Looking to maximise space in your bedroom without sacrificing style or comfort? An ottoman bed could be the ideal solution.
Designed with smart, hidden storage built into the base, it offers a practical way to reduce clutter while making the most of your floor space.
Why Choose an Ottoman Bed?
Beds are often the largest piece of furniture in a bedroom—yet the space underneath is typically unused. An ottoman bed changes that.
With a cleverly designed storage compartment beneath the mattress, it transforms unused space into a highly functional storage area.
Perfect for small bedrooms, apartments, or anyone in need of extra room for linens, clothes, or seasonal items.
How Does an Ottoman Bed Work?
Ottoman beds are fitted with gas-lift hydraulics that allow the mattress and base to lift effortlessly, giving you full access to the storage space beneath. This mechanism makes it easy to store and retrieve items without heavy lifting.
There are two main types:
- Foot-end opening: Lifts from the bottom of the bed.
- Side opening: Opens from one side, ideal for tight spaces.
The storage is typically deep and spans the entire footprint of the bed, offering far more space than traditional drawer beds.
In the picture above you can see the Ealing Ottoman Bed by Dreams which has an internal storage depth of 29 cm. You can find an ottoman in several sizes: single, small double, double, or king. Priced at only £499 for a double size, or £299 when on sale.
How does it work?
An Ottoman bed has gas-lift hydraulics to lift the bed frame with a mattress on it, without applying much force.
Depending on the bed and the manufacturer most beds have the lift up from the footend of the bed, while some have a side-opening mechanism. You can easily open it and store your items.
You can utilizs the free space available underneath the bed that is revealed once you lift the board.
How to organise an ottoman bed?
Here are some tips on how to best organise the space of your ottoman bed:
- Categorise your items: Begin by sorting your belongings into categories such as bedding, clothes, shoes, accessories, or seasonal items.
- Utilise storage compartments: Use dividers, storage boxes or baskets to keep smaller items separated and easily accessible.
- Prioritise frequently used items: Place frequently used items towards the top or front of the ottoman for easy access. Reserve the bottom or back for less frequently accessed items, suitcases or seasonal storage.
- Maximise space: Utilise the full storage capacity of the ottoman by stacking items neatly and making use of vertical space. Consider vacuum-sealing bulky items to save space.
Benefits of an Ottoman Bed:
- ✅ Hidden storage for a clutter-free bedroom
- ✅ Maximises limited space—ideal for smaller homes
- ✅ Full under-bed access (unlike partial drawers)
- ✅ Reduces need for extra furniture (e.g. wardrobes or chests)
- ✅ Stylish and functional—blends with modern interiors
- ✅ Safe, secure storage for valuables or seasonal items
Shopping Tip: Did you know that some TV Beds have an ottoman storage built-in. For example, the Osaka Ottoman TV Bed has a 32″ or 43″ TV located at the foot-end of the bed and large ottoman storage. It’s priced at only £1,699 for a double size or £1,199 when on sale, including a 32″ HD TV.
Why it is called an “Ottoman” Bed?
The term “ottoman” originates from the Ottoman Empire, where furniture often featured hidden storage and rich upholstery.
Early ottomans were cushioned seats with built-in storage—much like today’s ottoman beds. The design has evolved, but the name still reflects its practical, space-saving roots.
How much weight can an ottoman bed hold?
Most ottoman bed frames with gas-lift hydraulics can support 40–60 kg in mattress weight, depending on the quality and manufacturer.
As a general rule:
- Memory foam and hybrid mattresses are ideal
- Heavy spring mattresses may require stronger gas struts
Just make sure your mattress weights less than that, and you shouldn’t have any problems.
What can I store in it?
It’s all about your ease and requirements. As the Ottoman bed offers safe storage, you can store anything in it. Such as if you don’t have a cabinet in your apartment to place the bedding then you can place your bedsheets, pillowcases, filled duvets, duvet covers, etc.
You can also store your seasonal clothes in it such as winter coats, jackets, and jumpers. Just make sure you check how deep the storage space it, it can be between 20cm to 30cm depending on the bed.
