A metal single bed is the better choice if you want a light, open frame that is easy to move and clean beneath, while a metal ottoman bed is the better choice if the room is short on storage and you need somewhere to keep bedding, seasonal clothes or toys out of sight. Both suit compact UK bedrooms. The deciding factor is usually whether that hidden storage space will replace another piece of furniture.<\/p>\n
Our modern single metal beds UK<\/a> range covers open frames in a variety of finishes, and our wider bedroom furniture UK sale<\/a> collection shows how storage pieces can work around them. Below we break down how the two designs differ in practice and which situations favour each.<\/p>\n A standard metal single bed is a frame of steel tubing with a headboard, usually a footboard, and a base of slats or mesh. The space underneath is open. It is the classic design you will find in children’s rooms, guest rooms and student lets across the country.<\/p>\n A metal ottoman bed uses a metal frame too, but the sleeping platform is hinged. Gas struts lift the base, often from the foot end or the side, to reveal a storage well that runs the length of the bed. Some ottoman frames are upholstered around a metal structure, while others keep the metal visible.<\/p>\n Both take a standard UK single mattress, which measures 90cm by 190cm. The differences lie in weight, storage, airflow and how the bed fits into the room around it.<\/p>\n The storage well in an ottoman bed is large. It runs almost the full footprint of the mattress, and because it is enclosed, the contents stay free of dust. For a small room, that can be enough to replace a chest of drawers entirely, freeing floor space for a desk or reading chair.<\/p>\n It suits items you need occasionally rather than daily: spare duvets, winter jumpers, suitcases, keepsakes or a child’s outgrown clothes waiting to be passed on. Reaching in means lifting the mattress platform, so it is less convenient for things you use every morning.<\/p>\n An open metal single frame offers storage too, just in a different way. You can slide low boxes or baskets underneath and reach them without moving anything. The capacity is smaller and items are visible unless you use lidded containers, but access is quicker. If you would rather keep the bed open and add storage separately, our modern ottomans UK<\/a> range includes pieces that can sit neatly at the foot of the bed.<\/p>\n Both beds occupy roughly the same footprint. The difference is the clearance you need around them.<\/p>\n An ottoman lifts upward, so you need nothing above the base when it opens. Check shelves, sloping ceilings and windowsills. A foot lift ottoman also needs space at the end of the bed to stand while lifting, while a side lift design needs space along one side. In a narrow box room, this is worth measuring carefully before ordering.<\/p>\n A traditional open frame has no such requirement. It can sit tight under a window or against a sloping eaves wall without any issue. It also reads as lighter in a small room because you can see the floor beneath it, which makes the space feel slightly larger.<\/p>\n Open metal single frames are among the lightest beds available. One adult can usually slide one across a room to vacuum or rearrange. That matters in rented homes, children’s rooms that change regularly and guest rooms that double as studies.<\/p>\n Ottoman beds are heavier because of the storage box, the lifting mechanism and often additional panels. Once assembled, they tend to stay put. That stability can be a benefit, but it makes moving the bed more of a two person task.<\/p>\n With an open frame, air circulates freely under the mattress. This helps moisture escape, which is good for the mattress and useful in homes prone to condensation. Cleaning is straightforward: a vacuum reaches beneath without any lifting.<\/p>\n Ottoman beds enclose the space under the mattress. Most are designed with ventilation in mind, but it is still worth lifting the base and airing the storage area now and then, especially in cooler months. On the plus side, dust cannot gather under the bed because there is no gap to collect it.<\/p>\n For young children, an open metal single is often simpler. It is light, easy to clean beneath and has no moving parts. For older children and teenagers who accumulate more belongings, an ottoman can keep a room tidier. Our selection of children’s beds UK sale<\/a> shows other formats too, including frames designed for shared rooms.<\/p>\n Guest rooms often double as storage rooms, so an ottoman can be a sensible choice. Spare bedding can live inside the bed, ready when visitors arrive. If the room also serves as a study, though, an open frame may be easier to move aside.<\/p>\n In studio flats, every piece of furniture needs to earn its place. An ottoman single provides storage without adding another item to the floor plan, which keeps the room clear. For landlords furnishing lets, the lighter open frame is easier to transport and replace.<\/p>\n The smallest bedrooms in British homes often sit over the stairs, with a bulkhead in one corner. An open frame can sometimes sit over the edge of a bulkhead in a way an ottoman cannot. Measure the floor carefully and check for any raised sections before choosing.<\/p>\n Comfort depends far more on the mattress than the frame. Both designs typically use slats or a solid platform. Sprung slats offer a little give, while a solid ottoman base can feel firmer. Check the product details for the base type and any mattress depth guidance.<\/p>\n Ottoman beds can sit slightly higher than open frames, which some people find easier to get in and out of. For a young child, a lower open frame may be preferable.<\/p>\n An open metal frame brings a classic, slightly nostalgic look. White frames feel fresh in a child’s room, black frames suit industrial or monochrome schemes, and softer metallic tones work in period homes.<\/p>\n Metal ottoman beds tend to look more solid and contemporary, with a deeper side profile. If you like the visual lightness of metal but need storage, a design with a slim metal headboard and a simple base can balance both.<\/p>\n If you are still deciding on bed style for a younger person’s room, our look at upholstered single beds for UK children and teenagers<\/a> offers another perspective worth considering.<\/p>\n An open metal single frame has very few parts that can wear. The tubing, the slats and a handful of bolts are all there is, so as long as the joints are tightened occasionally the frame should stay sound for many years. If a slat ever breaks, it is usually simple to replace.<\/p>\n An ottoman bed adds hinges and gas struts. These are designed for repeated use, but struts gradually lose a little strength over a long period, and the base may begin to lift less smoothly. It helps to keep the mattress within the recommended weight and depth, and to avoid forcing the base open when the storage area is overfilled.<\/p>\n Think too about how the room might change. A child’s box room can become a study or nursery later on. A light open frame is easy to move into another room or pass on, whereas an ottoman tends to be chosen for a specific space and stay there.<\/p>\n For compact rooms, our piece on whether a chest of drawers works in a small UK room<\/a> may help you decide whether an ottoman could replace one.<\/p>\nHow the Two Designs Differ<\/h3>\n
Storage: The Main Reason to Choose an Ottoman<\/h3>\n
Floor Space and Room Layout<\/h3>\n
Weight and Moving the Bed<\/h3>\n
Cleaning and Ventilation<\/h3>\n
Who Each Bed Suits<\/h3>\n
Children’s Rooms<\/h3>\n
Guest Rooms<\/h3>\n
Studio Flats and Small Lets<\/h3>\n
Box Rooms<\/h3>\n
Comfort and Mattress Considerations<\/h3>\n
Looks and Style<\/h3>\n
Durability and Long Term Use<\/h3>\n
Practical Tips Before You Buy<\/h3>\n
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Our Verdict<\/h3>\n