Period properties rarely have enough built in storage, so a storage bed is often the most effective way to reclaim space without disturbing original features. For Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian rooms, look for a frame with a lifting ottoman base or deep drawers, a headboard tall enough to suit high ceilings, and a finish that complements the room’s architecture rather than imitating it. Check alcove widths, fireplace positions and uneven floors before you choose.
The appeal of an older home is in its proportions and details: high ceilings, sash windows, cornicing and fireplaces. The challenge is that these houses were built long before fitted wardrobes became standard, and many bedrooms have chimney breasts, sloping floors and doors in awkward places. A well chosen bed can solve much of the storage problem in one move. Our selection of modern beds UK sale includes ottoman, drawer and lifting designs in sizes from single to super king.
In many period bedrooms the walls you might use for wardrobes are interrupted by a chimney breast, a window bay or a door. Freestanding wardrobes can block alcoves, cover picture rails or sit awkwardly against skirting boards that are deeper than modern ones. A storage bed uses space that is already taken by furniture, so it adds capacity without adding another large piece to the room.
It also keeps floor space clear, which matters in rooms where the beauty lies partly in what you can see: the floorboards, the fireplace surround, the full height of a window. Less furniture around the edges lets those features breathe, and it means the rest of your modern bedroom furniture UK can be chosen for character rather than sheer capacity.
The two main types of storage bed each suit different rooms and routines.
An ottoman base lifts, usually on gas struts, to reveal the whole area beneath the mattress. It offers the most storage of any bed type and needs no extra floor space to open, which is a real advantage in rooms with chimney breasts or bays close to the bed. It is best for items you use occasionally: winter duvets, spare pillows, suitcases or seasonal clothes.
Most ottoman beds open from the foot end, so you need clear space at the end of the bed to stand while lifting. Side opening designs exist for rooms where the foot of the bed faces a wall or a fireplace.
Drawers are easier to reach every day, making them better for clothes you wear often. They need clear floor space beside or at the end of the bed to pull out fully, usually at least the depth of the drawer plus room to stand. In period rooms, check that drawers will not catch on deep skirting boards, fireplace hearths or rugs.
High ceilings are one of the great pleasures of older homes, but they can make a low bed look lost. A taller headboard brings the bed into proportion with the room and gives the wall a clear focal point. Panelled, buttoned or wingback styles in rich fabrics all sit comfortably in larger period bedrooms.
That said, you do not have to choose a traditional design. A modern upholstered headboard in a deep colour or a textured weave can look striking against original cornicing and picture rails. The contrast between old architecture and contemporary furniture is often more interesting than a reproduction would be.
Period rooms tend to have plenty of texture already: plaster mouldings, timber floors, painted joinery and often a tiled or marble fireplace. The bed should add to this without competing.
Upholstered storage beds in velvet, wool blends or textured linen soften hard surfaces and bring warmth to large rooms. Deep greens, inky blues, warm greys and soft plaster pinks all work well against traditional colour schemes. For a lighter look, oatmeal and stone tones let the architecture take the lead.
Timber frames are another natural fit. Our wooden beds UK sale include solid and veneered designs, some with drawers built into the base. Walnut and dark oak sit well with original floorboards, while lighter oak brings a fresher feel to rooms with painted floors or pale carpets. Avoid trying to match the exact tone of old floorboards, which have usually aged unevenly. A clear contrast tends to look more deliberate.
Period bedrooms often have quirks that modern rooms do not, so measure carefully.
Period houses are known for narrow staircases, tight turns and steep stairs, particularly in Victorian terraces. Before ordering, measure the width of the front door, hall and stairs, and the clearance at any turn. Note the bedroom door width and the height of the stairwell where the stairs turn.
Ottoman beds usually arrive with the base in sections and the headboard separate, but some components can still be large. Check the dimensions of the largest part against your narrowest point. Our beds come with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes, and Returns are available up to 30 days.
A storage bed handles bulky items well, but most bedrooms still need somewhere for folded clothes and everyday things. In period rooms, low pieces that sit beneath windows or in alcoves keep the walls clear and leave the cornicing visible.
A modern chest of drawers UK placed in an alcove beside the chimney breast makes good use of space that would otherwise be empty. Keep its height below the mantelpiece so the fireplace remains the focal point of that wall. If you are deciding which style of drawers suits your routine, our guide to chests of drawers explained for UK homes walks through the main options.
Ceiling heights vary considerably between periods. Georgian rooms on principal floors can be especially lofty, Victorian rooms are generous, and Edwardian rooms are often a little lower. Smaller top floor bedrooms in any period may also be lower than the rooms beneath them. Our article on UK ceiling heights by property age explains the typical differences and how they affect a room’s feel.
Use these differences to guide headboard height. A taller headboard suits a lofty principal bedroom, while a moderate height works better in a smaller room at the top of the house. Either way, aim for the headboard to feel anchored to the wall rather than floating halfway up it.
Older homes often have a single central ceiling light, which can make a large bedroom feel flat in the evening. Bedside lamps on either side of the bed create pools of warm light and draw attention to the headboard. Wall lights fixed above the bedside tables are another option and free up surface space, though they need careful planning in rooms with original plaster.
The most successful period bedrooms tend to have a clear idea behind them. Either the furniture echoes the house through colour and material, or it contrasts with it in a confident, consistent way. Mixing several styles at once, such as an ornate bed, minimalist drawers and industrial lighting, can feel unsettled against strong architecture.
Pick two or three materials and repeat them. A velvet bed, oak bedside tables and brass lamps, for example, form a simple, warm palette that sits comfortably beside original features.
Whether your home is a Georgian townhouse or an Edwardian semi, the right storage bed can make the bedroom calmer and easier to live in. Explore our full bedroom range at Furniture in Fashion to find designs that suit both your space and its history.
Many do, particularly those with sturdy feet or a supportive base structure. Check the product details for leg design and consider furniture pads or levelling feet if the floor slopes noticeably.
It often looks best there, with bedside tables in the alcoves either side. Check that the breast is wide enough for the headboard and that the bed will not block the fireplace if you plan to use it.
A taller headboard generally suits a room with a high ceiling because it brings the bed into proportion with the wall. In smaller top floor rooms, a moderate height usually looks more balanced.
Yes. Contemporary designs in quality materials often look striking against original features. The key is to choose colours and textures that complement the architecture rather than fight it.
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