Choosing High Gloss Storage Beds for a Rented Flat

A high gloss storage bed is one of the most useful things you can bring into a rented flat. It adds substantial storage without drilling into walls, it moves with you when the tenancy ends, and a glossy finish brightens rooms that are often painted in plain, neutral tones. The best choice is a frame that dismantles easily, protects the landlord’s flooring, suits a range of room sizes and offers storage that matches what you own.

Our range of modern high gloss beds UK includes ottoman and drawer storage frames in white, grey and black, across single, double and king sizes. You can see how they sit alongside wardrobes and chests across our modern bedroom furniture UK range. This guide covers the points renters in particular should think about.

Why storage beds suit renters

Rented flats rarely come with generous storage. Built in cupboards may be small or already taken up by a boiler, and many tenancy agreements limit fitting shelves or wall units. A storage bed solves part of this problem without any alterations to the property.

Because it is freestanding, a storage bed also comes with you. If you move every year or two, buying furniture that works in different rooms is far more sensible than investing in pieces designed around one layout. A bed is one of the few items that will be needed in every home, which makes it a good place to spend on quality.

Ottoman or drawers in a rented flat

Ottoman bases

An ottoman base lifts from the foot end on gas struts, giving access to the entire space beneath the mattress. It is the most generous form of bed storage and is excellent for bulky items such as suitcases, spare bedding, winter coats and boxes of belongings you do not need every day. It only requires clearance at the foot of the bed, so it suits narrow bedrooms where the bed sits against one or two walls.

Drawer bases

Drawers are better for items you access frequently, such as clothes, shoes or bedding you change weekly. They need clear floor space beside the bed. In a small rented bedroom, check that drawers will not open into a radiator, a fitted wardrobe or the door.

If you move often, think about where your next home might be. An ottoman works in almost any layout, while a drawer bed depends on having space beside it. For flexibility, an ottoman is often the safer choice.

Choosing a frame that moves well

Renters move more often than homeowners, so how a bed comes apart matters. Look for frames assembled with metal fixings and threaded inserts, which can be dismantled and rebuilt repeatedly without weakening. Frames that rely on screws driven straight into board can loosen each time they are taken apart.

Headboards that come in sections are easier to move through narrow communal stairways and lifts. Keep the original instructions and fixings in a labelled bag taped to the underside of the frame, so you have everything to hand on moving day.

Consider the weight of the frame too. Ottoman bases are heavier than standard frames, which is worth knowing if you live on an upper floor without a lift.

Protecting the landlord’s floor

Many rented flats have carpets or laminate that will be checked at the end of the tenancy. A heavy storage bed can leave deep indentations in carpet or scratch laminate if it is moved without care.

Felt pads under each foot spread the weight and protect hard floors. On carpet, furniture cups or small boards under the feet reduce indentation. Lift the bed rather than dragging it when cleaning or moving, and check the floor beneath when you first set it up so you know its condition.

Gloss in a neutral rented room

Rented properties are often decorated in neutral colours such as magnolia, white or pale grey, and tenants usually cannot repaint. A gloss bed works well with these plain walls. White gloss keeps the room bright and fresh. Grey gloss adds a little more character without clashing with cream or off white walls. Black gloss can look smart against white walls but will show dust more readily.

Because gloss reflects light, it helps rooms with small windows or limited daylight, which are common in converted flats and basement properties. It also makes a plain room feel more considered without any decorating.

Adding storage around the bed

Even with a storage bed, most renters need a little more. A chest of drawers in a matching gloss finish provides space for clothes and keeps the room coordinated. Our high gloss chest of drawers UK sale include compact designs that fit beside a bed or in an alcove.

If wall space is limited and your tenancy does not allow fixings, freestanding clothes rails and storage units can fill the gap. Our modern clothes storage UK range includes options that need no drilling.

For help fitting additional pieces into a smaller bedroom, our article on whether you can put a chest of drawers in a small UK room covers sizes and placements that work.

Sizing for now and later

When renting, it is tempting to choose a bed that fits the current room exactly. Think ahead instead. A double is the most adaptable size, since it fits most bedrooms in rented flats and offers enough space for two. A king may suit your current room but could be too large for a smaller flat in future.

Check the external dimensions of the frame, not just the mattress size, and measure the walkway on the open side of the bed. Leave enough space at the foot for an ottoman to lift and for you to stand while loading it.

Keeping stored items in good condition

Rented flats can sometimes suffer from condensation, particularly in winter and in older buildings. Under bed storage is enclosed, so it is worth taking a few precautions. Store bedding and clothes in breathable fabric bags rather than sealed plastic, which can trap moisture. Open the ottoman every so often to let air circulate, and keep the room ventilated by opening windows when you can.

A storage base with a solid floor and a lined interior helps keep dust out. Avoid storing anything damp, and add a moisture absorber if your flat is prone to condensation.

When the flat is already furnished

Some rented flats come with a bed provided by the landlord. If you would like to bring your own storage bed, check your tenancy agreement and ask your landlord or agent first. Many are happy for tenants to swap furniture, but the original bed may need to be stored safely and returned in the same condition at the end of the tenancy. Agreeing this in writing avoids any confusion later.

If the landlord’s bed must stay, under bed storage boxes on castors or a freestanding chest can still add storage. When the time comes to move to an unfurnished flat, a gloss storage bed of your own will then be ready to go.

Making a plain room feel like yours

Rented bedrooms can feel impersonal, especially when you cannot paint or hang pictures with nails. A gloss bed gives the room a clear focal point straight away. Build around it with things you can take with you: a rug under the lower part of the bed, bedding in a colour you love, a pair of bedside lamps and framed prints propped on a chest or shelf rather than hung on the wall.

Lined curtains on a tension rod or a freestanding mirror leaning against the wall add character without fixings. Keep the colours consistent with the bed, so a white gloss frame might be paired with soft greens or warm neutrals, and a grey frame with dusky blues or blush. These small, portable choices make a rented room feel settled and move easily with you to the next flat.

Caring for the gloss finish

Gloss is easy to look after, which matters when you want your furniture to look good for the next move as well as this one. Wipe the frame with a soft, slightly damp microfibre cloth and dry it with a clean one. Avoid abrasive cleaners and polishes containing silicone. Wrap panels in blankets when moving to protect the surface from scratches.

Bringing it together

For renters, a storage bed is more than a place to sleep. It is a piece of furniture that adds storage without alterations, travels with you and adapts to new rooms. Choose a frame with strong fixings, an ottoman or drawers to suit your belongings, a gloss finish that brightens neutral walls and protection for the floor beneath it.

You can compare frames and coordinating storage at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently asked questions

Is an ottoman bed a good idea for a rented flat?

Yes. It offers generous storage without fixing anything to walls, works in most layouts and only needs clearance at the foot end.

How do I stop a storage bed from damaging carpet?

Use furniture cups or small boards under the feet to spread the weight, and lift the bed rather than dragging it when you move it.

Can a gloss storage bed be dismantled for moving?

Most can. Frames with metal fixings and threaded inserts are designed to be taken apart and rebuilt without weakening.

What size storage bed suits most rented flats?

A double is the most adaptable. It fits most rented bedrooms and is more likely to suit your next flat than a larger frame.