The Smart Shopper’s Guide to Ottoman Beds in 2026

An ottoman bed is a frame whose entire mattress platform lifts on gas struts to reveal a storage cavity underneath. The whole base becomes usable, which typically gives between 500 and 900 litres of space depending on the size, and none of it requires clearance at the sides. That single characteristic is why ottoman bases suit British bedrooms so well, where beds often sit in corners or against walls.

Before buying, three things decide whether you will be happy with it long term: the lift mechanism, the opening direction, and the quality of the base construction. Get those right and an ottoman bed will serve for many years. Get them wrong and you will find yourself wrestling with a heavy platform every time you need a spare pillow.

How the lifting mechanism works

Gas struts, sometimes called gas pistons, do the work. They are the same type of component used on car boots. Two or four struts are fitted between the base and the platform, and they are rated to counterbalance the weight of the frame plus a typical mattress.

The rating matters. A strut set specified for a light foam mattress will struggle under a deep pocket sprung one, leaving the platform heavy to lift and prone to dropping. A strut set that is over specified makes the platform difficult to close. Reputable listings state a maximum mattress weight, and it is worth checking the weight of the mattress you intend to use against it.

Struts are consumable parts. They lose gas pressure slowly over several years and can be replaced inexpensively, which is worth knowing when weighing an ottoman against a fixed frame. Look for beds where the struts are bolted rather than riveted, since bolted fittings are far easier to swap.

Side lift or end lift: which opening suits your room

End lift, sometimes called foot opening, raises the platform from the bottom of the bed towards the headboard. It needs clear floor at the foot but nothing at the sides, so it works in narrow rooms and where both long sides are against furniture.

Side lift raises the platform sideways, hinging along one long edge. It needs clear floor on one side and gives easier access to the whole cavity because you can reach in across the width. It suits rooms where the bed sits centrally.

End lift is the safer choice for most UK bedrooms, simply because foot space is more commonly available than side space. Check the ceiling too: a lifted platform on a tall headboard bed can reach close to 180cm in the raised position, which is worth measuring under a sloped ceiling. Our full modern ottoman beds UK sale range lists the opening direction on each product page.

How much storage you actually get

Manufacturers quote generous litre figures, but the usable volume is smaller than the raw cavity, because the frame rails, the strut mountings and the centre support all intrude. As a rough working guide, a single ottoman holds the equivalent of two large suitcases, a double holds three to four, and a king or super king holds four to six.

What goes in matters more than the number. Ottoman storage is best suited to items you need occasionally rather than daily: spare duvets and pillows, seasonal clothing, luggage, sports kit and Christmas decorations. It is poorly suited to anything you want several times a week, because lifting the mattress is a two handed job.

If you need daily access, a drawer base is the more practical companion, and many people combine the two approaches by using an ottoman for bulk and a nearby modern chest of drawers UK sale unit for everyday clothing.

Base construction and what to inspect

The base is a large box that carries the weight of the platform, the mattress and the sleepers, so rigidity is everything. Three details separate a base that stays solid from one that develops movement.

Look for a fully boarded or well braced base rather than a simple perimeter frame. A braced base resists racking, which is the sideways movement that causes creaking over time.

Check for a centre support. Doubles and larger sizes should have either a central rail with a leg or a reinforced cross member. Without it, the platform can flex in the middle.

Consider the base lining. An unlined cavity exposes raw board, which collects dust and can mark stored bedding. A lined or fully upholstered interior is easier to keep clean and more pleasant to reach into.

On upholstered models, check the fabric weight and the seam finish at the corners, since those are the points that take the most handling. Our fabric beds UK sale listings give the upholstery details, which is useful when comparing similar looking designs.

Living with an ottoman bed

Day to day, the main adjustment is remembering to strip heavy bedding before lifting. A duvet, four pillows and a throw add weight that the struts are not counterbalanced for, and lifting with everything in place is the most common cause of premature strut wear.

Ventilation is worth a thought. A sealed cavity with damp bedding inside can develop a musty smell. Storing items clean and dry, adding a fabric cover rather than sealed plastic, and opening the base occasionally on a dry day prevents it entirely.

Safety is straightforward but real. The platform should be lowered with a hand on it rather than dropped, and children should not be allowed to operate it. Struts hold the platform reliably when in good condition, but a failing strut can allow the platform to descend faster than expected, which is another reason to replace them once they begin to feel weak.

Choosing the right size

Ottoman bases come in the standard UK sizes: single at 90cm by 190cm, small double at 120cm by 190cm, double at 135cm by 190cm, king at 150cm by 200cm and super king at 180cm by 200cm. The external frame will be larger than the mattress, usually by 8cm to 15cm in each direction.

Because the whole footprint becomes storage, moving up a size gives a disproportionate storage gain. If you are choosing between a small double and a double and the room allows both, the double adds roughly 15 per cent more storage volume along with the extra sleeping width.

Do keep the clearances honest though. You still need 60cm to walk past comfortably and 60cm at the foot if the bed opens that way. Storage is not worth a room you have to edge around.

Assembly and delivery considerations

Ottoman beds arrive flat packed in two to four heavy cartons. The base carton is typically the longest item and often exceeds 190cm, which matters on tight staircases and in flats with narrow landings. Measure the turn at the top of your stairs before ordering.

Assembly usually takes two people around 90 minutes. The struts are fitted last and are the one step where a second pair of hands is genuinely needed, because the platform must be held in position while the strut mountings are bolted. Do not fit the struts before the base is square and fully tightened.

Once built, ottoman bases are heavy and awkward to move, so decide the final position before assembly rather than after. If you are ordering a complete scheme, browsing the wider bedroom collection at Furniture in Fashion in one pass helps you plan the room around that fixed position, and delivery is free to most UK mainland postcodes.

Is an ottoman bed the right choice?

It is a strong choice if you live in a flat or a house with limited built in storage, if the bed must sit in a corner, or if you need to store bulky seasonal items somewhere accessible but out of sight. It is less compelling if you have a spacious loft or garage, if you have difficulty lifting, or if you want daily access to what is stored.

For rooms where the bed cannot be lifted easily but storage is still needed, a drawer base is the sensible alternative. For rooms where you simply want the lightest possible look, a slim frame on legs from our modern wooden beds UK range will suit better.

Frequently asked questions

How much can you store in an ottoman bed?

A double ottoman typically holds between 600 and 750 litres of usable space, which is roughly three to four large suitcases. Singles hold around 450 to 550 litres and super kings can exceed 900 litres. Frame rails and strut mountings reduce the theoretical volume slightly.

Do ottoman beds need clearance at the sides?

No, which is their main advantage. An end lift ottoman opens upward from the foot, so the bed can sit against a wall or in a corner. You still need clear floor at the foot of the bed to open it, and enough ceiling height for the raised platform.

How long do the gas struts last?

Typically several years of normal use before they begin to feel weaker. They are replaceable parts, and a matched pair costs relatively little. Stripping heavy bedding before lifting and lowering the platform under control rather than letting it drop both extend their life considerably.

Can any mattress go on an ottoman bed?

Any mattress in the correct size will fit, but the weight must be within the rating of the struts. Very deep pocket sprung mattresses can exceed it, making the platform heavy to raise. Check the maximum mattress weight in the specification before pairing.

Does bedding stored inside an ottoman bed get damp?

Not if it goes in clean and dry. Store items in breathable fabric bags rather than sealed plastic, and open the base occasionally on a dry day. Problems usually arise from storing bedding that was still slightly damp when it was put away.