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An ottoman bed is a storage bed where the mattress platform lifts up on gas struts, a bit like a car boot, to reveal one open storage space under the whole mattress. You lift the foot end (or one side on a side-lift model), the struts hold it open, and it lowers back down under control when you pull it closed.
How does the gas lift mechanism work?
Two gas struts, one on each side, are compressed when the bed is closed. As you lift, they push with you, so you're only lifting part of the weight of the mattress. At the top they hold the platform open on their own. Closing works the same way in reverse: the struts slow the platform so it doesn't drop. A very heavy mattress makes the lift slower, so check which mattress suits an ottoman bed.
What are the pros and cons of an ottoman bed?
The big advantage is volume. The whole area under the mattress is one space with no drawer runners or dividers, so a rolled rug, a suitcase or a boxed travel cot goes straight in. The downsides: you lift the mattress each time, which is fine for seasonal things but a nuisance for items you want daily, and an end-lift model needs about 60 cm of clear floor at the foot. For everyday things like socks and chargers, drawers are quicker.
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What types of ottoman bed are there?
In our range there are two. A metal ottoman bed is an upholstered bed frame with a steel gas-lift base inside it, so you get a headboard design like a wingback or chesterfield with storage underneath. A divan ottoman is an upholstered divan-style base that lifts as one unit, usually paired with a separate headboard. Both come as end lift or side lift. How an ottoman compares with slats or a solid board is covered in our bed base guide.
Is an ottoman bed worth it?
Yes, if storage is the reason you're replacing the bed, or if the room has no space for a chest of drawers. It's less worthwhile if you rarely store anything under the bed, because a plain slatted frame is lighter to move. The price step is modest: our Ottoman Divan Base starts at £199.99, against £129.99 for our Divan Drawer Base. See the full ottoman bed price guide.
How long do ottoman beds last?
The frame lasts as long as any upholstered bed. The part that wears is the gas struts, which gradually lose pressure. When a bed starts to feel heavier to lift or won't stay fully open, the struts can be replaced without changing the bed.
Shop by category: Metal Ottoman Beds · Divan Ottoman Beds · Teddy Bouclé Beds · Divan Beds · Mattresses. Every bed is handmade to order in our UK workshop, with free UK delivery in 5 to 7 working days.
Frequently asked questions
Can you hoover inside an ottoman bed?
Yes. Lift the platform, remove what's stored, and vacuum the base board. Doing it every few months keeps dust down.
Do ottoman beds squeak?
A new bed shouldn't. A squeak usually means a loose bolt at the hinge or strut mounts; tightening them normally fixes it.
Are ottoman beds good for small bedrooms?
Very, because the storage is inside the bed's footprint. In a tight room choose a side-lift or check you have 60 cm free at the foot for an end lift. More in our small bedroom guide.
Can children open an ottoman bed?
An adult should open and close it. The struts lower the platform slowly, but a closing lid can still catch small hands.
How do you move an ottoman bed upstairs?
Take the mattress off, unbolt the headboard, and carry the base with the platform closed and tied shut so it can't spring open. It's a two-person job.
