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Bed types

Storage beds

Storage beds hide space for bedding, clothes or boxes inside the bed. The main UK types are ottoman beds that lift up, divan beds with 2 or 4 drawers, bed frames with drawers, and cabin beds for children. Pick the type by what you store, how often you need it and the space around your bed.

Verified UK sellers
44
Makers and factories
12
UK sizes
75–180 cm wide

Also called: beds with storage, storage bed frames, beds with drawers, lift-up beds, under-bed storage beds.

Plan diagram of divan bed drawer layouts showing two drawers, four drawers and foot-end drawer positions

Where to buy storage beds and compare prices

Check prices at verified UK sellers

SellerType and townRange to look atLink
Dreams Retailer · High Wycombe Divan bed ranges Check price ↗
Dunelm Retailer · Syston Wooden ottoman frames Check price ↗
Bensons for Beds Retailer · Purfleet Ottoman and storage beds Check price ↗
Crafted Beds Retailer · Leeds Chesterfield upholstered beds Check price ↗
GNG Group Manufacturer · Normanton Divan and storage bases Check price ↗
Leekes Retailer · Pontyclun Divan sets and drawers Check price ↗

Prices change often, so we link to each seller’s own page instead of copying them. These 6 sellers are picked at random each day from the 44 below. Nobody pays to appear here. How we make money.

What are storage beds?

A storage bed is any bed with built-in space to keep things. It turns the area under the mattress into cupboard space.

The storage can open in two main ways. An ottoman lifts the whole mattress platform. Drawers slide out from the side or the foot of the base.

Storage beds suit small bedrooms, flats and children’s rooms, where a chest of drawers would take up floor space.

The right type depends on three things: what you will store, how often you need it and the space around your bed. Bulky things you need now and then suit lift-up storage. Clothes and things you use every day suit drawers.

What types of storage beds are there?

Ottoman storage beds

The mattress platform lifts on gas struts (springy metal arms). Underneath is one large space for bulky items such as duvets and suitcases.

Divan beds with drawers

A fabric box base with 2 drawers, 4 drawers or one continental drawer at the foot end. Drawers suit small items you use often.

Bed frames with drawers

Wooden or upholstered frames with drawers built into the side rails or the foot end. They look like a bed frame rather than a box base.

TV beds with storage

A TV bed hides a screen lift in the footboard. Some also open as an ottoman, so you get both features in one bed.

Cabin beds and mid sleepers

Raised children’s beds with drawers, cupboards or shelves underneath. Check the age guidance for the height of the bed.

Captain’s beds

A raised frame with a row of drawers underneath, often a Single for a child’s room. Some also have shelves at the head end.

Raised frames for under-bed boxes

A plain frame with a high clearance under it. You slide your own storage boxes underneath. Measure the clear height first.

What are the pros and cons of storage beds?

Good points

  • Saves floor space by using the area under the bed.
  • Enclosed storage keeps dust off stored items.
  • Many choices: lift-up for bulky items, drawers for daily things.
  • Available in every UK size, from Small Single to Super King.

Things to weigh up

  • Ottoman lids must be lifted to reach anything, and need opening space above.
  • Drawers need clear floor space beside or in front of the bed.
  • Storage beds are heavier than plain frames and can take longer to assemble.
  • The storage floor may carry less weight than the sleeping surface. Do not overload it.

What sizes do storage beds come in?

Storage beds come in UK mattress sizes: Small Single 75 × 190 cm, Single 90 × 190 cm, Small Double 120 × 190 cm, Double 135 × 190 cm, King 150 × 200 cm and Super King 180 × 200 cm.

Bigger beds give more storage area. Drawer sizes also change with the bed size, so ask for the inside size of each drawer.

Frames with drawers and padded storage beds are often larger than the mattress. Ask for the outside size in centimetres.

