Posted by Living with Luxury
An ottoman bed is the most space you will ever get out of a bed frame. Lift the base and the whole area under the mattress becomes a deep, dust-free cupboard for spare duvets, suitcases and the winter coats that never quite fit in the wardrobe. For smaller bedrooms, flats and guest rooms it can be the difference between a room that feels cluttered and one that feels calm. This guide explains how ottoman beds work, the different lift styles, sizes and finishes, and what to check before you order.
What is an ottoman bed?
An ottoman bed is a bed frame whose base lifts up on a hinge to reveal a storage compartment underneath the mattress. Unlike a divan with drawers, there is no need to leave clear space beside the bed for drawers to pull out, and the storage runs almost the full footprint of the mattress rather than just a few shallow trays.
The name comes from the ottoman footstool, which has a lift-off lid and hidden storage inside. The idea is the same, just scaled up to bed size. Most modern ottoman beds pair that lifting base with an upholstered or wooden frame and a headboard, so they look like a conventional bed frame when closed.
How the lifting mechanism works
Almost every ottoman bed sold today uses gas-lift struts, similar to the ones that hold up a car boot. Once you give the base a gentle pull, the struts take most of the weight and the base rises smoothly, then stays open while you reach in with both hands. When you are done, a light push brings it back down.
The struts are matched to the weight of the base plus a typical mattress. That is why manufacturers quote a maximum mattress depth: a far heavier mattress than intended can make the base feel stiff to lift, or stop it staying open on its own. If you already own a deep pocket-sprung or hybrid mattress, check its depth against the bed before you buy.
Look for a handle or strap at the lifting end so you are not pulling on the upholstery, and a slatted or sprung slatted platform under the mattress, which lets the mattress breathe and gives better support than a solid board.
End-lift, side-lift and TV beds
End-lift ottomans hinge at the headboard and open from the foot of the bed. This is the most common style and the easiest to use, as long as you have enough clear floor at the foot of the bed to stand while the base is raised.
Side-lift ottomans hinge along one long side and open from the other. They are the better choice when the foot of the bed faces a wardrobe, chest of drawers or door, or when one side of the bed is pushed against a wall.
Ottoman TV beds combine a lifting storage base with a television that rises out of the footboard. Because the TV mechanism lives at the foot end, these are usually side-lift. The Alana side-lift ottoman TV bed, for example, uses a remote-controlled lift for a screen of up to 43 inches, with a gas-assisted side-lift ottoman below the mattress.
| Lift style | Opens from | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| End-lift | Foot of the bed | Most bedrooms with clear floor at the foot | Furniture or a door close to the foot end |
| Side-lift | One long side | Beds against a wall, tight foot-end space | You need clearance along the opening side |
| TV bed | Usually the side | Bedrooms that double as a place to watch films | Maximum screen size and footboard height |
Choosing the right size
Ottoman beds come in the same UK sizes as other frames: single (90 x 190cm), double (135 x 190cm), king (150 x 200cm) and super king (180 x 200cm). The size refers to the mattress, not the frame, and upholstered frames with padded side rails and a deep headboard can add a surprising amount to the overall footprint.
Always check the overall width and length on the product page, then add the clearance you need to use the lift. For an end-lift bed, you will want to be able to stand at the foot of the bed with the base raised. For a side-lift bed, keep the opening side free of bedside tables that would block the base.
Height matters too. Ottoman beds tend to sit a little higher than a low platform bed because the storage sits underneath, and a tall headboard adds presence. In a room with a sloping ceiling or a window directly behind the bed, measure from the floor to the lowest point first.
- Measure the room and mark the bed's full footprint on the floor.
- Add clearance on the lifting side or at the foot end.
- Check the headboard height against windows, sockets and sloping ceilings.
- Confirm the maximum mattress depth against your current mattress.
- Measure doorways and stair turns for delivery.
Upholstered or wooden?
Upholstered ottoman beds are the most popular choice. A padded headboard is comfortable to lean against for reading, and fabrics such as velvet, chenille, linen-look weaves and bouclé soften the look of a bedroom. Velvet in particular gives depth of colour; the Katie grey velvet king ottoman bed pairs a tall winged headboard with a lift-up storage compartment under the mattress. If you are weighing up fabrics, our upholstered and velvet beds collection brings the options together.
