There are very few pieces of furniture that work as hard as a bed.

It is where your day begins and where it ends. It is arguably the most important piece of furniture in your home from a wellbeing perspective, yet it also occupies the single largest footprint in most bedrooms. That makes it unique. Unlike a sofa or dining table, your bed has to do far more than simply look attractive. It needs to provide comfort, support your health, complement your interior design and, increasingly, solve one of the biggest frustrations facing modern homes: a lack of storage.

That shift in how we think about bedroom furniture explains why ottoman beds have become one of the fastest-growing choices among UK homeowners.

Once considered a niche alternative to traditional divan beds, ottoman beds are now found everywhere from first homes and family houses to luxury apartments, boutique hotels and holiday lets. They have become the answer for people who want more from their furniture without sacrificing style, offering generous hidden storage beneath the mattress while maintaining the appearance of an elegant upholstered bed.

Yet despite their popularity, buying one still raises plenty of questions.

• Are they difficult to assemble?

• Will they suit your mattress?

• Is a side-lift better than an end-lift?

• Are they safe around children?

• Do they last as long as traditional beds?

• And perhaps most importantly, are they actually worth the investment?

This guide answers every one of those questions.

Whether you're buying your first ottoman bed or replacing an existing frame, you'll learn exactly what to look for, which features matter most and how to choose a bed that you'll still love years from now.

What Is an Ottoman Bed?

An ottoman bed is a bed frame with a built-in storage compartment concealed beneath the mattress.

Unlike drawer beds, which provide storage through pull-out drawers around the base, an ottoman bed uses hydraulic gas struts to lift the mattress platform, revealing a large storage area that occupies almost the entire footprint of the bed.

That distinction is more important than it first appears.

Traditional drawer beds only allow you to use part of the available space and require enough clearance around the bed for the drawers to open fully. Ottoman beds, by contrast, make use of the entire area beneath the mattress while keeping the outside appearance sleek and uncluttered.

For many households, especially where storage is at a premium, this simple design change can completely transform how a bedroom functions.

Related reading: What Is a Zip and Link Bed? 

Why Ottoman Beds Have Become So Popular

The popularity of ottoman beds isn't simply a passing trend. It reflects a broader change in how people live. New-build homes often have smaller bedrooms than older properties, city apartments place a premium on every square metre and many families are trying to create calmer, less cluttered living spaces without continually buying additional storage furniture.

An ottoman bed quietly solves all three problems.

Instead of filling bedrooms with extra cupboards, storage boxes or overflowing wardrobes, the bed itself becomes one of the most useful storage solutions in the house.

It is difficult to overstate how much difference this can make.

A room that previously felt cramped suddenly feels spacious. Seasonal bedding disappears beneath the mattress. Spare towels, luggage, children's keepsakes and winter clothing all find a permanent home.

The result isn't simply more storage. It is a bedroom that feels calmer.

Are Ottoman Beds Worth Buying?

If your bedroom already has abundant storage, perhaps not. For everyone else, they are one of the smartest furniture investments you can make.

Unlike many storage solutions, ottoman beds don't ask you to sacrifice aesthetics for practicality. They allow you to reclaim unused space while maintaining a clean, upholstered finish that often looks considerably more luxurious than traditional divan beds.

When buyers ask whether ottoman beds are worth it, they're often really asking whether the extra cost delivers meaningful everyday value.

For most households, the answer is yes.

You gain:

• Hidden storage

• Better room organisation

• A cleaner visual aesthetic

• Less dependence on additional furniture

• Improved functionality without increasing your room size

Over time, those advantages quickly outweigh the slightly longer assembly process or higher initial investment.

Ottoman Beds vs Divan Beds: What's the Difference?

People often confuse divan beds and ottoman beds because many ottoman beds are built on divan-style bases.

The important distinction lies in how they provide storage.

Neither is universally better.

However, for buyers seeking maximum storage, ottoman beds usually offer considerably more usable space.

Ottoman Beds vs Wooden Bed Frames

Wooden bedsteads remain popular for their timeless appearance.

However, they often leave a significant amount of unused space underneath the bed.

Many people attempt to solve this by sliding plastic boxes underneath.

