Why TV Beds with Ottoman Storage Are Worth Considering

TV beds with ottoman storage are worth considering because they turn the largest unused space in most bedrooms, the area under the mattress, into accessible storage without adding any furniture to the floor. The mattress platform lifts on gas struts to reveal a deep, enclosed compartment that runs almost the full length and width of the bed. Combine that with a television that disappears into the footboard, and one piece of furniture takes care of entertainment and storage at once. For compact rooms, flats and homes where wardrobes are already full, that can make a noticeable difference.

The idea is simple, but the details vary between designs. Our collection of modern TV beds UK includes models with ottoman bases, and the sections below explain how they work, what to check and how to make the most of the space.

How an Ottoman TV Bed Works

An ottoman bed has a hinged platform beneath the mattress. When you lift it, gas struts on each side take most of the weight and hold the platform open, so you can reach inside with both hands. When you lower it, the struts slow the movement so the platform closes gently.

On a TV bed, the television lift sits in the footboard, separate from the storage compartment. The two mechanisms work independently: you can raise the television without opening the ottoman, and you can open the ottoman without disturbing the screen. Because the footboard houses the lift, ottoman TV beds almost always open from the side or lift from the foot end of the platform rather than through the footboard itself.

Why the Storage Is So Useful

Many UK homes are short of storage. Newer properties often have modest built in cupboards, and older houses may lack them altogether. Lofts are not always accessible, and garages are frequently used for other things.

The space under a double or king size bed is substantial. Unlike drawers, which only use part of the depth, an ottoman base gives you access to almost all of it. That makes it well suited to bulky items that are awkward to store elsewhere. An ottoman TV bed is still just one part of a well organised bedroom, and planning it alongside your other modern bedroom furniture UK sale pieces helps you decide what each item needs to hold.

Things that store well in an ottoman base

• Spare duvets, pillows and bedding sets.
• Out of season clothing in vacuum bags or fabric boxes.
• Suitcases and travel bags, which can also hold other items inside.
• Christmas decorations and other seasonal pieces.
• Keepsakes, documents and photo albums in lidded boxes.

Things better kept elsewhere

Items you need every day are not ideal, because lifting the mattress each time soon becomes a chore. Avoid storing anything that could be damaged by being pressed beneath the platform, and keep heavy objects to a minimum so the base stays easy to open.

Complementary Storage

An ottoman base handles bulky, occasional items well, but most rooms still need somewhere for clothes you wear every week. A wardrobe remains the best place for hanging items, while a chest of drawers suits folded clothing. If your existing storage is tired or awkward, our range of modern wardrobes UK includes slimmer and sliding door designs that work well alongside a storage bed in compact rooms.

By dividing storage sensibly, with everyday items in drawers and wardrobes and occasional items in the bed, you keep the room tidy without overloading any single piece.

Freeing Up Floor Space

The real advantage of an ottoman TV bed is what it lets you leave out of the room. If the bed absorbs bedding, luggage and seasonal clothes, you may not need a blanket box, a second chest of drawers or under bed storage boxes. In a small bedroom, removing even one piece of furniture can make the room feel noticeably calmer.

This works particularly well alongside slim furniture elsewhere. A narrow chest or a compact bedside cabinet can handle everyday items while the bed handles the rest. Our article on whether a chest of drawers can work in a small UK bedroom explores how to balance storage pieces in tighter spaces.

What to Check Before Ordering

Not every ottoman base is built to the same standard. These are the points worth checking on the product listing:

• Gas strut strength. The struts must match the weight of the platform and mattress. If the mattress is very heavy, check whether stronger struts are available.
• Opening direction. Side opening suits beds placed against a wall on one side. End opening needs space at the foot, which can be complicated by the TV footboard, so check the design carefully.
• Base lining. A lined base protects stored items from dust and gives a cleaner finish inside.
• Storage depth. Deeper compartments hold more, but they raise the overall height of the bed slightly.
• Handles or pull straps. A sturdy handle makes lifting the platform easier and more controlled.

It is also worth confirming the recommended mattress depth and weight. A mattress that is too heavy can make the platform hard to lift, while one that is too light may not hold the platform closed firmly.

Planning the Room Around the Bed

Because the platform lifts upwards, you need clearance above and beside the bed when it is open. Check that pendant lights, sloping ceilings and wall mounted shelves will not get in the way. For side opening beds, leave room on the opening side to stand and reach in comfortably.

Bedside cabinets sit beside the headboard and are not usually affected by the ottoman lift. Even so, keep them a little away from the frame so the platform can pivot freely. If space beside the bed is tight, our guide to the bedside cabinet in a small UK room has practical suggestions for slim and wall friendly options.

Organising the Space Inside

An ottoman base is only useful if you can find what you need quickly. A little organisation makes a big difference:

• Use fabric storage boxes or clear lidded containers to group similar items.
• Store items you need least towards the head end, where reaching is harder.
• Keep frequently used spares, such as a second duvet, near the opening edge.
• Label boxes on the top so you can see their contents from above.
• Leave a little space free so the compartment never becomes overfilled.

Vacuum bags are especially effective for duvets and winter clothing, compressing bulky items so more fits in the same space.

Keeping Stored Items in Good Condition

An enclosed base protects belongings from dust and light, but it is still worth taking a few precautions. Make sure bedding and clothes are completely clean and dry before they go in, since any trace of damp can lead to musty smells in a closed compartment. Breathable cotton bags are kinder to wool and natural fibres than sealed plastic, which can trap moisture.

Open the base every few weeks to let air circulate, particularly in winter when bedrooms tend to be cooler and windows stay shut. A cedar block or lavender sachet tucked into a corner keeps the space fresh and helps discourage moths. If the bed sits against an external wall that is prone to condensation, leave a small gap between the frame and the wall so air can move freely.

Finally, take a few minutes each season to review what is inside. Removing items you no longer need keeps the compartment light enough to lift easily and stops it from becoming a place where things are simply forgotten.

Assembly and Everyday Care

Ottoman TV beds involve two mechanisms, so assembly takes a little longer than a standard frame. Follow the instructions carefully, particularly when fitting the gas struts, which are under pressure and must be attached the right way round. It is easier with two people.

Once assembled, keep the hinges and strut fittings free of dust and check occasionally that the bolts remain tight. Avoid sitting on the edge of the platform while it is raised, and never leave it open with children or pets nearby.

Is an Ottoman TV Bed Right for You?

If you are short on storage, live in a flat or compact house, or simply want fewer pieces of furniture in the bedroom, an ottoman TV bed is a strong option. If you already have generous built in storage or prefer drawers you can open without lifting the mattress, a standard TV bed may suit you better.

Either way, it helps to see storage beds alongside the rest of the bedroom range, which you can explore at Furniture in Fashion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you have an ottoman base and a TV lift in the same bed?

Yes. The television lift sits in the footboard and the ottoman storage sits beneath the mattress platform. They operate independently of each other.

Is it hard to lift the mattress on an ottoman TV bed?

Not usually. Gas struts take most of the weight, so the platform rises smoothly with a gentle pull. Matching the mattress to the recommended weight helps it work as intended.

Do ottoman TV beds open from the side or the end?

Both styles exist. Because the footboard houses the television lift, many designs open from the side. Check the listing so the opening direction suits your room.

What should I not store in an ottoman bed?

Avoid everyday items, very heavy objects and anything fragile that could be pressed by the platform. Bulky, occasional items such as bedding and luggage are the best fit.