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Ottoman Beds

Most bedrooms have an under-bed storage problem that nobody planned for. The space under the bed becomes a temporary home for things that don't hav...
Most bedrooms have an under-bed storage problem that nobody planned for. The space under the bed becomes a temporary home for things that don't have a better one: the spare duvet in a carrier bag, the cases that only come out twice a year, the stuff that doesn't quite fit anywhere else. An ottoman bed doesn't solve this by adding another wardrobe or chest of drawers to a room that may not have the floor space for one. It solves it by turning the dead space the bed already sits over into something you can actually use.
The ottoman beds in this collection are upholstered fabric frames with a gas-lift mechanism that raises the mattress platform to reveal a large storage area beneath. Several feature tall, statement headboards in the 70 to 72-inch range, which means the practical storage solution sits within a frame that looks like a proper centrepiece for a master bedroom. They're available in multiple sizes and sit within the wider beds collection if you want to compare types and sizes before deciding. Finance is available on many frames, subject to status.
We deliver across the UK, with ottoman beds typically arriving within 7 to 14 days. Our Manchester showroom carries a selection of frames if you'd like to see the mechanism and the proportions in person before you buy. We're happy to talk through sizing, storage direction, or any access considerations before you order.

What's in this collection

The frames here are upholstered fabric ottoman beds, most with high headboards in the 70 to 72-inch range. The ottoman base is the defining feature: rather than a standard slatted or solid platform, the entire mattress surface lifts on a gas-assisted hinge to open the base like a chest. When closed, the frame looks identical to any other upholstered fabric bed. The storage is invisible until you need it.

Headboard styles across the collection include plain panelled designs and Chesterfield-buttoned versions with deep button detail across the full headboard face. If you're coming from fabric beds more broadly, the ottoman frames here represent the upper end of the range in terms of both storage functionality and headboard presence.

Frames are available in double, king, and super king sizes. The storage capacity scales with the size of the bed, so a king or super king ottoman base gives meaningfully more usable space than a double.

How the ottoman mechanism works

The lift system uses a gas piston mechanism, similar in principle to the strut on a car boot. When you lift the foot end of the mattress, the gas pistons assist the movement so the platform rises without effort and holds itself open while you access the storage below. You don't need to hold the mattress up or prop it. Lower it and it closes under its own weight, softly.

The key practical consideration is foot clearance. To open an end-lift ottoman, you need roughly 50 to 60cm of clear floor space at the foot of the bed. If the foot of the bed is close to a wall, a wardrobe, or a chest of drawers, the platform won't open fully. Some frames open from the side rather than the foot, which changes the clearance requirement to the long edge of the bed instead. Check the lift direction on the specific frame before you order, and measure accordingly. Getting this wrong isn't the end of the world, it just makes accessing the storage awkward every time.

The storage area itself runs the full internal footprint of the base. There are no drawers, no divided compartments, and no fixed sections. It's a single open space. That makes it well-suited to bulky or irregularly shaped items: spare bedding, pillows, seasonal clothes in vacuum bags, suitcases, large toys. Anything that would be difficult to retrieve from a drawer translates well to an ottoman base, because the whole platform lifts and you can see and reach everything at once.

Ottoman or divan storage

Both are legitimate storage solutions and the right choice depends on how you intend to use it. They work differently, and for different kinds of storage, one will serve you better than the other.

A divan bed stores things in drawers, typically two on a double base, either both on the same side or one on each side. Drawers give you easy, everyday access without lifting a mattress. They suit things you reach for regularly: extra pillows, a spare blanket, clothing, books. The constraint is that each drawer has a fixed size and the total capacity is a fraction of the under-bed footprint.

An ottoman base uses the entire under-bed footprint as a single storage space. The total volume is considerably larger. The trade-off is that access requires lifting the mattress, which takes a moment and means the storage is better suited to things you reach for occasionally rather than daily. Spare bedding, seasonal items, suitcases, and anything large or bulky works well in an ottoman base. It's not where you want to keep things you need at 11pm on a Tuesday.

If daily-access storage is the priority, a divan is more convenient. If maximum volume and the ability to store large, awkward items is what matters, an ottoman base is the better answer. Some households find the choice is made for them by what they actually need to store.

Spreading the Cost

Finance is available on many of our ottoman beds, subject to status. Ottoman frames tend to sit at a higher price point than standard platform beds, which reflects the storage mechanism and the quality of the upholstered headboards involved. Spreading the cost is a practical option if you're buying a frame alongside a mattress, or equipping a bedroom from scratch. Details are available on the website and we're happy to talk through options before you order.

Why buy from Shawcross

We're a furniture retailer based in Manchester with a physical showroom where you're welcome to come in and see beds in person. For ottoman beds specifically, seeing the mechanism in action is worthwhile if you can manage the trip. Photographs don't convey how the lift system feels or how much storage space a particular base actually gives you, and both of those things are relevant to the decision.

We deliver nationally across the UK and our team is available throughout the buying process if you have questions about sizing, mechanism direction, or whether a specific frame is right for your room. Call or get in touch at any stage.

