Ottoman Bed vs Divan vs Drawer Bed: Which Storage Bed Is Best?

Published 20 October 2026 by Hush My Bed, Birmingham

Short on space? The bed is the biggest piece of furniture in your bedroom, so it should work hard for its place. Ottoman beds, divan beds with drawers, drawer beds and classic bed frames all offer storage in different ways. In this guide we compare them side by side so you can choose the right one for your room, your budget and the things you actually need to store.

Storage beds compared

Ottoman beds: the most storage

An ottoman bed has a mattress platform that lifts up from the foot end on gas struts, revealing one large storage space that runs the full length and width of the bed. Nothing else comes close for capacity, and because it opens upwards you need no extra space at the sides, which makes it ideal for small rooms and beds pushed into a corner.

Our ottoman storage beds are triple-reinforced with heavy-duty steel bars, sit directly on the floor with no legs and have a solid storage base, so stored items stay clean and there is no dusty gap underneath.

How much can an ottoman bed hold?

Storage depends on the height of the side rails. These are rough figures based on the mattress area; the real space is a little less because of the frame:

If you need to store bulky items such as suitcases, a spare duvet or a folded guest bed, look at our deep storage ottoman beds, such as the Genoveva.

Good to know: you lift the whole mattress to reach inside, so an ottoman is best for things you need occasionally rather than every day. The gas struts take most of the weight, and the base stays open safely while you load it.

Drawer beds: easy everyday access

Our drawer beds have one jumbo drawer on castors that pulls out from either side of the bed. You can grab bedding or clothes without lifting anything, which makes a drawer bed ideal for things you use often. You do need clear floor space at the side to open the drawer, so check where your bedside tables and wardrobes will go. See the Zanna for a plain padded design.

Divan beds: a complete bed with drawers

A divan is a fabric-covered base that sits low to the floor. It is usually sold as a set with a mattress and headboard, which makes it great value when you need a whole new bed. Storage comes from drawers built into the sides. Our DualCore divan set offers no drawers, 2 drawers on the same side, 2 drawers on either side or 4 drawers (the either-side and 4-drawer options are not available on 2ft6 or 3ft sizes). Browse all our divan beds.

Bed frames: a lighter look

If storage is less important than style, an upholstered bed frame gives you a statement headboard on a solid base of wooden slats with a centre support bar. Many of our frames stand on wooden, rounded or chrome feet, leaving space underneath for storage boxes and making a smaller room feel more open. Need a spare bed too? Our bed frames with pull-out guest beds hide a second sleeping space underneath.

How to choose

1. List what you need to store. Bulky, occasional items suit an ottoman; everyday items suit drawers.
2. Measure your room. Allow about 60cm at the foot for an ottoman, or clear space at the side for drawers. Our UK bed sizes guide has room sizes for every bed.
3. Think about cleaning. An ottoman that sits on the floor leaves no dusty gap; a frame on feet needs hoovering underneath.
4. Choose your headboard and fabric. See our guide to wingback beds and order free fabric samples.
5. Add a mattress. Browse our mattresses, including the Allure Memory Foam 1000 Pocket Sprung.

Want to know more about ottomans? Read our ultimate guide to ottoman beds and why a reinforced frame matters.

Frequently asked questions

Which storage bed holds the most?

An ottoman bed holds the most because the whole area under the mattress is one storage space. A king size ottoman with a standard 30cm rail gives roughly 670 litres, and an extra deep version gives roughly 1,090 litres.

Is an ottoman bed better than a drawer bed?

An ottoman bed holds more and needs no space at the sides, so it suits small rooms and bulky items like duvets and suitcases. A drawer bed is better for things you use every day, because you can open a drawer without lifting the mattress.

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

A divan is a fabric-covered base, usually sold with a mattress and headboard, that can have storage drawers in the sides. An ottoman bed has a mattress platform that lifts up on gas struts to reveal one large storage area underneath.

How much space do I need to open an ottoman bed?

Allow around 60cm at the foot of the bed so you can lift the base and reach inside. Because an ottoman opens upwards, you do not need any extra space at the sides.

Are ottoman beds strong enough for heavy mattresses?

Our ottoman beds are triple-reinforced with heavy-duty steel bars, sit directly on the floor with no legs and have a solid storage base, so they are built for deep, heavy mattresses and everyday use.