Everything You Need to Know About Ottoman Beds

An ottoman bed is a bed frame with a hinged mattress platform that lifts up, usually on gas pistons, to reveal a large storage compartment covering the whole base. It looks like a conventional upholstered or wooden bed from the outside, but it doubles as a substantial storage unit. Ottoman beds are made in every standard UK size, open from the foot or the side, and suit any bedroom where cupboard space is short.

Our range of modern ottoman beds UK sale spans fabric, velvet and leather effect designs. This guide covers everything worth knowing before you choose one: how they differ from other storage beds, which opening type to pick, sizes, materials and how to care for one over the years.

Where the Name Comes From

The word ottoman has long been used for a low upholstered seat or footstool, often with a lid that lifts to reveal storage inside. The ottoman bed borrows that idea and applies it to the whole bed: a padded box with a lifting top. It is a simple concept, and that simplicity is a large part of its appeal.

Ottoman Beds Compared With Other Bed Types

Understanding how an ottoman differs from its alternatives makes it easier to decide whether one suits your room. Each of the options below sits comfortably within a wider scheme of modern bedroom furniture UK, so the choice is mainly about function.

Ottoman versus drawer bed

A drawer bed has two or four drawers in the base, opening from the sides or the foot. Drawers are quicker for daily items but hold less, and they need clear floor space to open. An ottoman holds more and needs no side clearance, but you lift the mattress to access it.

Ottoman versus divan

A divan is a fabric covered base, often with drawers, paired with a separate headboard. Divans are sturdy and simple, but they usually look more utilitarian. An ottoman bed tends to have a more finished, furniture like appearance, with an integrated headboard and tailored upholstery.

Ottoman versus a bed on legs

A raised bed on legs shows the floor beneath, which can make a small room feel airier. It also allows more air circulation under the mattress. Storage boxes can slide underneath, though they are open to dust. An ottoman trades that open look for enclosed, clean storage.

End Lift, Side Lift or Half Lift?

The way an ottoman opens affects where the bed can sit.

• End lift: the most common type. The platform hinges at the head and rises from the foot. It needs space at the foot of the bed to stand while you reach inside, but none at the sides, so it suits beds placed in alcoves or against walls.
• Side lift: the platform rises from one side. This works well when the foot of the bed is close to a wall, a radiator or a wardrobe. It is worth checking which side opens, as some designs open on a fixed side only.
• Half lift or split lift: found on some larger beds, where only part of the base rises. This makes lifting easier and lets you keep frequently used items in one section.

Sizes and Who They Suit

Ottoman beds are available in every common UK size. Single ottomans are useful in children’s rooms, where toys and spare bedding can be hidden away. Small doubles suit compact guest rooms and teenagers’ bedrooms. Doubles, kings and super kings offer generous capacity for main bedrooms, often enough to replace a blanket box or a set of drawers.

The larger the bed, the larger the storage space, but also the heavier the platform. Gas pistons on larger beds are rated accordingly, and a well made king or super king ottoman should still lift smoothly.

Choosing a Material

Fabric

Fabric is the most common finish, and for good reason. It hides the mechanism neatly, feels warm and comes in a wide range of colours and textures. Our double fabric beds UK include ottoman designs in linen look weaves, soft chenilles and plush velvets. Velvet in particular gives a rich, hotel style finish and suits deeper colours such as emerald, navy and blush.

Leather and faux leather

Leather finishes wipe clean easily, which helps in busy households, children’s rooms or homes with pets. They give a sleek, contemporary look and pair well with chrome and glass bedside furniture. Our modern leather beds UK sale range includes styles that suit both modern and classic schemes.

Wood

Wooden ottoman beds are less common, but they offer a natural, traditional character. They suit rooms with other wooden furniture, where an upholstered bed might look out of place.

Headboard Styles

Because the base of an ottoman is visually solid, the headboard does much of the work in defining the bed’s character. Common styles include:

• Panelled or channelled: vertical or horizontal stitched lines for a tailored, modern look.
• Buttoned: deep buttoning gives a classic, upholstered feel.
• Winged: side panels wrap slightly around the pillows, creating a sense of enclosure. These need a little extra width.
• Low and plain: a simple, minimal headboard keeps the bed understated, helpful in small rooms or under sloping ceilings.

Organising the Storage Inside

An ottoman base is one large compartment, which is wonderfully roomy but can become a jumble if everything is simply dropped in. A little organisation makes it far more useful.

Group items by how often you need them. Keep things you reach for every few weeks, such as spare sheets and towels, near the foot of an end lift bed where they are easiest to grab. Place seasonal items such as winter coats, holiday clothes and decorations towards the head end. Vacuum bags reduce the bulk of duvets and pillows, while shallow lidded boxes keep smaller items together and protected.

Labelling the tops of boxes saves lifting each one to check what is inside. If the base has a central divider, use one half for bedding and the other for clothes or keepsakes.

Practical Points Before You Choose

Check the mattress requirements. The pistons are matched to a range of mattress weights. Very heavy mattresses can make the platform hard to keep open, while very light ones may cause it to rise too quickly.

Think about ventilation. An enclosed base means less air under the mattress. Look for designs with breathable fabric or a slatted platform, and air the mattress when changing the bedding.

Consider assembly and access. Ottoman beds are delivered in several boxes and assembled at home. Measure stairs, landings and doorways along the route to the bedroom, and allow time for assembly, as the gas pistons and hinges need fitting carefully.

Plan the space at the foot. With an end lift ottoman, you need enough room to stand at the foot of the bed while the platform is raised.

Planning the Room Around an Ottoman

An ottoman can reduce the amount of other storage you need, which frees up wall space in the bedroom. Many people find they can drop a chest of drawers or a blanket box once the bed takes care of bedding and seasonal items. That leaves room for a dressing table, a reading chair or simply more space to move.

Bedside furniture still matters. A cabinet with at least one drawer keeps the essentials close at hand, and our checklist on what to look for in a bedside table in UK bedrooms helps you match height and size to the bed. If you are considering a larger ottoman, our guide to UK king size bed dimensions explains the room size to allow.

Caring for an Ottoman Bed

Vacuum fabric upholstery regularly with a soft brush attachment to prevent dust settling into the weave. Treat spills promptly by blotting rather than rubbing. Leather and faux leather need only a damp cloth and an occasional gentle conditioner suited to the material.

Inside, a quick vacuum of the base once or twice a year keeps it fresh. Check that the bolts holding the pistons and hinges remain tight, especially in the first few months after assembly. Pistons can lose pressure slowly over many years, and on most beds they can be replaced individually.

An ottoman bed is one of the simplest ways to add serious storage to a bedroom without adding another piece of furniture. You can browse a wide selection of storage beds and coordinating bedroom pieces at Furniture in Fashion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an ottoman bed and a divan?

An ottoman bed has a lifting mattress platform with storage beneath the whole base, usually with an integrated headboard. A divan is a covered base, sometimes with drawers, paired with a separate headboard.

Do ottoman beds need special mattresses?

Most standard mattresses are suitable, but the gas pistons are designed for a range of mattress weights. Check the guidance for your bed to ensure the platform lifts and closes properly.

Which is better: end lift or side lift ottoman?

End lift suits beds with clear space at the foot, while side lift works better when the foot of the bed sits close to a wall or other furniture.

Are ottoman beds sturdy?

A well made ottoman bed with a solid base frame, sprung slats and properly fitted pistons is very sturdy. Tightening the fixings after the first few weeks keeps it feeling solid.