A high gloss ottoman bed is a bed frame with a lacquered or gloss finish whose mattress platform lifts on gas struts to reveal a full length storage compartment underneath. They are available in the standard UK sizes from single to super king, in styles ranging from plain low headboards to padded and LED lit designs, and in gloss finishes such as white, grey, black and cream. The key decisions are size, how the lid opens, the depth of storage and which finish suits your room.
Ottoman beds offer the largest amount of storage of any bed type, because the entire base becomes a single compartment. Combined with gloss, they give you a clean, contemporary look with nothing visible to suggest the storage is there. Here is a clear guide to what to expect from our modern high gloss beds UK in ottoman form.
An ottoman bed has a hinged platform that holds the mattress. When you lift the platform, usually from the foot or one side, gas struts or pistons take most of the weight and hold the platform open. Underneath is a storage well that runs almost the full length and width of the bed.
Because the storage is enclosed, it stays dust free and out of sight. There are no drawers to open, so you do not need clear floor space beside or in front of the bed. This makes ottoman beds particularly useful in small or awkwardly shaped rooms where drawer beds would be impractical. It can also reduce how much other storage furniture the room needs, which is worth considering as you plan pieces from our wider bedroom furniture UK sale range.
High gloss ottoman beds come in the standard UK mattress sizes:
Remember that the frame will be larger than the mattress. Headboards add length, and some frames have wide side panels. Check the external dimensions of the bed before ordering. If you are considering the larger sizes, our king size high gloss beds UK range is a good place to compare footprints.
The most common type. The platform lifts from the foot of the bed and hinges at the headboard end. This gives the widest opening and easiest access to the full compartment. You need some clear space at the foot of the bed to stand while lifting.
The platform lifts from one side and hinges along the opposite side. This suits rooms where the foot of the bed is close to a wall or wardrobe. Side lift beds are particularly useful in narrow rooms where the bed sits against one wall.
Whichever type you choose, check that there is enough headroom above the bed for the platform to open fully. This matters in loft rooms with sloping ceilings.
The depth of the storage well varies between designs. Deeper wells hold bulky items such as duvets, pillows and suitcases. Shallower wells suit folded clothing and flat items. Look at the internal dimensions in the product details, not just the overall height of the frame.
Some ottoman beds include a divider in the storage well, which helps keep items organised. Others have a fully open compartment that you can arrange with boxes or bags.
Gas struts are rated to support a certain weight. Very heavy mattresses may make the platform harder to lift or prevent it from staying open. If you are buying a mattress at the same time, choose one with a sensible weight and depth. Mattresses of moderate depth suit most ottoman frames comfortably.
Our modern mattresses UK range lists dimensions clearly so you can match one to your frame. Firmness labels are worth reading carefully too, and our article on mattress firmness labels for UK buyers explains what they really tell you.
Clean, minimal frames with a short gloss headboard. These suit small rooms and spaces where the bed sits under a window. They keep the room feeling open.
A gloss base with a padded headboard in faux leather or fabric. More comfortable for reading in bed and slightly softer in appearance. Faux leather is easier to wipe clean.
Some designs include LED lighting in the headboard or base. This adds atmosphere and a soft night light. Check that the cabling is routed safely away from the lifting mechanism.
Tall, winged or panelled headboards give the bed a statement presence. These suit larger principal bedrooms where the bed is the focal point.
To build a coordinated room around your ottoman bed, choose wardrobes, chests and bedside cabinets in the same gloss finish. Matching tones from one collection will always sit together more comfortably than pieces gathered from different sources.
Ottoman and drawer beds both add storage, but they suit different rooms and habits. Drawer beds give quick access to items you use every day, such as folded clothing, without lifting the mattress. They do, however, need clear floor space to open, and the storage is divided into separate compartments.
Ottoman beds offer more total storage in a single open space and need no extra floor around the bed. The trade off is that you lift the mattress platform each time, so they suit items you reach for less often: spare duvets, seasonal clothing, luggage and keepsakes. In small rooms or rooms where furniture sits close to the bed, an ottoman is usually the more practical choice.
A large open compartment is easiest to use when it is organised. Vacuum bags reduce the bulk of duvets and winter clothing. Fabric or plastic boxes keep smaller items grouped and make it easier to lift out what you need. Placing frequently used items at the end that opens first saves rummaging. A simple list of what is stored inside, kept in a bedside drawer, helps avoid lifting the platform unnecessarily.
Ottoman beds arrive flat packed and take a little longer to assemble than a standard frame because of the lifting mechanism. Follow the instructions carefully, particularly when fitting the gas struts.
Measure stairwells, doorways and landings. The base panels can be large, so compare the largest component dimensions with the narrowest point on the route to the bedroom.
Storage wells are enclosed, so avoid storing damp items. Opening the platform occasionally helps air circulate. A platform with ventilation holes or a slatted design helps the mattress breathe.
Gas struts are designed to hold the platform open, but always make sure it is fully open before reaching inside. Keep fingers clear of the hinges when closing it, and supervise young children around the mechanism.
Wipe gloss surfaces with a soft microfibre cloth, slightly damp for marks, and dry immediately. Avoid abrasive cleaners and silicone polishes. Check the gas struts and hinges occasionally to make sure fixings are tight. If the platform begins to drop or feels heavy, the struts may need replacing, which is usually straightforward.
For a broader sense of how frame, mattress and room size work together, our guide to UK king size bed dimensions and room sizes is a useful companion to this one.
You can browse our full range of gloss ottoman and storage beds at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Yes, the gas struts take most of the weight, so lifting is usually straightforward. A very heavy mattress can make it harder, so choose one that suits the frame.
End lift beds open from the foot and give the widest access. Side lift beds open from one side, which suits rooms where the foot of the bed is close to a wall.
You need a mattress that matches the frame size. Moderate depth and weight mattresses work best with the gas strut mechanism.
Yes, many high gloss ottoman beds are available in super king, offering a very generous storage compartment.
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