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Ottoman and Storage Beds

Few pieces of furniture earn their space in a bedroom like an ottoman or storage bed. Whereas a standard bed frame makes little to no use of the area under the frame, a storage bed turns it into a wardrobe-sized cavity for bedding, seasonal clothes, suitcases and anything else that needs to disappear when not in use. In bedrooms with no separate cupboard or limited storage space, that recovered space often makes the difference between a room that works and one that does not.

Ottoman beds use a gas-piston mechanism to lift the entire mattress and slatted base upwards, revealing the full footprint of the bed as storage underneath. Side-lift ottomans open from one long side and work well against most walls; end-lift ottomans open from the foot of the bed and suit rooms where the bed sits with a long side against a wall. Storage beds (sometimes called drawer beds) on the other hand are more straightforward: built-in drawers along the sides or at the foot pull out without lifting the mattress. They hold less than an ottoman bed, but need no overhead clearance and are simpler to access day-to-day.

Ottomans tend to have a bigger capacity than storage beds, with a double ottoman typically giving 12 to 15 cubic feet of storage (enough for three or four suitcases plus bedding and a season's worth of clothes) compared to a side-drawer double storage bed that will average 8 to 10 cubic feet. These are meaningful numbers: an average large suitcase takes roughly 4 cubic feet, so the gap between formats is real.

Most ottoman and storage beds are upholstered in one of fabric, velvet, boucle, leather, suede and linen finishes. Many of these will have panel, winged, sleigh and Chesterfield silhouettes, often with a built-in headboard or strut fittings for a separate one. For those who prefer a more traditional look, wooden frames in oak, pine, walnut and painted finishes are also available.

Note that gas-piston ottomans need at least 2 metres of ceiling height for the mattress to lift fully. Twin-piston mechanisms operate more smoothly than single-piston budget designs and last longer. Heavy hybrid or sprung mattresses can max out cheaper lift mechanisms, so check the rated mattress weight before pairing a thick mattress with a budget ottoman base.

Flitch brings ottoman and storage beds from more than 100 UK retailers together in one place. Our filters cover lift type, drawer count, finish and mattress weight rating; price history shows where a frame has been cheaper, and price drop alerts notify you when retailers reduce. Take a short style quiz for AI-driven recommendations that match your taste and budget, or our expert stylists are on hand for anything more involved.

What is the difference between an ottoman bed and a storage bed?

An ottoman bed lifts the mattress on a gas-piston mechanism to reveal a single large cavity underneath, whereas a storage bed uses built-in drawers along the sides or foot that pull out without lifting the mattress.

How much storage does an ottoman bed actually hold?

A double ottoman typically gives 12 to 15 cubic feet (enough for three or four suitcases plus bedding) and a king holds around 16 to 19 cubic feet.

Are ottoman beds difficult to open?

Modern twin-piston mechanisms make lifting the mattress easy even with a thick sprung mattress fitted. Single-piston budget models can feel heavier, particularly as the mechanism ages.

Can I use any mattress with an ottoman bed?

Most sprung and hybrid mattresses work well. Very heavy mattresses over 30kg can strain budget lift mechanisms, so check the bed's rated mattress weight before pairing a thick premium mattress with an entry-level ottoman.

How long does the ottoman lift mechanism last?

Quality gas pistons typically last 5 to 10 years of regular use. They can be replaced when they wear; most manufacturers supply spares and the mechanism is held in place with standard bolts.