Fabric Storage Beds vs Buttoned Fabric Beds: Which Is Right for Your Home?

A fabric storage bed is the right choice if your priority is practical space, whether that means drawers in the base or a full ottoman lift. A buttoned fabric bed is the right choice if your priority is the look of the headboard and the character it gives the room. If you need both, many designs combine a buttoned headboard with a storage base, so the real question is which feature matters most when you have to choose between models.

n

The two terms describe different parts of a bed. Storage refers to the base, buttoning to the upholstery, usually on the headboard. Understanding what each offers helps you shortlist sensibly among our upholstered fabric beds UK range, and decide where to compromise if a single design does not tick every box.

n

What We Mean by a Storage Bed

n

A fabric storage bed builds storage into its frame. There are two main types.

n

Drawer beds have two or four drawers set into the sides or foot of the base. They run on runners or castors and suit items you use often, such as spare bedding, nightwear or shoes.

n

Ottoman beds have a lifting platform. The slatted base rises on gas assisted hinges to reveal a large enclosed compartment the full size of the bed. They hold more than drawers but take a little more effort to reach.

n

Both types are upholstered in the same range of fabrics as other beds, and both can have plain, panelled or buttoned headboards.

n

What We Mean by a Buttoned Bed

n

A buttoned fabric bed has a headboard, and sometimes a footboard or side rails, finished with buttons pressed into the padding. The buttons create a pattern of folds in the fabric. Deep buttoning produces pronounced diamond shapes in the style of a Chesterfield sofa. Shallow buttoning gives a gentler, quilted effect.

n

Buttoning is decorative first. It adds texture, pattern and a sense of craft. It can also make a headboard slightly more comfortable to lean against, since the padding tends to be thicker.

n

Many buttoned beds sit on a standard slatted base with legs, but plenty are also available with drawers or an ottoman. Seeing how both kinds sit within a wider room, alongside other modern bedroom furniture UK pieces, is a good way to judge which suits your space.

n

When Storage Should Come First

n

Storage is the deciding factor in many UK homes. Smaller bedrooms, flats without loft space and rooms without fitted wardrobes often struggle for somewhere to put bulky items. A storage base turns the largest piece of furniture in the room into useful space.

n

Consider putting storage first if:

n

n
• Your wardrobes and drawers are already full.

n

• You have no loft, garage or spare cupboard for seasonal items.

n

• The bedroom doubles as a guest room or home office.

n

• You would rather not have a gap under the bed collecting dust.

n

n

In these cases, a plain or panelled headboard on a storage base is often the most sensible choice. The headboard can still be stylish, and the room benefits from less clutter.

n

When Buttoning Should Come First

n

Buttoning tends to matter most in rooms where the bed is meant to be a focal point. Larger bedrooms, rooms with high ceilings and principal bedrooms in period houses often suit a buttoned headboard well, because the scale lets the pattern show.

n

Consider putting buttoning first if:

n

n
• You already have enough storage elsewhere.

n

• The bed is the main design feature in the room.

n

• You prefer a classic or luxurious style.

n

• You often sit up in bed and value a well padded headboard.

n

n

Here, a buttoned headboard on a slatted base with legs can feel lighter and more elegant than a bulky storage frame.

n

How Each Affects the Look of the Room

n

Storage beds, particularly ottomans, have solid bases that reach the floor. They look grounded and tidy but can feel heavy in small rooms, especially in dark fabrics. Drawer beds sit somewhere in between, with a visible base but a little more detail.

n

Buttoned beds draw attention to the headboard. On legs, they reveal floor beneath the bed, which keeps the room feeling open. On a storage base, they combine visual interest at the top with weight at the bottom, which suits larger rooms well.

n

Fabric choice affects both. Velvet shows deep buttoning beautifully and gives storage bases a soft sheen. Textured weaves are more forgiving of marks on drawer fronts and lifting edges, which get handled often.

n

Practical Points for Storage Beds

n

Check the space needed to open drawers fully or lift an ottoman. Drawer beds need clear floor beside or at the foot of the bed. Foot lifting ottomans need room at the end for you to stand and reach in.

n

Consider weight. Ottoman beds are heavier and take longer to assemble. Drawer beds are lighter but have more moving parts. Both arrive flat packed in most cases.

