Divan Beds & Bases

What is a divan bed?

A divan bed is a popular type of bed frame made from wood, upholstered in fabric or leather with a hollow middle. The design of a divan bed allows a mattress to sit snugly within the frame - with no excess frame - while the underneath can house storage drawers. 

Storage divan beds can come in various configurations, such as single drawer or twin drawers on one side, full four drawers that are accessible from both sides of the bed, or an ottoman lift, which lifts the top of the divan base from either the side or end to allow for maximum storage space.

For more details on exactly what the different components of a divan bed are, check out our Divan Bed Buying Guide.

What are the different types of divans?

There are two main types of divan beds – ottomans and divans. Ottomans have storage that uses the entire underside of the bed and is accessed by lifting the top of the bed (including the mattress) from either the side or the bottom. 

Full ottomans often have assisted lifting, such as hydraulic pistons, so it’s easy to lift the top half of the bed to access the storage area. Half ottomans have a storage area at the bottom half of the bed and typically open from the foot of the bed, rather than the side.

Divans have drawers and can have various configurations depending on the size or style. 

These range from two drawers to four drawers, or an end drawer. Slide stores are also available, giving you a perfect place to keep seasonal clothes, extra blankets and sheets, or other items.

What are the different types of divan bed bases?

The actual top of the divan base can differ, with a range of foundations suiting different needs.

Platform top

A firm and supportive bed base to sleep on, a platform top divan bed is also referred to as a hard top or boarded top bed base. These types of divans don’t feature a spring-loaded base, instead boasting a solid wood frame made from timber. A solid platform top divan bed base is perfectly suited to an orthopaedic mattress, encouraging a firmer, sturdier sleep surface.

Sprung edge base divan

The primary difference between a platform top base and a sprung divan base is the construction of the base itself. A sprung edge divan base features springs which run between the edges of the bed for shock absorption. This innovative design provides a softer experience, allowing users to sink into their sleeping position more easily and helps their mattress flexibly react to movement.

Do all divan beds have storage?

Not all divan beds come with storage - you can choose. However, one of the key benefits of a divan base is its ability to incorporate drawers. Divan beds with storage are especially useful in smaller bedrooms where space may be limited. When choosing your divan bed, ensure there’s enough room around the bed to open the drawers.

We offer everything from 2+2 continental drawers, to ottoman divan beds, keeping clutter out of sight and out of mind.

As well as storage divans, we also offer divan beds without drawers. These no-storage divan bed bases are available in all sizes and styles, meaning that you sacrifice none of the benefits of a divan bed when you leave the drawers behind.

What sizes of divans are available?

From our range, you can choose your preferred style and size of a divan bed:

For help finding out which divan bed size is best for you, read our Ultimate UK Bed & Mattress Guide.

What is a divan bed and mattress set?

A divan bed set is a divan base that comes with a mattress - rather than buying the two separately, you can save money by bundling them and getting both delivered at the same time for a full bed upgrade.

What types of divan bed sets are available?

There’s no restriction on what mattress you can pair with a divan bed, and they’re ideal for memory foam mattresses and they promote airflow. If joint or back pain is depriving you of a restful sleep, our specialist orthopaedic mattresses for divan bed bases will be the mattress of your dreams, helping you find the best sleeping position for an uninterrupted sleep.

With mattresses from household names such as Sleepeezee and Silentnight available in all firmness and thickness levels, the nightmare of poor sleep will be a thing of the past.

Our size range is as comprehensive as they come, with everything from small single mattresses for children’s bedrooms to deluxe king size divan bed mattresses on offer at budget-friendly prices.

Why choose a divan bed and mattress set?

The easiest and most cost effective way to upgrade your bed, whether you’re moving home, renovating or fancy a change, a divan bed and mattress set from MattressNextDay will have you sleeping soundly (and in style) in no time. Match the finest fabric bed frames with supportive mattresses to create the ultimate bed set up.

Benefits of choosing a divan bed for your mattress:

• Divans with drawers or Ottoman style under bed areas can provide a practical storage solution for almost any size bedroom

• Divan sets make buying a bed easy as they come with the correct size mattress

• They’re a cost-effective way of buying a base and mattress together

• They can be assembled and ready for use in a couple of hours

• They come with free next-day delivery to any UK mainland address

• They come with a manufacturer’s warranty for total peace of mind

• Fabric divan beds typically take up less room than traditional bed frames, so are idea for small bedrooms

Can I buy a divan base on its own?

Not all divan bases have to come with a mattress! If you’re after a divan base only, then look no further than our divan bed base range. While we stock a huge range of divan bed and mattress sets, if you want to keep your current mattress but just need a new divan base, you can browse our website and take advantage of our free next day delivery.

As simple as putting an old mattress on a new divan bed, you can quickly upgrade your bed with a base-only divan bed, maximising your bedroom’s storage capacity and upgrading its aesthetic. As long as it’s still benefiting you, there’s no reason you can’t match up a new bed with an old mattress.

Which divan base is best?

Divan beds are a practical solution if you’re desperate for some additional storage space. Available in a range of sizes and configurations, the most common double divans have four drawers that can be accessed from the sides. For single divans, you’ll usually have two spacious drawers to store those winter woollies and blankets. If space is even tighter, then an ottoman that opens from the side or the base will be the best divan bed.

The best divan base for you will depend on the size of your bedroom and your personal style. We love the Premium Divan Bed, with a range of colour options and upholstered with the best quality fabric. We feature this divan bed in many of our divan bed and mattress sets, so you can purchase a complete bed set up in one.

Are divan beds easy to assemble?

Divan bed bases are incredibly robust, sturdy and easy to assemble. Fitted with casters or gliders so they’re easy to move around, a divan bed will last for years with proper maintenance.

For help building your divan bed, read our Divan Bed Assembly Guide. When you order from MattressNextDay, your divan bed will arrive in two pre-built halves - simply attach the two together. It’s as easy as that! Our guide also covers how to attach a headboard or feet to your divan, which is just as simple.