Divan bed

The word divan probably comes from Turkey where mattresses were positioned on couch like bases and placed against walls in halls and council buildings. Today the word has a different meaning, at least in the context of modern western beds, where it refers to a certain style of bed frame.

A divan bed is specifically a bed where the mattress sits on a boxed-out frame that has storage compartments contained within it. This frame will usually be made from timber and it will be boarded or panelled on all four sides, i.e. enclosed.

Most divans give access to this “under mattress” storage area by using drawers that pull out and a divan bed can be a one, two, three or four drawer divan. A single bed can have a maximum of two drawers whilst a double, queen size or king size can have up to four drawers.

In most cases the divan drawers will not be of an equal size. The top drawer (or drawers) will usually be narrower that those positioned towards the foot of the bed and the reason for this is to have a space, typically of about 18 inches between the head of the bed and the first drawer. This space allows a bedside cabinet to be positioned directly adjacent to the top of the bed without it impeding the opening of the top drawer(s).

The beauty of a divan bed is that it allows the floor area covered by a bed (a fairly significant size) to be utilized not only for sleep, but also for extra bedding, pillows, scatter cushions, or any other items that will fit within the drawers.

The downside to a divan bed is that it will be considerably higher than a regular bed, often by several inches or even a foot or more. The higher the frame, and consequently the sleeping surface of the mattress, the greater the potential for deep drawers and lots of storage. It should also be born in mind that, when the drawers are full, a divan bed can be quite heavy and awkward to move or reposition.

When it comes to style, divan beds cannot have ornate frames like metal or timber bed frames. Nor do they tend to have the divan section of the bed on display, this is normally covered by a valance or a spread-over bedding sheet. Most divans will have a fabric or melamine finish to their side walls and drawer fronts and this means that they have an acceptable appearance. However, most people do not want the drawers to be on display.

Divan mattress

There is no limit or restriction to the kind of mattress that can sit on a divan bed.

With the higher quality orthopedic and back support mattresses, most manufacturers will offer them with a choice of either, a standard bed box (i.e. a base without storage), or a divan base. With a double or king sized bed there will also be an option of drawer choices, e.g. two or four (and possibly alternative sizes).

It is also possible to buy the divan and mattress separately and mix and match between manufacturers of different designs, however most people buy these two items as a set.

A divan bed will cost more than a standard bed base and a four drawer divan will cost more than a two drawer divan.