Ottoman beds solve the storage problems we all face in modern homes and add style and function to our bedrooms. These beds trace their roots to the Ottoman Empire and became popular across Europe in the late 18th century. Today, they've evolved into practical solutions for modern living spaces.
Standard storage options don't compare - ottoman bed frames use all the space under your mattress and give you substantially more room than regular drawers. They also come with gas-lift hydraulics that make access easy and safe whatever you're storing.
An ottoman storage bed can transform your life when you have limited space. You can pick a small double ottoman bed for tight spaces or go for a king size to get maximum storage. These versatile frames keep your bedroom organized by hiding seasonal clothes, extra bedding, and towels.
A double ottoman bed strikes the perfect balance between space and storage capacity. Every size features the same resilient construction to handle heavy loads. You can choose beds that open from either the foot end or side, depending on your room's layout.
What Is an Ottoman Bed and How Does It Work?
An ottoman bed gives you a huge storage space under the mattress that you can reach through a lift-up mechanism. Unlike regular beds with drawers or slats, the whole top part lifts up to show storage that covers the entire bed area. A special mechanical system makes this lifting possible. It holds up both the mattress and base while letting you easily get to everything stored below.
Gas-Lift Hydraulics Explained
The magic behind an ottoman bed frame comes from its gas-lift hydraulic system - the same technology you'll find in car boots and office chairs. Each bed has gas-filled pistons or struts along the frame sides. These cylinders have compressed gas and oil sealed inside, which work together to create the perfect balance of force and control.
When I lift my ottoman storage bed, these pistons take the force and compress the gas inside. The compressed gas pushes back just enough to hold the mattress weight, so it rises smoothly instead of flying open. The oil makes sure everything moves steadily and won't suddenly drop when you close the bed.
The pistons' quality makes a big difference in how well the bed works. Good ottoman beds use 800-Newton gas struts - that's the measure of force and weight these struts can handle. This strength means you can lift even heavy mattresses easily, and they'll stay stable when open.
Foot-End vs Side-Opening Mechanisms
Ottoman beds come in two main ways of opening, each perfect for different room layouts:
Foot-End Opening: These beds lift from the bottom, so you get in from the foot end. This works great if only your headboard touches a wall or if your bed floats in the room. The lifting mechanism runs across the whole mattress width, letting you reach all the storage underneath.
Side-Opening: These beds lift from the left or right long side. They're perfect if your bed sits against walls or in corners where you don't have much foot-end space. Side-opening beds also work better for people with mobility issues since you can reach them while sitting.
Pictured: Giltedge Beds Side Opening Ottoman Base. Priced from £359
Your room layout and what works best for you will help you choose between these two. Both give you the same storage space and use the same gas-lift technology.
What Makes It Different from Drawer Beds?
Ottoman storage beds beat traditional drawer beds in several ways:
Maximum Storage Capacity - Drawer beds split storage into sections, but ottoman beds use the whole bed area, giving you much more space.
Easier Accessibility - Bedside tables often block top drawers in drawer beds, and you need to move furniture to reach them. With my ottoman bed, I just lift the top and can grab anything stored below.
Superior Durability - Ottoman beds' steel mechanism and gas pistons last longer than wooden drawer frames. Heavy loads can warp or break drawers over time.
Design Flexibility - These beds look cleaner without drawer handles or gaps showing. The frame doesn't need extra space around it, making it look sleeker.
Small double to king size ottoman beds all work the same way, though bigger beds might need extra gas struts to safely hold heavier mattresses.
Top 3 Benefits of Using an Ottoman Storage Bed
Storage ottoman beds become more valuable as living space gets scarce. These beds turn regular sleeping furniture into a multi-purpose asset for your home. Let me share why you should think about getting one for your next bedroom upgrade.
Maximizing Space in Small Bedrooms
People living in compact apartments need to make every inch count. Ottoman bed frames give a brilliant solution by using space that would go to waste. Regular storage needs extra floor space, but ottoman beds provide plenty of storage without taking up more room.
The smart design of ottoman storage beds uses all the space under your mattress. This gives you a lot more usable space than regular under-bed drawers that only use parts of the available area. Homeowners with small closets will find the hidden compartment perfect to store bulky items that would take up valuable room space.
Ottoman beds work great in studio apartments or guest rooms where you need to save space. A small double ottoman bed can make a tiny bedroom more functional by getting rid of extra storage furniture like dressers or wardrobes.
Keeping Your Room Clutter-Free
A messy bedroom can make you feel stressed and disorganized. Ottoman beds create a peaceful sleeping space by hiding items that could make your room look chaotic. The big storage area underneath can hold:
Seasonal clothing and bulky winter wear
Extra bedding, pillows, and comforters
Luggage and travel accessories
Sports equipment and hobby materials
Books, documents, and keepsakes
The hydraulic lift system makes accessing stored items easy. You can raise the mattress without much effort, and the bed stays open until you're done. This hands-free feature makes it easier to get things in and out compared to reaching under regular beds.
