If you're considering investing in the Dreams Workshop Ottoman Divan Bed Base, you're in good company. Divan bases like this one are not merely a foundation for your mattress; they also offer additional features that set it apart from the competition. But the question remains: does it truly deliver?
Fabric-wise, the base is finished in a brushed twill, with Biscuit, Stone, Fossil and Denim to choose from, and it sits on plastic castors.
Moving on to build quality, owners regularly describe the base as solid and well made. Some complaints are about finishing: one owner found "some of the finishing out of sight is a little tatty", and another cut a hand on "a loose staple sticking out of the divan lid". Others found the bottom panel of the storage thin, one calling it "a bit flimsy". While the base is undeniably sturdy, a bit more attention to these finer points could elevate the product from good to exceptional.
Storage is a strong feature: the top lifts from the foot end to reveal 25cm of internal storage depth for spare bedding, clothing and the like. Dreams recommends a combined mattress and bedding weight between 14kg and 50kg for easy opening and closing, so check what your mattress weighs before you order.
Owners are keenest on the space, and several who switched from a drawer divan say it is easier to get at. One wrote: "The storage space is superb. Much easier access than drawers." The lid is the catch. Lifting it gets plenty of praise, but closing it with the mattress on is harder: one owner said it "can be tough to close again, requires a bit of force/weight which might be tricky if you're short".
As for assembly and installation, the process is generally straightforward. Dreams says the build takes two people and about 20 minutes, which matches one owner's "We managed to put it together ourselves, probably took about 20 minutes." Where it goes wrong, it's the instructions and the fit: one owner said "poor instructions let it down" after having to screw through the fabric, and another found "just one of the holes hard to line up". This suggests there's room for improvement in quality control to ensure a smooth assembly experience.
Mobility is a bit divisive. Some owners like being able to roll the bed out to clean, one calling it "a massive help", while others found the castors small. One wrote that the bed was "difficult to move when closing top as wheels too small to move easily". In my view, the mobility feature serves as both an advantage and a potential drawback proving ideal for those who require frequent repositioning of the bed but may be less ideal for those who prefer a more stationary setup.
