divans

A divan is a long, low upholstered seating piece, typically placed along a wall and used for sitting, reclining, or lounging. It may have a backrest and cushions, or be formed as a backless platform with cushions along its length. In many traditional interiors, divans serve as a multifunctional daytime seat and a lounge area.

The term derives from Ottoman Turkish divan, referring to a long bench or couch. In the Ottoman period, divans were central to seating arrangements in a majlis; the word also became associated with the imperial council and with poetry collections in some cultures. In European languages, divan later broadened to denote similar sofa-like furniture.

In Western furniture practice, a divan bed is a type of sofa that can be converted into a bed or used with a hinged base to store bedding. Modern divans may include built-in storage, modular sections, or be designed as window seating. Fabrics range from upholstery fabrics to leather; cushions are often plentiful and decorative.

Cultural usage varies by region, but divans are commonly found in living rooms and reception areas in the Middle East, the Balkans, and parts of South Asia. They emphasize comfort and social lounging rather than formal seating.

See also: divan bed, sofa, chaise longue, couch.