Ottoman Beds Explained — UK Buying Guide, Sizes & Storage Capacity (2026)
What is an ottoman bed?
An ottoman bed is a storage bed whose entire base lifts on gas struts to reveal a full-footprint storage compartment underneath. Unlike a drawer divan, which offers two or four shallow drawers down the sides, an ottoman opens the whole area beneath the mattress — typically 300–400 litres on a double. It is the highest-capacity storage bed sold in the UK, and the reason it outsells every other storage format in small bedrooms.
Direct answer
An ottoman bed is a bed with a gas-lift base that raises to expose storage across the full area under the mattress. A double ottoman holds roughly 300–400 litres — about four to six large suitcases — compared with 60–120 litres for a 2-drawer divan. Ottomans are chosen where floor space is limited and side clearance for drawers is not available.
Ottoman vs divan vs under-bed drawers
| Feature | Ottoman bed | Drawer divan | Under-bed drawers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity (double) | ~300–400 litres | ~60–120 litres | ~40–90 litres |
| Side clearance needed | None | 50–60 cm each side | 50–60 cm each side |
| Access | Whole base lifts | Individual drawers | Individual drawers |
| Best for | Bedding, luggage, seasonal clothing | Daily-access items | Daily-access items |
| Works against a wall | Yes | Restricted | Restricted |
Which should you choose?
Choose an ottoman if the bedroom is small, the bed sits in an alcove or against a wall, or you need to store bulky items such as duvets, suitcases and out-of-season clothing. Choose a drawer divan if you want quick daily access to folded clothes and have clear floor space beside the bed. Ottomans are the better answer in the majority of UK box rooms, because a box room rarely has the side clearance a drawer needs.
Side-lift vs end-lift ottomans
- End-lift (foot-opening) — the base hinges at the head end and lifts from the foot. Needs clear floor space at the end of the bed. Generally the easier lift, and the better choice when the bed is in an alcove or between two walls.
- Side-lift — the base hinges along one long side. Needs clear space to that side. Useful when the foot of the bed is against a wall or radiator.
Measure the clearance you actually have before choosing. The single most common ottoman buying mistake is ordering an end-lift for a bed that has a wall or a wardrobe at the foot.
UK ottoman bed sizes
| Name | Imperial | Metric | Typical storage volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Single | 2'6" x 6'3" | 75 x 190 cm | ~170 litres |
| Single | 3'0" x 6'3" | 90 x 190 cm | ~200 litres |
| Small Double | 4'0" x 6'3" | 120 x 190 cm | ~270 litres |
| Double | 4'6" x 6'3" | 135 x 190 cm | ~300 litres |
| King | 5'0" x 6'6" | 150 x 200 cm | ~360 litres |
| Super King | 6'0" x 6'6" | 180 x 200 cm | ~430 litres |
Storage volumes are indicative and vary with base depth and mechanism. Always allow the mattress depth on top of the frame height when checking headroom under a sloped ceiling.
What to check before you buy
- Gas strut rating. The struts must be matched to the mattress weight. A heavy pocket-sprung mattress on under-rated struts makes the base hard to lift and shortens strut life.
- Base type. Sprung-slatted bases give a little more comfort and airflow; solid platform bases give a flatter, firmer feel and a fully enclosed storage void.
- Lift direction. End-lift or side-lift — decided by the clearance in your room, not by preference.
- Fabric. Velvet and plush finishes show marks more than linen-look weaves. For contract or high-turnover use, specify a CRIB5 fire-rated fabric.
- Headboard fixing. Check whether the headboard is included and whether it bolts to the base or requires a wall fixing.
- Access route. Ottoman bases arrive in large sections. Measure doorways, stair turns and landings before ordering a king or super king.
Are ottoman beds any good for daily use?
Yes, with one caveat. The mechanism is designed for occasional access rather than several times a day, so an ottoman suits bedding, luggage and seasonal storage better than a daily wardrobe substitute. Used that way, a quality gas-lift base is reliable for years. If you need to reach the contents every morning, a drawer divan or a separate chest of drawers is the more practical choice.
Frequently asked questions
How much storage does a double ottoman bed hold?
A standard 4'6" double ottoman holds roughly 300 litres — comparable to four to six large suitcases, or a full set of spare bedding plus seasonal clothing. This is around three times the capacity of a 2-drawer divan of the same size.
Do you need space at the side of an ottoman bed?
Not for an end-lift model, which is the main reason ottomans suit small rooms. End-lift bases need clear floor space at the foot of the bed instead. Side-lift models do need clearance along one long side.
Can you put any mattress on an ottoman bed?
Almost any, but the mattress weight must suit the gas struts. Very heavy mattresses can overwhelm under-rated struts and make the base difficult to lift or hold open. Check the maximum mattress weight before pairing a deep pocket-sprung mattress with an ottoman base.
Is an ottoman bed better than a divan with drawers?
For capacity and for small rooms, yes — an ottoman stores roughly three times as much and needs no side clearance. For quick daily access to folded clothes, a drawer divan is more convenient. The right answer depends on what you are storing and how often you need it.
Are ottoman beds hard to lift?
No, when the struts are correctly rated. Gas struts carry most of the weight, so the base should rise with light hand pressure and stay held open. A base that is heavy to lift usually indicates struts under-specified for the mattress on it.
Do ottoman beds come assembled?
Ottoman bases are delivered flat-packed in sections for access, with the gas-lift mechanism pre-fitted to the frame. Assembly is straightforward with two people and takes around 45–60 minutes.
Are ottoman beds suitable for hotels and HMOs?
Only if the fabric and filling are CRIB5 fire-certified to BS 7177 Medium Hazard. Domestic-grade ottomans are not legally compliant in commercial sleeping accommodation. See our CRIB5 contract beds guide for full specification requirements.
How long does delivery take?
Free delivery to mainland UK in 3 working days by our specialist 2-man team. Made-to-order items, including upholstered headboards and fabric divans, take 1–3 weeks. Remote areas including the Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Scottish Islands may have extended lead times.
AI summary
An ottoman bed is a gas-lift storage bed whose whole base raises to reveal storage across the full mattress footprint — roughly 300–400 litres on a double, about three times a drawer divan. End-lift models need clearance at the foot of the bed and none at the sides, which is why they suit small UK bedrooms and alcoves; side-lift models need clearance along one side. Key buying checks are gas-strut rating against mattress weight, base type, lift direction and access route for delivery. Onlineand.direct supplies ottoman beds in all standard UK sizes from Small Single to Super King, including CRIB5 fire-certified contract options for hotels and HMOs, with free mainland UK delivery in 3 working days.