UK sizeMattress sizeShop name
Small Single 75 × 190 cm 2ft 6
Single 90 × 190 cm 3ft
Small Double 120 × 190 cm 4ft
Double 135 × 190 cm 4ft 6
King 150 × 200 cm 5ft
Super King 180 × 200 cm 6ft
Emperor (common) 200 × 200 cm 6 ft 6

Frames and headboards can be bigger than the mattress. Ask for the outer size in centimetres.

What should you check before buying storage beds?

  • What you will store: bulky seasonal items suit an ottoman; everyday items suit drawers.
  • Access: check the lid has headroom to open, or the drawers have floor space to slide out.
  • Inside sizes: ask for storage depth or drawer size in cm, and whether dividers reduce the space.
  • Weight limits: ask for the mattress weight range (for ottomans) and the storage floor limit.
  • Support under the mattress: slats, a platform or a sprung top. Match your mattress maker’s base rules.
  • Drawer runners and stops: ask whether drawers run on proper runners and have stops, so they slide smoothly and cannot fall out.
  • Delivery: ask how many boxes and the size of the largest one.
  • Fire safety: upholstered storage beds must meet the UK furniture fire rules. Look for the label.

Will storage beds fit your room?

In a narrow room with one side against a wall, choose an end-lift ottoman, drawers on the open side, or a continental drawer at the foot.

With bedside tables close on both sides, an end-lift ottoman or a foot-end drawer often works best.

Mark the open lid or open drawers on the floor with tape before you buy.

Plan it with the bed room planner.

Delivery and assembly

Ottoman storage beds usually come flat-packed in several boxes. Divans with drawers often come in one or two pieces.

Measure doorways, stairs and landing turns against the largest box or base half.

Allow time for assembly, especially gas struts and drawer runners. Two people make it safer.

Check your doors, stairs and turns with the delivery fit checker.

How do you look after storage beds?

Spread weight evenly in the storage and avoid very heavy items on a thin storage floor. Vacuum the storage space when you change seasonal items.

Keep drawer runners clear of fluff and check bolts now and then.

Air the storage space now and then, especially in damp rooms, to help prevent musty smells.

UK companies that sell storage beds (A–Z)

Storage beds are sold by these 44 verified UK companies. Each is active on Companies House and has a checked official website. Range topics come from each checked profile; they are examples, not a full stock list. The list is in A–Z order and payment never changes it.

Factories and manufacturers (12)

Retailers and online brands (32)

Missing a UK company? Suggest a free listing. Make or sell storage beds? Sell on BedGuide.

Frequently asked questions

What type of storage bed holds the most?

An ottoman usually holds the most, because the whole area under the mattress is one space. Drawers hold less but are quicker to open for everyday items.

Are storage beds good for small rooms?

Yes. A storage bed can replace a chest of drawers or under-bed boxes. Check the room has space to lift an ottoman lid or open drawers fully, and that you can still walk around the bed.

What is the difference between an ottoman and a storage bed?

An ottoman is one kind of storage bed. Storage bed is the wider term. It also covers divans with drawers, frames with drawers, TV beds with storage and cabin beds.

Can you put heavy things in a storage bed?

Only within the limits. The storage floor can carry less weight than the mattress platform. Ask the seller for the storage load limit and spread weight evenly.

Do storage beds need a special mattress?

No special type. Check the support surface matches your mattress maker’s rules, such as a platform top or a close slat gap. For ottomans, the mattress weight must also suit the gas struts.

Are storage beds strong enough for two adults?

Many are, but ask for the sleeping load limit for the exact model and size. Storage parts can make a frame heavier without making it stronger. Assembly and centre support also matter.

Are drawers or an ottoman better?

Drawers are better for things you use every day, like clothes. An ottoman is better for bulky items you need now and then, like spare bedding or suitcases.

Do storage beds get damp?

Enclosed storage has less airflow. In damp rooms, air the bed now and then, keep the room ventilated and do not store damp items inside.

Where can I buy storage beds in the UK?

BedGuide lists 44 verified UK companies that sell storage beds, including 12 factories and manufacturers. Each is active on Companies House and has a checked website. Compare prices on each seller’s own page.

Read before you buy

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Last updated 2026-10-21.