Ottoman Bed Frames

Ottoman Bed Frames

A cluttered bedroom steals space you don't have. An ottoman bed frame solves that problem by turning the entire area under your mattress into a storage compartment. No extra furniture. No wasted corners. Just one bed frame that does two jobs at once.

At Deeplay Beds, we stock ottoman storage beds in every UK size, from compact singles to super king frames built for large master bedrooms. Whether you want a soft upholstered ottoman bed, a wooden ottoman bed with a natural finish, or a TV ottoman bed that hides a screen in the footboard, this page walks you through what matters before you buy.

What is an ottoman bed?

An ottoman bed is a storage bed frame that lifts from its base, using a gas-lift mechanism to reveal a large, empty space beneath the mattress. Unlike drawer-based storage beds, where you're limited by drawer size and floor clearance, an ottoman gives you the full footprint of the bed. That's spacious storage you can actually use for bulky items like duvets, suitcases, or off-season clothing.

The frame itself sits on a solid base or a sprung slatted base. Sprung slats add a little bounce and help air move around your mattress. A solid base offers firmer support and keeps stored items tucked away without gaps. Either option gives you mattress support that matches a standard bed frame — the storage doesn't come at the cost of comfort.

How does an ottoman bed work?

Lift the handle at the end or side of the frame, and hydraulic pistons take over. This gas-powered hydraulic system does the heavy lifting for you — literally. As you raise the frame, the gas cylinders extend and hold the mattress base open on their own. You don't need to strain or prop anything up.

Closing the bed is just as simple. Lower the frame, and the weight of the mattress guides it back down under control. There's no slamming, no sudden drop. Some newer designs go one step further with an electric ottoman bed option, which opens and closes at the press of a button. That's useful if lifting isn't easy for you, or if you just want the extra convenience.

Ottoman bed vs divan bed – what's the difference?

A divan bed usually has two connected box bases with drawers built into the sides. You get storage, but only in the drawer sections — not the full base. An ottoman divan bed changes that. It combines the divan-style base with a gas-lift mechanism, so you get the classic divan look with full under-bed storage instead of partial drawer space.

A standard ottoman bed frame, on the other hand, isn't built the same way as a divan. It's a single lifting unit, not two joined boxes. You can fit an ottoman mechanism into a divan base, but you can't turn a plain ottoman frame into a divan. If you like the divan aesthetic but want more room to store things, the divan ottoman bed is the better match.

Shop ottoman beds by size

Every UK bedroom is different, and mattress sizes vary just as much. Here's how each ottoman size fits real rooms and real sleepers.

Single ottoman bed

A single ottoman bed frame fits a 3ft mattress, measuring 90cm x 190cm. It's the standard pick for a child's room, a teenager's bedroom, or a guest room where floor space is tight. Most single frames use a side-lift design, so you'll want just enough room beside the bed to open it fully. For solo sleepers who need extra bedding storage without buying a wardrobe, this size does the job well.

Small double ottoman bed

The small double ottoman bed takes a 4ft mattress (120cm x 190cm). It suits one person who wants more room to stretch out, or a couple sharing a smaller bedroom. This size works particularly well in box rooms, where a full double wouldn't leave enough walking space. You still get generous storage capacity underneath — just in a smaller footprint.

Double ottoman bed

A double ottoman bed frame holds a standard 4ft6 mattress (135cm x 190cm), the most common bed size bought by UK couples. It balances sleeping space with extra bedroom storage, making it the go-to option for most master bedrooms and second bedrooms alike. The full storage space beneath a double frame is large enough for a full set of spare bedding, seasonal clothes, and more.

King size ottoman bed

Step up to a king size ottoman bed, and you're working with a 5ft mattress (150cm x 200cm). That's 15cm wider and 10cm longer than a double. For couples who want more room at night, or families where kids climb into bed early in the morning, that extra space matters. The king size ottoman bed frame also means a bigger storage base — more room for towels, wardrobe overflow, or luggage.

Super king ottoman bed

The super king ottoman bed is the largest standard size sold in the UK, fitting a 6ft mattress (180cm x 200cm). If your bedroom has the floor space, this size gives you the most sleeping surface and the most ample storage space of any ottoman frame. It suits larger master bedrooms and anyone who simply wants maximum room, above and below the mattress.

