Choosing Ottoman Beds for a Bungalow

Ottoman beds suit bungalows particularly well because single storey homes often lack the stairs, landings and accessible lofts that provide storage in a house. When choosing one, focus on three things: a lift direction that matches your room layout, a gas strut mechanism that feels easy to raise, and a comfortable bed height for getting in and out.

An ottoman bed hides a full length storage well beneath the mattress, so bedding, luggage and seasonal clothes can be kept in the bedroom without extra furniture. Our modern fabric beds UK include upholstered frames that combine a soft finish with this kind of practical storage. Below we explain why bungalows benefit, and how to choose a frame that works for the long term.

Why Storage Is Different in a Bungalow

In a typical two storey British house, a surprising amount of storage comes from spaces you barely notice: the cupboard under the stairs, the landing airing cupboard and a loft reached by a folding ladder from the upstairs hall. A bungalow spreads everything across one floor, which is wonderful for accessibility but often leaves fewer hidden corners.

Many bungalows do have lofts, but the hatch is frequently in a hallway ceiling and reaching it can be awkward, especially for anyone who would rather not climb a ladder. As a result, items that might live in the loft elsewhere end up in wardrobes, under beds or in spare rooms. An ottoman bed reclaims the largest unused volume in the bedroom and keeps it within easy reach.

Planning storage room by room pays off. Before choosing a bed, take stock of what you want to keep in it, then look across the wider modern bedroom furniture UK sale range to decide what the bed should hold and what is better kept in wardrobes or chests.

Side Lift or End Lift?

Ottoman beds open in one of two directions, and the right choice depends on your floor plan.

• End lift: the base hinges at the headboard and rises from the foot. This is the most common design and needs clear space at the end of the bed to stand and reach in.
• Side lift: the base hinges along one long edge and rises from the other side. This suits rooms where the foot of the bed faces a wardrobe or wall, but needs space along one side.

Bungalow bedrooms are often a reasonable size, but they can be long and narrow, particularly in older designs where bedrooms run off a central corridor. Measure the gap at the foot and along each side before choosing. You need enough room to stand comfortably while the base is raised, usually at least 60cm to 70cm.

How Easy Is It to Lift?

This is the question that matters most over years of use. The mattress and base together can be heavy, and the gas struts do most of the work. A good mechanism should feel balanced: easy to raise from a closed position, steady once open, and controlled as it closes.

Look for a handle or strap at the foot that you can reach without bending deeply. Some frames include a safety catch or a slow close feature, which is reassuring if you are reaching into the storage while it is open. Gas struts are typically matched to a mattress weight range, so check that the mattress you plan to use is compatible.

If anyone in the household has limited strength or mobility, it is worth considering a lighter mattress, as this reduces the effort needed. Memory foam and hybrid mattresses vary considerably in weight, so check the specification.

Getting the Height Right

Many people move into bungalows partly for ease of living, so bed height deserves careful thought. An ottoman base is deeper than a standard frame to accommodate the storage well, which raises the sleeping surface. For many people this is a benefit, as a higher bed is easier to sit on and stand up from.

As a rough guide, the top of the mattress should sit at about knee height when you are standing beside it. That way you can sit on the edge with your feet flat on the floor. If a frame looks too tall once your chosen mattress is added, a slightly thinner mattress can bring it down to the right level.

Bungalow Ceilings and Headboards

Traditional bungalows usually have standard ceiling heights, but dormer bungalows and loft conversions often have sloping ceilings in upstairs bedrooms. In those rooms, a tall headboard may clash with the slope, and an end lift ottoman may hit the ceiling as it opens if the bed is positioned under the eaves.

In a sloping room, place the headboard on the tallest wall where possible, and check the clearance needed when the base is fully raised. Lower, wider headboards tend to sit more comfortably in these spaces and keep the room feeling open.

Choosing a Finish

Fabric ottoman beds are the most widely available and suit most bungalow bedrooms, adding warmth and texture. Velvet finishes feel more luxurious, while woven fabrics and linen look give a relaxed, natural feel. For a smarter, easier to wipe surface, our leather beds UK sale offer a more structured look.

Colour is personal, but mid tones such as warm grey, stone and soft blue are forgiving, showing less wear than very pale fabrics. If your bungalow has a garden facing bedroom with patio doors, think about how the bed will look in strong daylight, as some colours appear lighter or warmer by the window.

What to Keep Inside

An ottoman base is best for items you need occasionally rather than daily. Spare duvets, winter blankets, out of season clothing, suitcases and keepsakes all store well. Use fabric storage bags or shallow boxes to keep the space organised and to make lifting items out easier.

For items you reach for every day, a separate storage piece close to the bed is more convenient. A storage ottomans UK piece at the foot of the bed or in a corner gives you a seat for dressing and a place for throws and pyjamas, without needing to lift the bed each time.

Positioning the Bed in a Bungalow Bedroom

Bungalow bedrooms often sit along a corridor, with one bedroom facing the front garden and another facing the rear. Many also have wide windows or patio doors, which bring in lovely light but reduce the amount of solid wall available for a headboard.

Start by identifying the longest solid wall and check whether it leaves space for the base to lift. With an end lift, you need clear floor at the foot of the bed, so avoid placing a chest of drawers or dressing table directly opposite unless there is a generous gap. With a side lift, keep the opening side clear of bedside cabinets that would stop the base rising fully.

If the bedroom has patio doors, avoid placing the foot of an end lift bed directly in front of them. You will want to reach the storage without blocking the doors, and you will not want the bed to be the first thing you walk into when coming in from the garden.

Think about night time routes too. In a single storey home, the path from bed to bathroom is often along the corridor, so the side of the bed you get out of should face the door where possible.

Caring for the Lift Mechanism

A well made ottoman bed needs very little maintenance, but a few habits keep it working smoothly. Check the bolts on the hinges and struts every six months or so, and tighten any that have loosened. Avoid leaning heavily on the raised base or using it as a shelf while it is open.

Gas struts gradually lose a little strength over many years of use. If the base begins to feel heavier or drifts down when open, replacement struts are usually available and can be fitted without specialist tools. Keep the storage well tidy too, as items pressing against the underside of the mattress platform can make the lid harder to close.

Completing the Room

With the bed providing generous storage, the rest of the bungalow bedroom can be lighter. Choose bedside cabinets with a drawer for essentials and a top roughly level with the mattress, so reaching for glasses or a book is easy from bed. Our guide to bedside cabinets for small UK rooms covers sizing in more detail.

Keep walkways clear and avoid trailing cables, rugs with curled edges or low furniture in paths you use at night. These small choices make a single storey home even more comfortable to live in.

When you are ready to compare frames, finishes and storage options, explore our bedroom range at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are ottoman beds heavy to lift?

Gas struts do most of the work, so a well made ottoman bed should feel light to raise. Check the mattress weight range for the struts, as an overly heavy mattress makes lifting harder.

Do ottoman beds sit higher than standard beds?

Usually, yes, because the base is deeper to create storage. For many people this makes getting in and out easier.

Which lift direction is better for a narrow bedroom?

An end lift suits narrow rooms if there is space at the foot. If the foot of the bed faces a wardrobe, a side lift may be more practical.

Can I use any mattress on an ottoman bed?

Most standard mattresses fit, but check the size, depth and weight against the frame and struts to make sure the lift works as intended.