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Ottoman Beds UK: The Complete Buying Guide

Everything you need to know before buying an ottoman bed — from sizes and storage capacity to upholstery, opening styles, and the questions most retailers won’t answer.

Updated June 2025 8-minute read Midland Beds Ltd, Wednesbury

📷 Image suggestion: Hero lifestyle shot — a king size velvet ottoman bed in a styled master bedroom, photographed at golden-hour. Suggested alt text: “King size upholstered ottoman bed in grey velvet – Midland Beds Ltd”

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In this guide

1. What is an ottoman bed?
2. Why they’re so popular in the UK
3. Types of ottoman beds
4. Size guide
5. Ottoman vs drawer storage beds
6. How to choose the right one
7. Quality checklist
8. Why choose Midland Beds Ltd?
9. Frequently asked questions

If you’ve ever wished your bedroom could store more, look better, and feel like a genuine retreat — you’re far from alone. Ottoman beds have become one of the most popular furniture choices in UK homes, and once you understand how they work, it’s easy to see why. They solve one of the most frustrating problems in modern British bedrooms: a complete lack of storage space.

Whether you’re searching for a cheap ottoman bed in the UK, a statement king size ottoman bed, or a fully upholstered storage bed with a mattress included, this guide covers everything you need to make a confident, well-informed purchase.

What Is an Ottoman Bed?

Quick answer

An ottoman bed is a bed frame with a gas-lift base that rises to reveal a large hidden storage compartment underneath. Unlike a divan with side drawers, the entire floor area beneath the mattress becomes accessible — giving you 140–240 litres of storage depending on the bed size.

The mechanism is straightforward: you lift the mattress platform from either the foot or the side of the bed, and gas pistons do the heavy lifting for you. A safety stay holds the base in the open position while you access the storage, then you lower it back down gently to close. Most modern ottoman beds close with a reassuring soft-click, not a crash.

That full-footprint access is what sets ottoman beds apart from every other storage bed on the market. There’s no rummaging around in narrow drawers, no items getting lost at the back — everything stored underneath is immediately visible and accessible.

📷 Image suggestion: Diagram or product photo showing the gas-lift mechanism in action — base open, storage visible. Alt text: “Ottoman bed base lifted showing storage compartment underneath – Midland Beds Ltd”

Why Ottoman Beds Are So Popular in the UK

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Maximising space

The average UK home is among the smallest in Europe. Ottoman beds turn the dead space beneath your mattress into 150–200+ litres of usable storage — without taking up a single extra square foot of floor space.

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Stunning designs

Today’s upholstered ottoman beds bear no resemblance to clunky storage boxes. From sculpted velvet headboards to clean-lined linen frames, they’re as much a design statement as they are a practical solution.

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Genuine value

When you factor in the wardrobes, underbed boxes, and storage units you’ll no longer need, a quality ottoman bed often pays for itself. It’s bedroom furniture that earns its keep every single day.

For anyone living in a flat, terraced house, or a home without a loft, an ottoman storage bed can genuinely transform how a bedroom functions. We hear it from customers regularly: once they’ve had one, they can’t imagine going back.

Types of Ottoman Beds

Not all ottoman beds are built the same, and the right type depends entirely on how your bedroom is laid out. Here’s what you need to know before you choose.

End-Opening Ottoman Beds

With an end-opening ottoman, the base lifts from the foot of the bed. This is the most common design you’ll find in the UK and works well in most standard bedroom layouts. The one thing to check: you’ll need roughly 50cm of clear space at the foot of the bed for the base to open fully.

Side-Opening Ottoman Beds

A side-opening ottoman lifts from one side of the bed — left or right, depending on the model. This design is ideal if your room has a wardrobe, radiator, or wall at the foot, or if your bed is positioned in a corner. Many of our customers find the side-opening style more practical for daily access once they start using it.

Always specify whether you need a left or right-opening model when ordering — it makes a real difference in a smaller room.

Upholstered Ottoman Beds

The vast majority of ottoman beds sold in the UK are fully upholstered — meaning the entire frame, base, and headboard are wrapped in fabric. Velvet, chenille, soft linen, and faux leather are the most popular choices. Upholstered beds feel warmer and more inviting than wooden alternatives, making them perfectly suited to British bedrooms that need to work year-round.

