Divan Ottoman Beds

Divan Ottoman Beds: The Ultimate Buying Guide

A divan ottoman bed combines two of the most practical bed designs: the compact footprint of a divan base and the generous hidden storage of an ottoman. Instead of using individual drawers, the mattress platform lifts with the assistance of gas lift pistons to reveal a large storage compartment underneath.

This makes a divan ottoman particularly useful when you want to maximise bedroom storage without increasing the footprint of the bed. With a choice of side lift and end lift designs, fabrics, colours and headboards, an ottoman divan can be configured around both your bedroom layout and your preferred style.

1. Why Choose a Divan Ottoman Bed?

A traditional bed occupies a significant amount of bedroom floor space while leaving much of the area beneath the mattress unused. A divan ottoman turns this otherwise wasted space into useful hidden storage.

• Generous storage: The storage compartment uses a large proportion of the area beneath the mattress, providing considerably more continuous space than individual divan drawers.
• Compact footprint: A divan base generally follows the dimensions of the mattress closely, without substantial side rails or a foot end extending into the room.
• Gas-assisted lifting: Gas lift pistons assist with raising the mattress platform so you can access the storage underneath.
• Ideal for heavier mattresses: Larger divan ottomans commonly use four gas lift pistons, providing a substantial lifting system for today's deeper and heavier mattresses.
• No drawer clearance required: Because the storage is accessed from above, you don't need additional floor space for drawers to extend into the bedroom.
• Choice of opening direction: Side lift and end lift configurations allow you to select the arrangement that works best with your room.
• Customisable appearance: Many divan ranges offer a choice of upholstery colours and matching strutted or floor-standing headboards.

2. How Does a Divan Ottoman Bed Work?

The mattress sits on a hinged platform attached to the divan base. Gas lift pistons assist with raising the combined weight of the mattress and platform, revealing the storage compartment inside the base.

The mechanism is designed to work with the weight of a suitable mattress in place. This is why an ottoman mechanism can feel extremely strong or difficult to close when it is first assembled without the mattress fitted.

Always use a mattress within the manufacturer's recommended weight range and follow the assembly and operating instructions supplied with the individual bed.

3. Four Gas Lift Pistons on Larger Divan Ottomans

One of the important differences between many divan ottomans and bedstead-style ottoman beds is the lifting system.

Our larger divan ottoman bases typically use four gas lift pistons – two on each side of the base. Many conventional ottoman bedsteads use two pistons, one on either side of the frame.

The four-piston configuration provides substantial lifting assistance and makes divan ottomans particularly well suited to many of today's heavier pocket sprung, hybrid and luxury mattresses.

Piston strengths and maximum mattress weights vary between individual ranges, so always check the specification of the particular bed and mattress combination you're considering.

4. How Much Storage Does a Divan Ottoman Provide?

One of the biggest advantages of an ottoman divan is the amount of usable storage it can provide. Instead of dividing the base into individual drawer compartments, the ottoman gives you access to a much larger area underneath the mattress.

This makes the storage particularly useful for bulky items such as:

• Spare duvets and bedding
• Pillows and blankets
• Seasonal clothing
• Towels and spare linen
• Bedroom essentials that aren't required every day

Storage depth and internal construction vary between ranges. Many of our divan ottomans provide approximately 24cm of internal storage depth, but always check the individual product specification where exact storage dimensions are important.

5. Side Lift Divan Ottoman Beds

A side lift divan ottoman opens along the side of the bed, allowing you to access the storage compartment from the left or right.

Many of our divan side lift ottomans are universal, meaning the opening direction can be configured during assembly. This allows you to choose whichever side provides the easiest access within your bedroom.

Side lift can be particularly useful in smaller or narrower bedrooms because one side of the bed can be positioned against a wall while the storage remains accessible from the other side.

6. End Lift Divan Ottoman Beds

An end lift divan ottoman opens from the foot of the bed rather than from the side. This can be a very practical configuration where you have clear space at the foot end and want to access the storage from around either side of the bed.

End lift designs work particularly well where the bed is positioned centrally within the bedroom with reasonable access around it.

If access down the sides of the bed is heavily restricted, a side lift model may be more convenient because you can configure the bed so that the lifting side faces the clearest part of the room.

7. Side Lift or End Lift: Which Is Better?

The amount of storage isn't necessarily determined by whether you choose side lift or end lift. The important difference is where you'll stand when opening the bed and accessing your belongings.

A side lift can be particularly practical if:

• One side of the bed needs to sit against a wall.
• Your bedroom is relatively narrow.
• You have more standing space alongside the bed than at the foot.

An end lift can work particularly well if:

• You have clear floor space at the foot of the bed.
• Both sides of the bed are accessible.
• You want to access the storage from around three sides once the platform is raised.

Think about the actual layout of your bedroom rather than simply choosing one opening direction over another.

8. Divan Ottoman vs Ottoman Bed Frame

Both designs provide lift-up storage, but they have quite different constructions.

A divan ottoman uses an upholstered box-style base that generally follows the footprint of the mattress. The headboard is attached separately and there are normally no substantial side rails or footboard extending beyond the mattress.

