The Best High Gloss Storage Beds for Guest Rooms

The best high gloss storage beds for guest rooms are double size ottoman or drawer beds with a supportive slatted base, a finish that wipes clean easily, and enough hidden capacity to hold spare bedding, towels and seasonal items between visits. In most UK guest rooms, a double ottoman gives the strongest balance of comfort and storage, while a drawer bed suits rooms that also serve as a home office or dressing room.

A guest room is an odd space. It is used occasionally by visitors yet often quietly expected to do several other jobs the rest of the time. Our range of modern high gloss beds UK includes storage designs that suit that double life, and they sit within our broader collection of modern bedroom furniture UK sale for furnishing the rest of the room.

Why storage beds make sense in guest rooms

Guest rooms tend to become the overflow for the whole house. Spare duvets, Christmas decorations, suitcases and out of season clothes all find their way there. A storage bed absorbs those items invisibly, so when guests arrive, the room looks prepared rather than like a storeroom with a bed in it.

Gloss is a sensible finish here. It reflects light, which helps the many guest rooms that are smaller than the main bedroom. It is also easy to refresh quickly with a wipe before visitors arrive, and it looks smart with minimal styling.

Choosing the right size

Double is the most common guest bed size and suits most couples visiting for a night or two. If your guest room is a typical UK second bedroom, a double will usually fit with space for a bedside cabinet on at least one side. Our double high gloss beds UK sale include ottoman and drawer versions.

If you regularly host family for longer stays, a king size is more comfortable. In a box room, a small double or even a single may be the only realistic choice; in that case an ottoman maximises storage without needing extra floor space.

Ottoman or drawers for a guest room?

For a dedicated guest room, an ottoman usually wins. You are storing things that you need infrequently, and the lifting base gives you one large, deep space. Guests do not need access to it, so the minor inconvenience of lifting the mattress hardly matters.

Drawers are better if the room serves another purpose day to day. If you use it as a dressing room, a drawer bed can replace a chest. If it doubles as a study, drawers give quick access to files or supplies without disturbing a made bed.

Think about guests too. If you store your own things in drawers, a visitor may need to pull them out to find space for their clothes. An ottoman keeps your storage separate and leaves surfaces and wardrobe space free for them.

Comfort matters more than you might think

It is easy to treat the guest mattress as an afterthought, but a poor night’s sleep can undo the warmest welcome. Choose a mattress that suits a range of sleepers. A medium firmness is a safe middle ground. Our modern mattresses UK cover different constructions and depths.

Check that the bed frame has a well spaced slatted base so the mattress is properly supported. On a double or larger, a central support rail with legs that reach the floor prevents sagging.

If you choose an ottoman, confirm that its gas struts are rated for your mattress weight. A heavy pocket sprung mattress on underpowered struts makes the base hard to lift.

Colour choices for a welcoming room

Guest rooms benefit from colours that feel fresh and neutral, since your visitors will have different tastes. White and cream gloss are reliable: bright, clean and easy to style with any bedding. Light grey is a little more forgiving of marks and suits rooms with cooler light.

If the guest room also serves as a reading room or snug, a darker grey or taupe gloss can feel cosier. Pair it with lighter walls so the room does not close in.

Small touches that make guests feel at home

A storage bed is the foundation, but a few practical additions transform the room.

• A bedside surface on each side: somewhere for a phone, glasses and a glass of water. If space only allows one, choose a compact cabinet with a drawer.
• A reading light: a table lamp or wall light that can be switched on from bed.
• Somewhere to hang clothes: even a few hangers on a hook or rail helps. Our guide to wardrobe ideas for a UK guest bedroom covers options for rooms of different sizes.
• A mirror: full length if possible, so guests can check their outfit before heading out.
• A clear space for a suitcase: a bench, a blanket box or a cleared corner.
• Fresh towels: folded at the foot of the bed or on a chair.

Keeping storage organised between visits

A large ottoman can quickly become a jumble. A little organisation makes it far more useful.

Use breathable cotton storage bags for textiles, labelled by contents. Keep the guest bedding set you use most at the top so it is easy to reach when someone is arriving. Store heavier items, such as suitcases, towards the head end where the gas struts provide the most lift.

Every few months, lift the base and let the space air, particularly in winter when rooms that are not heated daily can become damp. Avoid sealed plastic boxes for fabric items, as they can trap moisture.

Preparing the room before a visit

One of the advantages of a gloss storage bed is how quickly a guest room can be brought back to life. A short routine the day before a visit makes all the difference.

• Lift the ottoman base or open the drawers and take out the guest bedding set.
• Wipe the gloss frame, headboard and bedside surfaces with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then dry them.
• Open the window for an hour to refresh the air, particularly if the room has been closed up.
• Make the bed with freshly laundered linen and fold a spare blanket at the foot.
• Clear any of your own items from surfaces and the wardrobe, storing them in the bed base.
• Check that the reading light works and leave a phone charger plugged in near the bed.

Because everything has a place inside the bed, the room shifts from storage space to welcoming bedroom without anything having to move elsewhere in the house.

Thinking about older guests

If parents or grandparents visit regularly, a few considerations make their stay more comfortable. Bed height is the most important. A frame that puts the top of the mattress at a height where they can sit with feet flat on the floor makes getting up easier. Very low platform beds are best avoided in this situation.

A bedside cabinet on the side they will use, with a lamp that is easy to switch on in the dark, helps with night time trips. Keep the floor around the bed clear of rugs that might slide, or use a non slip underlay beneath them. A sturdy chair in the room gives them somewhere to sit while dressing.

A drawer bed may be easier for older guests to use than an ottoman if they need to access stored items themselves, though in most cases you will be storing your own things there and they will not need to open it at all.

When the guest room is small

Many UK guest rooms are compact, sometimes just enough for a bed and a narrow path around it. In these rooms, an ottoman is almost always the better choice because drawers need clearance to open. Push the bed against a wall to free floor space, and choose a frame with a slim profile so it does not overhang the mattress.

Wall mounted shelves and lights help keep the floor clear. A white gloss frame reflects light and makes the room feel more open, which is especially helpful if the window is small.

Multi use guest rooms

If your guest room spends most of its time as a study, gym or hobby room, think about how the bed fits into that use. A drawer bed placed along a wall, dressed with cushions, can work as a daybed. Make sure the room still has space for a desk or equipment once the bed is in place, and that you can clear it quickly when visitors are due.

You can explore gloss storage beds, mattresses and guest room furniture at Furniture in Fashion.

Frequently asked questions

What size bed is best for a guest room?

A double suits most guest rooms and most visitors. A king size is more comfortable for longer stays if the room allows.

Are ottoman beds comfortable for guests?

Yes. The lifting base does not affect comfort, which depends on the mattress and the slat support.

How do I stop guest room storage getting damp?

Use breathable storage bags, avoid overfilling, and lift the base occasionally to let air circulate, especially in colder months.

Can a storage bed replace a chest of drawers in a guest room?

A drawer storage bed can, provided there is space for the drawers to open. In very small rooms, an ottoman plus wall hooks may be more practical.