People tend to make the choice between divans and bed frames for different reasons. Bed frames tend to be chosen for their design and divans for their small footprint and functionality.
Below we have written a list of the advantages and disadvantages each one has to offer. Let’s take a look and find out which is best a bed frame or a divan base set.
Divan sets/bases
Divans are the type of bed where the base looks like a fabric covered box. They tend to come with options such as drawers, ottoman storage and sprung bases. In most cases, they also have castors or small feet. Divan bases can also come in a shallow version. These look similar but have open space below the base and usually have longer feet/legs.
Advantages
Many divans offer sprung bases. These can provide you with extra comfort, assist with the lifespan of the mattress and in many cases help the paired mattress perform the job that it is designed to do.
Many have drawers and/or other storage options which are neatly incorporated into the base.
Divans tend to take up less room than bed frames as they usually have the same width and length dimensions as the mattress. This could be particularly advantageous if you are positioning the bed between fitted wardrobes or in a small room.
Headboards can be replaced easily allowing you to change the whole look of a room at a lower cost without having to change the whole frame.
Some mattresses are only designed to work on a divan base.
Divan bases now come in a wide range of colours and fabrics meaning you can obtain a very modern look whilst keeping all the other advantages of divans.
Some manufacturers can make divan bases at different heights. This can be as shallow as 15cm (plus castors) right up to 30cm+ (plus castors)
Disadvantages
Divan bases can be far less aesthetically pleasing than bed frames.
The storage in the divan drawers may not be as big as the available space under many frames. Ottoman divan bases can counter this problem.
Bed frames / Bedsteads
Bed frames are the classic bed look. They can be metal, wood, fabric and leather, they tend to be more pleasing to the eye and have a bigger footprint than a divan. They come in all shapes and sizes. Bedframes are usually made of separate parts (headboard, footboard, side rails and slats) and are connected together in a way that makes the bed one big unit.
Advantages
Bed frames can be a bold focal point to a room’s interior styling.
They are available in many styles, colours and materials, meaning you can get the look you want
Bedsteads/bedframes are available in many heights and sizes.
A good quality bed frame can last for many years.
You can mix and match a wide variety of mattresses (some mattress may not be designed to work on a bed frame) with any bed frame giving you a large number of options.
As the sections of a bed frame tend to be smaller than the sections of a divan base, they can be the better option for rooms where access is difficult.
Disadvantages
Some mattresses are not suitable for slatted bases
Bed frames may not be as good for the mattress as a sprung base.
They tend to take up much more space because of bed posts, side-rails, headboards and foot-ends.
Headboards in many cases can be more difficult to move around.
Which is best a bed frame or a divan base set?
As you can see finding out which is best a bed frame or a divan base set, isn’t an easy question to answer. It depends entirely on what you want from your bed. Are functionality and storage more important because style isn’t a priority? Do you need a bed that takes up minimal floor space? The only thing you really need to ensure is that the mattress you have or purchase is designed to work with the base you want.
If you would like more advice on which is best a bed frame or a divan base set, call our bed gurus now on 01254 681 082.