Are Ottoman Beds Good? A UK Bed Maker's Honest Answer

Are Ottoman Beds Good? Safety, Strength and Comfort Explained

Last updated: 29 October 2026

If you are looking to upgrade your bedroom, you have probably come across the ottoman bed. With a huge storage space hidden under the mattress, it is one of the best space-savers you can buy. But you might be wondering: are ottoman beds actually good? Are they safe for children? Do they break easily, and are they strong enough for heavy people?

As bed makers in Birmingham, we get asked these questions every day. Here are honest answers, and what to look for so you buy an ottoman bed that lasts.

Your ottoman bed questions answered

Are ottoman beds good and worth it?

Yes. Ottoman beds are a smart choice, especially if you need to make the most of your bedroom space. The mattress platform lifts up on gas struts, so you can store clothes, spare bedding, shoes and suitcases underneath. Unlike drawers, which need room to pull out, an ottoman lifts upwards, so it works well in small rooms and against a wall.

See how they compare in our guide to ottoman beds vs divans vs drawer beds.

Are ottoman beds safe or dangerous?

A well-made ottoman bed is safe to use every day. The risk with any lift-up bed comes from a weak or worn lifting mechanism that drops the base too quickly. Our ottoman beds have an easy-grip handle and a smooth gas-strut mechanism that takes most of the weight and holds the base securely open while you reach inside, so it does not slam shut.

A few simple habits keep it safe:

• Lower the base with the handle and keep fingers clear of the edges as it closes.
• Do not overfill the storage area so the base cannot close flat.
• If the base starts to drop or feels hard to lift after many years, the gas struts may need replacing.

Are ottoman beds safe for children?

Yes, with sensible supervision. As with any furniture with moving parts, children should not play with the lifting base or climb inside the storage area. A properly engineered gas-lift system helps, because it stops the bed from closing suddenly.

Do ottoman beds break easily?

Cheap ones can. The usual weak points are thin side rails, weak gas struts and thin, widely spaced slats. A well-made ottoman with a steel-reinforced frame, bolted joints and good gas struts is built for years of daily lifting. Ours are triple-reinforced with heavy-duty steel bars and sit directly on the floor, with no legs to snap.

Are ottoman beds comfortable?

Comfort comes mainly from your mattress, but the base matters too. A cheap base with thin, widely spaced slats lets the mattress sink in places. Our ottoman beds have sprung slats built into the frame and steel support bars running the full length of the bed, so your mattress sits flat and supported. Pair it with one of our pocket sprung or memory foam mattresses.

Are ottoman beds good for heavy people?

It depends entirely on how the bed is built. Cheap beds often sag or break because they rely on thin slats and screw-in legs. Our ottoman beds are triple-reinforced with ultra heavy-duty steel bars running the full length of the bed, and they sit directly on the floor with no legs at all. That gives a solid, stable base for heavier sleepers and heavy luxury mattresses. Read more about why a reinforced frame matters.

Are ottoman beds strong, or do they squeak?

Mass-produced beds often creak because they use cheap composite wood and weak joints. Our beds use heavy-duty bolts and tee nuts fixed straight through the frame, so the core joints stay tight and quiet. The lifting frame is reinforced with steel bars and built to last many years.

Are ottoman beds heavy to lift?

No. The gas struts take most of the weight of the mattress, so lifting the base takes only a gentle pull on the handle. The base then stays open on its own while you reach inside.

How long do ottoman beds last?

A well-made ottoman bed should last for many years. The part that wears first is usually the gas struts, which can lose strength over time and can be replaced. Cheap frames tend to fail sooner, at the joints and side rails.

Are ottoman beds easy to assemble?

Yes. Our beds come with a sprung slat base that is delivered partially assembled, so the final assembly is simple and quick.

Are ottoman beds worth the extra money?

If you need storage, usually yes. An ottoman can replace a chest of drawers, which frees up floor space in a small bedroom. The key is to buy one that is built to last: look for a steel-reinforced frame, a solid storage base, sprung slats and a smooth gas lift.

How much should you pay for a decent ottoman bed?

Very cheap ottoman beds usually save money on the frame, the gas struts or the slats, and those are the parts that fail. It is worth paying a little more for a frame that is built to last. You can see current prices across our ottoman storage beds, all made to order in Birmingham.

What makes the best ottoman bed? A quick checklist

• A steel-reinforced frame with no legs, so there is nothing to bend or snap.
• Solid base boards in the storage area, so your things never touch the floor.
• A smooth gas lift with a handle that holds the base open safely.
• Sprung slats that keep your mattress flat and supported.
• The right storage depth: a standard 30cm rail (about 22cm usable), deep 40cm (about 32cm) or extra deep 50cm (about 36cm). See our deep storage ottoman beds.
• A fabric you have seen in person. Order free fabric samples first.
• Bought direct from the maker, so you can ask how it is built.

Why our handcrafted ottoman beds last longer

1. Traditional joinery, not assembly-line shortcuts

Mass-produced frames are often made overseas with cheap materials and flimsy slats that fail under a heavy mattress. Our frames are built by craftsmen in our Birmingham workshop, using traditional joinery and strong fixings that stand up to years of use.

2. A triple-reinforced frame

What sets our beds apart is what is under the fabric. Our ottoman storage beds have a triple-reinforced frame with steel support bars. The storage area has solid base boards, so anything you store never touches the floor.

3. Hand-finished upholstery

Every bed is upholstered by hand in your choice of fabric, from smooth velvet to soft Atlanta teddy. Not sure which to choose? Order free fabric samples to see and feel them at home, or read our guide to our fabric collections.

4. Built for heavy luxury mattresses

A good pocket sprung or memory foam mattress is heavy. On a weak frame it will sag. A flat, steel-reinforced base helps your mattress perform as it should, for a better night's sleep.

5. Direct from the maker

Because you buy direct from us, there are no middlemen. Your money goes into the materials and the craftsmanship.

Made to order in Birmingham

• UK sizes: 3ft Single, 4ft Small Double, 4ft6 Double, 5ft King and 6ft Super King. Check our UK bed sizes guide.
• Headboard heights: from 112cm up to 210cm, depending on the design.
• Fabrics: Atlanta soft teddy, smooth velvet, chenille, linen-textured and wool-textured tweed in a wide range of colours.
• Delivery: Delivery is normally within 2 weeks of your order. Delivery is free to mainland UK addresses.

See our ottoman beds in person

Visit our factory showroom to lift an ottoman, feel the fabrics and try our mattresses.

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

Shop ottoman storage beds | Deep storage ottoman beds | Wingback ottoman beds