📷 Image suggestion: Side-by-side product shots of end-opening vs side-opening ottoman beds. Alt text: “End-opening ottoman bed (left) and side-opening ottoman bed (right) from Midland Beds Ltd”

Ottoman Storage Beds with a Mattress Included

If you’re outfitting a room from scratch, an ottoman storage bed with mattress bundle removes the guesswork entirely. At Midland Beds Ltd, our bed-and-mattress packages pair each frame with a compatible mattress — from memory foam to hybrid pocket sprung — so you don’t need to worry about weight tolerances or slat spacing.

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Ottoman Bed Size Guide

Ottoman beds are available in all standard UK sizes. Here’s how each one compares for storage capacity and who each size suits best.

Always measure your bedroom before buying. You’ll need at least 50cm of clear floor space at the foot of the bed (for end-opening models) or beside the bed (for side-opening) to open the base fully.

Ottoman Beds vs Storage Beds with Drawers

Both are popular storage beds in the UK, but they work quite differently. Here’s the honest comparison:

For most UK buyers who prioritise storage capacity and ease of access, ottoman beds are the stronger choice. Drawer divans remain a sensible option only when floor space around the bed is extremely limited on all sides.

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How to Choose the Right Ottoman Bed

Step 1: Measure your room first

Before browsing, get the tape measure out. Note the full length and width of your room, and decide which size bed will leave comfortable walking space on each side. Don’t forget to account for the opening clearance — 50cm at the foot for end-opening, or beside the bed for side-opening.

Step 2: Pick your opening direction

Look at how your room is arranged. If there’s clear floor space at the foot, an end-opening ottoman works perfectly. If a wardrobe, chest of drawers, or window sits at the foot of the bed, opt for side-opening. It sounds like a small detail, but it makes a big difference once the bed is in position.

Step 3: Choose your fabric and colour

Think about your existing bedroom palette before committing. Neutral tones — warm grey, stone, slate, cream — are perennially popular because they work with almost anything and don’t date. If you want the bed to make a statement, a deep velvet in teal, sage, or navy can anchor an entire room’s colour scheme beautifully.

Velvet is the most popular fabric choice in the UK right now — it photographs well, feels incredibly soft, and adds genuine warmth to a bedroom in winter.

📷 Image suggestion: Fabric swatches grid showing velvet, linen, faux leather options. Alt text: “Ottoman bed fabric options including velvet, linen and faux leather from Midland Beds Ltd”

Step 4: Don’t skimp on the mattress

An ottoman base is only as good as the mattress sitting on top. If you’re investing in a new bed, it’s well worth pairing it with a quality mattress at the same time. Midland Beds Ltd’s mattress range includes options designed to complement each bed frame — from medium-firm memory foam to traditional pocket sprung.

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Ready to Upgrade Your Bedroom?

Shop the full ottoman bed range at Midland Beds Ltd — stylish, affordable, and delivered to your door across the UK.

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Quality Checklist: What to Look for Before You Buy

Not all ottoman beds are built equally. Before you commit, run through this checklist — these are the same things our buying team looks for when selecting which beds to stock:

• Smooth gas-lift mechanism — should open and close with controlled, even resistance. Jerky or stiff pistons are a sign of poor quality.
• Solid frame construction — solid wood or reinforced MDF is preferable to single-layer chipboard, especially in the base surround.
• Evenly spaced slats — sprung or solid slats should be firmly fixed, evenly spaced, and able to support the mattress without flexing excessively.
• Neat upholstery finish — seams should be tight, fabric taut, and there should be no visible stapling or loose edges along the base.
• A stable headboard — push it gently before you buy. It should feel firmly fixed with no wobble or creak.
• Stated weight capacity — any reputable manufacturer will publish the maximum weight limit for the mattress and occupants. Always check this.
• Safety stay on the base — the base should hold itself securely open while you’re storing items, with no risk of dropping unexpectedly.

Every ottoman bed stocked by Midland Beds Ltd is assessed against these criteria before it’s listed on the site. We don’t stock beds we wouldn’t put in our own homes.

Why Buy Your Ottoman Bed from Midland Beds Ltd?

