For some people, a basic bed is all they are looking for, but for most, there are important considerations such as comfort, size and the capacity for the bed to offer extra functions in addition to being a place to sleep, such as offering additional storage space.
Ottomans and divan beds both offer this feature. In rooms where a large double bed is what you need but there is a potential cost in terms of taking up finite space, the capacity to use them to keep items stored ensures the best of both worlds.
However, they are different kinds of beds with different storage systems, so the question may be asked: Which one is the best option for you?
What Is the Difference Between an Ottoman bed and a divan bed?
An Ottoman bed is a development of the same principle of an Ottoman, the piece of furniture that is normally used as a footrest or something to sit on in the living room, but is often hollow with a lid and storage space below, giving it a useful second function.
This means an Ottoman bed represents a scaling up of the same principle:
- It offers a large storage space right beneath the mattress
- This can be accessed by lifting one end, with the help of gas pistons to complete the lift
- It is designed to do this without the bed clothes going everywhere
A divan bed also seeks to combine a place to sleep with storage space just beneath, but does so in a different fashion.
Perhaps ironically, the term ‘divan’ emerged in the Ottoman Empire, although it originally referred to elongated benches that could double as sofa beds.
However, the adaptation of the idea in the west developed into a bed with a cushioned base, before subsequently becoming a bed on top of a firm base that could include a storage area, usually provided in the form of drawers.
- This ensures the space below the mattress is usable
- The items inside are accessed from the side rather than above
- This means accessing stored items will not disturb anything placed on the bed, including anyone sleeping on it!
Therefore, both kinds of beds offer storage under the mattress, but the type of storage is different, as is the means of accessing it. This can help inform your decision about which is the best option for you.
What Are The Key Features Of An Ottoman Bed?
An Ottoman bed has several great features:
Large Storage Space
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Featuring one or two large spaces beneath the bed, this area is useful for storing bigger items that cannot fit in drawers or small cupboards without them having to be put somewhere less accessible, like the loft.
Perfect For Organising Bed Clothes
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One of the simplest ways to use an Ottoman bed’s storage space is for keeping spare pillows, duvets and blankets, so they are easy to access when changing the bed.
Great For Style
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Ottomans can come in lots of different styles, while simultaneously being a good place to hide away things that don’t fit the style of the room.
What Are The Key Features Of A Divan Bed?
Divan beds come with more attributes than many will realise at first:
Handy Storage Space
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Large drawers for keeping clothes, blankets or other items in, which may complement other drawers or even obviate the need for them, freeing up space elsewhere for other furniture.
Attractive Upholstery
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In true divan style, the upholstery or fabric leather is a common feature of both the base and the headboard.
Ventilated Bases
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With standard or sprung slats, these offer extra support and ventilation
How Do Ottoman And Divan Attributes Compare?
Space Is Similar, But Different
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Ottomans are better for storing large items, while divans are better for clothes, paperwork and other items that are best stored in drawers.
Ease Of Accessing Storage
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The divan is generally easier as drawers are simple to open. Ottomans require sufficient strength to perform the initial lift of the mattress before the pistons kick in to make the rest of the lift easy.
Aesthetic Qualities
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Both types of bed can be very stylish, with lots of variety and quality that means they never look merely functional, despite the extra benefits of storage. You can see this by looking at the Ottoman and Divan beds we have in stock.
What Ottoman Options Do We Offer?
We provide a range of different Ottoman beds, including:
- Beds that lift from the end
- Beds that lift from the side
- Beds where only half the space is accessed by lifting and the other half with a divan-style drawer
- Bed bases
- Full beds with mattresses and headboards included
Which Divan Products Do We Provide?
We have a range of distinct and attractive Divan bases, which include the following options:
- Standard platform bases with drawers on either side
- A low base on castor wheels or chrome glides
- An unusual bed base on wooden legs, unlike most Divans which sit low to the floor
- Split bases, which can be separated into two stand-alone beds if desired
- A higher base designed for suitcase storage
- A choice of strutted or floor-standing headboards
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The above list of products is not exhaustive: It provides an example of some of what we offer.
What can be seen from this comparison is that when it comes to luxurious beds with the additional practical attribute of offering extra storage, both Ottoman and divan beds provide something that the average bed does not.
Having read about what each type of bed offers, you may feel certain which option is best and the only question then will be what particular product to go for.
On the other hand, it could be that you are not quite sure what to choose. By getting in touch with the Midas Beds team, you can get extra help and advice to enable you to pick the bed that suits you best.
This way, you can acquire a new bed with confidence and enjoy nights of great comfort while enjoying the great convenience of being able to store a lot of items in the space below.