How to Assemble A Divan Bed

Putting together a divan bed is one of the easiest DIY jobs you’ll ever do, but it can still feel a little daunting if you’ve never done it before. The good news is that most divan bases are designed with simplicity in mind. With a few basic steps, a bit of space to work, and a calm approach, you can have your new bed ready in no time.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process in clear, friendly language, helping you understand each part of the base, how the connectors work, and what to expect when attaching feet, drawers, and a headboard. Whether you’ve just purchased a new divan or you’re replacing an old one, this step-by-step breakdown will help you feel confident from the moment you open the packaging.

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to assemble your divan bed safely and securely, so you can enjoy better sleep, extra storage, and a bedroom that finally feels organised and comfortable. Let’s get started.

Are Divan Beds Easy to Assemble?

Yes. Divan beds are one of the easiest types of beds to assemble. Most of the work is already done for you before it reaches your home. The base normally arrives in two halves, and the steps you need to follow are very simple.

• attach the feet to the bottom of each half
• place the two halves together in your room
• secure them with the clips or linking bars provided
• open the drawers and remove any packing
• add a headboard if you want one

There are no complicated tools and no tricky parts to figure out. Most people finish the whole job in a few minutes, even if they have never built a bed before. Divan beds are made to be quick and stress free to set up, so you can enjoy a comfortable and organised bedroom without any fuss.

Are All Divan Beds Assembled in the Same Way?

If your divan bed uses linking bars, you will usually find that the bolts are already screwed into the side of the base when it arrives. This is done at the factory to keep everything together during transport. To assemble the bed, all you need to do is remove those bolts, position the linking bar so its holes line up with the holes on each half of the base, and then screw the bolts back in. Once tightened, the two halves will be firmly locked together and will not move apart.

If your divan base uses U clips, the process is very straightforward. These clips fit underneath the bed and are used to hold the two halves together. Place both halves in position so the inner edges meet neatly. Take a U clip and push it up through the black base fabric so it locks onto both sections at the same time. You will use two U clips in total, one on the left side and one on the right side. When both clips are pushed fully into place, the bed base will feel secure and will not separate when moved.

Some divan beds use a male and female clip system which is fitted during manufacturing. This means there is no extra hardware for you to attach. One half of the base will have the male fittings and the other will have the female fittings. To assemble this type, simply slide or slot one half over the other until the clips click together. You will feel the base tighten and hold itself in place without any tools.

Each of these joining systems does the same job and keeps your divan bed steady and secure. The method your bed uses will depend on the style and the brand, but all of them are designed to make assembly quick, easy and stress free for you.

What Tools Might Be Helpful When Building a Divan Bed?

You usually do not need tools, but a few basic items can make the job easier:

• a flat head screwdriver
• a rubber mallet to help tap castors or glider feet into place
• scissors to cut any packaging or drawer straps
• pliers to remove any staples from the packaging
• a tape measure to help position the bed correctly in the room

It also helps to have enough space to work. We recommend allowing at least 2.5 metres by 2.5 metres of clear floor space so you can move around the bed comfortably during assembly.

Most divan beds can still be put together without tools, but having these nearby and enough room to work will make the process even smoother.

What To Do Before Joining the Two Halves of a Divan Bed?

Before you connect the two halves of your divan bed, it is important to get everything ready. This makes the assembly smoother and helps the base line up properly. Here is what you should do first:

• Clear enough space so you can move around the bed easily. Aim for around 2.5 metres by 2.5 metres of open floor space.
• Unpack both halves and remove all plastic, straps and corner protectors.
• Check you have all the parts, such as castor wheels or glider feet, linking bars, U clips or any other connectors.
• Attach the feet to each base half while they are still on their side or upside down. It is much easier to do this before joining them.
• If the feet do not go in fully, even after using a rubber mallet, push the feet into the socket as far as they will go, then place the base flat on the floor. Apply firm knee pressure on the corner where the foot has not clicked in. You should hear a click sound when it locks into place.
• Position both halves correctly in the room, making sure the head and foot of the bed are facing the right way.
• Make sure the drawers are on the correct sides if your divan has drawers. You want the drawers to open into the room, not against a wall.
• Remove any transit straps inside the drawers so the drawers can open smoothly once assembled.
• Check that both halves sit level on their feet before you begin connecting them.

Once these steps are done, your divan base will be fully prepared and ready to join using linking bars, U clips or the built in male and female clip system, depending on your bed.

How To Fit a Headboard Onto a Divan Bed?

Fitting a headboard to a divan bed is very simple because the fixing points are already built into the base. Follow these steps:

• Find the headboard bolts
These are usually included in the accessories pack or inside one of the drawers.

• Locate the headboard fixing holes on the divan base
Most divan bases have small stickers showing where the bolts go, but these can fall off during transit. If you cannot see any stickers, rub your hand over the fabric at the head end and feel for a slight indent or hole. The fixing points are usually around 6 inches in from each corner.

• Attach the struts to the headboard
Lay the headboard flat on a soft surface. On the back of the headboard, you will usually see two staples or small markers showing the fixing points. Line up the struts with these points and screw them securely onto the headboard.

• Insert the bolts into the divan base
Push each bolt into the fixing holes on the base and turn them a few times by hand. Keep them slightly loose so the struts can slide behind the bolt heads.

• Lower the headboard onto the base
Lift the headboard and guide the struts down onto the bolts. Once the struts are in place, adjust the headboard to the height you prefer.

• Tighten the bolts
When the headboard is positioned correctly, tighten both bolts fully by hand or with a screwdriver. Make sure the headboard feels steady and secure.

Your headboard is now fitted, giving your divan bed a neat and finished look. The whole process is quick and easy for anyone to follow.