A bed can take up the largest footprint in the room, so it should earn its place. This ottoman storage capacity guide helps you work out how much you can realistically store beneath the mattress, which size suits your bedroom and whether a side-lift or end-lift opening will be easiest to live with.

Ottoman beds offer far more usable space than drawers or loose boxes under the bed. The entire mattress platform lifts to reveal one generous storage compartment, helping you keep bulky bedding, seasonal clothes and spare household items out of sight without filling the wardrobe. For flats, box rooms and busy family homes, that can make a noticeable difference.

What determines ottoman storage capacity?

The biggest factor is the bed size. A larger mattress means a larger base and, naturally, more under-bed storage. However, the useful capacity is not just about width and length. Internal depth, the thickness of the base frame, the lift mechanism and whether the bed has a split platform all affect the space available.

Most ottoman bases provide a deep, open compartment extending across nearly the full bed frame. Unlike drawer storage, there is no need to leave clearance at the sides for drawers to pull out. That means an ottoman can be the smarter choice when the bed sits close to a wall, wardrobe or radiator.

Think about the items you need to store, not simply the largest capacity available. A deep king size ottoman is excellent for spare duvets and suitcases, but a small double can still hold a surprising amount of linen, clothing and children’s toys. Choosing the right bed is about matching the storage to your home and keeping the room comfortable to move around in.

Ottoman storage capacity guide by bed size

The figures below are useful planning estimates rather than exact measurements. Internal dimensions vary between designs, fabrics and base styles, so always check the product specification before ordering. As a guide, an ottoman compartment is often around 25 to 30cm deep, giving you enough height for folded duvets, storage bags and stacked bedding.

Single ottoman beds

A UK single mattress measures 90 x 190cm. A single ottoman is a strong choice for a child’s bedroom, a guest room or a narrow box room where every inch matters. It can comfortably accommodate spare bedding, winter coats, school items, folded clothes and a few soft storage bags.

Because the opening area is narrower, keep the heaviest items towards the centre or head end and avoid packing the space so tightly that lifting becomes awkward. For a child’s room, it is also sensible to reserve the storage for items an adult can access safely.

Small double ottoman beds

At 120 x 190cm, a small double offers valuable extra width without dominating a compact bedroom. Its ottoman base usually has enough room for a complete spare bedding set, pillows, seasonal wardrobes and items you do not need every week.

This is often the practical sweet spot for solo sleepers in a flat or loft conversion. You get a more generous sleeping surface than a single while gaining a hidden storage area that can reduce the need for an additional chest of drawers.

Double ottoman beds

A standard UK double is 135 x 190cm. It is one of the most popular options for couples, first homes and guest rooms because it balances floor space with meaningful storage. A double ottoman can hold several sets of bedding, vacuum bags of clothing, towels, pillows and lighter luggage.

If your bedroom is compact, measure the space around the bed as carefully as the mattress size. The lift platform opens upwards, but you still need room to stand beside or at the end of the bed while loading and unloading it.

King size ottoman beds

A king size mattress measures 150 x 200cm, giving you a noticeably larger compartment as well as extra sleeping room. This size is ideal when the bed is the main storage solution in the room. It can take bulky duvets, extra pillows, holiday luggage, seasonal clothing and household items that would otherwise occupy the top of a wardrobe.

A king size ottoman is particularly useful for couples with limited cupboard space. The trade-off is its larger footprint, so make sure doors, wardrobes and bedside tables still have enough clearance once the bed is in position.

Super king ottoman beds

At 180 x 200cm, a super king provides the greatest storage capacity in a standard bedroom bed. The broad, deep compartment is well suited to households that need to store large duvets, multiple bedding sets, blankets, luggage and out-of-season clothing.

It is a luxury choice with a practical side, but it is not automatically right for every room. In a tight bedroom, a super king can make access around the bed feel restricted. Measure the room, stairs and doorways before committing, especially if you are furnishing an upper floor.

Side-lift or end-lift: which opening gives you more usable space?

Side-lift and end-lift ottoman beds normally offer similar internal capacity when they are the same size and depth. The difference is how easily you can reach the contents once the base is raised.

An end-lift ottoman opens from the foot of the bed. It suits rooms where you have clear space at the end of the mattress, and it makes it easy to see the full compartment from one position. This is often a natural fit in bedrooms where the sides of the bed sit close to walls or furniture.

A side-lift ottoman opens from either the left or right side, depending on the configuration you choose. It works well when the bed’s foot is close to a wall, window or fitted furniture. It can also be more convenient for placing frequently used bedding near the opening edge.

Choose the lift direction based on your room layout, not just the product photograph. Stand in the proposed position and imagine raising the mattress with the wardrobe doors open, a bedside table in place and the usual route through the room clear.

What should you store in an ottoman bed?

Ottoman storage is best for dry, clean items that are used occasionally rather than every day. The compartment keeps belongings discreet, but it is still part of a working bed base, so sensible organisation matters.

Good choices include spare duvet sets, blankets, pillows, folded towels, seasonal clothes, handbags, soft luggage and neatly labelled fabric storage bags. Vacuum-packed clothing can save space, although avoid compressing delicate fabrics for long periods if you want them to retain their shape.

Avoid storing anything damp, heavily soiled or likely to leak. Paint, cleaning chemicals and food are poor choices, as are very heavy objects that make the platform difficult to lift. If you are storing shoes, place them in boxes or bags to protect the interior lining and keep dust away from bedding.

For the neatest result, arrange items by how often you use them. Keep guest bedding and holiday items furthest from the opening, then place spare sheets or seasonal layers closer to hand. Soft-sided bags are usually easier to fit than rigid plastic tubs, particularly around the mechanism and corners.

Measure more than the mattress

Before choosing an ottoman, measure the floor area, the wall space and the route into the property. A bed frame is usually wider and longer than the mattress it supports, particularly if it has an upholstered surround or statement headboard.

Also consider ceiling height. Ottoman beds do not require high ceilings in most homes, but a very low loft room can limit how comfortably the platform opens. If access is tight, a split-platform ottoman base can be a practical answer, allowing the bed to be brought upstairs or around narrow turns in more manageable sections.

Do not forget the mattress. A quality ottoman mechanism is designed to assist with lifting, but extremely heavy mattresses can still require more effort. Check that the bed and mattress are compatible, and use the handles as intended rather than pulling at the fabric or headboard.

Make your storage work harder

The best ottoman bed is not the one that holds the most possible items. It is the one that removes clutter from your room without making everyday life harder. A double or king size ottoman can replace a surprising amount of overflow storage, while still giving your bedroom a clean, premium look.

At Pristine Beds, we know that a stylish upholstered bed needs to be practical too. Measure carefully, choose the opening direction that suits your layout and select a size that leaves room to relax. When your spare bedding and seasonal essentials have a proper home beneath the mattress, the rest of the bedroom feels calmer from the moment you walk in.