Choose an upholstered sleigh bed if you have a generous bedroom, enough wardrobe and drawer space already, and you want the bed to make a strong, graceful statement. Choose a fabric storage bed if floor space is limited, you need somewhere to keep bedding, clothing or luggage, and you would rather the room felt streamlined. If you want both, look for a sleigh style bed with an ottoman or drawer base.<\/p>\n
You will find both styles among our modern fabric beds UK sale<\/a>, alongside the rest of our bedroom furniture UK<\/a> range. Below we compare them in detail.<\/p>\n The sleigh bed takes its name from the curved, scrolling shape of a horse drawn sleigh. Traditionally made in carved wood, it has since been reinterpreted in upholstery, which softens the silhouette and makes it more comfortable to lean against. Both the headboard and the footboard curve outward, creating a continuous, flowing line along the length of the bed.<\/p>\n An upholstered sleigh bed feels substantial and enveloping. It has an air of comfort that suits rooms designed as retreats, and it works particularly well in velvet, chenille and soft woven fabrics where the curves catch the light.<\/p>\n A fabric storage bed is designed first for function. Its base contains either drawers that slide out from the sides or foot, or an ottoman mechanism that lifts the whole mattress platform to reveal a large compartment beneath. From the outside, it often looks like a clean, tailored upholstered bed with a box style base that reaches close to the floor.<\/p>\n Storage beds come in many headboard styles, from simple panels to tall channels and buttoned designs, so they can be just as decorative at the head end. What sets them apart is the base.<\/p>\n This is often the deciding factor. Sleigh beds are longer than most other beds of the same mattress size because the curved headboard and footboard project beyond the mattress at both ends. In a smaller room, that extra length can make it hard to walk past the foot of the bed or open a wardrobe opposite.<\/p>\n Storage beds generally have a more compact footprint. The base sits directly beneath the mattress, and the headboard is usually more upright. If the bed has drawers, you need to allow space beside it for them to open. An ottoman needs clearance above, but not around.<\/p>\n Always compare the external dimensions rather than the mattress size. Two king size beds can differ in length considerably depending on their design.<\/p>\n A storage bed can hold a surprising amount. A double or king size ottoman can absorb spare duvets, out of season clothes, luggage and keepsakes, freeing up wardrobe space for everyday use. Drawer bases are excellent for folded clothing, bedding and items you need regularly.<\/p>\n A sleigh bed usually has a raised base with little or no storage beneath. If you choose one, you will need storage elsewhere in the room. A blanket box at the foot of a sleigh bed can feel crowded because of the curved footboard, so it is often better placed under a window or against another wall. Our modern blanket boxes UK<\/a> make a good companion piece for extra bedding. For clothing, our chest of drawers UK sale<\/a> range offers designs that sit comfortably alongside upholstered beds.<\/p>\n The curved headboard on an upholstered sleigh bed is comfortable for sitting up to read or work, as it supports the back at a natural angle. The footboard, however, can be restrictive for taller people who like to stretch out, as feet may touch it on a standard length mattress.<\/p>\n Storage beds usually have a low footboard or none at all, so there is nothing to limit legroom. An ottoman base requires you to lift the mattress platform to reach stored items, which is easy with good gas struts but less convenient for items needed daily. Drawer bases offer instant access.<\/p>\n Sleigh beds can make changing bedding a little fiddly, as the curved ends sit close to the mattress and leave less room to tuck in sheets. A raised base, on the other hand, makes vacuuming beneath the bed simple.<\/p>\n Storage beds are easy to make thanks to their open ends, and because the base sits close to the floor, there is no space beneath for dust to collect. The trade off is that you clean the storage compartment occasionally rather than the floor under the bed.<\/p>\n Sleigh beds tend to suit:<\/strong><\/p>\n Storage beds tend to suit:<\/strong><\/p>\n Some upholstered beds combine a sleigh style headboard with an ottoman or drawer base. You get the elegant curves and the hidden storage in one piece. These designs are usually a little shorter than a full sleigh bed, as the footboard is lower or more upright to allow the storage to open. They are worth considering if you love the sleigh look but cannot give up the storage.<\/p>\n The sweeping curves of a sleigh bed suit fabrics that show off a shape. Velvet is the most striking choice, as its sheen shifts along the curve of the headboard and footboard and gives the bed a sculptural quality. Chenille offers a similar softness with more resilience for everyday use. Flat linen effect weaves give a sleigh bed a more relaxed, modern feel.<\/p>\n Storage beds have broader, flatter surfaces on the base, which are touched often when drawers are opened or the ottoman is lifted. Hard wearing woven fabrics and chenille handle this well. Mid tone colours such as grey, taupe or mushroom disguise hand marks around handles and lifting points better than very pale shades.<\/p>\n Whichever style you choose, ask for a swatch and look at it in your own bedroom at different times of day. Fabric can look quite different in the cool light of a north facing room than it does under warm evening lamps.<\/p>\n Sleigh beds often have large, curved headboard and footboard sections that cannot be flattened, so they need careful measuring against doors and stairways. Storage beds tend to arrive in more pieces, including the base panels and either drawers or a lift mechanism, which makes them easier to carry but slightly longer to build.<\/p>\n If you expect to move home in the next few years, consider how easily each bed dismantles. Both styles can be taken apart, but sleigh beds may need more room to manoeuvre through a new property. Keep the assembly instructions and fixings in a labelled bag, ideally stored inside the bed itself if it has storage.<\/p>\n A sleigh bed is already a statement, so keep the surrounding room quieter. Simple bedside tables, a plain rug and soft lighting let the curves lead. Velvet in a deep shade looks particularly striking against pale walls.<\/p>\n A storage bed has cleaner lines, so it benefits from a little more texture in bedding and accessories. Layered throws, cushions and a rug that extends beyond the sides of the bed add warmth and personality. A tall headboard can give a storage bed real presence.<\/p>\n Start with your floor plan. If the bed must fit into a modest room, a storage bed is almost always the more practical choice. If space is generous and storage is already handled, a sleigh bed brings elegance that few other designs match. If you are torn, a hybrid design may give you the balance you need. Before you decide, our guide to UK king size bed dimensions for frame, mattress and room<\/a> explains how to measure the space each style really needs.<\/p>\nThe Character of a Sleigh Bed<\/h3>\n
The Character of a Storage Bed<\/h3>\n
How Much Space Each Really Takes<\/h3>\n
Storage: Built In or Separate?<\/h3>\n
Comfort and Everyday Use<\/h3>\n
Making the Bed and Cleaning Around It<\/h3>\n
Which Rooms Suit Each Style<\/h3>\n
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The Best of Both<\/h3>\n
Fabric Choices for Each Style<\/h3>\n
Delivery, Assembly and Moving Home<\/h3>\n
Styling Each Bed<\/h3>\n
Deciding for Your Home<\/h3>\n