Double and larger sized divan beds

In addition to coming in a single bed size format, divans also come in small double, standard double, king size and queen size. Some manufacturers will also allow you to specify a size and then build the bed to order. When this is the case the cost of the bed base may not be excessive, however the cost of the “purpose built” mattress may be.

Orthopedic beds are available in the divan design and many manufacturers of orthopedic quality mattresses offer their products as a divan bed. The box like construction of a divan is an ideal base for a high quality mattress and orthopedic beds can be made using pocket springs, memory foam, latex foam or a mix of two or more of these materials.

Divan drawers

The big advantage of the divan bed is the use of the under bed storage and this is accessed by either two or four drawers.

A double divan bed is actually made by connecting two half bed bases together (like two single divan bases) using bolts, fasteners or clip systems. The result is that a double divan will have twice the storage space of a single divan and this means that you are able to store anything from bedding, towels or clothes, to a dinner service or a DVD collection. However you look at it, the storage space is extensive.

Access to the under bed store areas is gained by sliding drawers and, in the case of a double divan, you can opt to have one or two drawers on each side of the bed. (i.e. a total of 2 or 4 drawers.)

All divans have a small and large drawer and the reason for this is practicality. The large drawer will always be at the foot end of the bed. This is because it is not usual to have any kind of physical obstruction at the foot end of the bed and therefore the drawer can be opened and closed easily. At the head end of the bed many people choose to have a bedside cabinet and this cabinet would prevent a top drawer from opening unless the drawer were positioned beyond the front edge of the cabinet. This is why the second (top) drawer of a divan is always smaller than the first (bottom) drawer. When a divan has this mix of large and small drawers it is sometimes called a continental divan or a divan with continental drawers.

Appearance

Because the mattress and bed base of a divan are finished in a matching fabric (ticking) these beds always look smart. In short they combine practicality with good looks and low or zero maintenance.

For reasons of transportation and ease of setting up, most double sized or larger divan beds have a two piece base. The connection between the two sections may be made lengthwise or width-wise (depending upon manufacturer), however this does not detract from the attractiveness of the bed. The connection can be made using bolts or special fastening mechanisms and the divan will normally sit on caster wheels.

Most divans have their drawers finished in the same fabric as the rest of the divan, however some (often cheaper models) will have a veneer or melamine surface to the drawer fronts.

Divan beds are available covering all sectors of the bed market from cheap and cheerful to high-end expensive products. What they all offer is the option to utilise the under bed area for storage rather than simply letting it go to waste. For this reason they are ideal in small rooms, or rooms where other forms of storage (e.g. wardrobes) are limited.