Can I Buy an Ottoman Bed Now and Pay Later Without Fees?

Ottoman beds solve a problem that British homes have in abundance, which is a shortage of storage in rooms that are already full. Lifting the mattress base to reveal the entire footprint of the bed as usable space is a genuinely clever piece of design, and it explains why these frames have become the default choice in smaller bedrooms. This article looks at how they work, who they suit, and what payment options are available when you order one.

The payment question first

PayPal Pay in 3 is available at checkout on our website. It is a payment option provided by PayPal that splits an eligible order into three payments, and PayPal sets out its own eligibility rules and terms during checkout. We do not add charges of our own on top of an order, and UK delivery is free, so the basket total is the amount you plan for.

That is the extent of it, deliberately. The rest of this article is about the bed.

How an ottoman base works

An ottoman bed uses gas lift pistons to raise the mattress platform, revealing a lined storage compartment underneath. There are two common configurations.

Side lifting bases open along the length of the bed. They suit rooms where there is clear floor at one side and the bed can be accessed from that direction. The opening is long and shallow, which suits bedding, coats and flat items.

End lifting bases open from the foot of the bed. They need clear floor space at the end instead, which suits rooms where the bed sits between two walls or in an alcove. The opening is wider across than a side lift and often easier to reach into for bulky items.

The choice is dictated by the room rather than by preference. Measure the clear floor space at the side and at the foot, and choose whichever direction has more of it. You need roughly the height of the base plus a comfortable reaching distance, so allow around eighty centimetres of clear space in the opening direction.

What actually fits inside

The compartment is the full footprint of the bed minus the frame structure, which on a double frame is a substantial volume. In practice it holds spare duvets, pillows, winter bedding, suitcases, seasonal clothing and anything else bulky but light.

A word of caution about weight. Gas lift pistons are rated for the mattress plus a reasonable load, not for a compartment packed with books or tools. Keep heavy items elsewhere and use the space for volume rather than mass. If the base becomes difficult to lift or drops faster than it should, it is usually overloaded rather than faulty.

Ventilation is worth planning as well. A sealed compartment under a mattress can hold moisture, particularly in an older property with solid walls. Store bedding clean and dry, avoid sealing everything in plastic bags, and open the base occasionally to let air move through.

Fabric, leather effect or a wooden frame

Upholstered ottoman frames are the most common, and the covering changes both the look and the practicality.

Fabric frames in linen effect, chenille or velvet feel soft and warm, and they suit a bedroom scheme built on texture. They are the best choice if the headboard doubles as something to lean against for reading. Our fabric beds UK sale range covers a wide spread of tones, and mid greys remain the most versatile because they sit with almost any wall colour.

Leather effect frames wipe clean, which makes them practical in a guest room or a room where a pet sleeps. They read as more formal and reflect a little light, which can help in a darker room.

Wooden ottoman frames are less common but suit rooms with existing timber furniture. They tend to be slimmer in profile, which helps in a very narrow room where an upholstered frame adds visible bulk at the sides.

Sizing an ottoman bed for a British bedroom

Ottoman frames are usually slightly larger externally than a standard divan of the same mattress size, because the lifting mechanism and the upholstered sides add width. Always work from the external frame dimensions on the product page rather than the mattress size.

• Measure the wall width where the headboard will sit, and check for a radiator that would sit behind it.
• Measure the clear floor space in the direction the base will lift.
• Check the height of the base with your intended mattress, since a deep mattress on an ottoman base can sit surprisingly high.
• Measure the door and stair access, since frames arrive in several large flat boxes.

In a small double or single room, an ottoman base with an end lift often works where nothing else does, because the storage requires no clearance at the sides at all. If you are comparing frames across sizes, our modern beds UK pages list external dimensions alongside mattress sizes for exactly this reason, and the king size fabric beds UK category is worth a look if the room genuinely takes a larger frame.

Mattress choice on an ottoman base

An ottoman platform is a solid or slatted surface with no springing of its own, which means the mattress does all the work. Pocket sprung and hybrid mattresses suit these bases well. Very soft mattresses can feel less supportive on a rigid platform than they do on a sprung divan.

Depth needs attention. A deep mattress raises the sleeping surface, which affects how easy the bed is to get in and out of and how the headboard proportions look. It also adds weight to the lifting mechanism, so check the maximum mattress weight in the specification if you are choosing something substantial. Our mattresses UK listings show depth and construction, which are the two figures to compare.

Assembly and living with one

Ottoman frames arrive flat packed in several boxes and take longer to build than a standard frame, usually between one and two hours with two people. The gas lift pistons are fitted last and should be attached exactly as the instructions describe, since the mechanism relies on the geometry being correct.

Build the frame in the room where it will stay. An assembled ottoman base is heavy and awkward to move through a doorway, and the mechanism can be strained by lifting the frame from one end.

Once in use, the habits that keep it working are simple. Lift with the handle provided rather than the mattress edge. Do not sit on the base while it is raised. Keep the compartment tidy so nothing can wedge against the mechanism as it closes.

Who an ottoman bed suits, and who it does not

They suit small bedrooms, rented properties where fitted storage is not possible, homes without a loft or garage, and anyone who needs to store bedding for guests. They are also useful in a spare room that doubles as a store room, since the clutter goes under the bed rather than around it.

They suit some households less well. Anyone with limited strength may find lifting a deep mattress awkward, even with gas assistance. Rooms with very low sloping ceilings can make the raised base impossible to open fully. And if you already have generous wardrobe space, a simpler frame may be the better use of the same budget. At Furniture in Fashion we would rather point that out than sell a mechanism nobody needs.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay in instalments for an ottoman bed?

PayPal Pay in 3 is available at checkout as a payment option provided by PayPal, splitting an eligible order into three payments. PayPal’s terms and eligibility are shown during checkout.

Is a side lift or end lift ottoman better?

Whichever direction has more clear floor space in your room. Side lifts need space along the length of the bed, end lifts need space at the foot, and an end lift is often the only option in an alcove.

How much can I store in an ottoman base?

Roughly the full footprint of the bed, suited to bulky but light items such as duvets, pillows and suitcases. Avoid heavy loads, since the gas pistons are rated for the mattress plus a moderate weight.

Do ottoman beds cause damp bedding?

Not if the compartment is used sensibly. Store items clean and dry, avoid sealing everything in plastic, and open the base occasionally so air can circulate.

What mattress works best on an ottoman base?

Pocket sprung and hybrid mattresses perform well on a rigid platform. Check the depth and weight against the frame specification, as a very deep mattress raises the sleeping height and adds load to the mechanism.