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Storage Beds for Small Bedrooms: Ottoman or Drawers?

Ottoman lift-up or side drawers? How to choose a storage bed for a small bedroom, what to measure first, and the details that make one easy to live with.

Photo: ONNO / Unsplash

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In a small rented bedroom, the space under the bed is the biggest cupboard you’ve got. A storage bed turns it into somewhere for spare bedding, winter clothes, suitcases and everything else that has no home. There are two main types, and the right one depends mostly on your room.

Ottoman beds

The whole base lifts up on gas struts, like a car boot, and reveals one big storage space underneath.

Good for: bulky things you don’t need every day, such as a spare duvet, suitcases, seasonal clothes and boxes.

Works best when: the bed is pushed into a corner or against a wall, because you only need space at the end or one side to lift it.

Check: whether it lifts from the end or the side. End-lift suits most rooms. Side-lift can work in a narrow room where there’s no space at the foot of the bed.

Drawer beds

Two or four drawers slide out from the sides or the end of the base.

Good for: things you use often, like jumpers, bedding you rotate or shoes.

Works best when: there’s clear floor space beside the bed. Each drawer needs around 40 to 50 cm to open fully, plus room for you to crouch in front of it.

Check: which sides the drawers are on. If one side of the bed is against a wall, make sure the drawers aren’t on that side.

Measure three things first

  1. The room with the bed in it. Draw the bed’s footprint on the floor with masking tape and walk around it.
  2. The opening space. For an ottoman, the height to the ceiling or a sloping roof. For drawers, the clear floor beside the bed.
  3. The route in. Headboards and side rails are long pieces. Check tight stairs and door frames.

Headboard height matters in small rooms

A tall, padded headboard looks lovely in photos but can make a small room feel crowded, especially under a window or a sloping ceiling. A lower headboard, or none at all with a few cushions against the wall, keeps the room feeling open.

Pick a calm finish

For a Scandinavian look, choose a fabric base in oat, stone or soft grey, or a light wood effect. A bed that blends with the walls looks smaller than a dark one that stands out.

What to store underneath

Use soft storage bags or lidded boxes so things don’t slide around, and keep what you need weekly near the opening. A cedar block or lavender bag helps keep clothes fresh.

One thing to watch

Storage beds often come with a slatted or solid base that suits a particular mattress type. Check the maker’s advice before you pair it with a new mattress, and look at our guide to choosing a first mattress if you’re buying both.

Frequently asked questions

Are ottoman beds hard to lift?
Not if the gas struts are matched to the mattress. A good ottoman lifts with one hand. If a listing gives a maximum mattress weight, check that your mattress is under it.
Can I take an ottoman bed with me when I move?
Yes. Most arrive flat-packed and can be taken apart again, though they're heavy. Keep the instructions and fixings in a labelled bag.

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