Ottoman Bed Buying Guide

An ottoman bed is a type of space saving bed where the base lifts to reveal storage space underneath. This is done via gas-lift hydraulics, making it easy to access, regardless of your strength or size. Ottoman beds open from either the foot end, or from either side.

Ottoman beds now come in hundreds of styles, materials, designs, sizes and colours available and this can make it confusing when trying to decide which one to go for. We have written a brief guide below to try and make this choice a little easier for you.

We have selected the most popular ottoman beds with up to 60% off & free delivery from UK’s trusted retailers, such as Happy Beds, Mattressman, Dreams, … They are availble in many designs and sizes, so you will find the perfect ottoman bed for you.

1. Phoenix White Wooden Ottoman Storage Bed (from £369.99 instead of £409.99)
2. Wilson Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame (from £349 instead of £399)
3. Grey Linen Ottoman Bed w/ Optional Spring Mattress (from £149.99 – save up to 40%)
4. Chesterfield Ottoman Bed with Optional Mattress at Groupon
5. Ashbourne Fabric Ottoman Bed (from £269)
6. Birlea Berlin Fabric Ottoman Ottoman Bed in Fabric Grey (from £229.00 instead of £379.00)
7. Heartlands Furniture Tanya White High Gloss Storage Bed Wooden Bed in White (from £735.00)
8. Birlea Phoenix Stone Grey Ottoman Bed (from £435.00 instead of £649.00)
9. Rimini Crushed Velvet Ottoman Bed (from £209)
10. Wilson Grey Fabric Ottoman Storage Bed (from £469.99 instead of £849.99)

My Amazon Picks

Looking for a new bed with plenty of storage? Perhaps you’re wondering “what is an ottoman bed?” You’ve come to the right place! Here, we’ve put together everything you need to know in our handy Ottoman bed buying guide so you can get snoring and storing in no time at all.

(1) What is an ottoman bed frame?

An ottoman bed is a bed with gas-lift hydraulics which lift up the base to reveal plentiful storage space underneath. They provide greater storage capacity than a drawer bed since you can make full use of the storage space underneath the bed.

They open from either the foot end of the bed, or from one side. This makes them a practical option if space is limited in your bedroom. They’re also an ideal choice if your bedroom is small.

(2) Ottoman bed base types

• Wooden ottoman beds

For a classic, durable design that will forever be fashionable, a wooden ottoman bed is the perfect option to create a traditional, rustic aesthetic in any room, providing a solid foundation for a wide range of decors and themes.

• Upholstered ottoman beds

Looking for something that feels just as cosy as it looks? An upholstered ottoman bed could be just the ticket. With frames covered in soft fabrics to create a luxuriously snug feel in a range of covers, upholstered beds are chic, quickly growing in popularity and allow for a truly bespoke style, tailored to suit any bedroom.

• TV ottoman beds

If you want to save even more space in your bedroom, why not opt for a TV ottoman bed? As well as the base lifting to reveal a spacious storage area, the framework of the bed securely houses your TV with no sacrifice to your floorspace – so say goodbye to cluttered bed stands and unsightly wall brackets!

(3) The benefits of an ottoman bed

• Ottoman beds help keep your bedroom tidy

Are you running out of space? An ottoman bed is perfect for storing towels, bedding and linens such as duvets, sheets and pillows. Items that are seasonal or for occasional use are also ideal to store away in an ottoman bed.

Helping to keep your bedroom free of clutter, you can enjoy a calm space to unwind in at the end of the day. Plus, because everything is contained within the closed storage area, your items will stay clean and dust-free.

• Ottoman beds are ideal for smaller spaces

Did you know? Modern homes and apartments are actually being made to smaller specifications. Therefore, how we use our available storage space is becoming increasingly important.

Because the entire area underneath the mattress can be used, ottoman beds are excellent space-savers – especially for smaller homes and apartments. Additionally, if you have a guest room, box room or even a loft room, you may not have enough room for extra furniture. An ottoman bed could therefore help to reduce your reliance on extra storage.

(4) What to look for when buying an ottoman bed?

So, you’ve made the very wise decision to invest in an ottoman bed, but before you place your order there are a few things you need to consider before you pick your perfect sleeping companion. Take a look at our super quick checklist below to make sure you’ve covered all bases to ensure you’ve made the right choice for you:

• Does the ottoman bed base lift from the bottom or the side of the bed?

Ottoman beds can lift from either the bottom or the side of the bed, so make sure you check this before purchasing and ensure this suits your space and requirements.

• How heavy is your mattress?

Each individual ottoman will have a weight limit for its base – read the details closely to double check your mattress does not exceed this. Need a new mattress, too? It’s your lucky day! Check out our full range of comfortable, supportive mattresses today.

• Have you measured the space you have available in your room?

Make sure your room is large enough to comfortably accommodate the size of ottoman bed you have selected, leaving enough space for easy access and manoeuvring. Take a look at our handy bed size guide above for help.

• How much storage space do you need?

Find out the exact depth and width of the ottoman storage space and assess whether this fits your requirements – these details can easily be found on our product pages under the ‘Dimensions’ dropdown tab.

(5) Best place to buy ottoman beds

• Happy Beds
• Dreams
• Wowcher
• Groupon
• Dunelm
• Mattressman

(6) What sizes are available for an ottoman bed frame?

• Single ‐ Single ottoman beds are 211cm long and 103cm wide, with storage depth approx. 24cm depending on the bed. For small bedrooms, a single ottoman bed is ideal.
• Double – A double ottoman bed is approx. 135cm wide x 190cm long with ample room beneath to keep your things.
• Small Double – If you don’t have enough room to accommodate a double, a small double ottoman averages at 15cm narrower, perfect for smaller bedrooms.
• King – At 200cm tall and 150cm wide, an ottoman king size bed provides plenty of sleeping space as well as an abundance of storage within the bed frame.
• Super King – For ultimate luxury, a super king size ottoman can’t be beaten. This frame boasts an 180cm wide base, allowing you ample room to store things.

(7) What’s the best mattress for an ottoman bed?

Our mattresses and bed frames are typically sold separately, which allows you freedom to choose the best mattress for your needs. In general, there is no rule of thumb when choosing a mattress for an ottoman base. Any mattress types are suitable for this type of frame, as long as you choose the right size mattress according to the size of your ottoman. If you’re unsure which mattress is best for you, our Personal Comfort Guide tells you the best mattress for you based off your sleeping position.

(8) How to build an ottoman bed

To assemble your ottoman bed, it’s always advised to read the instructions provided with your specific frame. However, in general the steps include screwing together the bed frame, attaching the headboard and then installing the lifting mechanism. We can take the stress out of this for you with our assembly service, where we build your bed frame in your room of choice.

(9) What’s the best headboard for an ottoman bed?

Again there’s no hard rule when choosing a headboard to accompany your ottoman bed base. A lot of models come with a headboard included, however if you’d like to add a different headboard, these can simply be slotted into your ottoman divan base. Browse our range of headboards here. We offer wooden and metal varieties, as well as a wide range of upholstered headboards in a variety of colours and materials.

(10) Are there any other types of storage beds?

If you aren’t quite convinced by ottoman beds for storage, there are plenty of other space saving beds you can choose. Similar, but generally cheaper, are divan beds. Like ottomans, they take advantage of the space between your mattress and floor. The only difference is this storage space is accessible via drawers at the side of the bed, as opposed to lifting the mattress.