Ottoman Bed FAQs

How does an ottoman bed work?

An ottoman bed has a gas-lift mechanism built into the base. When you lift the foot end of the mattress platform, gas pistons assist the movement so it rises easily and stays open on its own while you access the storage below. When you're done, you lower the platform and it closes under its own weight. There's no locking mechanism to engage, no prop to position, and no effort required beyond the initial lift.

The storage space is the full interior of the base, running the length and width of the bed at a height of roughly 25 to 35cm, depending on the frame. It's a single open compartment with no fixed divisions, which makes it practical for larger or more irregularly shaped items that wouldn't fit in a conventional drawer.

The main thing to check before buying is the lift direction and the clearance it requires. Most ottoman beds lift from the foot end, which means you need clear floor space at the foot of the bed for the platform to open fully. Some lift from the side. If your room layout puts the foot or side of the bed close to a wall or wardrobe, confirm the lift direction on the specific frame and measure the available clearance before ordering.

How much storage does an ottoman base actually give you?

Considerably more than most people expect. Because the storage space is the full footprint of the base, a king size ottoman bed gives you roughly 150cm by 190cm of floor area at a depth of around 25 to 35cm. That's enough space for several large suitcases, a full set of spare bedding, a significant quantity of seasonal clothing, or any combination of bulky items that would otherwise need wardrobe or loft space.

The single open compartment means nothing is divided or restricted in size. A large item that won't fit in any drawer in the house will typically fit in an ottoman base without difficulty. The practical limit is the opening height of the frame and the weight of what you're putting in, since heavier items can make it harder to lift the platform even with the gas-assist working as intended. Keep the storage sensibly loaded and the mechanism should work smoothly for years.

Which way does an ottoman bed open, and does it matter?

It matters in practical terms if your room layout puts the foot or sides of the bed close to a wall or other furniture. Most ottoman beds open from the foot end, meaning the platform hinges at the head and lifts from the foot. To open fully, you need roughly 50 to 60cm of clear floor space at the foot of the bed. If a wardrobe or wall is sitting within that clearance, the platform will be obstructed and you won't be able to open the storage fully.

Some frames open from the side, which moves the clearance requirement to the long edge of the bed. In a room where the foot of the bed is against a wall but both sides are accessible, a side-opening ottoman is worth looking for specifically.

The lift direction is stated in the product details for individual frames. If you're not sure, or if your room layout is tight in more than one direction, call us and we can point you toward the right frame for your space.

Ottoman or divan: which is better for storage?

They suit different kinds of storage and neither is universally better. The honest answer is that it depends on what you're storing and how often you need to access it.

A divan base stores things in drawers. Drawers give you quick, easy access without lifting a mattress, which makes them practical for things you reach for regularly: an extra blanket, spare pillows, out-of-season clothing you might still want in a hurry. The limitation is capacity. Divan drawers use a fraction of the total under-bed footprint, and each drawer has a fixed maximum size.

An ottoman base uses the entire under-bed footprint as a single storage space. The total volume is much larger, and because there are no compartments, large or bulky items fit without difficulty. The trade-off is that you have to lift the mattress to access it, which takes slightly longer and makes it less convenient for things you reach for every day.

The clearest way to decide is to think about what you're actually trying to store. Suitcases, spare duvets, seasonal items, or anything large and infrequently needed: ottoman base. Everyday extras, clothing, things you want quickly and easily: divan drawers. If you're unsure, we're happy to talk it through.

Can I use any mattress with an ottoman bed?

Yes, provided it's the right size for the frame. Ottoman bases work with the same standard mattress sizes as any other bed: double, king, and super king. A king ottoman base takes a standard king mattress, which is 150cm by 200cm. The mattress itself doesn't need to be a special type for an ottoman frame.

There is one practical point worth noting. The mattress needs to be manageable enough to lift along with the platform. Most standard mattresses, including memory foam and hybrid options, are fine. Very heavy or very rigid mattresses can make the lift feel harder, even with the gas-assist doing most of the work. If you're buying a mattress at the same time as the frame, we carry mattresses alongside our beds, which makes it straightforward to match both. If you're unsure whether a particular mattress will work well with an ottoman mechanism, give us a call before ordering.

How does delivery work, and can I see ottoman beds in person first?

We deliver nationally across the UK. Once your order is placed you'll receive a confirmation, and we'll be in touch closer to the time to arrange a delivery date that suits you. Ottoman beds are delivered in components and assembled in the room, so the size of the assembled frame isn't a factor in getting it through the door. Delivery is typically within 7 to 14 days. If your property has a narrow staircase, restricted parking, or anything else worth knowing in advance, let us know when you order so the delivery team can prepare.

If you'd prefer to see ottoman beds in person before you commit, our Manchester showroom is open and you're welcome to come in without any obligation. Seeing the gas-lift mechanism in action and getting a sense of the actual storage space is genuinely useful before buying, and it's the kind of thing that photographs can't fully convey. Give us a call beforehand to confirm whether the specific frame you're considering is currently on the showroom floor.