An ottoman bed frame or bedstead surrounds the mattress with side rails and generally includes an integrated headboard and foot end. Upholstered and wooden versions are available, and these can create more of a statement-bed appearance.

The divan's compact construction makes it particularly useful when maximum storage and efficient use of bedroom floor space are priorities.

9. Divan Ottoman Storage vs Divan Drawers

Both provide storage within the footprint of the bed, but they suit different types of belongings and bedroom layouts.

Divan drawers provide quick access to smaller items without requiring the mattress to be lifted. They can be convenient for clothing, towels and bedding you use regularly.

Ottoman storage provides a larger continuous storage area and is better suited to bulky items. Because the compartment is accessed from above, it also doesn't require the additional floor clearance needed to pull drawers out.

If storage capacity is the priority, an ottoman generally makes more complete use of the area beneath the mattress.

10. Platform-Top Divan Bases

Many of our divan ottoman beds use a platform-top base. This provides a firm, stable supporting surface beneath the mattress and is suitable for a wide variety of mattress types.

The support provided by the base contributes to the overall feel of the complete bed. A firm platform top generally allows the characteristics of the mattress itself to provide most of the cushioning and responsiveness.

Always check that your chosen mattress is suitable for the individual base.

11. Choosing a Mattress for a Divan Ottoman

The mattress needs to be the correct size, but with an ottoman there is another important consideration: weight.

Deep pocket sprung, natural-fill and hybrid mattresses can be considerably heavier than simpler foam or open-coil designs. The gas lift pistons need to be appropriate for the weight of the mattress so that the lifting system operates correctly.

One advantage of many larger divan ottomans is their four-piston lifting system, which can make them particularly suitable for heavier mattresses. However, maximum mattress weights vary, so check the specifications of both the divan and mattress before ordering.

12. Choosing Your Fabric & Colour

Divan ottomans are upholstered beds, and many ranges offer a substantial choice of fabrics and colours. This allows the base and headboard to coordinate with the rest of your bedroom rather than looking purely functional.

Neutral greys, creams and natural shades provide a versatile backdrop for changing bedding and décor, while deeper blues, greens and other statement colours can make the bed more of a focal point.

Fabric texture, room lighting and screen settings can affect how colours appear, so bear this in mind when coordinating your bed with existing furniture and furnishings.

13. Choosing a Headboard

One of the advantages of a divan is that the headboard can often be selected separately from the base. Depending on the range, you may be able to choose between different fabrics, colours, heights and designs.

Strutted headboards attach to the base using wooden struts and can generally be adjusted in height. They're usually lighter and easier to manoeuvre through restricted access.

Floor-standing headboards extend down to the floor and can create a much more substantial statement-bed appearance. Because they're larger, property access should be checked particularly carefully before ordering.

14. Divan Ottoman Bed Sizes

Divan ottoman beds are available across the main UK bed sizes, depending on the individual range:

• 3ft Single: approximately 3ft x 6ft3 (92cm x 190cm)
• 4ft Small Double: approximately 4ft x 6ft3 (122cm x 190cm)
• 4ft6 Double: approximately 4ft6 x 6ft3 (137cm x 190cm)
• 5ft King Size: approximately 5ft x 6ft6 (153cm x 200cm)
• 6ft Super King: approximately 6ft x 6ft6 (183cm x 200cm)

These measurements refer to the approximate mattress dimensions. Always check the individual product specification before ordering.

15. A Compact Footprint for Smaller Bedrooms

A major advantage of a divan ottoman is how efficiently it uses bedroom space. The base generally follows the dimensions of the mattress closely, meaning there are no wide side rails or substantial foot end adding unnecessarily to the footprint.

Combine this with storage that is accessed from above rather than by pulling drawers into the room and a divan ottoman can be an excellent solution for smaller bedrooms.

If the bed needs to sit against a side wall, consider a universal side lift model so the opening direction can be configured towards the accessible side of the room.

16. Split Bases & Property Access

Divan bases arrive substantially assembled, which keeps bedroom assembly relatively straightforward but means the individual sections can be larger than the flat-packed components of a traditional bedstead.

Depending on the individual range and size, larger divan bases are generally supplied in two sections that are joined together in the bedroom. Smaller sizes may be supplied as a single base.

Always check doorways, hallways, staircases, landings and tight turns before ordering. If you have particularly restricted access, check whether a split-base option is available for your chosen model.

17. Don't Forget the Headboard When Checking Access

The divan base isn't always the largest or most difficult component to deliver. A large floor-standing headboard can sometimes present more of an access challenge than the base itself.

This is particularly important with tall, winged or heavily padded designs. Check staircase turns, landing space, doorway dimensions and ceiling height above stairs before choosing a large statement headboard.

18. Getting the Most from Your Ottoman Storage

Ottoman storage is particularly useful for bulky belongings that take up valuable wardrobe or cupboard space but aren't required every day.

Keep belongings organised and clear of the lifting mechanism, and avoid overfilling or overloading the compartment. Always follow the manufacturer's guidance regarding storage and operation of the bed.

Used effectively, a divan ottoman can provide the sleeping comfort of a conventional divan while turning almost the entire footprint beneath your mattress into valuable bedroom storage.