{"id":80988,"date":"2026-10-27T09:05:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T09:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/?p=80988"},"modified":"2026-10-27T09:05:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T09:05:00","slug":"leather-ottoman-beds-vs-buttoned-leather-beds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/leather-ottoman-beds-vs-buttoned-leather-beds\/","title":{"rendered":"Leather Ottoman Beds vs Buttoned Leather Beds: Which Is Right for Your Home?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Choose a leather ottoman bed if storage is your priority and you have room to lift the base; choose a buttoned leather bed if you want the headboard to be the centrepiece of the room and storage is already handled elsewhere. An ottoman is defined by what lies beneath the mattress, while buttoning is about the look of the headboard, so some beds offer both.<\/p>\n<p>We are asked about these two styles often, usually by people who like the look of one and the practicality of the other. Both are well represented in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/leather-beds\/\">modern leather beds UK<\/a> range. To help you decide, we have compared them on the points that matter most in real homes.<\/p>\n<h3>A quick comparison<\/h3>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Consideration<\/th>\n<th>Leather ottoman bed<\/th>\n<th>Buttoned leather bed<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Main strength<\/td>\n<td>Large hidden storage beneath the mattress<\/td>\n<td>Decorative, sculpted headboard<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Best room type<\/td>\n<td>Smaller bedrooms, flats and guest rooms<\/td>\n<td>Rooms where the bed is the focal point<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Space needed<\/td>\n<td>Clearance to lift the base<\/td>\n<td>Standard clearance around the frame<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Cleaning<\/td>\n<td>No gap beneath, so no dust underneath<\/td>\n<td>Folds need occasional brushing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Weight<\/td>\n<td>Heavier, with a solid base and gas struts<\/td>\n<td>Varies, often lighter on legs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Style range<\/td>\n<td>From plain to buttoned<\/td>\n<td>Classic to contemporary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3>How a leather ottoman bed works<\/h3>\n<p>An ottoman bed has a base that lifts, usually on gas struts, to reveal a storage compartment the full size of the mattress. You lift from the foot or, on some designs, from the side. The struts take most of the weight, so opening it is easier than it sounds.<\/p>\n<p>For many UK households, the appeal is obvious. Bedrooms in flats and newer homes are often compact, and wardrobes fill quickly. An ottoman swallows bulky items that are awkward to store elsewhere: spare duvets, winter coats, suitcases, seasonal bedding and keepsakes.<\/p>\n<p>Because the base sits right down to the floor, there is no space underneath for dust to gather. That makes cleaning simpler and suits homes with pets that like to hide under furniture.<\/p>\n<h3>What to check with an ottoman<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Lifting clearance.<\/strong> A foot lift ottoman needs space at the end of the bed for you to stand and raise the base. A side lift needs clearance along one side instead.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mattress weight.<\/strong> Gas struts are rated for a certain load. Very heavy mattresses may need stronger struts to open smoothly.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ventilation.<\/strong> A solid base can limit airflow beneath the mattress. Many ottomans use a slatted or perforated platform to help, and airing the mattress occasionally is good practice.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Getting it upstairs.<\/strong> The base box is larger than a standard frame component, so measure tight staircases and landings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>How a buttoned leather bed works<\/h3>\n<p>A buttoned bed is defined by its headboard, where the leather is drawn in at regular points and fixed with buttons to create a quilted pattern. Some designs extend the buttoning along the side rails and footboard too.<\/p>\n<p>The effect is tactile and inviting. Buttoning catches the light, adds depth and gives the room a natural focal point without needing artwork or a feature wall. It sits comfortably in period homes with high ceilings and works equally well in modern rooms when the buttoning is tight and regular and the colour is restrained.<\/p>\n<h3>What to check with a buttoned bed<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Headboard height.<\/strong> Tall buttoned headboards are dramatic but need wall space. Check the height against windows, sockets and any sloping ceilings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cleaning routine.<\/strong> Dust settles in the folds, so a soft brush attachment on the vacuum every couple of weeks keeps it looking fresh.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Base type.<\/strong> Many buttoned beds sit on legs or a slatted base, leaving space underneath. If you need storage, look for buttoned designs with drawers or an ottoman base.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>When you can have both<\/h3>\n<p>The two styles are not mutually exclusive. Many leather ottoman beds have buttoned headboards, giving you the storage below and the sculpted look above. If you are torn, this is often the most satisfying route.<\/p>\n<p>The main compromise is weight and bulk. A buttoned ottoman is a substantial piece of furniture, so make sure the room can carry it visually as well as physically. In a small room, a buttoned ottoman in a pale shade such as cream or light grey avoids feeling heavy.<\/p>\n<p>It also helps to think about how often you will lift the base. If the storage is mainly for seasonal items, a buttoned ottoman works beautifully, because you rarely disturb the bed. If you expect to open it most days, a smooth headboard and a lighter mattress make the routine easier, and you may prefer to keep everyday items in a chest of drawers instead. Matching the storage to your habits is what makes either style feel effortless to live with.