A Guide Buying an Ottoman Bed in 2026

An ottoman bed is a practical bed frame that features hidden storage underneath the mattress. It has no drawers and instead lifts the base of the mattress up with gas to provide the mattress with roomy storage. For those with a small bedroom or a rental space, or anyone who wants to use extra storage without taking up additional floor area, Ottoman beds are a great choice. They come in lots of variations, such as upholstered, wood, or velvet bed designs, or contemporary boucle designs.

What is an Ottoman Bed?

An ottoman bed is built so the mattress can lift up, creating hidden storage space underneath. Bedding, clothes, shoes, pillows, seasonal items, and even suitcases can be stored in the storage area. Unlike traditional drawer beds, most of the mattress area can be utilized; thus, ottoman beds typically offer more storage.

How Does an Ottoman Bed Work?  

Ottoman beds feature gas-lift struts that lift and stabilize the mattress platform. This makes it easier to get to the storage area without taking the mattress off the bed.

End Lift Ottoman Beds

End lift ottoman beds lift up from the bottom of the bed. They make a suitable option for rooms that can only be reached from the side.

Side Lift Ottoman Beds

The bedside lift is an open bed on one side (left or right) with a bed lift in the opposite direction. Useful for beds with a narrow bottom that may be open, such as in small bedrooms where access is blocked by furniture or walls.

Ottoman Bed Colours

Ottoman beds are available in various colours, so you can choose one that matches your bedroom style.

• Grey Ottoman Beds – versatile and suitable for modern, neutral and traditional spaces.
  
• Cream Ottoman Beds – Evoke a comfortable and cosy feel complemented by light wooden furnishings and neutral-toned bed linen.
  
• Beige Ottoman Beds – a favored option for hot and neutral bedrooms. Beige is also a great color to use if the bed design has a boucle texture.
  
• White Ottoman Beds – Conducive to a cheerful, clean, and spacious room; ideal for smaller bedrooms.
  
• Black Ottoman Beds – Black is bold and modern, which will further highlight the exterior of the bed, which features modern interior design.
  
• Green Ottoman Beds – The lighter green, sage, and dark green shades can add a natural and serene ambiance to the bedroom.
  
• Blue Ottoman Beds – Navy colors and soft blues can bring depth and character to the room while not making it appear too dark.
  
• Pink Ottoman Beds – A suitable choice to give a gentle and more elegant appearance to the room.

When selecting a colour, take into account the colour of your walls, floors, bedding, and other furnishings. Neutral shades like beige, cream, and grey will sit naturally with decor changes, whereas dark or brightly colored shades will create an accent that can be a highlight of the room.

Another factor is the texture of the fabric when deciding what the finished look will be. A cream or a beige boucle bed comes across as a warmer, softer, and more modern finish since texture provides a more interesting finish than simply an upholstered bed color.

What Are the Benefits of Ottoman Beds? 

Utilises Storage Space – Ottoman beds make optimum use of the area below the mattress.

• Minimizes clutter –It helps you keep out of sight your bedding, clothes, and seasonal items neatly.
• Great for Small Rooms – Storage can be stacked upwards, eliminating the need for additional clearance to accommodate drawers.
  
• Easy to Use – Gas-lift struts facilitate opening and closing of the bed.
  
• Stylish Designs – velvet, linen, wooden, and contemporary boucle bed finishes are offered.
  

What Are the Types of Ottoman Bases?  

The basic designs of the Ottoman beds are often coupled with either sprung slats or a solid base.

Sprung Slat Base

Sprung slats have a slight spring that will provide support, add a softer feel, and ensure easy air circulation.

Solid Base

Instead, it's important to have a solid base that ensures good and even support of the mattress. May provide improved support for heavier mattresses, but may not provide the same amount of airflow as slats.

What Are the Things to Consider While Buying an Ottoman Bed?

• Room Size & Layout – Consider the size of the room and which will be easier – side lift or end lift.
  