n

Think about what you will store. Drawers suit smaller items you need often, while ottomans suit larger items you need occasionally. If you need quick daily access, a separate chest of drawers UK sale design alongside the bed may still be useful.

n

Practical Points for Buttoned Beds

n

Buttoning creates creases where dust gathers. Vacuum the headboard regularly with a soft brush attachment, working gently into the folds. Avoid tugging at buttons, and check them occasionally.

n

Think about the height of the headboard. Deep buttoning looks most effective on mid height to tall headboards, where the pattern has room to repeat. On a very low headboard, the effect can be lost behind pillows.

n

Consider the household. Buttoned headboards are generally robust, but households with young children or pets may prefer a tightly woven fabric that copes with occasional pulling and is easy to spot clean.

n

Getting the Best of Both

n

If you want buttoning and storage, look for a buttoned headboard on an ottoman or drawer base. This combination is widely available and gives you character and practicality in one piece.

n

Alternatively, combine a buttoned bed on legs with separate storage that suits the style. A blanket box at the foot of the bed adds storage for throws and spare pillows while echoing the upholstered look. Our selection of blanket boxes UK includes fabric, wooden and painted designs that work well with buttoned headboards.

n

For ideas on how different storage pieces fit different routines, our article on chest of drawers designs for UK lifestyles covers the main options. For a broader look at how upholstered beds are being styled, see our piece on bedroom furniture trends for UK homes.

n

Comfort and Everyday Use

n

Comfort is not only about the mattress. If you read, work on a laptop or watch television in bed, the headboard matters a great deal. Buttoned headboards often have thicker padding, which makes them pleasant to lean against for long periods. Plain and panelled headboards on storage beds can be just as comfortable, provided the padding is generous, so it is worth checking the depth of the headboard in the product details.

n

Storage affects comfort in a quieter way. A tidy bedroom with fewer boxes and bags on show tends to feel more restful. If clutter currently gathers on chairs or the floor, moving it into a storage base can change how the room feels at the end of the day.

n

Consider how the bed will be used through the week, too. A bed that is made and remade daily benefits from a base without awkward gaps for bedding to fall into. Drawer beds with neat, flush fronts and ottomans with a clean edge are both easy to make. Buttoned headboards, meanwhile, give pillows a soft, supportive backdrop that keeps the bed looking orderly once it is dressed.

n

Matching Style to the Rest of the Room

n

A buttoned headboard carries a traditional association, though modern versions with simple shapes and clean fabrics sit comfortably in contemporary rooms. Pair them with streamlined wardrobes and chests so the buttoning remains the single decorative feature.

n

Storage beds with plain headboards are more of a blank canvas. They suit minimal, Scandinavian and modern schemes, and they let you introduce character through bedding, lighting and artwork instead.

n

A Simple Way to Decide

n

List what you need to store that has no other home. If the list is long, put storage first. If it is short, put style first and choose the headboard you like most.

n

Then look at the room. In a small or narrow bedroom, a storage bed with a plain or gently panelled headboard often works best. In a larger room, a buttoned headboard has the space to make an impression, with or without storage underneath.

n

Finally, think about the next few years. Storage needs tend to grow, especially in family homes. Buttoned designs, meanwhile, have a timeless appeal that rarely dates. Weigh both honestly before you commit.

n

Bringing It Together

n

Storage and buttoning are not opposites, but they answer different needs. Storage solves a practical problem. Buttoning shapes how the room looks and feels. Decide which matters most to you, then look for a design that delivers it well, adding the other feature if you can.

n

You can explore buttoned, panelled and storage designs, along with coordinating bedroom furniture, at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

n

Frequently Asked Questions

n

Can a buttoned bed also have storage?

n

Yes. Many buttoned headboards are paired with ottoman or drawer bases, giving you decorative upholstery and practical storage in the same bed.

n

Are storage beds harder to assemble?

n

Ottoman beds usually take longer because of the lifting mechanism and enclosed base. Drawer beds are generally simpler, though they have more moving parts than a standard frame.

n

Do buttoned headboards collect dust?

n

The folds around buttons can gather dust, so regular gentle vacuuming with a soft brush attachment keeps them clean.

n

Which is better for a small bedroom?

n

A storage bed with a plain or panelled headboard usually suits small rooms best, as it adds space without adding visual clutter.