Fabric Ottoman Beds or Buttoned Fabric Beds? How to Decide

Choose a fabric ottoman bed if storage is your main concern, and a buttoned fabric bed if the look of the headboard matters most. An ottoman lifts on gas struts to reveal a large compartment under the mattress, which can replace a chest of drawers in a smaller room. A buttoned bed gives you a tailored, characterful headboard that anchors the room. The two are not mutually exclusive: many ottoman beds have buttoned headboards, so if you want both, look for a design that combines them.

The decision usually rests on the size of the room, how much built in storage you have and how you feel about the style of the headboard. Our modern ottoman beds UK include plain, panelled and buttoned designs, so it is worth exploring both directions before deciding.

What Each Option Offers

An ottoman bed is defined by its base. The mattress platform hinges upwards, supported by gas pistons, revealing a storage area the full size of the bed. Headboard styles vary, from simple panels to tall buttoned designs. The key benefit is a large, hidden storage space that keeps clutter out of sight.

A buttoned bed is defined by its headboard. Buttons are pulled into the padding to create a pattern of soft hollows, giving texture and depth. The base may be a slatted frame on legs, a solid upholstered base or, in some cases, an ottoman. The key benefit is visual: a buttoned headboard brings character and a sense of craftsmanship to the room.

Seen side by side within our wider modern bedroom furniture UK range, the difference is clear: one prioritises function underneath, the other prioritises form above.

Storage: Where Ottomans Lead

In many UK homes, bedrooms are short on cupboard space. An ottoman bed uses the volume under the mattress, which would otherwise hold only dust or a few boxes. Seasonal clothes, spare duvets, pillows, luggage and keepsakes all fit neatly inside.

That storage can free up floor space elsewhere. In a small double bedroom, an ottoman might mean you can do without a separate chest of drawers, which leaves room for a chair or simply more space to move. In a guest room, it keeps spare bedding right where it is needed.

Ottoman storage suits items you access occasionally rather than daily. Lifting the mattress to find a jumper each morning soon becomes tiresome, so many people keep everyday clothes in a chest and use the ottoman for longer term storage, such as winter coats in summer and summer linen in winter.

Style: Where Buttoned Beds Lead

Buttoning adds pattern and depth without introducing colour or print. Deep buttoning, where the buttons sit far into thick padding, creates pronounced hollows and a luxurious, traditional feel. Shallow buttoning is flatter and more understated, suiting modern rooms. Diamond buttoning arranges the buttons in a lattice, while straight rows give a more ordered, contemporary look.

A buttoned headboard immediately draws attention, so it suits rooms where the bed is meant to be the focal point. It also works well with simple walls, as the texture provides interest without needing artwork above the bed. In velvet, buttoning catches the light beautifully; in linen look fabrics, it reads as softer and more relaxed.

Space and Clearance

An ottoman needs room to open. Most lift from the foot end, so the mattress platform rises at an angle, and you need space to stand at the foot or side while reaching in. Some designs open from the side, which suits rooms where the foot of the bed faces a wall or wardrobe. Check which way the bed opens and make sure you have the clearance before ordering.

Ottoman bases sit close to the floor, so they suit rooms where hidden storage matters more than a light, airy look. Buttoned beds on legs show floor beneath, which makes a room feel more open, particularly in smaller spaces.

Headboard height matters for both. Tall buttoned headboards look impressive but can crowd a low ceiling or a window. Measure the wall and consider what sits above the bed before choosing.

Living with Each Day to Day

Ottoman beds require a little more thought in daily use. Gas struts make lifting straightforward, but the mattress and bedding still add weight. If you have a heavy mattress, check the mechanism is designed to support it. Make sure the base can be closed gently and does not slam.

Buttoned headboards are easy to live with but need some care. Dust collects in the hollows around the buttons, so vacuum with a soft brush attachment regularly. Avoid pulling at buttons, and if one comes loose, have it secured promptly before the padding shifts.