Shop ottoman beds by style & material

Size decides how the bed fits your room. Style decides how it looks once it's in there.

Upholstered ottoman bed

An upholstered ottoman bed wraps the frame in fabric, velvet, boucle, or faux leather. It softens the bedroom and adds a padded headboard you can lean against comfortably. Two style variations stand out here. A wingback ottoman bed has raised side panels on the headboard, giving the frame a tall, structured silhouette. A chesterfield ottoman bed uses deep button detailing across the headboard for a more classic, tailored look. Both keep the same gas-lift mechanism underneath — the difference is entirely in the headboard shape and finish.

Wooden ottoman bed

A wooden ottoman bed uses solid or engineered timber for the frame, often finished in oak. It suits anyone who prefers a natural material over fabric, and it tends to handle daily wear a little differently than upholstery — no fabric to mark or fade. Wooden frames pair well with plain, neutral bedding, letting the timber grain do the visual work.

Divan ottoman bed

As covered above, the divan ottoman bed merges a divan-style base with ottoman lift storage. You get the low-profile, upholstered look divans are known for, combined with full under-mattress storage instead of side drawers. It's a strong pick if you want the softer divan silhouette without giving up storage space.

Grey ottoman bed

Grey remains one of the most requested colours in UK bedrooms, and a grey ottoman bed explains why. It works with almost any wall colour, from white to navy to warm terracotta, so you're not locked into one colour scheme. Deeplay Beds stocks grey in velvet, boucle, and fabric finishes, ranging from pale dove tones to a much darker charcoal.

High headboard ottoman bed

A high headboard ottoman bed stands taller than a standard frame, often reaching well above pillow height. It makes a small room feel more finished and gives you more to lean against while reading or working from bed. Wingback and chesterfield designs are usually available with this taller headboard option, so you can combine height with the detailing you prefer.

Benefits of an ottoman storage bed

Maximise bedroom storage

An ottoman frame turns dead space into a bedroom storage solution you use every day. Instead of a wardrobe overflowing with off-season coats, or boxes stacked in a corner, everything goes under the mattress. This matters most in a compact bedroom, where every square foot counts. Toy storage, towel storage, spare bed linen — it all fits into one place, and your floor space stays clear.

Stylish, on-trend designs

Storage doesn't mean sacrificing how your bedroom looks. Ottoman frames come in fabric, velvet, wood, and leather finishes, with headboard shapes ranging from simple and low to tall wingback or button-detailed chesterfield styles. Whatever your bedroom décor, there's a finish that fits it — grey, cream, navy, or natural oak.

Sturdy & built to last

A well-built ottoman frame holds its shape for years. Robust fixtures, welded hinge points, and a properly weighted storage base all contribute to a sturdy bed frame that won't wobble or creak under normal use. The lift mechanism itself is designed for repeated daily use — opening and closing the bed doesn't wear it down quickly when it's built right.

How to choose the right ottoman bed

Which ottoman bed size is right for me?

Start with two questions: who's sleeping in it, and how much room do you have? A single or small double suits a solo sleeper in a smaller room. A double works for most couples. King and super king sizes need more floor space but give you room to spread out and a bigger storage compartment underneath. Measure your room before you decide — a tape measure saves you from ordering a bed that won't fit through the door or leave walking space once it's set up.

End-lift vs side-lift ottoman beds

An end-lift frame opens from the foot of the bed, lifting the whole mattress upward from that end. It suits rooms with open space at the foot of the bed. A side-lift frame opens from one long edge instead, which works better if the foot of your bed sits against a wall. Check your room layout before choosing — the wrong lift direction can block access entirely.

What mattress works best with an ottoman bed?

Most standard mattresses work fine on an ottoman frame, but two details matter. First, the mattress needs enough weight to help the frame close smoothly — very light mattresses can make the lift mechanism behave oddly. Second, keep mattress depth under roughly 32cm. A thicker mattress can press against the headboard or strain the lift mechanism when you try to open it. Check the base weight limit listed on your chosen frame, and don't exceed it once storage items are added.