Ottoman beds help bring order to your bedroom and keep it tidy. This organization helps create a calm sanctuary where you can rest better.
Stylish Designs to Match Any Decor
Ottoman beds blend practicality with style. These beds strike the right balance between usefulness and looks, with many designs that fit any bedroom décor.
Modern ottoman bed frames come in various materials like plush velvet, stylish fabrics, modern faux leather, and classic wooden finishes. The colours range from subtle neutrals to bold statement shades that can change your bedroom's look.
Pictured: Timberland Wooden Ottoman Bed - White. Priced from £299
The design elements vary from modern frames to classic styles with tufted or quilted headboards. Some models have winged headboards for comfort and style, while others keep a simple look for modern spaces.
King size ottoman beds make great centerpieces in bigger bedrooms. Double ottoman beds offer good sleeping space and storage. You'll find an ottoman bed that fits any room size.
An ottoman storage bed does more than just store things—it helps create an organized, spacious, and stylish bedroom that serves your needs better.
Ottoman Bed Frame vs Divan Bed: Key Differences
The choice between an ottoman bed frame and a divan bed depends on their basic differences. Both give you great storage options but work quite differently in everyday use.
Storage Access and Capacity
The biggest difference between these two bed types shows in their storage approach. Ottoman beds use the whole space under the bed as one big compartment that you access by lifting the mattress with gas-powered pistons.
This design gives you maximum storage space, which works great for storing big items like winter clothes or bedding. The lifting system does all the hard work, so you can easily reach everything stored underneath without moving any furniture.
Divan beds come with drawer-based storage that you can set up in different ways—usually with two or four drawers, and sometimes with Continental drawer options that mix standard and smaller drawers. These beds might look bigger because of their padded structure, but they take up less space since the mattress sits right at the base edges. The drawers help you organize things better but don't give you as much total space as ottoman beds.
The structure of these beds varies by a lot in their support systems. Divan beds usually come in two main types:
Solid or platform top divans have a firm, non-sprung top panel often made from hardboard, which makes them feel firmer
Sprung edge divans use heavy-duty springs inside a wooden frame that gives more responsive support
Ottoman beds usually have slatted bases or solid platforms. Slatted bases let air flow better and can be rigid or flexible based on their design. Rigid slats make the bed feel firmer but work against your mattress, while flexible slats work with it and might help it last longer and feel more comfortable.
Mattress Compatibility Considerations
The type of base you choose affects your mattress's performance and how long it lasts. Ottoman beds fit standard mattress sizes but have weight limits—usually around 90kg—because of their lifting system. Heavy mattresses can strain this mechanism, and very light ones might make the lift work too fast.
Divans change how firm your mattress feels—solid top divans make it firmer, while sprung ones add more cushioning. Air circulation becomes really important with memory foam mattresses on ottoman beds, so slatted bases work better for letting air flow through.
Your mattress's bottom surface matters too. Some mattresses—especially ones with smooth bottoms—might slide around when you lift an ottoman bed. That's why mattresses with textured undersides or better grip tend to work better with ottoman beds.
Choosing the Right Size: From Small Double to Superking
The right ottoman bed size is a vital part of creating comfort and tapping into your bedroom's full potential. Each size gives you different advantages in space usage and storage capacity. You should measure your room first to make sure your new bed fits well without crowding the space.
Small Double Ottoman Bed: Ideal for Compact Rooms
Small double ottoman beds are 120cm x 190cm, which makes them perfect for smaller bedrooms with limited space. These beds offer plenty of storage room beneath the mattress despite their compact size. The original design was for single sleepers who wanted extra space to stretch. Now they're a popular choice for guest rooms and teenage bedrooms where standard doubles would take up too much space.
A small double ottoman bed works great if you need:
More width than a single bed for solo sleeping
A bed that fits in box rooms where space counts
Something bigger for teens who need an upgrade from single beds
Extra storage with occasional sleeping space in guest rooms
Note that small double ottoman beds can fit two adults, but the sleeping space will feel snug. These beds work best for single sleepers who want that extra room to move around.
Double Ottoman Bed: A Balanced Choice
Double ottoman beds (135cm x 190cm) are the top pick for many UK homes. They give couples enough sleeping space while offering practical storage options. A double ottoman bed frame that's 4'6" wide fits well in standard bedrooms and leaves space for other furniture.
These beds are a great way to get storage space—often replacing the need for extra storage furniture. Couples who share a bed but don't need tons of sleeping space will find this size hits the sweet spot between too small and too big.
King Size Ottoman Bed: For Maximum Storage
Pictured: Chesterfield Sleigh Bed Frame with Ottoman Storage - Natural. Priced from £399
King size ottoman beds (150cm x 200cm) are the best choice if you have a larger bedroom or want more sleeping space. You get an extra 10cm in length and 15cm in width compared to double beds. The storage space is impressive too—usually between 600-800 liters underneath.
