Leather ottoman beds give you the largest single storage space in a bedroom by turning the whole area under the mattress into a covered compartment that lifts open on gas struts. They suit almost every bedroom, from a box room to a main suite, because they need no extra floor space to open, keep belongings dust free, and come in leather finishes that range from crisp and modern to warm and classic.
That combination of capacity and calm appearance is why we stock ottoman designs throughout our modern leather beds UK sale. They sit comfortably with the rest of our bedroom furniture UK, so you can plan storage across the room rather than relying on one piece. Below, we explain how they work, who they suit, and what to check before you choose.
An ottoman bed has a deep base with solid sides. The slatted platform that holds the mattress is fixed to a hinge at the head end and supported by gas struts. When you lift the foot end, the platform rises smoothly and stays open, revealing the storage well beneath. When you lower it, the struts slow the descent and the bed closes neatly.
Most designs lift from the foot end, which means they open without needing any space at the sides. A few open from the side, which can suit rooms where the foot of the bed faces a wall. The leather upholstery wraps the whole base, so from the outside the bed looks like any other upholstered frame.
Many UK homes have compact bedrooms and limited built in storage. Lofts are often converted, garages hold cars or bikes, and spare cupboards fill quickly. An ottoman base takes items that would otherwise clutter wardrobes or sit on top of them.
Typical things that fit well include:
Because the storage is enclosed, it stays far cleaner than open under bed storage, where dust collects quickly.
In a main bedroom, an ottoman frees wardrobes for clothes you use every day. A double, king or super king ottoman bed offers a large storage area, and a padded leather headboard keeps the look refined. Choose a colour that works with your other furniture, then let the bed quietly do most of the storage work.
Small bedrooms gain the most from an ottoman. When there is no room for a chest of drawers, the bed becomes the main storage piece. A small double or double ottoman can hold enough to replace a second wardrobe. Since it opens from above, it can sit tight against walls or other furniture.
Spare rooms often double as storage rooms. An ottoman bed keeps that storage hidden, so the room is ready for visitors with very little preparation. Guests have a proper bed, and the rest of the time the base holds whatever you need to put away.
Older children and teenagers often have more belongings than their rooms can easily hold. A single or small double ottoman keeps sports kit, toys and spare bedding out of sight. Gas struts make lifting manageable, but younger children should be supervised, since the platform is heavy when a mattress is on it.
Ottoman beds come in real leather, faux leather and bonded leather. Faux leather is a practical choice for most homes because it is light, consistent in colour and easy to wipe clean. Real leather offers more depth and ages gracefully, and suits main bedrooms where the bed will stay for many years.
Colour sets the tone of the room. Black and charcoal look sharp against pale walls. White and cream keep small rooms bright. Grey and stone are flexible and sit with most schemes. Brown and tan bring warmth to rooms with wooden floors or traditional detailing. Some designs add crocodile effect textures, stitched panels or chrome trims for extra interest.
Ottoman beds and drawer beds both add storage, but they suit different habits. Drawer beds are quicker for things you need every day, such as pyjamas or spare pillows, because you simply pull a drawer open. Ottoman beds hold far more and suit items you reach for less often, because lifting the mattress takes a moment longer.
The biggest practical difference is space. Drawers need clear floor beside or at the foot of the bed to slide out fully, which can be a problem in a small room or where the bed sits against a wall. An ottoman needs no side clearance at all, since everything opens upwards. In a compact bedroom, that alone can decide the matter.
Capacity is the other consideration. Drawers use only part of the space under the bed, leaving gaps around runners and supports. An ottoman uses almost the entire footprint of the mattress, so bulky items like duvets and suitcases fit far more easily.
Some households use both approaches: an ottoman bed in the main bedroom for seasonal storage, and drawer beds in children’s rooms for toys and clothes that come out daily. Thinking about how often you will reach for what you store usually points clearly to the right choice.
Gas struts are rated to support a certain weight. Very heavy mattresses can make the platform hard to keep open or slow to rise. Medium weight mattresses, including many memory foam and hybrid designs, usually work well. If you are buying a new mattress at the same time, consider them together.
Base depth varies between designs. Deeper bases hold more and fit bulky items like folded duvets more easily. Check the internal depth if you have something specific in mind, such as suitcases.
Foot end opening suits most rooms. Side opening can be better where the foot of the bed sits close to a wall or a wardrobe. Think about where you will stand when lifting the platform.
The platform rises at an angle. In a room with a sloping ceiling, check that the raised mattress clears the ceiling in your planned position.
Many ottoman beds have a fabric lined base, which protects stored items and keeps the interior tidy. This is worth looking for if you plan to store textiles.
An ottoman base can become a jumble if everything is simply dropped in. A few simple habits keep it useful:
An ottoman bed works best as part of a wider plan. A modern blanket box UK placed under a window or against a side wall adds extra storage, though avoid the foot of the bed, where it would block a foot end opening. Our clothes storage UK sale range adds flexible hanging and shelving options for rooms without a fitted wardrobe.
Drawers still have their place for things you reach for every day. Our guide to chests of drawers for UK bedrooms helps you match drawer storage to the way you live. For family homes, our feature on children’s bedroom storage furniture for UK family homes shows how ottoman beds fit alongside other storage in younger rooms.
Wipe the leather with a soft cloth regularly to remove dust. Deal with marks using a slightly damp cloth and dry the surface afterwards. Real leather benefits from occasional conditioning. Keep the bed away from direct radiator heat, and avoid overfilling the base, since items pressing against the slats can make the platform harder to close.
Check the struts and bolts every so often. Tightening fixings keeps the mechanism smooth and quiet for years.
Leather ottoman beds offer generous storage without adding furniture or taking floor space, and they suit almost every type of bedroom in a British home. Choose the size and finish that fits your room, check the details that matter for your mattress and ceiling, and the bed will quietly earn its place. You can browse ottoman designs and the wider bedroom collection at Furniture in Fashion.
No. Gas struts take most of the weight, so the platform lifts smoothly. Very heavy mattresses can make it harder, so check compatibility.
Yes. Foot end opening ottoman beds can sit against walls on both sides, which suits small rooms well.
Choose the same size you would for a standard bed in that room. The storage comes with the frame, so you do not need extra space.
Not usually. Most standard mattresses work, but very heavy ones may affect how easily the platform lifts and stays open.
L shaped bedrooms appear in homes with extensions, loft conversions, chimney breasts and reconfigured flats,…
Bedding has a bigger effect on a leather bed than almost anything else in the…
In a busy household, a bed does a lot more than provide somewhere to sleep.…
Leather beds are moving towards warmer colours, softer shapes and more practical design. In this…
A real leather bed can stay supple and attractive for many years with a simple,…
Loft apartments have a particular character, with generous floor areas, high ceilings, exposed brick, steel…
This website uses cookies.