Best Storage Beds UK: How to Pick the Right One

The best storage beds UK buyers choose depend on your room and what you need to store. Ottoman Beds give the most space, drawer beds give the easiest access, and wooden or fabric frames suit different styles. Match the bed type to your room size first, then check the lift mechanism and base.

If you’re weighing up a storage bed, you probably want a shortlist and a way to judge quality without wading through jargon. Below, we’ve sorted our Beds with storage by need, with plain-English criteria you can use on any product page.

How do you judge the best storage beds in the UK?

Five checks tell you most of what you need to know. Use them on any storage bed, whichever type you prefer.

• Storage capacity: Look for usable space, not just the bed’s outer size. Retailer guides suggest UK storage depths commonly run from about 20cm to 40cm, and an Ottoman cavity is usually the deepest and most open.
• Lift mechanism: On an Ottoman Bed, gas pistons lift the whole base. Choose one that holds open on its own and lowers smoothly.
• Frame build: Solid side rails and a well-supported base matter. A thin, unsupported base can bow under the weight of a mattress and a full load of storage.
• Size options: Check the frame comes in the mattress size you want, from single to king size.
• Ease of assembly: Storage beds have more parts than a basic frame, so allow time and a second pair of hands.

For safety and durability, BS EN 1725 is the British Standard covering strength and durability of fully assembled beds, and it notes extra requirements may apply to beds with added features such as storage. Check the product page for any stated compliance.

Which storage bed is best for a small bedroom?

For a small room, a single or small double Ottoman Bed is usually the strongest all-rounder. It can take the place of a chest of drawers, so you free up floor space. Pick a frame with a simple, low profile and a headboard that doesn’t jut out too far.

A drawer bed also works if you have clearance at the side or foot. Be honest about your room: if you can’t open a drawer fully without hitting a wall, an Ottoman lift is the better fit. Our Ottoman bed buying guide for small bedrooms goes into this in more detail.

Which Ottoman Bed has the most storage?

If you’re asking which Ottoman bed is best for sheer capacity, look for one that lifts the full base. The whole base lifts up to reveal a storage space the full size of the mattress. That means bulky items such as duvets, spare bedding, winter coats and suitcases fit easily.

Gas-lift Ottoman Beds can open from the side or from the foot. Side-opening is easier if the foot of the bed is against a wall. Foot-opening is handy in a narrow room, where you can’t reach the side. It’s worth deciding this before you buy, because it affects how you position the bed.

Our guide to what fits in an Ottoman bed shows what suits each bed size. You can browse the full Ottoman Beds range to compare frames.

Trade-off: a low-profile Ottoman frame needs lift clearance above the bed. Don’t tuck it under a low shelf or window sill.

Which storage bed is best for easy access?

Drawer beds win on convenience. You pull out a drawer and reach what you need without lifting the mattress, which suits socks, pyjamas and everyday items. They also suit anyone who finds lifting a heavy base awkward.

The compromise is side or foot clearance. Each drawer needs space to slide fully out, so allow room around the bed. Our Captain Beds combine drawers below with a more structured frame.

Not sure which style suits you? Our comparison of Ottoman, divan and drawer beds sets out how each one works day to day.

What is the best wooden storage bed?

Choose a wooden storage bed if you want a solid feel and a look that lasts longer than a trend. Check for sturdy side rails, a well-supported slatted or panelled base and tidy joints. Wood works well in classic and Scandi-style bedrooms, and it pairs easily with other bedroom furniture.

The compromise is weight. Wooden storage beds are generally heavier than fabric frames, so plan how you’ll carry the parts up stairs and into the room. Browse our Bed Frames to compare wooden finishes and styles.

What is the best fabric storage bed with a headboard?

An upholstered Ottoman or divan frame with a padded headboard is the comfortable choice. It’s softer to lean against when you’re reading in bed, and it gives the room a more finished look. These are often the best Ottoman bed frames in the UK for people who want style and storage in one piece.

