A diwan bed design is a low, backless day bed that sits along a wall in the hall: a seat for visitors by day and a proper bed by night. The diwan (also spelt divan or deewan) is usually single, about 3 by 6 ft, and dressed with a gaddi (thin mattress), a fitted cover and round bolsters so it reads as seating.
Here are 12 designs, each a wooden divan bed design photo or a padded modern one: sagwan and other wooden diwans, diwans with a box underneath, modern looks and wider double diwans for 4 by 6 rooms. Every photo notes its width, material and box type. Pieces that unfold from a sofa live on our sofa cum bed design page; for a full bedroom single see single bed designs.
Sagwan Diwan Bed Design and Other Wooden Diwans
Sagwan (teak) is the classic diwan wood: it handles the heavy daily use of a hall and keeps termites away. Sheesham and mango are good options too.
- SizeSingle 36 x 72 in
- BuildSagwan, golden melamine
- StorageNone, open legs
Turned legs and a plain sagwan frame give the old Indian look. Two bolsters and a fitted cover turn it into seating.
Tell your carpenterKeep the top 16 to 18 inches high with the gaddi so it is easy to sit on.
- SizeSingle 36 x 75 in
- BuildSheesham, walnut PU
- StorageNone, open legs
A low back rail on one long side holds back cushions and stops them sliding off. Under polish, the dark lines in sheesham glow.
Tell your carpenterKeep the back rail under 10 inches high so the diwan still feels like a bed at night.
- SizeSingle 36 x 72 in
- BuildMango wood, whitewash
- StorageNone
Jaali side panels add detail at the ends without a back. Whitewash on mango wood keeps a small hall bright.
Tell your carpenterAsk for the jaali panels to be removable so you can dust inside the cutouts easily.
Diwan Bed Design with Box Storage
A diwan bed design with box storage puts the whole base to use. Lift the top for bedding, or pull drawers from the front.
- SizeSingle 36 x 72 in
- BuildTeak frame, ply box
- StorageLift-up box
Two mini gas struts raise the top, revealing a box the full size of the diwan. Good for quilts and festival utensils.
Tell your carpenterAsk for a ply top in 18 mm with small gas pistons; a heavy solid top is hard to lift daily.
- SizeSingle 36 x 75 in
- BuildPly, walnut laminate
- Storage2 front drawers
Two drawers on the front long side give daily-use storage without moving the mattress. Walnut laminate matches most halls.
Tell your carpenterSpecify soft-close runners, and leave two feet of floor ahead of the drawers.
- SizeSingle 36 x 72 in
- BuildSagwan, natural PU
- StorageBox + end shelves
A short shelf unit at one end works as a side table and holds books. The base below is one big box.
Tell your carpenterFix the end shelf to the frame with bolts, not just screws, so it does not wobble.
Modern Diwan Bed Design Photos
New diwan bed designs drop the turned legs for clean lines, upholstery and floating bases. They fit apartment halls and home offices.
- SizeSingle 36 x 72 in
- BuildPly, grey fabric
- StorageLift-up box
Fully padded in grey with a tufted top, this diwan looks like a bench by day. The fabric hides the box below.
Tell your carpenterGet a zipped, detachable top cover; it goes into the washer once festival guests leave.
- SizeSingle 36 x 75 in
- BuildPly, white oak laminate
- StorageLift-up box
A recessed base makes the diwan look like it floats, and a soft light strip below adds a night glow.
Tell your carpenterRecess the plinth 3 inches and fit the light strip on its own switch near the diwan.
- SizeSingle 30 x 72 in
- BuildMS, black powder, cane
- StorageNone, open legs
Black metal with cane inserts on the sides is light, modern and termite free. Good for a balcony room or study.
Tell your carpenterAsk for powder coat on every weld and rubber caps on the legs to protect tiles.
Double Bed Diwan Design: 4 by 6 Diwan Palang
A double diwan, often called a diwan palang, is about 4 by 6 ft. It seats more people and sleeps one adult in comfort, or two in a pinch.
- SizeDouble 48 x 72 in
- BuildTeak, honey melamine
- StorageLift-up box
At 48 inches wide this diwan palang sleeps an adult with room to turn. The full box below takes a lot of bedding.
Tell your carpenterSplit the box with one cross rail so the wide top does not sag in the middle.
- SizeDouble 48 x 75 in
- BuildPly, oak laminate
- StorageBox + head box
A low head box at one end holds glasses and medicines. Works as a guest bed in a combined hall and dining room.
Tell your carpenterKeep the head box under 12 inches tall so the diwan still works as a seat from the front.
- SizeDouble 48 x 72 in
- BuildSheesham, dark PU
- StorageNone, open base
Carved end panels give the double diwan a heritage look. The open base lets you slide in floor baskets.
Tell your carpenterCheck carving depth is even on both ends and that no sharp edges face the seat.
Diwan Sizes: 3 by 6, 4 by 6 and Others
| Name | Mattress (inches) | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Slim diwan | 30 x 72 | Narrow hall, study, balcony room |
| 3 by 6 single | 36 by 72 (or 75) | Most common hall diwan |
| 4 by 6 double | 48 by 72 (or 75) | Diwan palang, more seating, roomy single sleeper |
Diwan bed design 3 by 6 is the default. Pick 4 by 6 if an adult sleeps on it every night. Buy the gaddi first and build the frame a little bigger, so the cover tucks in neatly.
Diwan, Sofa Cum Bed or Single Bed
- Diwan: no mechanism, always a bed, seats with bolsters. Best when someone sleeps in the hall often.
- Sofa cum bed: a real sofa back and arms, opens when needed. Best for occasional guests. See L shape sofa cum beds for corner options.
- Single bed: taller with a headboard. Best for a bedroom.
What to Tell the Carpenter for a Diwan
- Size of the gaddi or mattress, and thickness.
- Height: about 16 to 18 inches with the gaddi, lower than a bedroom bed, giving guests a sofa-like perch.
- Storage: open legs, lift-up box or drawers. Drawers want two clear feet ahead of them.
- Wood or ply: sagwan or sheesham for solid, 18 mm MR ply with laminate for lower cost.
- Anti-termite dose on every wooden part, plus vent holes in any box base.
Dress it with a fitted cover and two or three bolsters so it looks like seating, not a spare bed. For bolster and gaddi ideas, see bed gaddi designs.
Questions people ask
What is the standard diwan bed size?
A single diwan bed design usually measures 3 by 6 ft, matching a gaddi 36 inches across and 72 long. Double ones are 4 by 6 ft, taking a mattress 48 inches across.
Is diwan and divan the same?
Yes. Diwan, divan and deewan are spellings of the same low day bed used in Indian halls.
Why do carpenters suggest a sagwan diwan bed design?
Sagwan is teak itself: oily, stable and termite resistant, so it is ideal. Sheesham is a strong second choice.
Should I get a diwan with a box?
If your home has little cupboard space, yes. A lift-up box takes bulky bedding; drawers suit daily items.
How high should a diwan be?
About 16 to 18 inches including the gaddi. That is a sofa seat height, so guests sit comfortably.
Can a diwan be used as a double bed?
A 4 by 6 diwan palang sleeps one adult very well and two for a night. For a couple every night, choose a proper double bed.