Ottoman Beds: The Complete UK Buying Guide (2026)
Reviewed by the Onlineand.direct bed team — factory-direct beds with free 3-day UK delivery.
In short: An ottoman bed is a storage bed with a hydraulic gas-lift base. The whole mattress platform lifts on two gas struts to reveal a deep compartment running the full size of the bed — typically holding 4–6× more than a standard 2-drawer divan. It's the highest-capacity storage bed you can buy, which makes it ideal for smaller UK bedrooms where wardrobe and cupboard space is tight.
If you're short on storage but don't want a bedroom full of boxes, an ottoman bed is usually the single biggest space win you can make. This guide explains exactly how they work, the sizes and clearances to check, what separates a solid ottoman base from a flimsy one, and whether they're genuinely worth it — so you can buy once and buy right.
What is an ottoman bed?
An ottoman bed takes its name from the upholstered ottoman storage box. Instead of drawers, the entire sleeping surface is hinged: lift the mattress and the base counter-balances on gas struts — the same type used on a car boot — holding it open while you load or unload, then lowering smoothly so everything disappears under the bed. Because the storage uses the full footprint beneath the mattress rather than the shallow depth of a drawer, an ottoman holds far more than a drawer divan, and there are no drawers to clash with bedside tables, radiators or walls.
How the gas-lift mechanism works
There are two openings to choose between:
- End-lift (foot-opening): the platform hinges at the foot and lifts towards the headboard. Best with clear space at the foot and standard ceiling height — and easiest to access from three sides.
- Side-lift: hinges along one long side. Best when the foot is against a wall but you have clearance to one side.
In both, two gas struts carry the weight of the base and mattress, so you're really just guiding it. Good struts open with a light pull and hold firm; cheap ones sag or slam — it's the single most important quality marker on an ottoman bed.
Ottoman vs divan vs under-bed drawers
| Ottoman bed | 2/4-drawer divan | Frame + under-bed drawers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Highest — whole under-bed area | Moderate — drawer-sized | Light to moderate |
| Access | Lift-up, full view | Pull-out drawers | Pull-out drawers |
| Floor space needed | Clearance to lift | Space to open drawers | Space to open drawers |
| Best for | Small rooms, max storage | Tidy everyday storage | Light storage, lower budget |
Weighing an ottoman against a divan specifically? Read our full ottoman vs divan bed comparison.
UK sizes & dimensions (and the clearance to lift)
Ottoman beds come in all UK sizes: Small Single (2'6") to Super King (6'0"), with external dimensions usually around 10cm larger than the mattress. Check two clearances first: lift clearance (roughly the bed's height again above it for end-lift, or about 1m to one side for side-lift — watch sloped ceilings) and your doorway and stairs access route. Our 2-person direct home delivery brings it to the room.
What to look for in a quality base
Branded gas struts rated to your size; a solid boarded base (better dust protection, supports any mattress); a sturdy timber frame with reinforced hinges (stops the wobble); durable upholstery in a colour you'll live with; and 2-person delivery included.
Do ottoman beds come with a mattress?
An ottoman is sold as a base — you choose the mattress. Almost any mattress works on a boarded base; a pocket-sprung or hybrid mattress is the sweet spot for support and longevity. See our mattress buying guide to match firmness to how you sleep.
Are ottoman beds worth it?
Pros: unbeatable storage, no drawers to obstruct furniture, a clean upholstered look, and a genuine room-saver in small bedrooms. Cons: heavier, cost a little more than a basic frame, you move the mattress to access, and you need clearance to lift.
Verdict: if storage is the reason you're buying, nothing else comes close on capacity — and a good gas-lift base will outlast a drawer divan.
Our ottoman bed range
All with free 3-day direct home delivery, 14-day returns, FIRA & SGS-certified construction, and Klarna available to spread the cost:
- Grey Wool Ottoman Bed (MONTOTTO) — from £211.99
- Grey Textured Ottoman Bed (TEXFGOTTO) — Single to King, from £221
- Oatmeal Linen Ottoman Bed (GLASOTTO) — from £245
- Sky Blue Velvet Ottoman Bed (SKYOTTO) — from £245
- Teal Velvet Ottoman Bed (TEALOTTO)
Shop ottoman beds → · Free 3-day UK delivery · Pay in 3 with Klarna
Because an ottoman's boarded base is solid rather than slatted, it suits a wider range of mattresses than a slatted frame — but pocket-sprung and hybrid remain the best match for support and airflow. Our specialist mattress site, justmattresses.direct, stocks a dedicated range of pocket sprung mattresses sized to fit every ottoman base from Small Single to Super King.
Frequently asked questions
How does an ottoman bed work?
The hinged mattress platform lifts on two gas struts to reveal full under-bed storage, then closes flush.
Are ottoman beds good for storage?
They offer the most storage of any bed type — the whole area under the mattress, roughly 4–6× a 2-drawer divan.
Ottoman vs divan — which is better?
Ottoman for maximum storage and small rooms; a divan if you have floor space to open drawers. The ottoman has no drawers to block bedside furniture — see our full ottoman vs divan comparison for the side-by-side.
Can you use any mattress on an ottoman bed?
Yes — a solid boarded base supports any mattress. Pocket-sprung and hybrid mattresses are the best all-round match.
Do ottoman beds come with a mattress?
No — the ottoman is the base; you choose the mattress separately so you can pick the right firmness.
Are ottoman beds safe and durable?
A quality ottoman with branded gas struts and a reinforced frame is very durable, and the struts hold the base securely while open. Ours are FIRA & SGS certified.