Making Storage Beds Work in Open Plan Layouts

Storage beds work well in open plan layouts because they hide clutter that would otherwise be on show to the whole room. To make one work, choose a frame with a clean, finished exterior, decide whether a lifting base or drawers suits the space around the bed, and position it so the storage opens into clear floor rather than into a walkway or the living area. Pair it with a low divider or shelving to give the sleeping zone its own identity.

Open plan living has become common in British homes, from studio flats and new build apartments to extended ground floors and converted barns where a bedroom area shares space with living or working areas. In these homes, every item left out is visible from somewhere. A storage bed can absorb a surprising amount, but only if it is chosen and positioned with the whole room in mind. Our range of modern beds UK sale includes ottoman and drawer designs suited to these spaces.

The Problem: Everything Is on Show

In a separate bedroom, a pile of jumpers on a chair or a suitcase on top of the wardrobe goes unnoticed. In an open plan space, these things are part of the view from the sofa, the kitchen and the front door. The usual answer is more storage, but open plan rooms have fewer walls for wardrobes and cupboards, and large pieces can break up the openness that made the layout appealing.

A storage bed solves this by using space you are already giving to the bed. It adds capacity without adding another tall object to the room, and when closed it looks like any other bed. It also helps the rest of your modern bedroom furniture UK stay minimal, which keeps the sleeping area visually calm from across the room.

Solution One: Choose the Right Storage Mechanism

The type of storage affects both how the bed works and how it looks in an open space.

Lifting ottoman bases

An ottoman base lifts on gas struts to reveal storage across the whole footprint of the bed. It offers the most space and needs no clearance at the sides. That makes it a strong choice when the bed sits close to a sofa, a desk or a divider. The storage inside is completely hidden when closed, so the bed reads as clean and uncluttered from every angle.

Most ottomans lift from the foot end. Check that you will have space to stand at the foot of the bed while it is open. In tight layouts, a side lifting design may be easier.

Drawer bases

Drawers are quicker for everyday items and do not require you to lift the mattress. In open plan spaces, though, they need clear floor in front of them to open. If the drawers face the living area, opening them may block a walkway or bump into a coffee table. Plan the bed position so the drawers open into a quiet part of the room.

Which suits open plan best?

For many open plan homes, an ottoman is the more flexible choice, because it needs no side clearance and keeps everything fully hidden. Drawers suit layouts where the bed is in a defined corner with space around it.

Solution Two: Prioritise a Clean Exterior

In an open space, the bed is seen from more angles than usual. A storage bed with visible gaps, mismatched drawer fronts or exposed mechanisms will look untidy. Look for these details:

• Drawer fronts that sit flush with the base and share its fabric or finish.
• Ottoman bases with an upholstered surround that hides the lifting mechanism.
• A finished back to the headboard, if it faces the living area.
• Simple, recessed or concealed handles rather than prominent hardware.

Fabric storage beds in muted tones such as grey, oatmeal, stone or olive tend to blend well with sofas and soft furnishings in the living area. Wooden designs suit spaces with wooden floors or kitchen units.

Solution Three: Position the Bed for Access and Flow

Where the bed goes matters more in an open plan room than anywhere else. A few principles help:

• Headboard against a solid wall. This anchors the bed and gives it a sense of place.
• Storage opening away from walkways. Make sure drawers or a lifting base open into clear floor.
• Away from the kitchen. Keep the bed as far as practical from cooking areas to reduce cooking smells in bedding.
• Out of the direct line from the front door. Even a slight angle or screen gives the sleeping area some privacy.

Solution Four: Add a Divider That Also Stores

A room divider does two jobs in an open plan space. It defines the sleeping area, and if you choose the right design, it adds storage too. An open shelving unit placed at the side or foot of the bed separates the zones while holding books, baskets and plants. Light still passes through, so the space stays bright.

Our modern room dividers UK include screens and panels that give privacy without closing the room. For dividers that double as storage, our shelving units and storage UK sale range offers open designs that look good from both sides.

Keep the divider lower than the ceiling, at around head height or a little below, so the room still reads as one open space.

Solution Five: Plan What Goes Inside

A storage bed is only useful if what goes inside is organised. Without a plan, it becomes a box of things you cannot find. A few simple habits help:

• Use fabric storage bags or boxes to group items by type: spare bedding, winter clothes, luggage.
• Keep items you use weekly near the opening end, and seasonal items at the back.
• Store bulky items such as duvets in vacuum bags to save space.
• Avoid storing anything heavy that makes lifting the base difficult or that may damage the base panel.

Rotating clothes between seasons is especially useful in open plan homes. Summer clothes go under the bed in winter, and winter clothes in summer, so only the current season needs space in a wardrobe or on a rail.

Solution Six: Make the Bed Look Good by Day

In an open plan room, the bed is part of the daytime view. A neatly made bed with a simple palette of bedding helps the whole space feel calm. Choose bedding in colours that relate to the living area, such as the sofa fabric or the rug, so the two zones feel connected.

A throw and a couple of cushions can make the bed look styled without becoming fussy. In studios, some people add a few larger cushions against the headboard so the bed can be used as daytime seating, which works particularly well with upholstered frames.

Choosing a Size That Respects the Whole Room

In a shared space, the bed’s size affects far more than the sleeping area. A king size storage bed holds more than a double, but it also takes floor away from the sofa, the dining table and the route between them. Before choosing, mark the bed’s footprint on the floor with masking tape and walk through the room as you normally would: from the front door to the kitchen, from the sofa to the window, from the bed to the bathroom.

If any of those routes feel tight, a smaller frame with a lifting base may give you nearly as much storage while leaving the room easier to use. In many open plan flats, a double ottoman is a sensible balance between capacity and comfort. Remember too that the lifting base needs headroom above the mattress, so avoid positioning it beneath a low shelf or sloping ceiling that would stop it opening fully.

Lighting the Sleeping Zone

Lighting helps separate the sleeping area from the living space in the evening. Wall lights or a pendant above the bed create a distinct pool of warm light, while the living area can be lit separately. Being able to dim or switch off the living area lights while keeping a reading light on is useful when someone else is still using the room.

Further Ideas

Open plan bedrooms can borrow many ideas from broader bedroom design. Our look at bedroom furniture trends for UK homes covers the finishes and shapes that work well in shared, visible spaces.

Bringing It Together

A storage bed can make an open plan home feel calmer and more organised by keeping everyday clutter out of sight. Choose a clean exterior, the right storage mechanism and a position that respects how you move through the room. Add a divider that stores as well as screens, and the bed becomes one of the hardest working pieces in the home.

Browse our full collection of storage beds and bedroom furniture at Furniture in Fashion to find designs that suit the way you live.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an ottoman or drawer bed better for an open plan space?

An ottoman is often more flexible because it needs no side clearance and hides everything fully. Drawers work well when the bed sits in a defined corner with clear floor in front of them.

How do I hide a bed in an open plan room?

Use a room divider, open shelving or a screen to separate the bed from the living area. Positioning the headboard against a solid wall and away from the front door also helps.

Can a storage bed be used as seating during the day?

Yes. Upholstered storage beds with a few large cushions against the headboard can double as daytime seating in studios and open plan flats.

What should I store in a storage bed?

Spare bedding, seasonal clothes, luggage and items you use occasionally are good choices. Group items in bags or boxes to keep them organised and easy to find.