Fabric Storage Beds or Chesterfield Fabric Beds? How to Decide

Decide by asking which problem you most need the bed to solve. If your home is short on cupboards and you need somewhere to keep bedding, luggage or seasonal clothes, choose a fabric storage bed. If your bedroom already has enough storage and you want the bed to bring character, a sense of heritage and a strong focal point, choose a Chesterfield fabric bed. If you need both, look for a Chesterfield headboard on an ottoman or drawer base, which combines deep buttoned style with practical space underneath.

That is the quick answer. The detail below helps you weigh up room size, interior style, everyday habits and upkeep. You will find both types in our fabric beds UK collection, from plain ottoman frames to buttoned designs in velvet and chenille.

What Defines Each Type

A fabric storage bed is defined by function. It might be an ottoman, where the mattress platform lifts on gas struts to reveal a full length storage well, or a drawer bed, where two or four drawers are built into the base. The headboard can be any style, from simple panels to tall upholstered designs.

A Chesterfield bed is defined by style. The name comes from the classic British sofa, recognised by deep diamond buttoning and, often, rolled or scrolled edges. On a bed, this usually appears as a deeply buttoned headboard and sometimes a buttoned footboard and side rails. The look ranges from traditional to glamorous depending on the fabric and colour.

Because one is about function and the other about appearance, the two overlap. Many Chesterfield designs come with storage bases. The real decision is which quality you want to lead with, and how much of your budget and floor space you want to give to each. Both sit naturally within a wider modern bedroom furniture UK scheme.

When a Storage Bed Makes More Sense

Storage beds suit homes where space is tight. Flats without lofts, new builds with small bedrooms, terraced houses with limited cupboards and family homes where every room has to work hard all benefit from the hidden space beneath the mattress.

An ottoman bed holds a remarkable amount. Spare duvets, pillows, suitcases, winter coats, children’s outgrown clothes awaiting the next sibling: all of it can disappear beneath the mattress. This frees wardrobes for everyday clothing and can remove the need for an extra chest of drawers.

Storage beds also help keep a room calm. With less clutter on the floor and on top of furniture, the bedroom feels more restful. If a tidy, uncluttered room is a priority, a storage bed is often the most effective single piece of furniture you can buy.

When a Chesterfield Bed Makes More Sense

Chesterfield beds suit rooms where the bed is meant to be admired. In a period home with high ceilings, original cornicing and tall windows, a buttoned headboard sits naturally with the architecture. In a more modern home, a Chesterfield bed in a contemporary colour can add texture and contrast.

They work well when storage is already handled elsewhere: fitted wardrobes, a walk in closet, a generous loft or a separate dressing room. Freed from storage duties, the bed can focus on comfort and character.

Chesterfield designs also suit people who enjoy a slightly formal, hotel like bedroom. The buttoning catches light and shadow, giving the headboard depth that plain upholstery cannot match.

Room Size and Proportion

Both bed types take up similar floor space for the same mattress size, but they read differently. A Chesterfield headboard is visually heavy, particularly in dark velvet. In a small room, it can dominate. A lower Chesterfield headboard, or one in a pale fabric, helps it sit more comfortably.

Storage beds can also feel bulky, especially ottomans with solid sides that run down to the floor. In a compact room, a slimmer frame with a simple headboard keeps the bed from overwhelming the space. If floor space beside the bed is tight, an ottoman avoids the problem of drawers that cannot open.

Measure carefully and mark the bed footprint on the floor before deciding. Then think about what else needs to fit: wardrobes, chests and a chair. Our modern wardrobes UK sale range includes slimline designs that work alongside larger beds in modest rooms.

Matching Your Interior Style

Chesterfield beds lean towards classic, glamorous, Regency and country styles, but colour can shift them. Charcoal or navy velvet feels traditional. Blush or sage chenille feels softer and more current. Neutral bouclé gives the buttoning a quieter, contemporary look.

