- Slatted. Some divans feature slatted bases. These add firmness to the person using the bed.
- Zip and link. These beds are all about convenience. If you and your partner have different comfort preferences, you can buy a zip-and-link divan bed, split the bed into two, and tailor each to your comfort preferences. That could mean two separate mattresses, which you can zip together if the need calls for it.
Storage
One of the fab things about divan beds is that you can build storage into them and maximise space in the room. Bedstar divan beds have three main storage options: slide storage, drawers, and ottomans.
Divan Drawer options
The drawers are a helpful option if you prefer to compartmentalise your possessions. They’re suitable for storing smaller items. If you choose drawers, you have two options:
- Two drawers feature a single drawer on both sides of the bed, both on the same side or one drawer on the side of the bed and one at the end of it.
- Four drawers feature two drawers on both sides of the bed.
Ottomans
Ottomans are a different type of storage. Flip the top of the base up rather than pull a drawer out of the bed to access the storage space. Ottomans help bulky store items and offer more space than drawers because there are no separative elements, unlike drawer materials, which take up a little space.
Slide storage
Divan beds with slide storage are handy when the bed is in a small room. Instead of pulling the drawers out, you slide the doors across. This makes it easier to access the storage space.
Styling the bed
Divan beds are versatile in styling, thanks to the different optional elements such as headboards, footboards, and storage options. Of course, you can also choose the fabric colour and type to personalise the bed.
Headboards
The simple design of divan beds allows you to add a natural touch of sophistication when you choose your headboard, the fabric of which should match your divan bed base.
Before anything, you must work out how much space you have. When you decide which size bed you’ll get, think about the headboard and how you’ll use it. For instance, if you like to watch TV in bed or read before you turn out the light, you might prefer an upholstered soft but elegant headboard that can provide extra comfort while leaning against it. If the headboard is more for decorative purposes, you might look for a sturdier design.
Don’t worry about assembling the headboard. This is straightforward. You can do it in just a few simple steps.
Footboards
The aesthetics sway you more towards the bed frame if you’re deliberating between divan bases and bed frames. Hold on. When you buy a divan bed, you don’t necessarily have to forgo the aesthetic value that a bed frame offers. The footboard helps you retain a bed frame’s elegant aesthetics when you combine it with a matching headboard.
A shallow footboard will give the bed an excellent finish. It also creates cohesion and a sense that the bed is ‘complete.’ You’ll feel cosy when you climb into it. There’s something snug about being wrapped up between the headboard and footboard!
Choosing colours and fabrics
The bed is the centrepiece of the room. The base colour choice is up to you, but it’s good to opt for a more neutral colour, such as grey or beige when styling a divan bed. Don’t recoil in fright. They’re not as dull as they seem. They work wonderfully well with other colours and pave the way for injecting some real pop into the colour scheme by contrasting skilfully with bright-coloured cushions and pillows.
This isn’t a hard and fast rule, of course. It all comes down to the broader colour scheme of your room. You may prefer the freshness and calm that blue brings to a room, the energy that orange exudes, or the crispness of white, for instance, and work with these colours.
A cosy-looking material, such as velvet or shimmering crushed velvet, will convey a real sense of plush in the fabric. If velvet isn’t your thing, it doesn’t mean luxury has to come off the menu. Velvet isn’t the only material that transmits luxury; chenille will also do the job with its thick texture and raised pile.
You don’t have to be all about luxury, of course. Verona may suit you better if you’re looking for something more practical. This is a natural mix of tweed and is lightweight. The fabric will still bring warmth to the room. If you’re all about style, suede, which is soft and versatile, could be the way to go.
Getting colourful with cushions and pillows
As the base, you can keep the bedding relatively plain and neutral and seize the opportunities that cushions and pillows present to accent the bed. Cushions or pillows of any colour will contrast perfectly against a white duvet and fulfil their duties more than adequately as an accent. If you wish to be less bold with your cushion colours, pastel colours look pleasant and keep the aesthetics more subtle.
