The Ultimate Guide to Divan Beds With Storage: How to Choose the Perfect Divan Bed

Are you looking to reclaim your bedroom from clutter without sacrificing style? A divan bed with storage drawers is the ultimate "2-in-1" solution. Not only do these beds provide a sturdy foundation for a great night's sleep, but they also transform the unused space beneath your mattress into a secondary wardrobe.

Choosing the Right Size

Divan bases are designed to be flush with the mattress, making them the most space-efficient choice for any room. Here are the exact UK standard sizes:

Size	Metric (Exact)	Imperial (ft/in)
Small Single	76cm x 191cm	2'6" x 6'3"
Single	93cm x 191cm	3'0" x 6'3"
Small Double	122cm x 191cm	4'0" x 6'3"
Double	137cm x 191cm	4'6" x 6'3"
King Size	153cm x 198cm	5'0" x 6'6"
Super King Size	183cm x 198cm	6'0" x 6'6"

What to Look For: Choosing the Right Configuration

1. Understanding Drawer Layouts

The most important factor is ensuring you have the "clearance" (physical space) to actually open the drawers once the bed is in place.

2 Drawers (Opposite Sides): One drawer on each side of the bed.
2 Drawers (Same Side): Perfect if one side of the bed is against a wall; both drawers are built into the accessible side.
4 Drawers: The gold standard for couples, providing maximum organization with two drawers on each side.
2+2 Continental Drawers: Features smaller drawers at the head end so they can open fully without hitting your bedside tables.
Side Lift Ottoman Divan Base: Opens from the side; perfect for narrow rooms or beds placed against a wall.
End Lift Ottoman Divan Base: Opens from the foot of the bed; the most popular choice for easy access in larger rooms.

2. Deep vs. Shallow Bases

Deep Divan Base: The classic choice. These sit lower to the ground on gliders and offer the maximum depth for storage drawers.
Shallow Divan Base: For a more modern, lightweight aesthetic, choose a shallow base. These are mounted on hardwood wooden legs, creating a gap between the floor and the base. This "elevated" look is ideal for making smaller rooms feel more spacious, though it is worth noting that shallow bases typically do not include integrated storage drawers.

3. Headboard Options: Included in the Package

While many retailers sell these separately, most of our divan beds come with a matching headboard included in the package.

Strutted: Height-adjustable and easier for tight delivery access.
Floor Standing: Sits on the floor for extra stability and a premium look.
Delivery Note: Floor-standing headboards are large, solid panels. Always measure your staircase clearance (height and turns) before ordering, as these cannot be bent or folded.

4. Base Construction: Platform Top

Our divan beds feature a Platform Top—a reinforced timber frame with a flat, upholstered top surface. This provides a consistent, firm foundation that supports your mattress perfectly and prevents sagging.

Ready to Upgrade Your Sleep and Storage?

Investing in a divan bed is one of the smartest ways to maximize your bedroom's potential. By combining a high-quality sleep surface with discreet, built-in storage, you can eliminate clutter and create a more relaxing environment. Whether you choose the quick access of traditional drawers or the massive capacity of an ottoman lift, your new bed will provide the perfect balance of style and practicality for years to come.

Ready to find your perfect match? Browse our full range of divan and ottoman beds to find the size, storage configuration, and fabric that suits your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between a divan and an ottoman?
A divan base features integrated drawers (usually 2 or 4) for quick, easy-access storage. An ottoman base uses a gas-lift mechanism to lift the entire mattress, providing roughly four times more storage space than a standard divan.

2. Will a divan bed fit up my stairs?
Yes, in most cases. A Single divan base comes as one piece and from a Small Double size upwards they are delivered in two separate halves. This makes them much easier to maneuver through narrow hallways and up tight staircases than a traditional one-piece bed frame.

4. How much weight can divan drawers hold?
Standard divan drawers are surprisingly spacious, usually holding around 15kg to 20kg of weight. This is perfect for bed linens, seasonal clothing, or towels. If you need to store heavier items like suitcases or stacks of books, an Ottoman base is better as it uses the solid floor of the base rather than a drawer runner.

5. Do divan beds come with headboards?
While some retailers sell them separately, our divan packages include a matching headboard. The base features pre-drilled holes on both ends, allowing you to attach the headboard at whichever end you prefer.

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Simple and straightforward ordering

We stayed in North Yorkshire recently and the bed was really very comfortable and as we were in the market for replacements (2 X 3ft to make a super king) I looked at the make. A local company I'd never heard of, did a search and Beds On Legs came up.
Brilliant service and delivery and the beds are just as expected, very comfortable and supportive.

Great Quality bed and customer service

Very helpful staff, delivery was arranged for a specific date and it all arrived on time. The bedstead was much higher quality than I expected, and the mattress is very comfortable too. All in all I am very happy

Best place to buy beds

Bedsonlegs delivered 2 beds within a couple of days of my order. The person I spoke to was able to answer all of my questions regarding storage and advised that I could, if I wished, remove the base from the storage area to increase the depth available.
When the beds were delivered, there were quite a few boxes and the 2 delivery chaps brought them up to the second floor and put them in the bedrooms as requested. Very good service all around. Thank you

Pietta Divan Ottoman Bed

After purchasing this bed we had a few issues with a faulty part. However the customer service from Beds On Legs was exceptional and they made sure everything was put right via the manufacturers very quickly. We are extremely pleased with this product. The bed looks amazing. I would highly recommend Beds On Legs not only for their advice on colours but also their amazing customer service/after care

Fab mattress & great sleep

I’ve had my new mattress for 3 weeks, and love it. I tried it in a showroom so knew it was comfortable, however, their lead times were too long and couldn’t be guaranteed.

I ordered this online from bedsonlegs with the mattress in stock, and lots of delivery slots. Plus I saved myself money.

I was kept up to date about delivery and am really pleased with it.

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Divan Beds with Storage Drawers