Look for fabric that’s easy to wipe or vacuum, and check how the headboard attaches. If you have pets or small children, a hard-wearing weave is more practical than a delicate one.

Which is the best Ottoman bed in a double or king size?

The best Ottoman bed double is the one that suits your room, not the one with the biggest numbers. A double mattress is typically 135cm x 190cm and is a sensible fit for most main bedrooms. If you share and want more space, a king size is typically 150cm x 200cm.

For the best Ottoman bed king size, think about three things:

• Footprint: the frame is larger than the mattress, so measure the frame, not just the mattress.
• Lift clearance: a larger base is heavier, so gas pistons matter, as does space to open fully.
• Delivery access: check your doors, hallways and stairs, because king size parts are bulky.

Our bed size guide lists UK bed and mattress sizes so you can match frame and mattress properly.

What are the best storage beds for kids and guest rooms?

For children, a storage bed should keep the floor clear and the room tidy. Our Underbed / Storage Drawer range suits toys, spare bedding and clothes. For older children, Cabin Beds add storage under a raised sleeping platform.

With any raised kids’ bed, check the age guidance, guard rail height and ladder or steps. Take extra care with high sleepers: the climb is taller, so they suit older children.

In a guest room, an Ottoman Bed is handy because spare pillows, throws and duvets live inside the base. That way the room stays neat when nobody is staying.

Which storage bed type should you choose? A quick comparison

If you’re still torn, our guides on divan bed vs Ottoman bed and Ottoman bed vs normal bed cover the trade-offs in more depth.

What should be on your storage bed buying checklist?

1. Measure your room. Include space for the bed’s footprint plus lift clearance or drawer swing.
2. Choose your mattress size. Storage beds use standard UK mattress sizes that match the frame or base size.
3. Measure doors, hallways and stairs. Storage beds are heavier and bulkier than basic frames, so plan access in advance.
4. Decide how you’ll open it. Side-opening, foot-opening or drawers all suit different room layouts.
5. Check the base. Look for solid support, not a thin base that could bend under load.
6. Allow assembly time. More parts mean a longer build, so have a helper ready.
7. Think about what you’ll store. Bulky bedding suits Ottoman Beds; small daily items suit drawers.

For wider storage furniture, SATRA’s overview of storage furniture testing explains how strength and stability are assessed.

Ready to choose your storage bed?

The right storage bed solves a real problem: too much stuff, not enough room. Start with your space, pick the type that fits how you’ll use it, and use the checklist above to compare frames.

View our Beds with storage and Ottoman Beds ranges, which sit within a 2,000+ piece selection. Our Price Match Guarantee (subject to terms) gives you added reassurance. Browse the full Furnmart range of Beds, Mattresses, Sofas and Furniture, with delivery across UK Mainland and Multiple Payment Options.

Frequently asked questions

Are Ottoman Beds good for small bedrooms?

Yes, Ottoman Beds are generally the best choice for small bedrooms. The storage under the mattress can replace a separate chest of drawers or wardrobe. Just leave clearance for the base to lift fully.

Do storage beds need a box spring?

No, many storage beds don’t need a box spring. They’re designed to support the mattress directly on the base. Check the product details for the mattress type and size that suits your frame.

Are storage beds harder to move?

They can be. Storage beds are generally heavier because of the added mechanism or drawers, and they have more parts. Measure doorways and stairs before ordering, and empty the storage before you move the bed.

Is it better to choose side-opening or foot-opening Ottoman Beds?

It depends on your room. Side-opening is easier when the foot of the bed is against a wall. Foot-opening suits narrow rooms where you can’t reach the sides easily.

How do you clean under a storage bed?

Regular vacuuming and occasional dusting work well. With an Ottoman Bed, lift the base and clean inside the cavity. With drawer beds, pull the drawers out and clean around the runners.

What size mattress fits a storage bed?

Storage beds use standard UK mattress sizes that match the frame size you choose, such as single, double or king size. Check the frame’s stated mattress size before you order. Our bed size guide lists the typical measurements.