A TV bed hides the television inside the footboard and raises it on demand; a wall-mounted TV is always visible but costs far less and takes any screen size. The choice usually comes down to one question: do you want the bedroom to stop looking like a living room when the TV is off?
Table of contents
- Side-by-side comparison
- Choose a TV bed if…
- Choose a wall mount if…
- The real cost difference
- Frequently asked questions
Side-by-side comparison
| TV bed | Wall-mounted TV | |
|---|---|---|
| Visible when off | No — fully concealed | Yes — a black rectangle |
| Screen size limit | Typically 32–43" depending on model | Any size the wall takes |
| Viewing angle | Straight ahead from the footboard | Usually higher — can strain the neck |
| Installation | Included in the bed | Bracket, drilling, cable management |
| Wall damage | None | Permanent fixings — an issue when renting |
| Cost | From around £930 (bed + lift) | Bracket from ~£30 plus your bed |
| Storage | Built into the frame | Separate furniture needed |
Choose a TV bed if…
You want the bedroom to read as a bedroom by day. That's the honest core of it — the appeal isn't watching TV, it's not seeing one when you're not. It also solves neck strain, since the screen rises to roughly eye level for someone sitting up in bed rather than being mounted high on a wall. You're renting and can't drill. Or you want the storage and the screen solved by one purchase rather than three.
Handcrafted TV beds — velvet frames with concealed lift and storage
Panel and Chesterfield designs, made to order in West Yorkshire. From £929.99 with free UK delivery.
Browse TV beds →Choose a wall mount if…
Budget is the priority — a bracket costs a fraction of the difference. You want a screen larger than a footboard lift accommodates. You already own a bed you're happy with. Or you move often and would rather take a bracket than a bed frame.
Being straight about it: a wall mount is the sensible economic choice, and a TV bed is a design choice. Both are legitimate — just be clear which you're making.
The real cost difference
Compare like with like. A TV bed replaces the bed frame, the storage furniture, and the wall mount. If you needed a new bed anyway, the true premium is the difference between a TV bed and a comparable storage bed — several hundred pounds, not the full price. If your current bed is fine, the premium is the entire cost, and a bracket makes far more sense.
One thing people forget: the TV itself is never included with a TV bed. You mount your own VESA-compatible screen — check the specification against your set, as covered in our complete TV bed guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are TV beds worth it?
They're worth it if concealing the screen matters to you and you need a new bed anyway. If you already have a bed you like, a wall bracket achieves the viewing outcome for a fraction of the cost.
What size TV fits in a TV bed?
Typically 32–43 inches depending on the model — always check the lift housing specification against your television's dimensions.
Do TV beds come with a TV?
No. You mount your own VESA-compatible screen to the bracket inside the footboard.
Is a TV bed bad for sleep?
Screens before bed can affect sleep quality regardless of how they're mounted — the NHS recommends winding down without them. A TV bed at least removes the screen from view when you're settling.
Compare our panel and Chesterfield designs in the TV bed collection, or consider a storage bed without the screen.