<\/p>\n<h3>Thinking about the rest of the room<\/h3>\n<p>The bed you choose affects how you plan the other furniture. An ottoman can reduce your need for extra storage, letting you keep the rest of the room minimal. A buttoned frame without storage may need a chest of drawers or wardrobe to pick up the slack.<\/p>\n<p>Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/bedroom-furniture\/\">bedroom furniture UK sale<\/a> collection includes pieces that suit both approaches. If you need additional storage at the foot of a buttoned bed, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/ottomans\/\">modern ottomans UK<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blanket-box\/\">modern blanket boxes UK<\/a> offer a place for throws and spare pillows without adding a full height piece.<\/p>\n<h3>Matching the choice to your household<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Couples in a one bedroom flat:<\/strong> an ottoman usually earns its place, because storage elsewhere is limited.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Families with young children:<\/strong> a smooth ottoman may be more practical, as buttoned folds attract small fingers and crumbs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Homeowners in period properties:<\/strong> a buttoned bed suits the architecture, and there is often more space for separate storage.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Guest rooms:<\/strong> an ottoman doubles as a store for out of season items, which makes the room useful all year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Anyone redecorating around the bed:<\/strong> buttoning gives a strong starting point that the rest of the scheme can follow.<\/p>\n<h3>Leather colour and finish for each style<\/h3>\n<p>The colour you choose affects the two styles in different ways.<\/p>\n<p>On an ottoman bed, the base is solid and runs close to the floor, so the bed has more visual weight than a frame on legs. Lighter shades such as cream, stone and soft grey help balance that mass, particularly in a small room. Darker colours look smart and tailored but work best where there is plenty of natural light.<\/p>\n<p>On a buttoned bed, colour changes how the buttoning reads. Pale leather softens the shadows between buttons, giving a gentle, quilted effect. Darker leather deepens them, making the pattern bolder and more dramatic. Grey sits in the middle and is often the easiest to live with over time.<\/p>\n<p>Finish matters too. A matt or softly grained surface is forgiving of fingerprints, which is useful on an ottoman you lift regularly. Glossier finishes look striking on buttoned headboards, where the curves catch the light.<\/p>\n<h3>Assembly and long term care<\/h3>\n<p>Both styles usually arrive flat packed. Ottoman beds take a little longer to assemble because the gas struts and lifting mechanism need fitting, so allow extra time and follow the instructions closely. Once in place, check the struts occasionally and keep the hinges free of dust so the base continues to lift smoothly.<\/p>\n<p>Buttoned beds are generally simpler to put together, though the headboard can be heavy. Care is straightforward: a soft cloth for the smooth areas and a brush attachment on the vacuum for the folds. For real leather on either style, a suitable conditioner applied every few months helps keep the surface supple.<\/p>\n<p>Whichever you choose, avoid placing the bed directly against a radiator. Prolonged heat can dry leather, and on an ottoman it may also warm the stored contents more than you would like.<\/p>\n<h3>Our view<\/h3>\n<p>There is no wrong answer here, only the right fit for your home. If you regularly struggle to find a place for bulky bedding and luggage, an ottoman will make daily life easier. If your storage is already sorted and you want a bed that feels special every time you walk in, a buttoned frame delivers. And if you want both, a buttoned ottoman brings them together.<\/p>\n<p>Storage decisions rarely happen in isolation, and our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/chests-of-drawers-explained-which-design-suits-your-lifestyle\/\">chests of drawers for UK bedrooms explained<\/a> is useful if you are planning the rest of the room. You can compare ottoman and buttoned leather beds side by side at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\">Furniture in Fashion<\/a>, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.<\/p>\n<h3>Frequently asked questions<\/h3>\n<h3>Are leather ottoman beds hard to lift?<\/h3>\n<p>Not usually. Gas struts take most of the weight of the base and mattress, so lifting is smooth. Very heavy mattresses may need stronger struts to open easily.<\/p>\n<h3>Can I get a buttoned leather ottoman bed?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Many ottoman beds feature buttoned headboards, combining hidden storage with a decorative look. They are a popular compromise for people who want both.<\/p>\n<h3>How much space do I need to open an ottoman bed?<\/h3>\n<p>A foot lift design needs enough room at the end of the bed for you to stand and raise the base. Side lift designs need clearance along one side instead. Check this before you buy.<\/p>\n<h3>Do ottoman beds cause damp in mattresses?<\/h3>\n<p>Not if they are well ventilated. Many ottoman bases have slatted or perforated platforms to allow airflow, and airing the mattress regularly helps keep it fresh.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Leather ottoman beds and buttoned leather beds are two of the styles we are asked about most, often by people who love the look of one and the practicality of the other. In this guide we compare them side by side so you can decide&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":80989,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[361,6900,1314],"class_list":["post-80988","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bedroom-furniture","tag-bedroom-storage","tag-buttoned-beds","tag-ottoman-beds"],"acf":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80988","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=80988"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80988\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":81519,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80988\/revisions\/81519"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/80989"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80988"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=80988"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=80988"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}