Fabric beds with gas lift storage are one of the most space efficient choices for a master bedroom. The whole mattress platform rises on gas pistons to reveal a storage compartment the full size of the bed, giving you room for spare duvets, pillows, suitcases and out of season clothing without adding another piece of furniture. For a master bedroom, a king size or super king frame with an end lift mechanism is usually the most practical, because it opens towards the foot and leaves both sides free for bedside cabinets.
The key checks are mechanism quality, the weight your mattress puts on the pistons, the depth of the storage well and how much clearance you need above and around the bed to lift it. Our range of king size fabric beds UK sale includes gas lift ottoman designs, and this guide covers what to look for when choosing one for the main bedroom.
A gas lift bed uses two pressurised gas struts, similar to those on a car boot, attached between the base frame and the mattress platform. When you lift a handle, the struts take most of the weight and the platform rises smoothly, staying open on its own. To close it, you pull it gently down and the struts slow its descent.
Because the struts do most of the work, lifting a heavy king size mattress is far easier than it sounds. You still need a little effort to start the movement, but you are not lifting the mattress by hand.
Master bedrooms often hold the most belongings in the house. Two people’s wardrobes, winter coats, spare bedding and the luggage that comes out twice a year all compete for space. A gas lift bed uses the largest empty volume in the room, the space beneath the mattress, and turns it into a single, clean storage area.
It also keeps the room calm. With bulky items stored out of sight, the master bedroom can be furnished with fewer, better pieces from our bedroom furniture UK range, rather than extra chests and storage boxes.
The platform hinges at the headboard and rises from the foot. This is the most common design and suits master bedrooms well, because you open it standing at the foot of the bed and bedside tables stay in place. You need clear space at the foot to stand and reach in.
The platform hinges along one long side and rises from the other. This suits rooms where the foot of the bed is close to a wall or wardrobe. Bedside furniture on the lifting side may need to be moved slightly or kept low.
For most master bedrooms with space at the foot, an end lift is simpler to live with.
A good product listing will specify the mattress depth and weight range the mechanism suits. If your mattress sits outside that range, the bed may be hard to lift or may not stay open.
The storage well in a gas lift bed is typically the full length and width of the mattress, minus the frame. Its depth varies between designs. A shallower well suits folded bedding and clothing, while a deeper well takes pillows, duvets and soft luggage.
Many beds include a central divider or support rail. This helps the platform stay rigid, but it also splits the space into two halves, which can be useful for keeping each person’s belongings separate.
Avoid storing heavy, rigid items that could scratch the base or put pressure on the underside of the platform when it closes.
With an end lift bed, allow enough space at the foot to stand comfortably while the platform is raised, typically around 70cm to 90cm. A bench at the foot of the bed will need moving each time, so many people leave this space clear.
When fully open, the mattress platform rises at a steep angle. In rooms with sloping ceilings or low beams, check that it will clear any overhead obstruction. Pendant lights hanging close above the bed can also get in the way.
On an end lift bed, bedside cabinets can sit right up against the frame. On a side lift bed, keep the cabinet on the lifting side slightly away from the frame so the platform does not catch.
In a larger master bedroom, a super king frame offers more sleeping space and a bigger storage well. Our range of modern super king size fabric beds UK includes ottoman designs suited to spacious rooms. The larger the platform, the more important strut strength becomes, so check the mechanism details carefully.
Before stepping up a size, confirm the room can take it, including clearance at the foot for the lifting platform.
A gas lift bed changes what your wardrobes need to do. With bulky storage handled beneath the bed, wardrobes can be devoted to hanging and everyday folded clothes. That might mean you can choose a slimmer arrangement of modern wardrobes UK or free up wall space for a dressing table. To plan the whole layout around the bed, our guide to how much room a UK king size bed needs explains the frame and floor space involved.
Gas lift beds are handled more than most frames, especially around the foot where the handle sits. Choose a fabric that copes with regular touch.
Mid tones such as mushroom, dove grey and soft olive balance practicality with a calm appearance.
Gas struts need very little care, but a few habits help them last. Lift and close the platform smoothly rather than letting it drop. Do not sit on the raised platform or lean heavily on it while it is open. Check the fixings once or twice a year and tighten any that have loosened. Keep the storage well dry and aired, particularly in older homes where bedrooms can be cool and damp in winter.
A large open compartment can quickly become a jumble. A little organisation makes the space far more useful. Group items by how often you need them: seasonal clothing and spare bedding towards the foot, where they are easiest to reach on an end lift bed, and rarely used items towards the headboard.
Breathable fabric storage bags keep textiles tidy and protect them from dust. Vacuum bags reduce bulk, though they are best for items stored for months at a time, since repeated compression can flatten duvets and pillows. Labelling bags on the top surface means you can find what you need as soon as the platform rises.
If two people share the bed, use the central divider to give each person one half. This keeps the storage fair and avoids searching through each other’s belongings.
Drawer beds are the main alternative for under mattress storage. Drawers give quick access to small items without lifting the mattress, which suits daily use. A gas lift bed offers a larger, uninterrupted space and suits bulky items you access less often.
In a master bedroom, where bulky bedding and luggage are the main storage challenge, the gas lift approach usually makes better use of the space. Drawer beds can be the better choice where bedside furniture sits at the foot of the bed or where the room is too tight to stand at the end.
For most master bedrooms, a king size end lift ottoman in a hard wearing fabric offers the best balance of storage, comfort and ease of use. Measure the room, check your mattress against the mechanism rating and plan the space at the foot of the bed. At Furniture in Fashion, we stock upholstered gas lift beds in a range of sizes and fabrics, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
No. The gas struts carry most of the weight, so lifting the platform needs only a gentle pull. Heavier mattresses require stronger struts, so check the recommended mattress weight.
Most standard UK mattresses work, but check the recommended depth and weight. A very heavy or very deep mattress can make the platform harder to lift or stop it staying open.
Good designs close in a controlled way, but the platform should always be closed when not in use, and children should not play in or near the storage well.
They should not. The platform supports the mattress like any other base, and most designs use sprung slats or a solid deck for even support.
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