<div>If you are scouting for a chic, versatile piece of furniture to seat two people, then, the divan is your go-to piece. Divan, originating in Persia as ‘devan’, is a couch-like furniture (used for sitting) generally backed up against a wall. It has a mattress-like seat that sits on the ground directly or rests on a low wooden frame. If you delve into their history, divans were first found along the walls in the Middle Eastern government offices.<br /><br />A divan, as a sofa or couch, became fashionable in Europe in the middle of the 18th century, and all the boudoirs (woman’s private salons or ‘sulking rooms’) were adorned with divans. They spread to coffee-houses and smoking rooms, and evolved into ‘cigar divans’. Apart from being a staple in most traditional Indian homes, this particular piece of furniture was considered important in the Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Chinese civilisations.<br /><br />Variants of the divan include the divan bed, daybed, chaise, settee and even the village charpoy. No other piece of furniture is as versatile in its design and uses, as the divan. They can be designed to work in any space and with any kind of decor. As the heavily carved Rajasthani divan or as Mies van der Rohe’s iconic Barcelona daybed, the divan has survived the test of time.<br /><br />These timeless designs have an elegance and historic beauty that works just as nicely in a minimalist, modern setting as it would in an opulent, heritage backdrop. They can be made of wood, metal, fabric and in combinations of these materials.<br /><br />The divan is a convertible piece that serves double duty as a sofa and bed, and is particularly valuable in urban settings where space is at a premium. Multifunctional and compact, the divan does not scream “I’m a bed” — it can be a sofa, bench, chaise, lounge seating or bed, adapting to different situations. <br /><br />It fits effortlessly into a myriad of settings — the living room, guest room, home office, nursery or bedroom; in an apartment, bungalow, hotel or dormitory. It can be used indoors or for outdoor living. It can be tucked in a corner, styled as a private nook, or can be set in the centre, as a statement-making focal point. Since a divan lies low and does not have a back, it is just the thing to be placed in front of a window with a view that we don’t want to block. It also acts a prime spot for the owner. How’s that for a view?<br /><br />Adaptable<br /><br />As homes and apartments shrink in size, the divan can be effectively designed to have a practical and sophisticated presence in any room. The divan can sit low on the floor or can be lifted to hide a roomy storage space in the base area. The divan can be made unique from time to time by changing the bedcovers and pillows, and tossing in a throw pillow. Rolled pillows on either end are a great way to add the comfort of armrests for sitting, which can be removed at night to make space for sleeping. Traditionally carved divans can be made to look more ‘homey’ and comfortable with plump pillows in a variety of sizes, colours and patterns. <br /><br />The divan can be simple and smart, with a small footprint to tuck away in tricky spaces, or it can be a blend between quaint and modern elements, with carved legs and arms giving it a vintage spin. The easiest way to fill a space nicely with a divan, is to have pops of colour in the pillows and throws, and have plants flanking it. A mirror or piece of art over the divan, and a small coffee table near it can be included to finish it off.<br /><br />The divan is a perfect spot for curling up with book, taking a midday snooze and for making interesting conversation. It can be a place for relaxation and contemplation too.<br /><br /><em>(The author is architect and lead interior designer, Unishire)</em></div>
<div>If you are scouting for a chic, versatile piece of furniture to seat two people, then, the divan is your go-to piece. Divan, originating in Persia as ‘devan’, is a couch-like furniture (used for sitting) generally backed up against a wall. It has a mattress-like seat that sits on the ground directly or rests on a low wooden frame. If you delve into their history, divans were first found along the walls in the Middle Eastern government offices.<br /><br />A divan, as a sofa or couch, became fashionable in Europe in the middle of the 18th century, and all the boudoirs (woman’s private salons or ‘sulking rooms’) were adorned with divans. They spread to coffee-houses and smoking rooms, and evolved into ‘cigar divans’. Apart from being a staple in most traditional Indian homes, this particular piece of furniture was considered important in the Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Chinese civilisations.<br /><br />Variants of the divan include the divan bed, daybed, chaise, settee and even the village charpoy. No other piece of furniture is as versatile in its design and uses, as the divan. They can be designed to work in any space and with any kind of decor. As the heavily carved Rajasthani divan or as Mies van der Rohe’s iconic Barcelona daybed, the divan has survived the test of time.<br /><br />These timeless designs have an elegance and historic beauty that works just as nicely in a minimalist, modern setting as it would in an opulent, heritage backdrop. They can be made of wood, metal, fabric and in combinations of these materials.<br /><br />The divan is a convertible piece that serves double duty as a sofa and bed, and is particularly valuable in urban settings where space is at a premium. Multifunctional and compact, the divan does not scream “I’m a bed” — it can be a sofa, bench, chaise, lounge seating or bed, adapting to different situations. <br /><br />It fits effortlessly into a myriad of settings — the living room, guest room, home office, nursery or bedroom; in an apartment, bungalow, hotel or dormitory. It can be used indoors or for outdoor living. It can be tucked in a corner, styled as a private nook, or can be set in the centre, as a statement-making focal point. Since a divan lies low and does not have a back, it is just the thing to be placed in front of a window with a view that we don’t want to block. It also acts a prime spot for the owner. How’s that for a view?<br /><br />Adaptable<br /><br />As homes and apartments shrink in size, the divan can be effectively designed to have a practical and sophisticated presence in any room. The divan can sit low on the floor or can be lifted to hide a roomy storage space in the base area. The divan can be made unique from time to time by changing the bedcovers and pillows, and tossing in a throw pillow. Rolled pillows on either end are a great way to add the comfort of armrests for sitting, which can be removed at night to make space for sleeping. Traditionally carved divans can be made to look more ‘homey’ and comfortable with plump pillows in a variety of sizes, colours and patterns. <br /><br />The divan can be simple and smart, with a small footprint to tuck away in tricky spaces, or it can be a blend between quaint and modern elements, with carved legs and arms giving it a vintage spin. The easiest way to fill a space nicely with a divan, is to have pops of colour in the pillows and throws, and have plants flanking it. A mirror or piece of art over the divan, and a small coffee table near it can be included to finish it off.<br /><br />The divan is a perfect spot for curling up with book, taking a midday snooze and for making interesting conversation. It can be a place for relaxation and contemplation too.<br /><br /><em>(The author is architect and lead interior designer, Unishire)</em></div>