Both styles benefit from sitting a short distance from the wall. That stops the headboard from rubbing paint and, in the case of ottomans, gives the lifting mechanism room to work freely.

Fabric Choices for Each Style

The fabric you choose changes how each style looks and wears. On a buttoned headboard, velvet emphasises the hollows because the pile catches light differently on every fold, creating a rich, sculpted effect. Woven fabrics give buttoning a softer, more casual feel that suits relaxed and country inspired rooms. Very thin fabrics can pucker unevenly around buttons, so a medium weight upholstery fabric generally gives the neatest result.

Ottoman beds have more upholstered surface on the base, which takes knocks from feet, vacuum cleaners and bags. A hard wearing woven fabric is a practical choice here, especially in busy households. Darker or mid tone colours hide scuffs along the lower edge better than pale shades. If you love velvet, choose a resilient polyester velvet and accept that the base will need occasional brushing.

Thinking About Who Uses the Room

The right choice also depends on whose bedroom it is. In a child’s or teenager’s room, an ottoman is often more useful, as it swallows toys, games and spare bedding and helps keep the floor clear. Choose a design with a mechanism that closes gently and is not too heavy for a young person to lift, or keep the ottoman for items an adult will access.

In a guest room, either style works. An ottoman keeps spare duvets and towels close at hand, while a buttoned bed makes the room feel welcoming and finished. In a main bedroom, the decision often comes down to whether you already have fitted wardrobes. If you do, a buttoned bed on legs may be all you need. If you do not, the ottoman base can take a real load off the rest of the room.

Cleaning and Moving

Because an ottoman sits on the floor or on very short feet, you cannot vacuum underneath it. Instead, the storage area itself needs an occasional clear out and wipe. Keeping stored items in fabric bags or boxes helps keep everything fresh.

Ottoman beds are heavier and bulkier than simple frames. If you move house often, factor in the extra effort. Buttoned beds on a slatted frame tend to be lighter and easier to dismantle, although a large buttoned headboard can be awkward on stairs.

When You Want Both

If you value storage and want a characterful headboard, a buttoned ottoman bed answers both needs. Look closely at the proportion of the headboard to the base. On some designs, the deep ottoman base makes a modest headboard look small, while on others the balance feels just right.

Alternatively, choose a buttoned bed on legs and add separate storage that suits the room, such as a chest of drawers or a blanket box at the foot. Our modern fabric beds UK include many buttoned designs on legs, and a coordinating chest of drawers UK can provide everyday storage that is quicker to reach than an ottoman base. Our guide to choosing a chest of drawers for UK homes can help you decide which design suits the way you use your bedroom.

A Simple Way to Decide

Ask yourself three questions. Do you have enough storage elsewhere in the bedroom? If not, lean towards an ottoman. Is the bed the main visual feature of the room? If so, a buttoned headboard will make the most of it. Do you move house often or need to clean under the bed regularly? If yes, a buttoned bed on legs may be more practical.

Whichever you choose, check the dimensions carefully, sit against the headboard if you can, and consider how the bed will work with the rest of the room. You can explore our full range of upholstered beds and storage at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an ottoman bed have a buttoned headboard?

Yes. Many ottoman beds combine a lifting storage base with a buttoned headboard, giving you storage and a characterful look in one design.

Are ottoman beds hard to lift?

Gas struts take most of the weight, so lifting is usually straightforward. Check that the mechanism suits the weight of your mattress, as very heavy mattresses may need stronger struts.

Do buttoned headboards collect dust?

Dust can settle around the buttons, so a weekly vacuum with a soft brush attachment keeps them clean. Deep buttoning needs a little more attention than shallow buttoning.

Which is better for a small bedroom?

An ottoman is often more useful in a small bedroom because it provides storage without taking extra floor space. A buttoned bed on legs can make a small room feel lighter, but you will need storage elsewhere.