Ottoman Beds for Small Bedrooms and Box Rooms: How to Choose One That Fits

Ottoman Beds for Small Bedrooms and Box Rooms: How to Choose One That Fits

Last updated: 14 November 2026

An ottoman bed is one of the best things you can put in a small bedroom, because the whole space under the mattress becomes storage and there are no drawers that need room to pull out. But in a box room every centimetre counts, so the frame you choose matters as much as the storage inside it. Here is how to pick an ottoman bed that fits a small room, from a bed maker in Birmingham.

Measure the room before you choose a size

Start with the length of the wall the bed will go against, then the width of the room, then the space you need to walk around the bed and open the door. A bed frame is always a little bigger than the mattress, so compare the frame size, not the mattress size.

As a guide, our standard ottoman beds without wings are 100cm wide in a 3ft Single, 130cm in a 4ft Small Double, 145cm in a 4ft6 Double, 161cm in a 5ft King and 191cm in a 6ft Super King. Full dimensions for every bed are on its product page, and our UK bed sizes guide explains each size.

If a 4ft6 Double feels tight, a 4ft Small Double saves 15cm of width and still sleeps two comfortably for many couples. Every one of our ottoman beds is available in Small Double.

Short length ottoman beds: the space saver for box rooms

Most bed frames are noticeably longer than the mattress, because of the headboard, the footboard and the frame itself. In a box room or a loft room, that extra length can be the difference between a bed that fits and one that does not.

Our Pia short length ottoman base was designed for exactly this. It has no headboard and no bulky footboard, and the frame is only 4cm longer than the mattress:

It still has full end lift gas-lift storage under the whole bed, a solid storage base, and the same heavy-duty frame as our other ottomans, triple-reinforced with steel bars and sitting directly on the floor with no legs. If you want a headboard, you can pair it with one of our floor standing headboards, which stand behind the bed and add no length to the frame.

Narrow rooms: skip the wings

Wingback headboards look beautiful, but the wings usually add about 10cm to the width of the bed, and some designs add more. In a narrow room, a plain or fluted headboard without wings keeps the bed as slim as possible. Designs such as the Aura, Dora and Bruno keep a clean, compact outline. If you only need storage and already have a headboard, an ottoman base on its own is the slimmest option of all.

Low ceilings, sloping roofs and beds under a window

In a loft room or under a window, a tall headboard can feel overpowering or simply not fit. Choose a base with no headboard, such as the Pia or the low 30cm Lena, or pick the lowest headboard height on the design you like. Most of our beds offer a choice of headboard heights.

How much storage do you need?

In a small room the bed often has to replace a chest of drawers, so think about what you want to store:

• Standard (30cm rail): about 22cm of usable space, enough for bed linen, towels and flat boxes, and it keeps the bed lower.
• Deep (40cm rail): about 32cm of usable space, for folded duvets, pillows and seasonal clothes.
• Extra deep (50cm rail): about 36cm of usable space, for bulky bedding and soft luggage, but the bed sits higher.

Read more in our guide to deep storage ottoman beds.

Leave room to lift the lid

All our ottoman beds are end lift: the mattress platform lifts up from the foot end on gas struts. Make sure there is space at the foot of the bed to stand and lift the lid, and that a radiator, wardrobe door or windowsill will not get in the way. Because nothing pulls out at the sides, an end lift ottoman can go right against a wall, which is ideal in a small room.

Other space-saving options

• A guest room that is also an office: a day bed works as a sofa by day and a bed by night. The Noa has a pull-out trundle that sleeps a second guest.
• A child's room for sleepovers: a bed with a pull-out guest bed keeps a spare bed hidden underneath.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best ottoman bed for a box room?

A short length ottoman base with no headboard, such as our Pia, takes up the least space. It is only 4cm longer than the mattress, has full gas-lift storage, and comes in every UK size from 3ft Single to 6ft Super King.

Can an ottoman bed go against a wall?

Yes. Our ottoman beds lift from the foot end, so nothing opens at the sides. You only need room at the foot of the bed to lift the lid.

Is a Small Double big enough for two people?

A 4ft Small Double is 15cm narrower than a 4ft6 Double. Many couples find it comfortable, and it is a popular choice for smaller rooms.

Do wingback ottoman beds take up more space?

Yes. The wings usually add about 10cm to the width of the bed. In a narrow room, a design without wings, or a base with no headboard, saves space.

Are your ottoman beds strong enough for everyday use?

Yes. Every ottoman bed we make, including the short length Pia, is triple-reinforced with heavy-duty steel bars, sits directly on the floor with no legs, and has a solid storage base.

Made to order in Birmingham

• Sizes: 3ft Single, 4ft Small Double, 4ft6 Double, 5ft King and 6ft Super King.
• Fabrics: Atlanta Soft Teddy, Smooth Velvet, Linen-Textured, Chenille and Wool-Textured Tweed. Order free fabric samples first.
• Delivery: Delivery is normally within 2 weeks of your order. Delivery is free to mainland UK addresses.

See our space-saving ottoman beds in person

Visit our factory showroom in Highgate to see the Pia and lift an ottoman yourself. Customers visit us from across the West Midlands and beyond, including Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Coventry and Wolverhampton.

Showroom: 24 Athole Street, Highgate, Birmingham, B12 0DA
Phone: 0121 630 7005
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, closed Saturday and Sunday

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