A fabric ottoman bed is the better choice if storage is your priority, as its lifting base hides a large compartment under the mattress. A Chesterfield fabric bed is the better choice if style is your priority, with its deep buttoned headboard giving a classic, tailored look. The two can overlap, as many Chesterfield beds now come with ottoman bases, but they solve different problems: one is about function, the other about character.
Both styles feature in our range of modern fabric beds UK, and many households end up choosing between them. Below, we compare the two on design, storage, room fit, comfort and care, so you can decide which suits your bedroom and routine.
An ottoman bed has a base that lifts, usually on gas struts, to reveal a storage compartment the full size of the bed. The mattress platform rises at the foot or side, and the space beneath holds bedding, luggage, seasonal clothes and anything else that needs a home. When closed, the bed looks much like any other upholstered frame.
The appeal is simple: in a bedroom where cupboard space is limited, an ottoman bed turns the largest piece of furniture into the largest storage space. In many British homes, particularly flats and new builds, that makes a real difference.
The Chesterfield style takes its cue from the classic buttoned sofa, with deep tufting set in a diamond pattern across the upholstery. On a bed, this buttoning usually appears on the headboard and sometimes the footboard. The look is rich and structured, with soft shadows created where the fabric folds into each button.
Chesterfield beds are often upholstered in velvet, which suits the depth of the tufting, though linen look and chenille versions offer a more relaxed take on the style. They suit traditional, period and transitional interiors, and can add warmth and character to a plain modern room.
The biggest difference between the two is how they look. A standard ottoman bed is defined by its base rather than its headboard, so it might have a simple panelled, channelled or winged headboard. It can be as understated or as decorative as you like.
A Chesterfield bed is defined by its headboard. The buttoned pattern draws the eye and becomes the focal point of the room. This works beautifully in rooms with a clear decorating scheme, but it is a stronger statement and needs a little more thought when choosing the furniture around it. Looking at the wider range of bedroom furniture UK sale pieces will help you find cabinets and chests that complement a buttoned headboard rather than competing with it.
For pure storage, an ottoman bed is hard to match. The compartment beneath a double or king size ottoman bed holds a remarkable amount, and because it is enclosed, the contents stay free of dust.
Most ottoman beds lift from the foot end, which requires clear space at the end of the bed. Side lift designs open along one long side, which can suit rooms where the bed is pushed against a wall or the foot is close to furniture.
A standard Chesterfield bed without an ottoman base offers no built in storage, so you may need separate pieces such as a chest of drawers or a bed end ottoman. Our storage ottomans UK sale include upholstered designs that sit at the foot of the bed and pair well with buttoned headboards.
Ottoman beds usually sit low to the floor with a solid base, which gives them a grounded, compact look. Because the base reaches the floor, there is no visible gap beneath the bed, which can make the frame feel larger in a small room. On the other hand, removing the need for a chest of drawers often frees up more space than the solid base takes visually.
Chesterfield beds often have taller headboards to show off the buttoning, and some include a buttoned footboard too. In rooms with low ceilings or sloping eaves, check the headboard height carefully. In larger rooms with higher ceilings, a tall Chesterfield headboard can be impressive.
Both styles can be equally comfortable to sleep on, as comfort depends mostly on the mattress and the base. Ottoman beds usually have a sprung slatted or solid platform on the lifting frame, while Chesterfield beds without storage often have a standard slatted base.
A buttoned headboard is pleasant to lean against, though some people find deep tufting slightly uneven for long reading sessions. Placing a large cushion between you and the headboard solves this. Panelled ottoman headboards offer a smoother surface for sitting up.
With an ottoman bed, think about how often you will lift the base. The gas struts make it easy, but you need to remove any items left on the bed first. Storing everyday items elsewhere and keeping the ottoman for less frequently used things works best.
Velvet is the classic choice for Chesterfield beds because it shows off the depth of the buttoning. Linen look and chenille fabrics give a softer, more casual version. Ottoman beds come in the full range of upholstery fabrics.
Buttoned headboards collect dust in the folds around each button. A soft brush attachment on the vacuum cleaner reaches into these creases easily. Ottoman beds have fewer crevices on the outside, though it is worth wiping the interior of the storage compartment occasionally.
Colour affects these two styles in different ways. On a Chesterfield bed, the buttoning creates small pockets of shadow, so mid and deep tones show off the pattern best. Charcoal, navy, bottle green and rich mink all bring out the depth of the tufting. Very pale shades still look elegant, but the buttoned pattern appears softer and less defined.
On an ottoman bed with a plain or panelled headboard, colour plays a more general role in setting the mood of the room. Light greys, stone and oatmeal suit smaller bedrooms where you want the bed to blend in, while darker shades give a more grounded, restful look in larger rooms.
Think about the light in your bedroom as well. North facing rooms in the UK benefit from warmer shades, such as taupe and soft rust, which stop the room feeling cool. Bright south facing rooms can carry cooler greys and blues comfortably.
A bed is something most people live with for many years, so it helps to think ahead. An ottoman bed adapts well to changing needs. Storage that holds spare bedding today may hold children’s clothes or keepsakes later. Its usefulness tends to grow as households change.
A Chesterfield bed has a timeless quality that tends to outlast passing trends. Buttoned upholstery has been popular for generations and looks at home in many different interiors, so it is a safe choice if you redecorate often but want the bed to stay.
If you want the character of a Chesterfield and the practicality of an ottoman, many beds now combine both. A buttoned headboard sits above a lifting storage base, giving you classic styling with modern function.
The trade off is weight and size. Chesterfield ottoman beds tend to be heavier than either style alone, and the tall headboard combined with the solid base gives the bed a substantial presence. In a medium or large room, this can look superb. In a small room, it may feel heavy.
Whichever bed you choose, think about how it fits with your other storage. A good wardrobe handles hanging clothes, while the bed handles bulky or seasonal items. Our modern wardrobes UK collection includes sliding and hinged designs in a range of widths, which helps you plan storage across the whole room rather than relying on one piece.
For ideas on how classic and modern pieces are being combined in bedrooms right now, our article on bedroom furniture trends in UK homes looks at upholstered beds, rich fabrics and coordinated storage.
Ask yourself which problem matters more. If your bedroom feels cluttered and lacks storage, choose an ottoman bed. If your room has enough storage and you want the bed to set the style, choose a Chesterfield. If you want both and the room is large enough, a Chesterfield ottoman bed brings them together.
At Furniture in Fashion, we offer fabric ottoman beds, Chesterfield beds and designs that combine the two, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Yes. Many Chesterfield beds combine a buttoned headboard with a lifting ottoman base, offering both classic styling and hidden storage.
Very often. It can replace a chest of drawers by providing a large storage space under the mattress.
The folds around each button can gather dust, but a soft brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner removes it easily.
Both are easy with good gas struts. Choose based on your layout: end lift needs space at the foot, side lift needs space along one side.
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