Storage Beds

Storage Beds: The Ultimate Buying Guide

In many bedrooms, the largest piece of furniture is also sitting above one of the biggest unused spaces in the room. A storage bed turns the area underneath your mattress into useful storage for bedding, clothing, towels and other bedroom essentials, helping you make more efficient use of the space you already have.

There are several different types of storage bed, from traditional divans with drawers to high-capacity ottoman beds that lift to reveal the area beneath the mattress. The best type of storage isn't simply about capacity – bedroom layout, access, mattress choice and how frequently you need to reach your belongings can all make a difference.

1. Why Choose a Storage Bed?

• Make use of wasted space: Storage is built into the footprint of the bed rather than requiring another piece of bedroom furniture.
• Keep the bedroom organised: Bedding, blankets, clothing and other bedroom essentials can be stored neatly out of sight.
• Ideal for smaller bedrooms: Integrated storage can reduce the need for additional chests, cupboards or storage boxes.
• Different storage options: Choose between drawers for convenient everyday access and ottoman storage for a larger continuous storage area.
• Available across different bed styles: Storage isn't limited to divans. Upholstered, wooden and bedstead-style frames can also incorporate drawers or lift-up storage.

2. What Are the Different Types of Storage Bed?

The main difference between storage beds is how you access the space underneath the mattress. Understanding the different systems can make it much easier to find a bed that works with your bedroom layout.

Storage Drawers

Built-in drawers provide separate storage compartments within or underneath the bed. They're particularly convenient for items you want to access regularly because you simply pull out the relevant drawer without moving the mattress.

The main consideration is clearance. A drawer needs sufficient floor space alongside the bed to open fully, so nearby walls, bedside cabinets and wardrobes need to be taken into account.

Ottoman Storage

An ottoman bed lifts the mattress platform to reveal a larger storage compartment underneath. Because the storage is accessed from above, you don't need additional floor space for drawers to extend into the room.

Ottomans can be particularly useful for bulky items such as spare bedding, pillows, blankets and seasonal clothing, and they generally make use of a larger proportion of the area beneath the mattress.

3. Ottoman Storage vs Drawers

Neither storage system is automatically better – they suit different requirements.

Drawers are convenient for frequently used items. You can quickly open one compartment without lifting the mattress, making them useful for clothing, spare linen and smaller bedroom essentials.

Ottoman storage provides a larger continuous area and can make better use of the full footprint beneath the mattress. It's particularly useful for bulky belongings or in rooms where there isn't enough clearance alongside the bed for drawers.

Think about both what you want to store and how often you need to access it. That can be more important than simply choosing the storage bed with the largest compartment.

4. Side Lift vs End Lift Ottoman Storage

If you choose an ottoman storage bed, you'll also need to consider the direction from which the mattress platform opens.

Side Lift

A side lift ottoman opens along one side of the bed. This can be particularly useful in narrow bedrooms because the opposite side can be positioned against a wall while the storage remains accessible.

Many of our divan side lift ottomans are universal, allowing the opening direction to be configured during assembly so the storage can be accessed from whichever side works best within the room. Other bed frames may have a fixed opening direction, so check the individual product details.

End Lift

An end lift ottoman opens from the foot of the bed. This is a practical option where you have clear space at the foot end and can also provide convenient access to the storage from around three sides where the bedroom layout allows.

The amount of storage isn't necessarily determined by the opening direction. Side or end lift is primarily about which orientation provides the easiest access in your bedroom.

5. Divan Storage Beds

Divan beds are particularly well suited to integrated storage because the base generally follows the footprint of the mattress very closely.

Storage drawers can be built directly into the divan base in different configurations, while divan ottomans use a lift-up platform to provide access to a larger storage area.

The compact footprint makes a divan particularly useful where bedroom space is limited. Depending on the individual range, you may also be able to choose the fabric, colour, headboard and storage configuration separately.

6. Bedstead Storage Beds

Storage is also available within more traditional bed frame or bedstead designs. These can include upholstered and wooden frames with built-in drawers or an ottoman lifting platform.

A bedstead usually has side rails, a headboard and often a foot end surrounding the mattress, giving it a different appearance from a divan. However, these additional components also mean the external dimensions can be considerably larger than the mattress.

Bedstead-style storage beds are generally supplied in separate components for assembly, which can sometimes make them easier to manoeuvre through restricted property access.

