Best Ottoman Beds UK (2024)

An ottoman bed is a type of bed that offers a large storage space tucked away beneath the mattress. 🛏️

This extra storage can keep your bedroom neat and tidy, which studies suggest can improve our sleep ^[1].

This space is accessed by lifting the top of the bed and mattress.

Modern ottoman beds have a built-in mechanism, often gas-powered or hydraulic, that makes it easy to open the bed, even with the mattress in place.🌟

The critical difference between an ottoman bed and other storage bed frames, like divans, lies in the amount and accessibility of storage.

Typically, divan beds have drawers built into the base.

Ottoman beds, on the other hand, offer unobstructed storage space covering the entire base.

Therefore, ottoman beds are an ideal choice if you're looking to maximise storage and floor space in your bedroom without sacrificing aesthetics or comfort.💫

Plus, with ottoman storage beds available in various sizes, materials, and designs, there's something to suit most style preferences and storage needs.

With so many ottoman beds on the market, offering different styles, prices, and more, how do you pick the best one for you?

It can feel like a big decision to make. 🤔

Luckily, our buying guide breaks it down to make your choice as simple as possible.

Ottoman bed quality

Like anything, with different products, the quality will vary.

A good quality ottoman bed can serve you for many years, while a poorly made one may not.

Looking at things like customer reviews, construction, and materials used will help you work out if a bed is worth buying. 💻

For excellent quality, take a look at the Simba Ottoman Bed, which is well-made with solid materials.

It also comes with an impressive 10-year warranty and a very helpful customer service team if you are worried about it lasting!

BUY SIMBA OTTOMAN BED£ 669

Ottoman bed price

There's no ignoring your wallet when choosing an ottoman storage bed.

You'll want to find something that suits your budget. 💰

It can also help to look at competitors to ensure you get the best value for your money.

Price-wise, it's hard to beat the Argos Habitat Lavendon Ottoman Bed.

This is one of the cheapest ottoman beds we've seen, comes with a 1-year manufacturer's guarantee, and is recommended by 95% of customers.

BUY ARGOS LAVENDON OTTOMAN£ 240

Ottoman bed styles

Ottoman beds can transform your bedroom. 💫

The most popular versions are the upholstered ones, which add a comfortable and warm touch to any room.

Meanwhile, velvet ottoman beds like the Argos Pandora can bring a dash of colour and are often selected for their luxurious feel. 🛌

Alternatively, there are also wood and leather options.

It all depends on what aesthetic you prefer.

If you're more of a minimalist and love the clean, Scandinavian look, we suggest checking out the affordable Happy Beds Phoenix Wooden Ottoman Bed.

BUY HAPPY BEDS PHOENIX OTTOMAN£ 379.99

Ottoman bed assembly

Assembling an ottoman bed can feel like a mammoth task.

Luckily, that's not always the case.

Most models are designed for two-person assembly to make the process smoother. 😊

While some brands, like Argos, might leave you scratching your head with complex instructions, others keep things surprisingly simple.

For example, the Nectar Ottoman Bed is known for its straightforward assembly. 🕑

BUY NECTAR OTTOMAN BED£ 539

Ottoman bed bases

When considering the base of your Ottoman bed, it's worth noting the differences.

Boarded bases provide a firmer feel, great for folks who lean towards a more solid sleeping foundation. 🛏️

Conversely, slatted bases offer improved airflow and a springier feel.

The Nectar Ottoman Bed offers a solid slatted base, ideal for those who want something secure that still promotes better airflow.

BUY NECTAR OTTOMAN BED£ 539

Ottoman bed sizes

When picking an Ottoman bed size, you'll find most options in double and king-size dimensions. 👑

But what if you're looking for the best super-king ottoman bed or are on the hunt for the best single storage beds in the UK?

Luckily, you'll still be able to find what you need with retailers like Argos.

The Argos Habitat Lavendon Ottoman Bed comes in single, double, small double, and king sizes, providing handy storage in a more compact format. 👍

BUY ARGOS LAVENDON OTTOMAN£ 240

Ottoman bed opening mechanism

It's always worth checking the strength needed to open the bed and whether you are comfortable with it.

Luckily, most ottoman beds have gas lift pistons to assist with opening and closing the bed, which makes a big difference.

For instance, the Happy Beds Phoenix Wooden Ottoman Bed uses gas-powered pistons to provide an easy lift. 💪

BUY HAPPY BEDS PHOENIX OTTOMAN£ 379.99

Ottoman bed storage capacity

You probably won't be surprised to hear that larger ottoman beds offer more storage.

You'll generally get more storage with a king-size ottoman bed than with a double or single bed.

But even within ottoman beds of the same size, some may have a larger storage space.

For instance, the double Emma Ottoman Bed has a storage capacity of 637 litres. 🤯

This is over 100 litres more than most other double ottoman beds, which have capacities of around 500 litres.

When it comes to storage, the Emma Ottoman is one of the best ottoman double beds we've seen.

Access to storage

Typically, you will access your ottoman storage from the foot end or side of the bed (depending on if it has an end-opening or side-opening design).

You'll need to ensure you have enough room to fully open the bed for easy access to the storage area. 📏

End-opening ottoman beds are great if you have space at the sides of the bed.

However, this design can make it tricky to reach things if the long side of your bed is placed against a wall. ✋

If you plan to place your bed against a wall length-wise, you'll have much easier access if you select a side-lift ottoman bed.

Both the Nectar Ottoman Bed and Argos Habitat Lavendon Ottoman Bed are excellent options for this.

Our top picks for the best side-opening ottoman beds:

Of course, it's not all rainbows and sunshine. 👎

Lifting the top of an ottoman bed can be heavy, especially with a mattress sitting on the bed base, which is also the storage lid.

Most avoid this problem by using gas-powered pistons to assist with lifting.

Some people also find the assembly process tricky, typically requiring two people to get the job done. 🛠️

Of course, this isn't always the case!

The Nectar Ottoman bed is generally considered easy to assemble and dismantle, coming with all the tools required to do so.

BUY NECTAR OTTOMAN BED£ 539

Additionally, since ottoman beds are reasonably solid, they can be difficult to move once assembled.

Lastly, although they offer abundant storage, items stored inside may be harder to access than in other storage beds, like divan beds with drawers.

Our favourite divan beds:

The costs of ottoman beds can vary significantly.

Higher-priced options tend to come with better guarantees and use high-quality materials. 💎

However, don't be put off if you're working with a tighter budget!

It's entirely possible to find affordable ottoman beds that don't compromise on quality or durability. 👍🔍

Our top picks for the cheapest ottoman beds in the UK:

If an ottoman bed doesn't quite hit the mark, there are alternative storage solutions!

Consider divan beds with drawers, like the grey fabric Emma Divan.

Divan beds like this are excellent for easy-to-access hidden storage and are very popular in the UK. 🛌

Alternatively, you can use other bedroom furniture like under-bed storage compartments, bedside tables, or ottoman boxes.

These offer flexible and easy-to-access storage solutions, perfect for keeping your bedroom tidy. ✨

You can even find some of the best storage bunk beds or trundle beds with storage if you're looking for something for a child's bedroom.

If you like the free-range style of simply sliding things under the bed but don't love the messy look it leaves, you can easily hide your under-bed grotto with a valance sheet.

The key is to find a storage solution that suits your needs.

Our favourite alternative storage bed solutions: