Choose an ottoman TV bed if storage is your main priority, and a Chesterfield TV bed if you want a classic, buttoned design that becomes the centrepiece of the room. The two are not strictly opposites: ottoman describes a lifting storage base, while Chesterfield describes a style of upholstery. Some beds combine both. So the real question is whether you are choosing first for function or first for appearance, and how much of each you need.
Our range of modern TV beds UK sale includes ottoman designs, Chesterfield designs and frames that bring the two together. Considering them alongside the rest of our modern bedroom furniture UK range makes it easier to see which suits your room and routine.
An ottoman bed has a mattress platform that lifts, usually on gas struts, to reveal a storage well covering most of the bed’s footprint. On a TV bed, the footboard houses the television lift, so the ottoman storage sits beneath the mattress area in front of it.
The appeal is capacity. Duvets, pillows, spare bedding, suitcases and out of season clothes can all disappear beneath the bed. In a home with limited cupboards, that can transform how a bedroom feels.
A Chesterfield bed takes its cues from the classic Chesterfield sofa: deep buttoning, padded panels and, often, rolled or curved edges. The style brings a sense of craftsmanship and heritage, and it suits both traditional and contemporary bedrooms depending on the fabric and colour.
On a TV bed, the buttoning often continues across the footboard, which turns the television housing into a decorative feature rather than a plain box.
If a Chesterfield TV bed does not include an ottoman base, it usually stands on feet or a solid plinth, and the storage beneath is limited or absent. An ottoman bed, by contrast, gives you a very large enclosed space.
Think about where your things currently live. If spare bedding is crammed into a wardrobe, or suitcases sit on top of furniture, an ottoman will make a noticeable difference. If you already have generous clothes storage UK elsewhere, the extra capacity matters less, and you might prefer to choose purely on style.
It is also worth remembering that ottoman storage suits items you use occasionally. Lifting the mattress platform every morning to retrieve clothes quickly becomes tiresome. Everyday items are better kept in drawers or wardrobes.
A Chesterfield headboard gives a bedroom an immediate focal point. The pattern of buttons adds texture and depth, especially in velvet, where each button creates a small shadow. It works well in period homes, in bedrooms with panelled walls and in any room where you want a sense of richness.
Ottoman TV beds come in many styles, from simple panelled headboards to curved and winged designs. They can be just as attractive, but their emphasis is usually on clean lines rather than decoration. If you prefer a calm, minimal bedroom, a plain ottoman design may suit you better than a buttoned one.
Several TV beds bring Chesterfield buttoning and an ottoman base together. These offer the character of a classic design with the practicality of hidden storage. They are a sensible choice if you are drawn to the Chesterfield look but cannot afford to lose storage space.
When considering a combined design, check that the lifting mechanism feels smooth and that the buttoned panels on the sides do not interfere with how the base opens.
Room size can tip the balance. In a small bedroom, an ottoman TV bed may allow you to manage without a chest of drawers, freeing floor space. A Chesterfield frame without storage might then leave you needing extra furniture, which a small room may struggle to accommodate.
In a larger room, the decision is more open. You may have space for a chest of drawers, or for one of our modern blanket boxes UK at the foot of the bed, which means the bed does not have to do all the storage work, and you can choose on style alone.
Either way, an ottoman base needs clear floor space at the side of the bed so you can stand and lift it. Check this before choosing, especially if one side of the bed sits close to a wall.
Both styles are offered in a range of finishes.
Velvet is the natural partner for Chesterfield buttoning, giving depth and a soft sheen. Deep greens, navy and mink look especially refined.
Textured fabrics suit ottoman designs with clean lines and keep a bedroom feeling relaxed. They also work on Chesterfield frames for a softer, more casual take on the style.
Faux leather brings a tailored finish to both types and is easy to wipe clean, which suits busy households.
On any TV bed, the footboard has to accommodate the lift mechanism and the screen. The two styles treat that footboard differently.
On a Chesterfield TV bed, the footboard is usually upholstered with the same buttoned pattern as the headboard. This makes the bed look balanced from every angle, which is useful when the foot of the bed faces the door. The buttoned surface also disguises the opening for the screen, so the television housing reads as part of the design.
On an ottoman TV bed, the footboard tends to be plainer and squarer, which suits contemporary rooms. Because the storage platform lifts in front of the footboard, check how the two mechanisms relate. The ottoman base should open freely without the mattress catching the footboard, and the screen should rise without the ottoman lid needing to be lowered first.
In combined designs, both mechanisms share the same frame. A well made combined bed handles this without fuss, but it is worth checking the product details for guidance on mattress depth, as a mattress that is too deep can affect both the lift and the storage lid.
A bed is usually kept for many years, so consider how your needs might change. Storage needs often grow over time, particularly in family homes, which can make an ottoman base a safe long term choice. Tastes change too, but classic buttoning has remained popular for a very long time and tends to date less quickly than more fashionable shapes.
If you expect to move house, a neutral colour in either style will adapt more easily to a new bedroom.
Consider how you will use the bed each day. Ottoman bases add a lifting mechanism, so the mattress platform needs to be raised and lowered with care. Make bedding easier by tucking sheets in a way that does not catch as the base lifts.
Chesterfield buttoning gathers a little dust in its folds over time, so an occasional vacuum with a soft brush attachment keeps it fresh. Neither task is demanding, but it helps to know what each bed asks of you.
A Chesterfield bed has a strong personality, so pair it with quieter furniture: simple bedside cabinets, a plain wardrobe and soft lighting. An ottoman bed with clean lines gives you more freedom to introduce character through other pieces, such as a statement mirror or a patterned rug.
If you are planning wider bedroom storage at the same time, our guide to choosing chests of drawers for UK lifestyles explains how different designs suit different routines. For rooms where light and space are at a premium, our article on mirrored wardrobes for practical UK bedrooms offers useful ideas.
Answering these honestly usually makes the choice clear. You can compare ottoman, Chesterfield and combined TV beds across our full collection at Furniture in Fashion.
Yes. Some designs combine buttoned Chesterfield upholstery with a lifting ottoman base, giving both style and storage.
Gas struts make the base much easier to lift. You need clear space at the side of the bed to stand and raise it comfortably.
An ottoman TV bed is usually more practical in a small room, because its storage can replace a separate chest of drawers.
Vacuum the folds gently with a soft brush attachment and blot any spills promptly, following the care guidance for the fabric.
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