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Ottoman Beds: The Ultimate UK Buying Guide for Small Bedrooms
If you’re short on space, an ottoman bed can be one of the smartest buys for a UK bedroom. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how the gas lift mechanism works, how much storage you really get compared with a divan, which UK bed sizes suit a small room, and whether you need a special mattress to go with one.
What is an ottoman bed and how does it work?
An ottoman bed stores things underneath the whole mattress platform rather than in side drawers. Lift the frame at the foot or side, and the entire base opens up like a giant lid, giving you access to one large storage space instead of a few separate compartments.
The lifting itself is done by a gas lift mechanism — the same principle used in office chairs. Two gas struts, sealed cylinders filled with pressurised nitrogen, sit either side of the base. When you raise the handle, the struts take the weight of the frame and mattress, so opening it takes very little effort even though the base itself is heavy. Many people call this “hydraulic,” but it’s technically a gas strut system rather than a fluid-based one.
There are two opening styles worth knowing:
- End-opening ottomans lift from the foot of the bed. This is the most common style and works well when you have space to walk around the bed.
- Side-opening ottomans lift from one long side. These are ideal if the foot of your bed sits flush against a wall, or if the room is too narrow to open the bed from the end.
Ottoman bed vs divan: how much storage do you actually get?
This is where the ottoman bed vs divan debate really comes down to numbers rather than opinion. A divan bed with four drawers typically offers somewhere between 200 and 250 litres of storage in total, split across those drawers. A king size ottoman bed, by contrast, can offer around 750 litres of space in one continuous area — roughly the equivalent of 10 to 12 large storage boxes.
Access is the other big difference. Divan drawers need clearance at the side of the bed to slide open, so if you push the bed against a wall, that side’s drawers become useless. An ottoman bed with storage doesn’t have this problem: the lid lifts up and out of the way, so you don’t need any side clearance at all. That makes ottomans especially good for bedrooms where the bed has to sit tight against a wall on one or both sides.
| Feature | Ottoman bed | Divan bed (4 drawers) |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. storage volume (king size) | ~750 litres | ~200–250 litres |
| Side clearance needed | None | Yes, on drawer side(s) |
| Access to items | Whole base at once | Drawer by drawer |
| Best for | Bulky items, seasonal storage, small rooms | Everyday items, quick grab-and-go access |
What UK bed sizes do ottoman beds come in?
Ottoman beds follow the standard UK bed size range, so you can match one to almost any room:
- Single – 90 x 190cm
- Small double – 120 x 190cm
- Double – 135 x 190cm
- King – 150 x 200cm
- Super king – 180 x 200cm
For a box room or small bedroom, a single or small double ottoman bed is usually the practical choice, giving you discreet under-bed storage without dominating the room. A small double ottoman bed strikes a good balance for a single sleeper who wants a bit more room to stretch out, or for a compact guest room.
If your room is narrow, look at side-opening models. As a rough guide, a single room of around 2.5m x 3m or smaller can still work well, and a small double room of about 2.8m x 3.2m is workable for a couple, provided you check clearance on the side you’ll lift from — allow at least 60 to 80cm of open space there.
Browse the full range of ottoman beds or compare them against other options in our beds with storage collection.
Do you need a special mattress for an ottoman bed?
You don’t need a specific mattress type, but weight is worth checking. Good-quality ottoman bases use gas struts rated between 800 and 1,000 newtons, which comfortably support mattresses up to around 85kg. Most pocket sprung and hybrid mattresses sit within that range, so they’re generally fine to use.
Memory foam mattresses also work well on ottoman beds. They tend to keep their shape well despite repeated lifting, which makes them a sensible choice. If you do go for foam, choosing a base with slats can help air circulate and reduce the chance of moisture building up underneath.
One practical tip: an evenly weighted mattress lifts more smoothly than one with uneven padding or a lopsided design, so it’s worth bearing this in mind alongside your ottoman bed mattress size and firmness preferences.
A few options that pair nicely with an ottoman frame:
- Space 3000 Mattress – individual pocket springs with medium comfort, good all-round support.
- Memory Aloe Vera Plus Mattress – a deep memory foam layer with an aloe vera cover for added comfort.
- Orthopaedic Memory Foam Mattress – layered gel and high-density foam for firmer support.
- Air Mattress – a traditional open coil design with a soft/medium feel.
See the wider selection in our memory foam mattresses and pocket spring mattresses categories.
Shop the look
Are ottoman beds good for flats or homes with tricky access?
Yes, in most cases — but it’s worth planning ahead. Ottoman bases are heavier and bulkier than a standard bed frame, so getting one up a narrow staircase or through a tight hallway needs a bit of thought. Many ottoman beds arrive in split sections, which makes them easier to carry around stair turns, through narrow doorways, or into loft conversions. This is particularly useful in older UK properties, upstairs flats, and homes with tight communal stairwells.
Before you order, measure the narrowest points along the route the bed will need to travel — door widths, stair width, and ceiling height at any turns. It only takes a few minutes and can save a lot of hassle on delivery day.
Once it’s in the room, an ottoman bed is genuinely well suited to tight spaces. Because there’s no need for side clearance to open drawers, you can push the bed right up against a wall or into a corner and still use the full storage space underneath. This makes ottomans a strong option for studio flats, rented properties, and box rooms where every centimetre counts.
If you have young children or pets in the house, it’s worth building in a quick safety habit: always lower the lid fully after use rather than leaving it propped open, and keep little fingers away from the hinge area while it’s moving.
A quick pre-purchase checklist
- Measure your room width and check clearance for either end-opening or side-opening.
- Measure doorways, hallways and stairs if access is tight.
- Check the mattress weight against the frame’s gas strut rating.
- Choose a slatted base if you’re using a memory foam mattress.
- Decide if you need a single, small double, double, king or super king based on room size and sleeper needs.
Not sure an ottoman is the answer? It’s worth browsing our full beds range, including fabric beds and bed frames without storage, in case a different style suits your room better.
Frequently asked questions
Is an ottoman bed hard to lift on your own?
No. The gas struts do most of the work, so lifting the base takes a light, controlled effort rather than heavy lifting. You simply guide it up and let the struts hold it in place.
Can I use any mattress with an ottoman bed?
Most pocket sprung, hybrid and memory foam mattresses work well, as long as the overall weight suits the frame’s gas strut rating. Check the specification if you’re choosing a heavier or thicker mattress.
What’s better for a small flat, an ottoman bed or a divan?
For maximising storage in a small flat, an ottoman bed usually wins, since it gives full-base access and doesn’t need side clearance. A divan can still suit you if you prefer grab-and-go drawer storage and have space at the side of the bed.
Do ottoman beds come in small double size?
Yes. A small double ottoman bed measures 120 x 190cm and is a popular choice for single sleepers wanting extra room, or for compact guest rooms.
Will an ottoman bed fit up my stairs?
Many ottoman beds are supplied in split sections specifically to help with tight stairs and hallways. Measure your narrowest doorways and stair turns before ordering to be sure.
Ready to see some options in person? Head over to our ottoman beds category to compare styles, sizes and storage capacities, all with free UK mainland delivery included.
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