An ottoman bed has a base that lifts up on gas-lift struts to reveal one large storage space underneath, and the choice comes down to which way it lifts, how much clearance you have and what you plan to keep inside. If your wardrobe is full and you’ve run out of floor space, it’s one of the more practical ways to add storage without adding furniture. This guide covers how they work and what to check before you buy.
How an Ottoman Bed Works
The mattress sits on a platform that lifts from the foot end or from one side, held open by gas struts like the ones on a car boot. Underneath, there’s an open space, usually one big compartment, though some are divided. Unlike a divan with drawers, there are no runners or drawers to slide, so you get one open space for bulky items.
The lift mechanism does the work. You release a catch, lift the platform, and the struts hold it open. Closing it is a controlled movement, not a drop. When you’re comparing models, check the mechanism first, because it’s the part that gets used every week.
End Lift or Side Lift?
This is the choice that catches people out, so it deserves some attention.
| Type | How it opens | Works best when |
| End lift | The foot end lifts upwards, towards the head | There is space at the foot of the bed; the bed is against a wall on both sides |
| Side lift | The whole platform lifts from one side | There is clear space on the side that lifts; the foot end is close to a wall |
An end-lift ottoman needs clear floor beyond the foot of the bed, and enough ceiling height to open the platform fully. A side-lift needs space on one side, and there’s no point choosing one if both sides are close to walls.
The test is simple. Stand where you’d stand to open the lid, imagine it open, and check that nothing is in the way: no radiator, no wardrobe door, no sloping ceiling. Then picture yourself reaching in to get something out.
What Ottoman Beds Are Good For
An ottoman works well for bulky, flat items that you don’t need every day:
- Spare duvets, pillows and blankets
- Winter coats and knitwear in summer, and the reverse
- Suitcases and holiday gear
- Spare bedding for visitors
It works less well for anything you need every morning, because lifting the platform takes a few seconds and you’ll use it less. Keep daily items in a wardrobe or chest of drawers.
Choosing Between Ottoman Beds
When you start comparing ottoman beds, narrow the options down by lift type first, then size, then style. Most of the other differences are visual. Lift type is the one that changes how the bed works in your room.
If you’re replacing an existing bed, measure the room with the new bed marked out on the floor using masking tape. Open the lid in your imagination, and walk around it. It’s a five-minute job and the best way to avoid a bed that won’t open properly.
Fitting an Ottoman Bed Into Different Rooms
The type of home often decides which lift works. Victorian and Edwardian terraces tend to have generous ceilings but narrow bedrooms, so a side lift against the longer wall can be awkward and an end lift is usually easier. Modern new-builds often have lower ceilings and small rooms, so check that the platform can open fully under any light fitting or shelf.
In a room with a sloping ceiling, mark out where the lid will swing and check the headroom at that exact spot. If the bed sits under a window, check that the platform won’t hit the sill or the curtains when it opens.
And if the bed sits at the end of a narrow room, leave enough clear floor at the foot to stand and lift. A bed you can’t open comfortably is just a bed.
Getting Advice
If you’d like to talk through the options, the team at SomersetBeds can help with sizes, lift types and mattress choices at the Bristol, Swindon and Weston-super-Mare stores. Bring your room measurements and a note of where doors and radiators sit, so you can work out which way the bed should lift.
Myth: “Ottoman Beds Are Too Bulky for Small Rooms”
People assume the storage makes the bed bulkier. In fact the footprint is the same as any bed of that size. What changes is how the room works: a small bedroom with an ottoman can sometimes do without a chest of drawers, which frees up floor space elsewhere. The thing to check is clearance for the lift, not the size of the bed itself.
That said, an ottoman is not the right choice if you can’t spare the floor space to open it. In that case, a divan base with drawers, or a bed frame with storage boxes, may fit the room better.
Size, Mattress and Weight
Ottoman beds come in the same standard UK sizes as other beds, from small single to super king. The platform is built for a standard mattress, but thickness varies, so check the maximum mattress depth before you buy. A very deep mattress can make the lid harder to close and put extra load on the struts.
Weight is the other thing people forget. A fully loaded ottoman plus a mattress and two sleepers is a lot to lift. The struts are rated to hold the platform and mattress, but they will feel stiffer if the mattress is heavy. Ask what struts are fitted and whether replacement struts are available, since they are the part most likely to need replacing in time.
Headboards, Fabric and Faux Leather
Many ottoman beds come with a headboard, and some have a choice of headboard heights. Check whether the headboard is included and whether it’s fixed or removable.
Fabric is warm and soft to the touch and comes in a wide range of colours. Faux leather wipes clean, which suits a child’s room or a household with pets. Whichever you choose, keep the area around the lid clear when you open it.
Delivery and Assembly
Ottoman bases are heavy and bulky. Measure the doors, hall, stairs and landing, and ask whether the base arrives in one piece or in sections. Some need assembly, and most are easier with two people. If you’re in a flat with a tight stairwell, ask in advance.
Also ask about the guarantee. The struts, the hinges and the frame can each carry different cover, so it’s worth knowing which parts are covered and for how long.
Making the Final Choice
Work through the decision in order. First, the lift: end or side, based on your room. Second, the size and the mattress thickness it takes. Third, the details, such as headboard, fabric and colour. Get the first two right and ottoman beds are one of the simplest ways to turn a cluttered bedroom into a tidy one.