7. Understanding Ottoman Gas Lift Pistons

Ottoman beds use gas-assisted pistons to help raise the combined weight of the mattress and mattress platform. The pistons act as the lifting assistance for the storage mechanism and help support the platform while the storage is being accessed.

Piston strength is measured in Newtons (N), and different beds use different strengths according to their construction and intended mattress weight.

Many larger divan ottomans use four gas lift pistons, while many bedstead-style ottomans use two. The exact number and strength vary between products, so always check the individual specification where this is important.

8. Mattress Weight and Ottoman Storage

Mattress weight matters when using an ottoman bed because the lifting mechanism is designed to work within an appropriate weight range.

A mattress that's too heavy for the mechanism can make the platform difficult to raise. Conversely, an ottoman mechanism can feel particularly strong when the correct mattress isn't yet on the bed because the pistons don't have the expected mattress weight working against them.

If you're choosing a particularly deep or heavy mattress, check any mattress recommendations given for the individual ottoman before ordering.

9. Storage Floors: Boarded vs Fabric

It's worth looking beyond the amount of storage and considering how the storage compartment itself is constructed.

Boarded Storage Floors

A boarded floor creates a more substantial and finished storage compartment beneath the mattress. Depending on the design, the boards may be raised slightly above floor level, helping keep stored belongings separate from the bedroom floor.

Fabric or Dust-Sheet Floors

Some storage beds use a fabric or dust-sheet style floor. This provides a lightweight barrier between your belongings and the floor underneath the bed but doesn't provide the same solid internal surface as a boarded compartment.

Construction varies between manufacturers, so check the individual product specification if the type of storage floor is important to you.

10. Platform Tops and Sprung Slats

The type of storage isn't the only part of the bed that matters. The surface supporting your mattress can also affect how the complete bed feels.

Platform-top bases provide a firm and stable supporting surface and are commonly found on divan storage beds.

Sprung slats are curved wooden slats with some flexibility, commonly used on bedstead-style frames. They can add a little additional cushioning and responsiveness underneath the mattress.

Always check that your mattress is suitable for the support system used by the individual bed.

11. Storage Bed Sizes

Storage beds are available across the main standard UK bed sizes, although availability varies between individual designs:

• 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 size rather than the complete bed. Always check the external dimensions of the individual product when measuring your bedroom.

12. Storage Beds for Small Bedrooms

A storage bed can be particularly valuable in a smaller bedroom because the space underneath the mattress can replace some of the storage that would otherwise require additional furniture.

However, the type of storage matters. A drawer bed needs sufficient clearance for the drawers to open, whereas an ottoman is accessed by lifting the mattress platform and doesn't require storage compartments to extend outwards.

If the bed needs to sit against a wall, a side lift ottoman can be particularly practical. Where you have more space at the foot of the bed, an end lift design may work equally well.

13. How Much Storage Do You Need?

Storage capacity varies considerably between beds. A couple of divan drawers may be sufficient for spare bedding or clothing, while a full ottoman compartment provides considerably more room for bulky belongings.

Internal storage depth also varies between ottoman designs. If you're planning to store particular items such as suitcases or bulky bedding, check the internal dimensions rather than assuming they'll fit simply because the bed has ottoman storage.

14. External Dimensions and Bedroom Layout

The stated bed size normally refers to the mattress rather than the complete frame. Divan storage bases generally have a compact footprint, while bedstead-style storage beds can be wider and longer because of their headboard, side rails and foot end.

Consider wardrobes, doors, radiators and bedside furniture when measuring. For drawer storage, allow room for the drawers to open fully. For an ottoman, make sure there's sufficient space to comfortably operate the lifting mechanism from the opening side or end.

15. Delivery and Property Access

Storage beds can contain more substantial components than a simple bed frame, so property access should be considered before ordering.

Divan storage bases commonly arrive in pre-assembled sections. These reduce the amount of assembly required but can be relatively large when manoeuvring through hallways and around staircases.

Bedstead storage beds are generally supplied in separate components for assembly, although large headboards, footboards and long side rails can still present access difficulties.

Check doorways, staircases, landings and tight turns carefully, paying particular attention to large floor-standing and winged headboards.

16. Getting the Most from Your Storage Bed

Storage beds are particularly useful for items that you want to keep within the bedroom but don't necessarily need every day. Bedding, blankets, spare pillows, towels and seasonal clothing can all make good use of the space underneath your mattress.

Keep storage compartments organised and avoid overloading drawers or ottoman areas. With an ottoman, stored belongings should also be kept clear of the lifting mechanism and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.