The secret to a clutter-free bedroom? An ottoman bed. Complete UK buying guide by Rest Aura. Free delivery on all orders, made in Yorkshire.
Ottoman beds have become the most searched bed type in the UK and once you understand why, it's hard to look at a standard bed frame the same way again. Beneath the elegantly upholstered exterior lies an entire hidden room: enough space for suitcases you've been tripping over, duvets stuffed into wardrobes, and every seasonal item currently living under your stairs.
How Does An Ottoman Bed Actually works?
Strip away the upholstery and every ottoman bed is built around the same clever mechanism: hydraulic gas pistons the same engineering principle used in car boots, piano lids, and chest freezers. Compressed gas absorbs the weight of the mattress and holds the platform open without any effort from you.
The result is a bed that looks indistinguishable from any other luxury frame from the outside, but opens in seconds to reveal storage that rivals a full chest of drawers without taking up an extra inch of floor space.
- Grip and lift: Take hold of the handle or the edge of the platform at the foot or side. The pistons engage within the first centimetre of lift, taking the weight immediately.
- The platform Rises: The entire base rises smoothly to a near-vertical angle. The mechanism holds it fully open it cannot fall without intentional closing force.
- Access your storage: The cavity beneath spans the complete footprint of the bed. A king size ottoman offers enough space for multiple suitcases, full winter duvets, and a season's clothing.
- Lower and latch: Gently lower the platform. The pistons guide it closed smoothly. It latches flush from outside, there is no visible evidence of what's hidden beneath.
"The best ottoman beds don't just store your things they make you forget storage was ever a problem in the first place."
Types of Ottoman Beds Know Before You Buy
All ottoman beds share the same gas-lift mechanism, but they differ in two important ways: which direction they open, and what the frame looks like. Getting these right before you order saves significant hassle.
End-Opening Ottoman Beds
The mattress platform lifts from the foot of the bed. This is the most common type in the UK and suits most bedroom layouts where the bed sits against a headboard wall with open floor space at the foot. You'll need approximately 40–50cm of clearance at the foot-end for the lid to fully extend.
Side-Opening Ottoman Beds
The platform lifts from the left or right side. Choose this when the foot of your bed faces a wall, built-in wardrobe, or radiator but there's clear space to one side. Side-opening ottomans are particularly useful in L-shaped rooms or where the bed sits centrally.
Ottoman Bed Frame Styles at Rest Aura
Beyond the mechanism, our ottoman collection spans four distinct aesthetics each handcrafted in Yorkshire:
- Panel ottoman beds structured geometric panelling for a contemporary, hotel-suite look.
- Wingback ottoman beds tall, dramatic headboards with upholstered wings for a classic statement piece.
- Cube ottoman beds clean, boxy silhouettes with a minimalist Scandinavian character.
- Velvet & boucle ottoman beds sumptuous upholstery in jewel tones and textured neutrals.
Ottoman Bed Sizes | Complete UK Guide
Ottoman beds are available in every standard UK size. The larger the bed, the more storage beneath scaling directly with the floor area. Here is what each size delivers.
|
Size |
Dimension |
Best for |
Storage |
|
Single |
90 x 190 cm |
Children's rooms, guest rooms, studio flats
|
Good |
|
Small Double |
120 x 190 cm |
Solo sleepers, compact master bedrooms
|
Good |
|
Double |
135 x 190 cm |
Couples, standard UK bedrooms
|
Popular |
|
King Size |
150 x 200 cm |
Couples wanting max comfort + storage
|
Best value |
|
Super King |
180 x 200 cm |
Luxury master bedrooms, maximum space
|
Maximum |
What to Look For When Buying an Ottoman Bed?
The quality gap between a well-made ottoman bed and a cheap one is wide and it shows within a year. Here is what actually matters:
Gas-Lift Mechanism Quality
This is the most critical component. Cheap pistons lose pressure fast and may fail to hold the lid safely open. Always look for heavy-duty hydraulic pistons with at minimum a 12-month warranty. Rest Aura's mechanism is covered for 24 months
Frame Construction Material
The base frame should be solid wood or high-grade engineered timber not hollow chipboard. A strong frame distributes the weight of both the mattress and stored contents without warping or flexing over time.
Opening Direction for Your Room
Measure carefully before ordering. An end-opening ottoman needs 40–50cm at the foot; a side-opening needs the same space laterally. Ordering the wrong direction is one of the most common and easily avoidable mistakes.
Fabric and Upholstery
Velvet is luxurious but needs careful cleaning. Boucle and teddy fabrics are on-trend and tactile. Linen and woven fabrics offer timeless neutrality. Always request fabric samples before committing Rest Aura offers free samples across the full range.
Warranty Coverage
The frame and the gas mechanism are two separate components check that the warranty covers both. A frame warranty without mechanism coverage is not comprehensive. Rest Aura's 24-month warranty covers both parts in full.
Rest Aura Ottoman Collection
Every bed below is handcrafted in Yorkshire, delivered free across mainland UK, and backed by our 24-month warranty. 0% finance is available on all orders.
BEST SELLER
Florence Panel Ottoman Storage Bed
Precision panel detailing with heavy-duty gas mechanism. Available in velvet, boucle, and linen. Double to Super King.
MOST LUXURIOUS
Ascot Teddy Boucle
Sumptuous teddy cream boucle wrapping a king-grade gas mechanism. A statement centrepiece for any master bedroom.
NEW ARRIVAL
Berkeley Ottoman Frame
A minimal, low-profile frame with clean lines and a contemporary silhouette. Available in all UK sizes.
EDITOR’S PICK
Providence Blush Ottoman
Soft blush tones with elegant panelling. A romantic, refined choice that balances style and practicality perfectly.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is an ottoman bed?
An ottoman bed is a bed frame fitted with hydraulic gas-lift pistons that allow the entire mattress platform to rise upward, revealing a large hidden storage space beneath. Unlike drawer beds, the storage spans the complete floor area of the bed making it the highest-capacity storage bed available in the UK. Available in all UK sizes (single to super king) and a wide range of upholstery fabrics.
Are ottoman beds good?
Yes, ottoman beds are excellent if storage is a priority. The hydraulic lift mechanism makes accessing under-bed storage effortless, and they look identical to regular luxury beds from the outside.
How to assemble an ottoman bed?
Start by assembling the base frame by connecting the side and end panels using the provided bolts and screws. Attach the sprung or solid base platform with the hinge at the head end. Fix the hydraulic pistons between the base and platform at the foot end. Finally, attach the headboard, drop the mattress on top, and test the lift.
what is an ottoman bed frame?
An ottoman bed frame is a bed base with a hinged platform that lifts up using hydraulic gas pistons to reveal hidden storage space underneath. It looks identical to a regular bed from the outside but offers a large, accessible storage compartment beneath the mattress.
How to dismantle an ottoman bed frame?
Start by removing the mattress and emptying any stored items from inside the base. Detach the headboard by unscrewing the bolts connecting it to the frame. Disconnect the hydraulic pistons carefully by releasing the clips or pins holding them in place. Finally, unscrew and separate the side, end panels, and base platform and store all bolts and screws safely for reassembly.
Ready to Reclaim Your Bedroom?
Browse our full ottoman collection free UK delivery, 24-month warranty, and 0% finance on every order.