📷 Image suggestion: Storefront or showroom photo of Midland Beds Ltd, Wednesbury. Alt text: “Midland Beds Ltd showroom in Wednesbury, West Midlands”

Midland Beds Ltd is an independent beds and mattress specialist based in Wednesbury, West Midlands. We’ve been helping customers across the UK find beds they love at prices that make sense — and we take that seriously.

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Honest pricing

Competitive prices across every budget — including some of the most affordable ottoman beds in the UK — with no hidden charges or inflated “was” prices.

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UK-wide delivery

We deliver to homes across England, Scotland, and Wales. Your bed arrives safely packaged, ready for assembly.

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Carefully selected range

Every bed is hand-picked by our team for build quality, durability, and design. If it doesn’t meet the standard, it doesn’t make it onto the site.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ottoman Beds

These are the questions our customers ask most often before buying. The answers are also structured for Google’s featured snippets and People Also Ask boxes. What is an ottoman bed?

An ottoman bed is a bed frame with a gas-lift base that rises to reveal a large hidden storage compartment underneath. Unlike a divan with drawers, the entire floor area beneath the mattress becomes accessible — typically offering 140–240 litres of storage depending on the size. The gas-lift mechanism makes opening and closing effortless, and safety stays hold the base open while you access the storage. Are ottoman beds worth it in the UK?

Yes — ottoman beds are widely considered one of the best storage investments for UK bedrooms. They offer significantly more storage than drawer divan beds, come in a wide range of attractive designs, and the gas-lift mechanism makes them practical for everyday use. For anyone in a smaller UK home or flat without much dedicated storage space, an ottoman bed is well worth the investment. How much does a cheap ottoman bed cost in the UK?

Budget ottoman beds in the UK start from around £200–£300 for a double. Mid-range models typically fall between £350 and £650, while luxury upholstered ottoman beds can reach £800 or more. At Midland Beds Ltd, you’ll find competitively priced ottoman beds at every tier, from affordable everyday options to premium statement pieces. Do king size ottoman beds come with storage?

Yes — all ottoman beds, including king size, include the full under-base storage compartment as standard. A king size ottoman bed (5ft / 150cm wide) provides approximately 200 litres of storage space — enough for duvets, spare bedding, pillows, and seasonal clothing. Midland Beds Ltd stocks king size ottoman beds in a range of fabrics and colours. What is the difference between end-opening and side-opening ottoman beds?

End-opening ottoman beds lift from the foot of the bed — ideal when you have floor clearance there. Side-opening ottoman beds lift from one side, which suits rooms where a wall, wardrobe, or radiator sits at the foot of the bed. Both types offer the same amount of storage; the difference is purely about which direction gives the most convenient access in your specific room. Can I buy an ottoman bed with a mattress in the UK?

Yes. Midland Beds Ltd offers ottoman storage beds with compatible mattress bundles, often representing better value than buying separately. Bundles ensure the mattress weight and dimensions are correctly matched to the frame’s specifications. Options include memory foam, open-coil, and hybrid pocket sprung mattresses. Are ottoman beds safe to use?

Yes — quality ottoman beds are very safe when used correctly. They include gas-piston safety stays that hold the base securely open while you access the storage, preventing it from dropping unexpectedly. Always check the manufacturer’s stated weight capacity for the mattress and occupants, and ensure children do not play unsupervised near an open ottoman base. How do I buy an ottoman bed online in the UK?

Buying an ottoman bed online in the UK is straightforward. Choose your size, opening direction (end or side), and fabric first. Then check the delivery terms and weight specifications before adding to cart. Midland Beds Ltd offers a clear, easy online ordering process with UK-wide delivery. Browse the full range at midlandbedsltd.co.uk/beds/ottoman-beds/.

Find Your Perfect Ottoman Bed Today

From affordable doubles to luxury super kings — Midland Beds Ltd has the UK’s best selection of storage beds, delivered to your door.

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Written by the team at Midland Beds Ltd

Independent bed and mattress specialists based in Wednesbury, West Midlands. Helping customers across the UK find quality beds at honest prices since we opened our doors.

Midland Beds Ltd · Wednesbury, West Midlands, United Kingdom · midlandbedsltd.co.uk

Page last updated: June 2025 · Category: Bedroom Advice