What Is an Ottoman Bed?
Looking for a new bed with plenty of storage? You've come to the right place!
An ottoman bed is a bed with gas-lift hydraulics which lift up the base to reveal plentiful storage space underneath. They provide greater storage capacity than a drawer bed since you can make full use of the storage space underneath the bed.
They open from either the foot end of the bed, or from one side. This makes them a practical option if space is limited in your bedroom. They're also an ideal choice if your bedroom is small.
Jump to
- Benefits of an ottoman bed
- How do ottoman beds lift up?
- How to close an ottoman bed
- What is the difference between an ottoman bed frame and a divan bed?
- What size ottoman beds are available?
- Do ottoman beds come with a headboard?
- Are there any storage weight restrictions within ottoman beds?
- Are ottoman beds easy to assemble?
- How much weight can an ottoman bed hold?
- History of the ottoman bed
Benefits of an ottoman bed
1. Ottoman beds help keep your bedroom tidy
Are you running out of space? An ottoman bed is perfect for storing towels, bedding and linens such as duvets, sheets and pillows. Items that are seasonal or for occasional use are also ideal to store away in an ottoman bed.
Helping to keep your bedroom free of clutter, you can enjoy a calm space to unwind in at the end of the day. Plus, because everything is contained within the closed storage area, your items will stay clean and dust-free.
2. Ottoman beds are ideal for smaller spaces
Did you know? Modern homes and apartments are actually being made to smaller specifications. Therefore, how we use our available storage space is becoming increasingly important.
Because the entire area underneath the mattress can be used, ottoman beds are excellent space-savers - especially for smaller homes and apartments. Additionally, if you have a guest room, box room or even a loft room, you may not have enough room for extra furniture. An ottoman bed could therefore help to reduce your reliance on extra storage.
Of course, whether your home is big or small, extra storage space is always helpful!
3. There’s a huge variety of styles to choose from
Whether you’re looking for a bold bed to make a statement or a timeless style that will complement your existing decor, there’s so much choice with ottoman beds. You can choose from a variety of:
- Colours
- Fabrics
- Opening options
How do ottoman beds lift up?
All ottoman beds that we sell are powered by gas-lift hydraulics. This means that:
- Minimal effort is required to access the storage within the bed
- Assisted lift ensures it's easy to open and close - a little bit like power-assisted steering!
- Lift speed is controlled, and therefore safer
- Once up, it stays up - until you're ready to close it
Ottoman beds can lift up either from the end, or the side of the bed.
Ottoman bed: foot end-opening
There are two types of foot end-opening ottoman beds:
- Full ottoman
- Half ottoman
Enjoy the best of both worlds: half-opening ottomans are the ideal compromise between drawers and ottoman storage as they often include both!
Ottoman bed: side-opening
Some ottoman beds open from the side instead of the end of the bed, which is a great option if you have a smaller room and can only access the bed from one side.
How to close an ottoman bed
The gas-lift hydraulics are designed to keep the ottoman bed open until you’re ready to close it.
To close your ottoman bed, simply push down on the side of the mattress that is raised - or pull down on the handle or strap if your ottoman bed has one - and the bed will slowly and safely close.
Ottoman beds will only close once a mattress has been placed on top, as the weight of the mattress holds the frame in the closed position.
What is the difference between an ottoman bed frame and a divan bed?
In summary, both ottoman bed frames and divan beds:
- Include built-in storage space
- Are available in a wide choice of different materials
- Benefit from a number of colour options
- Usually include a matching headboard
However, there are a few key differences:
Storage options
Ottoman bed frames feature ottoman storage: a full, under-bed storage area. However, divan beds include more versatile storage options: you can choose between drawers, ottoman storage - or both!
Mattress options
Like all of our beds, ottoman bed frames and divan beds don't include a mattress - so they're ideal if you only want a bed. Of course, if you need a new mattress too, we have a great range to choose from! Why not take a look at our range of pocket sprung, orthopaedic and memory foam mattresses?
Whilst the majority of our mattresses are ideal for ottoman bed frames, some of our heavier mattresses aren't suitable, as they may be too heavy for the lifting mechanism. Please do feel free to get in touch and we'll happily provide any individual advice you need.
Support
Ottoman bed frames include sprung slats, for enhanced comfort and improved mattress longevity. As the slats are slightly curved, they offer greater flexibility and work in harmony with your mattress to provide more gentle support. In comparison, ottoman divan beds include a platform top base, which is a firmer, more supportive surface for your mattress.
Space required
Ottoman beds require little bedroom space since the storage is accessed from above, rather than the sides of the bed. A divan bed is made to the same dimensions as a mattress, so they're usually more compact than bed frames.
| OTTOMAN BED FRAME | DIVAN BED | |
|---|---|---|
| Storage options? | Ottoman storage only | Ottoman storage Drawers Or a combination of the two |
| Includes a mattress? | No | Yes |
| Support? | Sprung slatted for gentle support | Platform base for firmer support |
| Space required? | Minimal space required | May require space for opening drawers |
What size ottoman beds are available?
Ottoman beds are available in a wide range of sizes. You can choose from single, or double ottoman beds, right up to king size and even superking size!
Do ottoman beds come with a headboard?
The majority of our ottoman beds come complete with a matching headboard. With divan bed ottomans, you can usually choose from a range of headboards, too! Simply double-check the product itself to view the headboard options.
Are there any storage weight restrictions within ottoman beds?
Ottoman beds are robust and sturdy and the construction enables a greater storage capacity and weight load than most storage beds. However, like with all storage beds, we recommend that you check the manufacturer's guidance on maximum weight placed within the storage compartment to ensure that you don't overload the bed.
Some ottoman beds are designed with a simple inner fabric base storage area, instead of a solid storage unit. This enables you to store your items without fear of overloading, as the floor will take the weight of the items instead. If you're unsure, give us a call and we'll be happy to explain this further.
Are ottoman beds easy to assemble?
Ottoman beds are easy to put together. How to assemble your ottoman bed, and how much assembly is required, will depend on the model you’ve chosen. For all ottoman beds, we always recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Before you start building your ottoman bed, we suggest that you first lay out all of your required tools and make sure you have enough space. Ideally, you should build the bed in the room where it will be kept so you don’t have to move it too far once built.
When assembling, you may want to wait before you tighten any bolts or screws so you can make sure the mechanism is properly in place should it need any adjusting.
How much weight can an ottoman bed hold?
Ottoman beds are robust and sturdy and the construction enables a greater storage capacity and weight load than most storage beds. However, like with all storage beds, we recommend that you check the manufacturer's guidance on maximum weight placed within the storage compartment to ensure that you don't overload the bed.
Some ottoman beds are designed with a simple inner fabric base storage area, instead of a solid storage unit. This enables you to store your items without fear of overloading, as the floor will take the weight of the items instead. If you're unsure, give us a call and we'll be happy to explain this further.
History of the ottoman bed
The modern-day ottoman bed has a rich and interesting history. The term "ottoman" is derived from its place of origin: the Ottoman Empire, a ruling power founded during the thirteenth century. Ottoman furniture, most notably comprising wooden chests, footstools and beds, first originated in what is now Turkey. The distinctive ottoman design and storage functionality became increasingly popular and was imported throughout Europe by the end of the eighteenth century.
Today, ottoman beds aren't just clever storage space, they look great too! Whether you want a neutral, light finish to blend with your decor or a stylish, stand-out statement piece, you'll find an impressive range of colours and fabric to choose from.
We hope you’ve learned everything you need to know about ottoman beds! Why not check out our range of ottoman beds and find the best match for you today?
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