The result rarely looks particularly elegant. Ottoman beds achieve exactly the same objective while keeping everything hidden from view. Instead of visible storage containers collecting dust beneath the frame, everything sits neatly inside the bed itself.

How Much Storage Does an Ottoman Bed Actually Have?

This is one of the most common questions buyers ask. The answer depends on bed size, but generally speaking, ottoman beds provide some of the largest integrated storage available in bedroom furniture.

Many people comfortably store:

• Winter duvets

• Summer bedding

• Pillows

• Suitcases

• Seasonal clothing

• Christmas decorations

• Children's keepsake boxes

• Towels

• Spare blankets

In smaller homes, this can free up an entire wardrobe.

Choosing the Right Ottoman Bed Size

Choosing the right size isn't simply about how much sleeping space you need. It is also about how the bed fits within the room.

Small Single Ottoman Beds

Ideal for:

• Children's bedrooms

• Box rooms

• Compact guest accommodation

Single Ottoman Beds

Perfect for:

• Teenagers

• Guest bedrooms

• Smaller spaces

Small Double Ottoman Beds

An excellent compromise where room size is limited but extra sleeping space is appreciated.

Double Ottoman Beds

Still one of the UK's most popular sizes because it balances comfort with practicality.

Suitable for:

• Couples

• Main bedrooms

• Guest accommodation

King Size Ottoman Beds

Provides noticeably greater sleeping comfort while still fitting comfortably inside many modern UK homes.

Ideal for:

• Couples wanting additional space

• Larger bedrooms

Super King Ottoman Beds

The ultimate choice if room size allows.

Perfect for buyers prioritising comfort, luxury and generous sleeping space.

Which Ottoman Bed Style Should You Choose?

Storage may be the practical reason people begin looking at ottoman beds. Style is often what finally convinces them to buy. The bed is naturally the focal point of any bedroom.

Choosing the right headboard can dramatically change how the room feels.

For Timeless Simplicity

The Classic Ottoman Divan Bed Set offers understated styling that suits almost every interior.

For Boutique Hotel Luxury

The Chesterfield Ottoman Divan Bed Set creates stronger visual impact through elegant upholstered detailing.

For Contemporary Homes

The Miami Ottoman Divan Bed Set delivers cleaner lines and a more modern aesthetic.

For Smaller Bedrooms

The Cube Ottoman Divan Bed Set keeps the room feeling visually lighter while still delivering exceptional storage.

For Statement Bedrooms

Winged designs such as the Oliver Winged, Chelsea Winged and Sana Winged Ottoman Divan Bed Sets introduce a more luxurious hotel-inspired appearance.

Fabric Choices Matter More Than You Think

One of the advantages of upholstered ottoman beds is the opportunity to personalise your bedroom. Online Bed Store offers more than 40 fabric choices, allowing you to coordinate your bed with existing décor rather than compromising on colour.

Neutral shades remain timeless, while darker fabrics often create greater visual drama.

Lighter tones can help smaller rooms feel more spacious.

Choose the colour that complements how you want the room to feel, not simply what is fashionable today.

End Lift vs Side Lift: Which Ottoman Bed Is Right for You?

One of the first practical decisions you'll make when choosing an ottoman bed has nothing to do with colour, fabric or mattress tension.

It concerns how the bed opens. For many buyers, this seems like a small detail. In reality, it can make a significant difference to how practical the bed feels every day.

An end-lift ottoman bed opens from the foot of the bed towards the headboard, making it a popular choice for master bedrooms and rooms with generous clearance at the foot of the bed. A side-lift ottoman bed, on the other hand, opens from either the left or right-hand side, making it particularly useful in narrower bedrooms or layouts where access at the end of the bed is restricted.

Neither option is objectively better. The right choice depends entirely on the shape of your room.

A square bedroom with comfortable walking space may lend itself perfectly to an end-lift mechanism. A long, narrow room where the bed sits between wardrobes or close to a radiator may be considerably easier to live with if the storage opens from the side.

Many buyers don't think about this until after their bed has been assembled.

It's worth taking a few minutes to visualise yourself opening the bed and removing bedding or storage boxes before deciding which configuration feels more natural.

Related reading:
End Lift vs Side Lift Ottoman Beds: What's the Difference?

