Fabric Storage Beds or Fabric TV Beds? How to Decide

Choose a fabric storage bed if your main problem is clutter or a lack of cupboards. Choose a fabric TV bed if you watch television in bed most evenings and want the screen to disappear when you are done. A storage bed adds capacity without taking extra floor space, while a TV bed adds entertainment without a wall mounted screen or a separate unit. Which one suits you depends on how you use the room.

Our modern TV beds UK house a motorised lift in the footboard, while storage beds use an ottoman base or drawers. Both sit within our wider modern bedroom furniture UK collection, and both are available in a choice of upholstery fabrics and sizes.

How Fabric Storage Beds Work

Storage beds come in two main forms. Ottoman beds have a mattress platform that lifts on gas struts, revealing a storage well that covers almost the whole footprint of the bed. Drawer beds have two or four drawers built into the base, usually along the sides or at the foot.

Ottomans offer the most capacity and suit bulky items such as duvets, suitcases and winter coats. Drawers are better for items you reach for often, like folded clothes or spare pillowcases, because they open without lifting the mattress.

Both types keep the space under the bed enclosed, which means no dust gathering beneath and a clean, solid look. The upholstered base continues the fabric of the headboard, so the whole bed reads as one piece.

How Fabric TV Beds Work

A TV bed has a hollow upholstered footboard containing a motorised lift. At the touch of a remote, the lift raises a flat screen television into view at the end of the bed. When you are finished, it lowers again, leaving a neat footboard that looks like any other bed.

Each TV bed is designed to take a screen up to a specified size, which is listed on the product page. The television is bought separately and fitted to the bracket inside the footboard. A power socket is needed near the foot of the bed, or a safely routed extension, to run the lift and the screen.

Many TV beds also include some storage, such as side drawers or a gas lift ottoman base, so the choice is not always one or the other. The lift mechanism does, however, take up some of the space that would otherwise be used for storage.

Comparing Space Requirements

Storage beds take up the same floor area as standard beds of the same size. Ottomans need clearance at the foot or side to lift the base, and drawer beds need clearance alongside to pull drawers out fully. A good rule is to allow at least 60cm, and ideally more, on any side where storage opens.

TV beds are usually longer than standard beds, because the footboard needs depth to house the lift and the screen. Check the overall length carefully. You also need enough space beyond the foot of the bed to walk past comfortably while the screen is raised, and enough ceiling height for the screen at full extension, which is rarely a problem in standard rooms but worth checking under sloping loft ceilings.

The viewing distance is fixed by the bed itself, so the television size listed by the maker is matched to that distance. Avoid squeezing in a larger screen than recommended, as it may not fit the lift.

Living With a Storage Bed

A storage bed is quietly useful. Once it is filled, it simply does its job. You may find the bedroom feels tidier, the wardrobe less crowded and the top of the wardrobe clear of boxes.

Ottomans are easiest to live with when you store things you access every few weeks rather than daily. Lifting the mattress platform is straightforward, but it is still a deliberate action. Drawer beds suit daily access but offer less overall capacity.

If you already have plenty of fitted storage, the benefits of a storage bed are smaller. In that case, a TV bed or a simple bed on legs might suit you better.

Living With a TV Bed

TV beds suit people who enjoy watching films or series in bed, particularly where wall mounting a television is not practical. They are popular in rented homes, where drilling into walls may not be allowed, and in rooms where the only free wall is taken by wardrobes or windows.

The main benefit is flexibility. When the screen is down, the bedroom has no visible technology, which many people find helps them switch off. When it is up, you get a comfortable viewing position without needing a separate unit.

There are practical considerations. The lift needs power, so plan cable routes before delivery. The motor makes a gentle sound when moving. Children and pets should be kept clear of the footboard while the lift operates, and it is worth reading the maker's guidance on safe use.

Maintenance and Longevity

Storage beds have few moving parts. On an ottoman, the gas struts do the work, and they are designed to last for years of normal use. If the platform ever starts to feel heavy or does not stay open, the struts can usually be replaced without changing the bed. Drawer runners benefit from being kept clear of overfilled contents, which can strain them over time.

TV beds include a motor, a control unit and wiring, so there is a little more to look after. Keep the lift area clear of bedding and clutter, avoid placing heavy items on the footboard, and follow the maker's instructions for fitting the screen. Check the warranty details for the mechanism before you buy, and keep the remote somewhere safe.

Thinking About Sleep Habits

It is worth being honest about how screens affect your rest. Some people find that watching television in bed helps them unwind. Others sleep better when the bedroom is kept for sleep alone. A TV bed offers a middle ground, since the screen disappears completely, but if you are trying to build calmer evening routines, a storage bed may support that goal more naturally.

Which Rooms Suit Each Type

Storage beds suit small and medium bedrooms, flats without hallway cupboards, children's rooms where toys need hiding away, and any home where clutter is a daily frustration.

TV beds suit larger master bedrooms, rooms where the bed faces a window or a run of wardrobes, rented properties and guest rooms that double as snugs. They are less practical in very small rooms, where the extra length may limit walkways.

Fabric Choice for Both

Both types are typically fully upholstered, so the fabric covers a large area. Hardwearing woven fabrics in mid tones are the most practical choice. Velvet looks luxurious and suits TV beds in particular, as it adds warmth to a room used for relaxing. Pale fabrics need more care, especially on the footboard of a TV bed, which sees regular contact.

Check that the fabric is neatly finished around any moving parts, such as the TV lift opening or the edge of an ottoman platform.

What If You Want Both?

If you need storage and want a TV in bed, there are a few routes. Some TV beds include drawers or an ottoman section, giving you both in one frame. Alternatively, choose a TV bed and add separate storage. A tall chest of drawers UK design can absorb a surprising amount of clothing in a small footprint.

Another approach is to choose a storage bed and wall mount a television, if the room and tenancy allow. A slim bracket and careful cable management keep the look tidy.

If you lean towards storage, our range of modern ottoman beds UK includes designs in every standard size with upholstered bases in a choice of fabrics.

A Simple Way to Decide

List how you use your bedroom on a typical evening. If watching television in bed features most nights, and you dislike the look of a visible screen, a TV bed is likely worth it. If the bedroom is mainly for sleep and you struggle for places to put things, a storage bed will make a bigger difference to daily life.

Consider the room size too. If a longer TV bed would leave less than 60cm at the foot, a storage bed is probably the better fit. If space is generous and storage is already covered, a TV bed can add something genuinely enjoyable. And if you decide a separate screen suits you better, our guide to styling TV units with bedroom furniture in UK homes explains how to integrate a stand or unit into the room.

Whichever you choose, you will find both styles at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do TV beds come with a television?

Usually not. TV beds include the lift and bracket, and you supply a flat screen within the maximum size stated by the maker.

Can a TV bed also have storage?

Many do. Some include side drawers or an ottoman section, although the lift mechanism takes up part of the space beneath the bed.

Are TV beds suitable for small bedrooms?

They can be, but they are longer than standard beds. Measure carefully to make sure there is a comfortable walkway at the foot.

Which storage bed holds the most?

An ottoman bed generally offers the most capacity, as the storage well covers almost the entire footprint of the bed.