Storage Beds Buying Guide: What to Look for Before You Order

Before ordering a storage bed, decide what you plan to store and how often you will need it, then choose the design that matches. A lift up ottoman base holds the most and suits bulky, occasional items. A drawer bed suits everyday things you reach for regularly. A bed on legs with boxes beneath is the most flexible. Once you know the type, check the floor space it needs to open, the build quality of the base, the mattress it suits and the route into your bedroom.

Our modern beds UK range includes every type of storage bed in a variety of sizes and finishes, so it is worth understanding how each one works before you narrow down your choice.

The main types of storage bed

Ottoman beds

The mattress platform lifts on gas pistons to reveal storage across the whole base. This gives the largest single storage space of any bed and suits duvets, pillows, luggage and seasonal clothing. You need clear space at the opening edge to lift the platform and lean in.

Drawer beds

Drawers are built into the base, usually two or four, sometimes on both sides or at the foot. They are quick to open and suit items you use often, such as spare sheets, gym clothes or children’s toys. Each drawer needs clear floor in front of it.

Divan beds with drawers

A divan base with integrated drawers is a familiar British option. It offers similar access to a drawer bed, usually with a separate headboard.

Beds on legs with open storage

A raised frame leaves a clear gap beneath the bed for boxes, baskets or rolling drawers. This is the most flexible option, and the room feels lighter because more floor is visible. Dust collects more easily than in an enclosed base.

Headboard storage

Some beds include shelves or cupboards in the headboard. These are useful for books, chargers and glasses, and can replace a bedside table in a tight room.

What do you actually need to store?

Make a short list. Bulky items used once or twice a year, such as winter duvets and suitcases, suit an ottoman. Clothes and linen used weekly suit drawers. A mix of both may point to an ottoman with boxes organised inside, or a drawer bed paired with a separate wardrobe.

Storage beds are part of a wider plan. Our modern bedroom furniture UK collection lets you see how a storage bed works alongside wardrobes, chests and bedside pieces, and whether it could replace one of them altogether.

How much floor space does each design need?

This is the most common oversight. A storage bed has a footprint when closed and a larger working area when open.

• A foot end ottoman needs open floor at the foot to stand and lift the platform.
• A side opening ottoman needs clear floor along one long side.
• A drawer bed needs enough space in front of each drawer to pull it fully open and stand behind it.
• A bed on legs needs space to slide boxes in and out.

Mark the bed on the floor with masking tape and add the opening area. If the drawer zone overlaps a wardrobe door or bedside table, choose a different design or layout.

Choosing a lift up base

If an ottoman suits your needs, our ottoman beds UK sale range offers both foot end and side opening designs. Check the product guidance on mattress weight and depth, because the pistons are designed for a particular load. A mattress far outside that range can make the platform hard to lift or too eager to rise.

Look for a handle or strap at the opening edge, a catch that holds the platform closed, a slatted platform for ventilation and a full floor to the storage well.

Choosing a drawer bed

Good drawers run smoothly and close fully. Look for drawers on runners rather than those that simply slide on the floor, and check whether they have stops that prevent them being pulled out completely. Deep drawers hold more but are heavier to open when full.

Think about which side of the bed the drawers face. In a room where the bed sits against a wall, drawers on one side only, or at the foot, may be more practical than drawers on both sides.

Build quality and ventilation

A storage bed carries the weight of a mattress, its sleepers and whatever is stored inside. A sturdy frame, well fixed corners and a central support on larger sizes help it stay solid for years.

Ventilation matters too. An enclosed base can trap moisture if the mattress cannot breathe. Slatted platforms help air circulate, and lifting an ottoman or opening drawers occasionally lets the space air. Avoid packing an enclosed base airtight.

Mattress fit and bed height

Storage bases tend to raise the mattress a little higher than a slim frame. Add the platform height to your mattress depth to find the finished height, and compare it with your current bed. A slightly higher bed is easier to get out of for many people, but a very high one can feel awkward, especially for children or in rooms with low ceilings.

Any standard mattress in the matching size will fit, but check the slat spacing guidance from your mattress maker, particularly for memory foam or hybrid designs.

Storage beds for different rooms

In a main bedroom, a king size ottoman can hold all the household’s spare bedding and free up a cupboard elsewhere. In a guest room, a storage bed holds seasonal items for most of the year and still welcomes visitors when needed. In a child’s room, drawer beds keep toys accessible at floor level, and a side opening ottoman with a catch suits a bed pushed against the wall.

In a small flat, a storage bed can be the main place to keep clothes. Pairing it with a compact piece from the clothes storage UK range, such as a rail or slim unit, can make a wardrobe unnecessary in a very tight room. For family homes, our guide to children’s bedroom storage furniture for UK family homes looks at how storage beds fit into a child’s room in more depth.

Fabric, finish and the look of the bed

Storage beds are usually upholstered or finished in wood, and the finish affects both the look and how easy the bed is to live with. Woven fabrics are forgiving and suit most households. Velvet looks rich but shows marks and pet hair more readily. Faux leather wipes clean and suits children’s rooms. Wooden drawer beds bring warmth and suit Scandinavian and traditional rooms alike.

Because an enclosed storage base sits close to the floor all the way round, it reads as a solid block. A pale or mid tone finish helps it feel lighter in a smaller room, while a deep colour suits a larger bedroom where the bed is meant to anchor the space.

Assembly and the first few weeks

Most storage beds assemble with basic tools, though ottomans take a little more care because the pistons are fitted under tension. Clear the floor, sort fixings by size and tighten bolts gradually. Keep an ottoman platform supported until the mechanism is fully secured. Check the bolts again after a few weeks of use, as frames settle slightly, and adjust drawer runners if a drawer begins to stick.

Can a storage bed replace other furniture?

Often it can. A well organised ottoman may replace a blanket box and a chest of drawers. A drawer bed can do the job of a dresser for folded clothes. Before deciding, compare the storage volume with what you would otherwise keep in a chest. Our guide to standard chest of drawers dimensions in the UK gives a sense of how much a typical chest holds, which helps you judge whether a storage bed could take its place.

Will it get into the room?

Storage bases can be large and heavy, so measure the route from the front door to the bedroom: door widths, stair widths, any tight turns and the landing. Check whether the base arrives in sections. Terraced houses, flats with small lifts and loft conversions deserve particular care.

Organising the storage once it arrives

A storage bed works best when its contents are organised. Use lidded boxes or vacuum bags inside an ottoman and label them on the top. In drawers, use dividers or small boxes so items do not slide into a jumble. Store heavier items towards the hinge end of an ottoman, and keep things you need often near the opening edge.

When you are ready to compare designs, Furniture in Fashion lists the dimensions and storage details of every bed, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently asked questions

Which type of storage bed holds the most?

A lift up ottoman base usually offers the largest single storage space, because it uses the whole area beneath the mattress.

Are drawer beds better than ottoman beds?

Neither is better in itself. Drawers suit items you use often, while ottomans suit bulky items you need occasionally. The floor space in your room often decides.

Do storage beds need a special mattress?

No, but check the guidance on mattress weight for ottoman beds and the slat spacing advice from your mattress maker.

Can storage beds cause damp?

A slatted platform and occasional airing reduce the risk. Avoid packing an enclosed base airtight, and keep the room well ventilated.