Choose a high gloss storage bed if your home is short on cupboard space and you need the area under the bed to work as hidden storage. Choose a standard high gloss double bed if you already have enough storage, prefer a lighter frame that is easy to move and clean beneath, or want a more open look on legs. In many compact UK bedrooms, a storage bed in double size combines both, but the trade offs are worth understanding first.
Our double high gloss beds UK sale range includes both styles, so you can compare open frames and storage bases in the same finishes. This guide sets out the differences that matter in everyday life.
The comparison can be confusing because the two categories overlap. A storage bed can be a double, and a double can include storage. For clarity, this guide compares:
Both share the same reflective finish and the same mattress size: a UK double measures 135cm by 190cm. The difference lies in what happens under the mattress and how that affects the rest of your modern bedroom furniture UK layout.
This is where a storage bed earns its place. An ottoman base effectively creates a cupboard the full length and width of the mattress. It can comfortably hold spare duvets, pillows, seasonal clothing, suitcases emptied of their contents, and items that would otherwise fill a wardrobe shelf.
Drawer beds offer less volume overall, but the contents are easier to reach without lifting anything. Two or four drawers are typical, and they work well for folded clothing, bedding and shoes.
A standard double has no built in storage, but many frames on legs leave space underneath for low storage boxes. This can be a flexible option if you only need modest extra space, though boxes are visible unless the bedding hangs low.
If you decide on storage, the next choice is the type. Each suits different rooms.
Ottoman beds open by lifting the whole platform on gas struts. They need clearance above rather than at the sides, so they suit rooms where the bed is close to walls or bedside furniture. They hold the most, but you need to lift the mattress platform each time, which makes them better for items you access occasionally.
Drawer beds are better for items you use often, as you can open a drawer without moving the bedding. However, drawers need clear floor space at the side or foot of the bed to open fully. In narrow rooms, that space may not be available.
Room layout often settles the decision. Measure the floor around the bed and think about how you move through the room.
In a narrow room where one side of the bed is against a wall, an ottoman storage bed works well because nothing needs to open sideways. A drawer bed in the same room may only have usable drawers on one side.
In a room with good space around the bed, any option works. A standard double on legs will feel lighter and more open, because you can see the floor continue beneath it. This can make a room feel larger even if the floor area is the same.
Think too about other furniture. If a storage bed allows you to remove a chest of drawers, you could gain far more usable floor than you lose. It is worth sketching both layouts, with and without the extra furniture, before you decide.
A standard double on legs is easier to clean beneath. You can vacuum the floor under the bed and air can circulate freely around the mattress, which helps it stay fresh.
Storage beds sit on the floor or close to it, so dust does not collect beneath them in the same way, but the inside of the storage well does need occasional cleaning. Choose a design with a slatted or sprung platform rather than a solid board, so the mattress can breathe. In older homes prone to condensation, airing the storage area now and then is a good habit.
Storage beds are heavier and have more components. An ottoman includes gas struts and a hinged platform, and drawer beds include runners and drawer boxes. Assembly takes longer, and moving the bed later is more involved.
Standard doubles are lighter and simpler. If you rent, move often or like to rearrange your room, a simpler frame is easier to live with. It also tends to fit through tight stairways and doorways more easily.
Storage beds often sit slightly higher because of the depth of the base. This can make getting in and out easier, which some people prefer. Standard doubles vary, with low platforms and taller frames on legs both available.
Comfort itself depends mainly on the mattress and the slats rather than the storage. Both types support a quality mattress well when the platform is properly designed.
On a storage bed, the base is usually a solid gloss panel, which gives a sleek, monolithic look. It reflects light strongly and can make a small room feel brighter. On a standard double, the gloss is concentrated on the headboard and side rails, with the space underneath adding lightness.
White gloss on a storage bed avoids the heaviness that a large solid base might otherwise bring. Darker gloss on a storage base is striking but suits larger rooms better.
Whichever bed you choose, storage across the room should work as a system. Pair a storage bed with slimmer furniture elsewhere. If you choose a standard double, a gloss chest of drawers can handle everyday clothing. Our high gloss chest of drawers UK sale range matches the finish of our beds. For extra storage at the foot of the bed, our modern ottomans UK add seating as well as capacity.
Bedside furniture matters too, particularly in small rooms. Our article on bedside cabinets for small UK bedrooms offers measurements and layout tips, and our guide to fitting a chest of drawers in a small UK room helps if you are weighing up whether you need a storage bed and drawers together.
The right choice can shift depending on the room. In a guest room, a storage bed is often the smarter option. Guests visit occasionally, so the base can hold spare bedding, Christmas decorations or the contents of an overflowing loft, and nobody needs to reach into it daily. The room stays tidy and ready for visitors with very little effort.
In a studio flat or a bedroom that doubles as a home office, the balance changes again. Every piece of furniture is visible from most of the space, so a lighter double on legs can stop the room feeling dominated by the bed. If storage is still essential, an ottoman base in white gloss gives you capacity while keeping the look clean.
For children and teenagers moving up to a double, drawer storage tends to work better than an ottoman. Younger users can open drawers independently and put things away without help, which makes tidying more likely to happen.
If you answered yes to the first or last questions, a storage bed is likely the better fit. If the middle questions matter more, a standard double will probably suit you best.
A storage bed solves a storage problem, and a standard double keeps things simple and light. Neither is better in every home. Measure your room, take stock of what you need to store and think about how often you will move the bed. The right answer usually becomes clear quickly. You can explore both styles, along with matching bedroom furniture, at Furniture in Fashion.
No. Comfort depends mostly on the mattress and the slatted platform. A well designed storage bed supports a mattress just as well as a standard frame.
An ottoman bed usually holds more, because the entire base becomes storage. Drawer beds offer less volume but easier everyday access.
Often, yes, if the frame sits on legs with enough clearance. Check the height beneath the frame before buying boxes.
It usually takes longer because there are more parts, such as gas struts or drawer runners. Following the instructions step by step makes it manageable for two people.
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