Divan Bed vs. Slats - Which Is Right for You

  • Guide

10 min read

  • Whether you opt for a divan bed or bed slats is down to personal preference and your home’s aesthetic. Divan beds offer extra storage and are often sturdier, but they can be more expensive than slat-based beds. Slats make maintenance easy and offer great breathability as air can circulate with ease. However, they’re more likely to wear over time.   

Fancy taking that Premier Inn bed experience home with you? Thanks to our range of luxurious hotel quality beds, you can! From bright colours to neutral designs, we have something for everyone who’s looking to upgrade their bedroom. But a good bed is about more than just the look and feel – it’s also about the type and structure. At Premier Inn at Home, we offer divan beds and traditional slatted designs, and there are benefits to both options. In this article, we’ll take you through some of the pros and cons of each bed type to help you decide which one is best for you. In this blog article, we will explore the pros and cons of Divan Bed vs. Slats to find the perfect bed frame for your ultimate comfort and storage needs.

What’s the Difference Between a Divan Bed and Slats?

If your sleep routine is due an MOT and you fancy recreating the Premier Inn experience at home to help you sleep better, understanding bed bases is a great place to start. Divan beds have a solid and chunkier design as the base often offers space for storage as well as the mattress. This can include drawers or an ottoman feature, which means the entire bed can be lifted for storage underneath. Slatted designs are the more traditional bed type, supported by four legs instead of one complete base. Slats are usually wooden, supported by metal fixtures for improved sturdiness. Aside from the design itself, another main difference is that slatted bed frames tend to have a larger width than a divan as divans allow the mattress to sit directly on top of the base.

What Are the Pros and Cons of a Divan Bed Base?

A divan base is a popular choice for many shoppers; however it might not be right for your space or preferences. Here’s a look at their pros and cons:

Pros 

  • Fantastic for extra storage that’s subtle, especially in smaller bedrooms or if you like your space clutter-free. Perfect for storing anything from spare Premier Inn bedding to extra clothing and beyond. 

  • Modern, customisable designs so you can complement your interiors beautifully 

  • Supportive bases because they’re sturdy, solid and firm, especially when holding the storage inside 

  • Instantly add a luxurious feel to your home  

  • Have an improved weight capacity compared to slats as they’re solid 

Cons 

  • Usually at a higher price point due to their complex design 

  • Often heavier, making them harder to manoeuvre when shuffling the room around or cleaning 

What Are the Pros and Cons of Bed Slats?

If you’re drawn to a more traditional bed frame, you’ll be pleased to know there are also plenty of benefits to bed slat designs. Let’s take a look at their main advantages and why they might not be suited to your needs.

Pros 

  • Offer great breathability, which helps keep mattresses fresh and plump thanks to the constant flow of air 

  • Often long-lasting and more affordable compared to other bed designs 

  • Easy to fix and replaced if necessary 

Cons 

  • Storage space isn’t quite as well optimised; while there’s space underneath a slatted bed frame, you’ll need to keep things organised to stop it turning into a floor-drobe. You’ll also need to consider the right size boxes to work around the legs 

  • More likely to wear over time than a divan base, so you can expect a bit more maintenance  

Is a Divan Bed or Slatted Design Better?

Our high-quality bed frames should help you fall asleep faster and feel well rested, but in terms of which is better, we’d say it all comes down to personal preference. You’ll want to choose the right type to suit your space, style and budget. Both bed types offer great storage and style options – just remember that size is another important factor. But whichever option you go for, our beds have got your comfort covered.

How much space does a divan bed take up compared to a slatted bed frame?

When looking at how much space each bed type takes up, a divan bed usually takes up less than a slatted bed frame, especially as they’re built to the exact size of a mattress with no extra elements like a headboard or side rails to account for.

Do divan beds squeak?

Not usually. Divan beds are solid and upholstered so they’re less likely to squeak than slatted frames where the slats end up rubbing together. 

Why Is Choosing The Correct Bed Frame Important?

As well as the reasons we’ve already mentioned, choosing the right bed frame is important for many other reasons. Here’s an insight:

Correct Support

A bed base that’s designed to be durable and long-lasting will offer your body the support it needs. This means that physical aches and pains can be alleviated while sleeping, and your spinal alignment will be supported. Luxury divan beds and slatted designs both work with various types of mattresses to provide all the comfort and support you need.

Ease of Cleaning

Divan bed frames require more effort to clean, so if you’d prefer an easier-to-maintain bed, a slatted option may be your best choice. This is because divan frames are heavier to move, making cleaning underneath and behind the headboard a tougher task, while slatted beds can be hoovered underneath easily. You may also find that divan beds have more upholstery cleaning needs thanks to their large fabric panels. However, with regular attention and some good-quality cleaning products, this doesn’t have to be too time consuming. 

Whichever bed frame you choose, don’t forget to invest in a quality mattress protector to minimise wear on your mattress, and to make cleaning even easier. 

Styling a Room

Your choice of bed also has a big impact on the overall feel of your room. A bed is usually the largest piece of furniture in the space, so it’ll naturally be the focal point of a bedroom. Both divans and slatted beds have different looks, so make sure you understand what would suit the style and feel of your space before buying. 

Improved Mental Health

One of the most important factors is that with better sleep comes improved mental health. Choosing the right bed frame can help you create the ideal space for getting that quality sleep.  

Choose a Bed Frame from Premier Inn at Home

Choosing between a divan bed or a bed with slats isn’t easy, but the good news is that they both come with a wide range of benefits when shopping on Premier Inn at Home. There’s never a wrong choice, just what’s right for you (and your partner!). Explore our bed collection and enhance your sleep space.