Pillows are an essential part of the bed, so you’ve got to get these right. You can choose a plush style or a firmer, more compact pillow. It’s all about balancing the texture and colour of the pillows and cushions and the rest of the room’s design.
Getting the bed linen right
Good bed linen is crucial. Choose bad linen, and the bed will look poor; choose a good one, and the bed will sparkle. It’s that important. This isn’t just about style, either; you’re sleeping in the bed, and your skin will come into contact with the linen, so you might as well spend a little more on higher quality.
Consider the weave, yarn, and embroidery to find the best quality linen. The breathability, durability, softness, and smoothness are other significant considerations, such as linen’s maintenance. Keep in mind the thread count if you wish, but don’t assume that the linen is better because the thread count is higher. It’s not always the case.
100% Stonewashed linen is the fabric par excellence for bed linen. This type of linen oozes quality, but you’ll have to iron it regularly to keep it looking sweet because it creases easily. Pure, Pima, and Egyptian are fine quality cotton and maintain the bed’s aesthetics on the upside.
Working with layers
Throws and quilts are a straightforward way to layer a bed. They give you functionality, practicality, and luxury, so it’s a no-brainer. They should match the colour scheme of your bed or complement it. Patterned bed linen will require a solid throw, whereas non-patterned linen – i.e. solid – will call for a patterned throw.
Don’t forget that the seasons change, so you can (and should) change your throw, too. In any case, you won’t want a heavy throw in the summer. Switching to something more lightweight will help you stay cooler and, at the same time, add variation to the colour scheme. You can also play around with different textures. Satin, faux fur and velvet all suggest style and comfort simultaneously.
If you’re unsure whether your throw will match the rest of the bed, there’s a simple way to solve it: buy a set of the throw, the duvet cover and scatter cushions. For this to work, though, the rest of the room must be plain. If the decor is too colourful, the total effect could be overwhelming.
Adding final finishing touches
The minimalist-style design of divan beds means small details can give them a stylistic boost, so think carefully about the finishing touches to the bed. You could pop a small cuddly toy on them, make your bed in a certain way or always leave your pyjamas folded at the end of the bed. Inject that minor extra character into the room by arranging your pillows. How you complete the bed will give the room further identity.
Divan beds: simple, stylish, practical
That’s divan beds. They’re easy to move around, assemble, and style, and they’re convenient, too, because you can build storage space into them. These characteristics all make divan beds a superb choice.
5 Tips for Increasing the Lifespan of Your Divan Set.
With this in mind, we will spend roughly one-third of our lives in bed. We must ensure that our bed is in good working condition and properly looked after. How do we do that, you ask?
- Wash your bedding regularly.
Your body is continuously creating oils that make their way onto the surface of your skin, which can go onto your sheets whilst asleep and then onto the mattress. So, it’s best to wash your sheets once a week, and who doesn’t like to get into nice clean sheets?
2. Invest in a mattress protector.
These sit between your mattress and bottom sheet and are vital as they protect your mattress from sweat, oils, dirt and any other fluid which will cause dampness to your mattress and cause mould. They also soften a mattress to help you have an even better night’s sleep which we all love. Washing them when you wash your bedding will keep them nice and clean.
3. Vacuum and deodorise
Dead skin cells filter onto your bedding, which goes through your mattress. To help, sprinkle the mattress with baking soda, leave it for half an hour, and vacuum. If you do this every couple of months, it will keep your mattress nice and fresh.
4. Keep checking for bedbugs
Once they get into the mattress or bed, you will have trouble, and your mattress or bed may have to be disposed of. So, look out for small blood spots on your bedding, and check the corners of your mattress and the padding itself. If you spot them early, wash all the bedding in hot water and thoroughly clean your room, including the bed and other furniture. You must kill them and stop them from spreading.
5. Rotate your mattress
Most mattresses can be rotated. Doing this will help protect the mattress as it helps to spread the wear and tear that comes when you sleep in the same position, causing dints in the mattress. So, rotate or flip every three months to help prolong your mattress.