Wooden beds with ottoman storage are worth considering because they turn the entire area beneath the mattress into one large, enclosed storage space. The base lifts on gas assisted struts, so you can reach everything at once rather than through a couple of drawers. That makes them a practical choice for smaller homes, for rooms where the bed must sit against a wall, and for anyone who needs space for bulky items such as duvets, pillows and suitcases. A timber frame adds durability and a warmer, more furniture like look than many upholstered alternatives.<\/p>\n
They are not right for everyone, and there are a few points to check before buying. Browsing our range of wooden beds UK sale<\/a> alongside this guide will help you see how storage frames compare with conventional designs, and whether the trade offs suit the way you live.<\/p>\n An ottoman bed has a platform that hinges at one end and lifts upwards, usually supported by a pair of gas struts. When raised, it reveals a storage well that runs the full length and width of the bed. When lowered, the bed looks much like any other frame.<\/p>\n The struts do most of the work, so lifting the base takes far less effort than you might expect, even with the mattress in place. A handle or strap at the foot or side of the bed is used to raise and lower it, and many designs include a catch to keep the base secure when closed.<\/p>\n There are two main lift directions. End lift<\/strong> models hinge at the headboard and open from the foot of the bed, which is the most common arrangement. Side lift<\/strong> models hinge along one long edge and open sideways. Side lift is useful when the foot of the bed is close to a wall or wardrobe.<\/p>\n The area under a bed is one of the largest unused volumes in most bedrooms. An ottoman frame turns all of it into storage. Compared with drawer beds, where space is lost to drawer runners and the gaps between drawers, the capacity is usually noticeably greater.<\/p>\n Drawer beds need room in front of each drawer to pull it out. In a narrow room, or where the bed sits tight against a wall, that can make some drawers unusable. An ottoman opens upwards, so the floor space around the bed does not need to be kept clear.<\/p>\n Because the storage well is enclosed, the contents are protected from dust far better than items stored in open space or boxes beneath a bed on legs. This makes ottomans well suited to spare bedding and clothes that are only used occasionally.<\/p>\n In a small bedroom, an ottoman bed might remove the need for a separate chest or blanket box. That frees floor space and keeps the room feeling uncluttered. It works especially well within a carefully edited scheme of modern bedroom furniture UK<\/a> homes can rely on for years.<\/p>\n Ottoman beds are widely available in upholstered finishes, but a timber frame has distinct advantages.<\/p>\n Durability.<\/strong> Wood resists scuffs and knocks around the base and edges, where a fabric finish can wear or snag. This matters for a bed that is opened and closed regularly.<\/p>\n Easier cleaning.<\/strong> Timber surfaces wipe clean, which helps in homes with pets or children.<\/p>\n A furniture look.<\/strong> A wooden ottoman bed reads as a piece of furniture rather than a padded box. It sits more naturally alongside wooden bedside tables and chests.<\/p>\n Longevity of style.<\/strong> Natural oak, walnut and painted wood finishes tend to date more slowly than fabric colours and textures.<\/p>\n That said, upholstered headboards are sometimes combined with timber bases. The choice comes down to the look you want and how hard the bed will be used.<\/p>\n An honest assessment of the downsides helps you decide whether an ottoman suits you.<\/p>\n Ottoman storage works best for bulky, occasionally used items. Spare duvets and pillows, guest bedding, winter coats in summer, suitcases, sports kit and seasonal decorations are all good candidates.<\/p>\n Avoid storing anything you need every day, as repeatedly lifting the base becomes tiresome. Use breathable fabric bags or boxes rather than sealed plastic for textiles, which helps prevent condensation. Keep heavy items towards the hinge end so the base is easier to lift.<\/p>\n If you want a little extra storage that is easier to reach, a chest at the foot of the bed works well. Our collection of blanket boxes UK<\/a> includes wooden designs that match ottoman frames and provide a convenient spot for throws and everyday extras.<\/p>\n Because the mattress is lifted with the base, its weight affects how the bed behaves. Most standard mattresses work without issue, but very heavy hybrid or deep pocket sprung designs can strain the struts.<\/p>\n Check the recommended mattress weight for the frame, and consider the depth too. A very deep mattress raises the overall height of the bed, which can make it harder to reach the lift handle and change the proportions of the room. Browsing mattresses UK<\/a> options alongside the frame makes it easier to find a combination that suits both comfort and function.<\/p>\n Ottoman beds are particularly useful in a few situations:<\/p>\n In very large bedrooms with plenty of built in storage, the benefits are smaller, and a simpler frame might suit you better.<\/p>\n An ottoman bed is most effective as part of a wider storage plan. Decide what needs to be close at hand, such as everyday clothes, and what can be stored away. Keep daily items in a chest or wardrobe, and use the ottoman for the rest. For help working out which type of chest suits your routine, our guide to choosing a chest of drawers for your UK lifestyle<\/a> walks through the main designs.<\/p>\n Because an ottoman bed has moving parts and carries weight in two ways, both when closed and when lifted, the quality of construction matters more than with a simple frame. A few checks are worth making before you buy.<\/p>\n Once assembled, test the lift a few times before loading the storage well. The movement should be smooth, the base should stay open when raised and it should close fully without force. If anything feels uneven, recheck the strut fixings against the instructions.<\/p>\n A wooden ottoman bed offers a generous, enclosed storage space without taking up any extra floor area. It suits compact rooms, beds placed against walls and households with bulky items to store. Check the lift direction, strut rating, ventilation and mattress weight before you buy, and keep everyday items somewhere easier to reach. You can find wooden storage beds and coordinating bedroom pieces at Furniture in Fashion<\/a>, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.<\/p>\n Not usually. Gas assisted struts take most of the weight, so the base lifts with a gentle pull. Very heavy mattresses can make it harder, so check the frame’s guidance.<\/p>\n They can reduce airflow, but a ventilated or slatted lifting base helps. Airing the bed regularly and using breathable storage bags also reduces the risk of damp.<\/p>\n End lift is the most common and works in most rooms. Side lift is useful if the foot of the bed is close to a wall or another piece of furniture.<\/p>\n An ottoman usually offers more storage and needs no floor clearance. Drawers are quicker to access. The better choice depends on what you store and how often you need it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Wooden beds with ottoman storage turn the whole area beneath the mattress into one large, enclosed storage space. The base lifts on gas assisted struts, so everything inside can be reached at once rather than through a couple of drawers. In this guide we explain…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":77105,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[361,1314,1313,1814],"class_list":["post-77104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bedroom-furniture","tag-bedroom-storage","tag-ottoman-beds","tag-storage-beds","tag-wooden-beds"],"acf":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77104","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77104"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77104\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77104"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77104"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}How an Ottoman Bed Works<\/h3>\n
The Case for Ottoman Storage<\/h3>\n
It uses space that is otherwise wasted<\/h3>\n
No clearance is needed around the bed<\/h3>\n
Contents stay clean<\/h3>\n
It can replace other furniture<\/h3>\n
Why Choose Wood Rather Than Fabric?<\/h3>\n
The Trade Offs to Consider<\/h3>\n
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What to Store, and What Not to<\/h3>\n
Choosing the Right Mattress<\/h3>\n
Where Ottoman Beds Make the Most Sense<\/h3>\n
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Thinking About Your Overall Storage<\/h3>\n
Checking the Build Quality<\/h3>\n
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Summing Up<\/h3>\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n
Are ottoman beds hard to lift?<\/h3>\n
Do ottoman beds cause mattresses to go mouldy?<\/h3>\n
Should I choose end lift or side lift?<\/h3>\n
Is an ottoman bed better than a bed with drawers?<\/h3>\n