Storage beds are more neutral in style because the headboard can be anything. Panelled designs suit modern rooms, while curved headboards add softness. If you like to change your decor every few years, a simple storage bed provides a flexible backdrop.

A buttoned bedroom chair or a footstool in a matching or complementary fabric helps a Chesterfield bed feel part of the room rather than a standalone piece. Our bedroom chairs UK collection includes designs that pair well with buttoned headboards.

Everyday Practicalities

Think about how you use the bed daily. If you sit up in bed to read or work, a Chesterfield headboard is comfortable to lean against, as the padding is usually generous. Deep buttons can collect dust, though, and need regular vacuuming with a brush attachment.

Ottoman storage is easiest for things you use occasionally. Lifting the mattress platform to reach something daily soon feels like a chore. Drawer storage is better for everyday items, but drawers need clear floor space and can be blocked by bedside tables.

Consider who will use the bed. Older users may find lifting an ottoman tiring, even with gas assistance. Children might enjoy a Chesterfield headboard as somewhere to lean, but pale velvet can be hard to keep clean in a busy family home.

Fabrics and Care

Velvet is the classic fabric for Chesterfield beds because the pile catches light around the buttons. It benefits from gentle brushing to keep the pile even. Chenille and textured weaves are softer alternatives that hide marks more readily.

For storage beds, durable woven fabrics are a sensible choice, especially on the base, which can be knocked by vacuum cleaners, shoes and feet. Mid tone colours help disguise everyday marks.

Whichever you choose, vacuum regularly, blot spills promptly and keep the bed out of direct sunlight where possible to avoid fading.

Questions to Ask Before You Choose

If you are still undecided, a few practical questions usually point the way. Where do you currently keep spare bedding, suitcases and out of season clothes? If the answer is the floor of a wardrobe, the top of a cupboard or under the bed in boxes, storage should probably lead your decision.

What does the room look like when you walk in? If the wall behind the bed is plain and the room feels as though it lacks a focal point, a Chesterfield headboard can provide one immediately. If the room already has a feature such as a fireplace, panelled wall or striking window, a quieter storage bed may sit more comfortably.

Who uses the bed and how? Couples who read in bed often appreciate a deeply padded Chesterfield headboard. Households with young children may value the practicality of hidden storage and a fabric that is easy to keep clean. Older users might prefer drawers over an ottoman lift.

How long do you plan to stay in the home? A Chesterfield bed is a long term style statement that suits people settled in a home they love. A simpler storage bed adapts more easily to future rooms and changing tastes.

Finally, consider the rest of the furniture. A Chesterfield bed looks best with pieces that complement rather than compete. If your existing bedroom furniture is ornate, a simpler storage bed might balance it better. If your furniture is plain and modern, a buttoned headboard can add welcome contrast.

Combining the Two

If you cannot choose, a Chesterfield storage bed is worth considering. A buttoned headboard paired with an ottoman or drawer base gives you both looks and space. The trade off is that the whole bed becomes visually substantial, so it suits medium and larger rooms best.

Pair it with streamlined furniture elsewhere. Simple bedside cabinets and a plain chest of drawers let the headboard stand out. Our guide to chests of drawers for different UK lifestyles can help you choose supporting storage, and our look at bedroom furniture trends in UK homes shows how buttoned and storage designs are being styled now.

When you have made your choice, you can see both styles, alongside matching bedroom storage, at Furniture in Fashion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Chesterfield bed have storage?

Yes. Many Chesterfield designs come with an ottoman lift or drawers, giving you a buttoned headboard and hidden storage in one piece.

Is a Chesterfield bed suitable for a small bedroom?

It can be, if you choose a lower headboard and a lighter fabric. Very tall, dark buttoned headboards can overwhelm a compact room.

Which storage bed is easiest to use every day?

A drawer bed gives quicker access to everyday items. An ottoman is better for larger things you need occasionally.

How do I clean a buttoned headboard?

Vacuum gently with a soft brush attachment, paying attention to the creases around each button. Blot spills and check the care label before using any cleaner.