King size ottoman beds are perfect for:
People over 6ft who need the extra length
Couples wanting more personal space in bed
Rooms where you need lots of storage
Parents whose kids sometimes hop into bed with them
The bigger size means you need to plan your room layout carefully. Make sure you have enough space around the bed to access all that storage without any obstacles in the way.
Assembly, Weight Limits, and Maintenance Tips
Setting up an ottoman bed frame might look intimidating, but it's nowhere near as complicated as many expect. Let's get into everything about owning these versatile storage solutions.
Are Ottoman Beds Easy to Assemble?
You'll need two people to assemble an ottoman bed. The process takes between 1-2 hours, depending on your furniture assembly experience. These beds are more complex than standard frames because of the gas-lift mechanism, but most modern ottoman beds come with detailed instructions. You'll need simple tools, allen keys and spanners which come with your purchase.
The assembly follows a logical sequence. You connect the headboard and footboard with side rails, install the lifting mechanism, and attach the bed base. New assemblers should know that gas pistons feel stiff at first—this design feature prevents unexpected bed closure.
Manufacturers make assembly easier with pre-assembled sections. To cite an instance, some models arrive with the base already put together—single beds have one unit while larger sizes have two units.
How Much Weight Can They Hold?
Well-built ottoman beds can hold impressive weights. Standard models safely support 300kg when lowered. The lifting capacity changes based on bed size:
Standard ottoman beds lift 40-60kg mattresses, while stronger models handle mattresses up to 100kg. Hydraulic piston strength, measured in newtons (N), determines how much weight you can lift:
Side-lift ottomans: 4×600N
End-lift divans: 4×800N
Double bedstead ottomans: 2×900N
King size: 2×1100N
Super king size: 2×1350N
Tips for Long-Term Use and Care
Your ottoman bed needs regular maintenance. Check all bolts and screws often, tighten them to stop unwanted movement and noise. The hydraulic lifting mechanism might need attention too. A bit of silicone lubricant helps restore smooth operation if it gets sluggish.
The storage area needs careful handling. Lift gently using the provided handles and lock the support bar before reaching inside. This keeps the bed from closing accidentally. Avoid heavy items in the storage compartment—bedding and seasonal clothing work best.
Keep the bed clean with a slightly damp cloth on frame surfaces. Don't let liquid sit on any materials. Different upholstery needs specific care. Vacuum fabric surfaces weekly with a soft brush attachment and clean spills right away.
A quality ottoman bed lasts 10+ years with good care. It's worth the investment for both storage and sleep.
Conclusion
Ottoman beds excel as innovative space-saving solutions for modern homes. The gas-lift hydraulic system turns a regular bed into a storage powerhouse that keeps its style and comfort intact. My experience shows these versatile beds make use of the entire underbed space effectively. This gives them an edge over traditional drawer alternatives that waste storage space.
Your room's layout and accessibility needs should guide the choice between foot-end or side-opening mechanisms. Small double ottoman beds fit compact spaces perfectly. King size options give you maximum sleeping comfort and storage capacity. Ottoman beds and divans have key structural differences. Ottoman's design offers more storage volume, while divan's compartments help organize items better.
These beds need more complex assembly initially. However, their long-term benefits outweigh this challenge. Most models can handle heavy loads when you maintain them properly. Note that knowing the lifting mechanism's limits helps ensure safety and longevity.
Ottoman beds shine because they serve two purposes well. They solve storage problems and act as stylish centerpieces in bedroom design. These beds are a smart investment for anyone with limited space or seasonal storage needs. They also help create a clutter-free environment and continue to add value year after year.
FAQs
Q1. How does an ottoman bed differ from a regular bed? An ottoman bed features a large storage compartment underneath the mattress, accessible through a lift-up mechanism. Unlike regular beds, ottoman beds utilize the entire space beneath the mattress for storage, offering significantly more room than traditional drawer beds.
Q2. Are ottoman beds difficult to assemble? While more complex than standard bed frames due to the gas-lift mechanism, ottoman beds are generally manageable to assemble. The process typically takes 1-2 hours with two people and basic tools. Many models come with comprehensive instructions, and some even offer pre-assembled sections to simplify the process.
Q3. How much weight can an ottoman bed support? Most standard ottoman beds can safely support up to 300kg in the lowered position. The lifting capacity varies by size, with typical mattress weight limits ranging from 40-60kg for standard models and up to 100kg for reinforced versions. The strength of the hydraulic pistons determines the specific lifting capacity.
Q4. What are the main benefits of choosing an ottoman bed? Ottoman beds offer three key benefits: maximizing space in small bedrooms by utilizing the entire area beneath the mattress for storage, keeping rooms clutter-free by providing a concealed storage space for various items, and offering stylish designs to match any decor while maintaining functionality.
Q5. How long do ottoman beds typically last? With proper maintenance, a quality ottoman bed can easily last 10+ years. Regular care includes checking and tightening bolts and screws, inspecting the hydraulic lifting mechanism, and cleaning the frame and upholstery according to the material's specific requirements.