• Storage Depth – if you need to store bulky items, then make sure to inspect the internal size of the storage box.
  
• Mattress Compatibility – Ensure that the mattress is compatible with the type of base and gas lift system.
  
• Smooth Reliable Operation – Smooth operation and reliable performance depend on good gas-lift qualities such as strong struts and hinges.
  
• Upholstery – Opt for one that is similar to the bed's design. A boucle bed complements contemporary and neutral colours and looks monochromatic with light tones.
  
• Consider Build Quality: the quality of its frame, joints, and supports (must be stable).

Do Ottoman Beds Use a Baseboard Under the Storage Area?

Some ottoman beds have a solid bottom to the storage area; others have fabric lining and/or thinner bottom boards. A boarded storage area will help to keep items away from the floor and provide a cleaner storage area. Be sure to consult the recommended storage weight for heavy objects before stacking them inside, however.

Ottoman vs Divan Beds: Which is Better?

Ottoman beds and divan beds both provide storage; however, this is done in a different manner.

Ottoman Bed: A gas-lift system that typically comes with a large open storage compartment.

Divan Bed: Equipped with built-in drawers and smaller attached storage pockets.

Ottoman beds are typically good for larger items, while divan beds are easier to use for items that are used more often and are generally smaller.

Can a Mattress Sit Properly on an Ottoman Bed, or Will It Slide?

Yes, the mattress should fit tightly on the bed-ottoman if it is the correct size. Retaining bars or a raised edge on most frames keeps the mattress in place when the base is raised. A secure fit is crucial to getting the right mattress size and assembly.

Ottoman Bed Sizes

Main UK Bed sizes available with Ottoman Beds.

• Single: 90cm x 190cm

• Small Double: 120cm x 190cm

• Double: 135cm x 190cm

• King: 150cm x 200cm

• Super King: 180cm x 200cm

The whole bed frame will typically be one or two sizes larger than the mattress.

Price Consideration

The Ottoman Bed: Ottoman bed frames are slightly more expensive than normal bed frames as they come with a gas-lift mechanism, a reinforced frame, and the ability to store. The size, upholstery, headboard design, and materials are also factors in the price. Bedding with design elements like boucle can be more expensive because of the type of fabric and style.

When it comes to the cost of a divan bed, this may depend on how many drawers of storage it offers, the mattress choice, the material, and the construction quality of the divan bed. Though they might have reduced storage space as compared to an ottoman bed, they can still be a sensible option for purchasers who are budget-conscious.

FAQs

Are Ottoman Beds Reliable?

Yes. A high-quality ottoman bed frame, strong hinges, and a high-quality gas strut combination make a good-quality bed reliable for normal use.

Are Ottoman Beds Easy to Assemble?

Most models are made at home, but this may require 2 people’s help for fitting the lifting mechanism and bigger frame parts.

Do Ottoman Beds Need a Headboard?

No. A storage mechanism doesn't necessarily need to have a headboard, but many Ottoman beds do have headboards for comfort and style purposes.

Are Ottoman Beds Expensive?

There can be additional lifting hardware and storage construction in place, which can dictate the price of an Ottoman bed beyond that of a standard frame bed. They can, however, be of great use since they are a bed and storage space in one.

How Much Can I Store in an Ottoman Bed?

The variety of storage capacity varies according to bed size and depth from within. Double, king, and super king size beds (King mattress) can generally accommodate bedding, clothes, shoes, boxes, and luggage.

Bottom Line

If you now know what an ottoman bed actually is, you'll see why it's used in today's bedrooms.
They come in numerous styles, utilize restricted space, and offer large concealed storage. End lift is good for rooms with easier access at the foot, and an ottoman bed side lift is good for narrow rooms.
Do research on the mattress prior to purchase, including depth of storage, mattress adaptability, mattress base, gas-lift grade, and the structure of the mattress frame. The right ottoman bed can be a stylish way to get comfy in the bedroom, as well as a useful storage unit, whether you're looking for an upholstered or a modern boucle bed.