Wood and wood-effect ottoman beds suit a cleaner, more Scandinavian look and are easy to wipe down. Finishes such as light oak and grey oak work well with existing wooden bedroom furniture, and some designs add shelving in the headboard so you have somewhere for books and glasses without needing a large bedside table.
Whichever you choose, think about how the bed will be used. In a children's or guest room, a hard-wearing fabric or wood-effect finish will forgive more knocks. In a main bedroom, a velvet or bouclé headboard can be the focal point of the whole room.
Ottoman bed or drawer storage?
Beds with drawers are the main alternative. Drawers are ideal for things you reach for every day, such as socks, nightwear or spare pillowcases, because you can open one without disturbing the bed. Ottoman storage is better for bulky items you use occasionally: duvets, spare pillows, luggage, out-of-season clothes and memory boxes.
Ottomans also win on volume. Drawers rarely run the full depth of a bed and need clear space beside the frame to open, whereas an ottoman base gives you almost the entire area under the mattress. If you want a bed with drawers instead, see our storage beds; if you need more storage elsewhere in the room, our guide to wooden storage chests is a good next read.
Getting the most from the storage
Treat the base like a large, shallow cupboard. Clear lidded boxes or fabric storage bags keep things tidy and stop items sliding under the slats. Put the things you use least at the far end and the things you reach for more often near the lifting edge.
Vacuum-pack bags work well for spare duvets and winter bedding, letting you fit far more in. Avoid storing anything damp; let bedding and towels dry completely first, and open the base every few weeks to let air circulate. A couple of cedar blocks or lavender bags will keep things smelling fresh and help deter moths.
Finally, keep the total weight sensible. The storage is designed for household items, not as a place to keep heavy tools or stacks of books, which can put strain on the base and the gas struts over time.
Assembly and delivery
Ottoman beds arrive flat-packed in several boxes, and most need full assembly. Upholstered headboards and side rails can be bulky, so measure the width and height of doors, hallways and the tightest turn on the stairs, and compare them with the box sizes if they are listed.
Assembly is a two-person job, mainly because of the lifting base and the gas struts, which are fitted last. Follow the order in the instructions carefully, and fit the struts with the base fully lowered so they are not under tension while you work. Our product pages always list dimensions, materials and what is included, so check those before you order.
Our ottoman bed checklist
- Lift style: end-lift for most rooms, side-lift for beds against a wall or tight foot-end space.
- Size: single, double, king or super king, and the overall footprint including headboard and side rails.
- Mattress: within the stated maximum depth, ideally on a sprung slatted base.
- Finish: velvet, bouclé, chenille, linen-look fabric or wood effect to suit the room.
- Extras: headboard shelving, a TV lift or a winged headboard for reading.
- Delivery: doors, stairs and a second pair of hands for assembly.
For a wider look at frames, headboards and what separates a good bed from a great one, read our guide to investing in designer bed frames, or browse the full ottoman beds collection.
Frequently asked questions
Are ottoman beds strong enough for everyday use?
A well-made ottoman bed is designed for daily sleeping. The lifting base sits on a sturdy frame, and the gas struts are rated for the weight of the base and a standard mattress. Check the maximum mattress depth on the product page, because a much heavier or deeper mattress than the bed was designed for can make the lift feel stiff or fail to stay open.
Do I need a special mattress for an ottoman bed?
No special mattress is needed, but depth and weight matter. Most ottoman beds state a maximum mattress depth (often around 20–25cm). Staying within it keeps the mattress below the line of the frame and lets the gas struts lift and hold the base comfortably.
Is end-lift or side-lift better?
End-lift is the most common and works well when you have clear floor space at the foot of the bed. Side-lift suits beds pushed against a wall or rooms where the foot of the bed faces a wardrobe or door. TV beds are usually side-lift, because the television mechanism sits in the footboard.
Can you put an ottoman bed on carpet?
Yes. Because an ottoman base sits low and spreads its weight across the frame, it will leave marks in deep carpet over time, as any bed does. If you plan to move it, lift rather than drag it, and consider furniture cups under the feet.
How much storage does an ottoman bed give you?
Far more than drawers. The storage area usually runs almost the full length and width of the mattress, so a king-size ottoman can take several large boxes of bedding, out-of-season clothes and luggage. Check the internal depth on each product page to see how tall your storage boxes can be.
