Divan vs Ottoman: Which Should You Choose?

Whether you live in a small apartment or just want to make the most of your space, a storage bed is a great way to organise your belongings. But with so many options and designs to choose from, what is the best storage bed for you?

This guide will walk you through everything there is to know about storage beds, including the key differences between divan beds and ottoman beds. Soon you’ll be able to make the best choice for a stylish and functional bedroom.

Get ready to say goodnight to mess and good morning to organisation!

Benefits & Disadvantages of a Storage Bed

Storage beds are bed frames that contain a storage element in the space available under the mattress. This can be accessible through a lifting mechanism that allows you to lift up the mattress to access the space, or handy drawers. Popular due to their comfort and practicality, you can store a variety of household items from seasonal decor and objects to spare bedding and luggage.

Benefits:

1. Saves space: They reduce the amount of furniture needed in your home, saving you floor space.
   Increases mattress lifespan: They can prolong the life of your mattress by providing a solid base, which also keeps you comfortable at night
2. Variety of sizes available: Storage beds come in a variety of sizes, from single to super king size beds. This means you can find storage beds for your guest room, your child’s room or your personal bedroom.
3. Easier cleaning: Storage beds can make your room easier to clean by keeping items away from dust and dirt.
4. Stylish design: A storage bed can add to your room’s overall design by keeping things minimal and removing any ‘dead space’ from under your bed.
5. Comfort: The storage element of these bed frames does not interfere with your comfortability, it simply adds more practicality. Storage beds are just as comfortable as any other bed and many find them more comfortable than regular beds.

Disadvantages:

1. Bulky: Storage beds can be quite bulky. This can result in a storage bed feeling overwhelming in a room, or difficult to maneuver around. They also might not suit the design of your home if you prefer slim furniture structures.
2. Hard to disassemble: Storage beds are solid structures which can’t be partially disassembled. If you need to be able to disassemble your bed often, a storage bed may not be the best choice.
3. Easy to forget items stored away: With the extra storage provided by these bed frames, you may find yourself holding onto items longer than necessary.

Keep in mind that like any other piece of furniture in your home, the durability of your storage bed depends on the quality of the bed frame and the materials used.

High-quality storage beds are designed to be durable and withstand regular use. Despite this, make sure to check drawers and lift-up mechanisms as maintenance may be required to keep hinges and screws in good working condition.

How to Choose a Storage Bed

When wondering what is the best storage bed for your home, it comes down to your storage needs and personal style. Here is a list of things to keep in mind when browsing:

1. Storage needs: Do you need to store large objects or need a large storage space? Or will smaller drawers provide all the space you need?
2. Accessibility: Will the person using the bed be able to safely open the drawers or operate the lifting mechanism?
3. Design: What designs do you like? What is the overall aesthetic of your bedroom?

Divan Beds

Divan beds have a fully upholstered solid base that typically includes built-in storage drawers. The drawers come in a variety of sizes and the base can be made from a variety of materials, such as fabric or leather, allowing you to pick a material that suits you. Divan beds are a great choice if you want a sturdy base for your mattress with convenient built-in storage.

Pros:

1. Modern design: Divan beds are known for their modern and minimalist design, making them a great choice for sleek and stylish homes.
2. Child friendly: They are a great choice for kids or teenagers who need extra storage they can safely access.

Cons:

1. Limited positioning: If your bed only fits against a wall in your room, a divan bed with drawers on both sides is not a good choice. Additionally, take into consideration the space the drawer will need to open, otherwise accessing the drawer will be inconvenient.
2. Watch for quality: A poor quality divan bed is likely to experience difficulties with use such as drawers not shutting properly. Make sure to invest into a good quality divan bed where possible.

Assembling a Divan Bed

Assembly for divan beds is simple and tool free, usually involving clipping two bases together and sliding in the drawers. The base and drawers can be heavy, so it’s recommended to assemble with another person to prevent injury.

Another thing to be wary of is moving the bed too much once assembled. The base pieces can unclip and with a mattress on top it’s much more difficult to get it clipped back together. To save yourself from an evening wrestling with your mattress, assemble your divan in the desired position.

Ottoman Bed

Ottoman beds feature a hinged, lift-up mechanism that allows the mattress and bed frame to rise up. This reveals a large storage compartment underneath the bed, perfect for storing large and bulky items.

Pros:

1. Modern design: Ottoman beds, like Divans, are available in a variety of styles and materials.
   Comfortable: They are also known for being both comfortable and functional choices when storage is scarce in the home.
2. Provides large storage space: This storage bed frame is the perfect choice if you need a large storage space in your home. The lift up design is suitable for beds that need to be positioned against a wall, or rooms with limited floor space.

Cons:

1. Hinge safety precautions: Ottoman beds might not be the best choice for kids as the lifting mechanism of the bed can pose a safety risk for children not aware of the safety precautions surrounding hinges. Additionally, if they may not be the best choice for those with accessibility needs.

Assembling an Ottoman Bed

If assembly is something you are worried about, an ottoman bed takes more work to put together than a divan bed, due to the hinge mechanism. But, it is still a simple process. We recommend checking with the supplier about the assembly process if this is a concern.

So which should you choose?

With so many designs and sizes available in both options, the choice between an ottoman and divan comes down to space you need, accessibility needs and assembly. Whether you purchase a divan bed with four drawers or a minimalist ottoman bed, both are a functional, practical storage solution.