Choosing the Right Mattress

A beautiful bed frame can transform a bedroom. A good mattress transforms how you feel every morning. One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding ottoman beds is that they require specialist mattresses. Fortunately, they don't. Most modern ottoman beds are designed to work comfortably with standard UK mattresses, including memory foam, pocket spring and hybrid constructions.

Instead of asking, "Which mattress works with an ottoman bed?", it is far more useful to ask:

"Which mattress works for the way I sleep?"

If you sleep on your side

Memory foam often performs exceptionally well because it cushions pressure points around the shoulders and hips while promoting better spinal alignment.

If you sleep on your back

Pocket spring mattresses generally provide balanced support and help maintain a neutral sleeping posture throughout the night.

If you share your bed

Movement matters.

Memory foam reduces motion transfer, while hybrid mattresses combine pressure relief with improved airflow and responsiveness.

Explore the full mattress collection:

https://onlinebedstore.co.uk/collections/mattresses

Related reading:
Memory Foam vs Pocket Spring: Which Mattress Is Best Under £600?
Do Ottoman Beds Need Special Mattresses?

Understanding Ottoman Lift Mechanisms

If you've never owned an ottoman bed before, the lifting mechanism may seem like the most intimidating part. Fortunately, it is also one of the simplest.

Most quality ottoman beds use gas-assisted hydraulic struts, designed to support the mattress platform as it lifts and lowers. These struts help counterbalance the mattress weight, making the bed surprisingly easy to open despite the substantial storage compartment underneath. A common misconception is that the bed somehow "holds itself up" through force alone.

In reality, the gas struts are carefully matched to the expected mattress weight, allowing the platform to remain open while you retrieve or store belongings before lowering it gently back into place.

A well-manufactured lifting mechanism should feel smooth, controlled and reassuringly stable.

Are Ottoman Beds Safe?

Whenever furniture includes moving parts, safety becomes an important consideration. This is particularly true in family homes.

The good news is that modern ottoman beds are designed with stability and controlled lifting in mind. Once assembled correctly, they provide the same secure sleeping surface as a traditional divan bed.

Like any large piece of furniture, however, they should be used sensibly. Children should not play with the lifting mechanism or climb inside the storage compartment, and younger family members should always be supervised when the bed is open.

The mechanism itself is not dangerous when used properly.

In many ways, it is no different from teaching children to use kitchen drawers, wardrobes or doors safely.

Related reading:
Are Ottoman Beds Safe for Children?

Are Ottoman Beds Difficult to Assemble?

Another question we hear regularly is whether an ottoman bed is significantly harder to assemble than a standard bed. Not really.

There are simply a few more components.

Most people can comfortably assemble an ottoman bed in around one to two hours, particularly if two people are working together. The process is logical rather than technically difficult, involving the base, lift mechanism and mattress platform before the mattress itself is added. The key is patience. Trying to rush furniture assembly rarely ends well.

Top Tip: Before tightening every bolt fully, loosely assemble the frame first. This makes alignment considerably easier and helps avoid unnecessary frustration.

Related reading:
Are Ottoman Beds Difficult to Assemble?

Can You Move an Ottoman Bed After It's Built?

Bedrooms evolve. Sometimes you're redecorating. Sometimes you're replacing flooring.

Sometimes you simply decide the bed would look better against another wall. Fortunately, most ottoman beds can be moved after assembly, although there are a few sensible precautions.

Always remove:

• The mattress

• Items stored inside the base

before attempting to reposition the bed.

Reducing the weight protects both the lifting mechanism and your flooring while making the bed significantly easier to manoeuvre.

For moves between properties, partial disassembly is usually recommended.

Related reading:
Can You Move an Ottoman Bed Once It's Built?

Common Mistakes People Make When Buying an Ottoman Bed

Buying the wrong ottoman bed isn't usually the result of choosing poor quality.

More often, it comes down to overlooking a few practical details.

Buying the Wrong Size

Measure your room.

Then measure it again.

Leave enough space to walk comfortably around the bed, open wardrobes and enjoy the room rather than simply fitting the largest mattress possible.

Ignoring Room Layout

Think about how you'll access the storage.

This is where choosing between an end-lift and side-lift design becomes important.

Choosing Style Before Practicality

A statement headboard may look beautiful online.

Will it still feel practical in five years?

Timeless designs often prove the wiser investment.

Forgetting About Mattress Quality

Even the finest bed frame cannot compensate for an uncomfortable mattress.

Treat the mattress as an investment in your sleep rather than an afterthought.

Underestimating Storage

People often assume they'll only use the storage occasionally.

In reality, it quickly becomes one of the hardest-working spaces in the house.

Buy a bed that gives you room to grow.

Why Choose an Ottoman Bed from Online Bed Store?

Choosing where you buy your bed matters almost as much as choosing the bed itself. At Online Bed Store, every ottoman bed is designed with the balance of style, practicality and long-term durability in mind.

When you choose Online Bed Store, you'll benefit from:

• Made in Britain craftsmanship

• More than 40 years of manufacturing experience

• 40+ fabric options

• Free two-man delivery

• 5-year warranty

• Factory-direct quality

• A wide range of sizes from small single to super king

• Matching mattresses and headboards

Browse the full collection:

https://onlinebedstore.co.uk/collections/ottoman-bed-sets

Ottoman Bed Buying Checklist

Before placing your order, ask yourself these questions:

✔ Have I measured my room properly?

✔ Have I chosen the correct bed size?

✔ Would an end-lift or side-lift mechanism suit my room better?

✔ Have I selected the right mattress for the way I sleep?

✔ Will I realistically use the storage?

✔ Does the style complement the rest of my bedroom?

✔ Am I buying from a manufacturer I trust?

If you can answer yes to those questions, you're already well on your way to choosing a bed you'll enjoy for many years.

Ottoman Beds Frequently Asked Questions 

Are ottoman beds worth buying?

For most households, yes. They combine generous hidden storage with stylish upholstered designs, helping bedrooms feel more organised without sacrificing comfort.

Do ottoman beds last as long as normal beds?

A high-quality ottoman bed should provide many years of reliable use when assembled correctly and maintained according to the manufacturer's guidance.

Which ottoman bed is best for a small bedroom?

Compact designs such as the Cube Ottoman Divan Bed Set work particularly well because they maximise storage while maintaining a visually clean profile.

Are ottoman beds difficult to lift?

No. Modern gas-assisted struts support much of the mattress weight, making opening and closing the bed surprisingly straightforward.

Can you use any mattress with an ottoman bed?

Most standard UK mattresses are suitable, including memory foam, pocket spring and hybrid designs, provided they are compatible with the bed's recommended weight range.

Which is better: an ottoman bed or a divan bed?

If storage is your priority, an ottoman bed generally provides considerably more usable space than a traditional divan with drawers.

Are ottoman beds noisy?

A well-built ottoman bed should operate quietly. If you notice squeaking over time, checking and tightening fixings usually resolves the issue.

Do ottoman beds need maintenance?

Very little. An occasional check that all fixings remain secure and the lift mechanism operates smoothly is generally sufficient.

Can children sleep in ottoman beds?

Yes. Ottoman beds are suitable for children's bedrooms when used appropriately and the lifting mechanism is operated by an adult.

Are ottoman beds good for guest rooms?

Absolutely. Hidden storage makes guest rooms considerably more versatile by providing somewhere to store spare bedding, towels and seasonal items without cluttering the room.

 

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Buying Ottoman Beds

The best furniture rarely draws attention to itself. Instead, it quietly improves the way a home functions. That, perhaps, is the greatest strength of an ottoman bed.

It doesn't simply provide somewhere comfortable to sleep. It transforms one of the largest pieces of furniture in your home into one of the most practical, reclaiming valuable storage space that would otherwise remain unused while helping your bedroom feel calmer, tidier and more thoughtfully organised.

Whether you're furnishing your first home, redesigning a master bedroom, creating a welcoming guest room or simply looking for a smarter way to manage everyday clutter, an ottoman bed offers a solution that balances comfort with practicality in a way few other pieces of furniture can.

And while styles, fabrics and bedroom trends will inevitably evolve over time, one thing rarely changes: every home benefits from a little more storage. Choosing the right ottoman bed is not simply about buying a bed.

It's about making your bedroom work better for the life you live today—and for the years still to come.

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