Ottoman Bed vs Divan Bed: Which Storage Bed Is Right for Your UK Bedroom?

An ottoman bed uses a gas-lift base that raises the entire mattress to reveal one large underbed storage compartment, while a divan bed  stores items in two to four separate drawers built into its base. Ottoman beds generally offer more usable storage; divan beds are easier to access daily and often cost less.

What Is an Ottoman Bed?

An ottoman bed is a bed frame built around a hinged, gas-assisted lifting mechanism. Push down gently on the mattress and the entire bed top — mattress, headboard-adjacent frame and all — lifts on hydraulicor gas struts to expose one continuous storage void underneath, usually running the full length and width of the bed. There are two common opening styles:

• End-lift (ottoman): the base lifts from the foot of the bed, hinging near the headboard. Best when you have space to stand at the end of the bed.
• Side-lift (ottoman): the base lifts from one long side, hinging along the opposite side. Better for beds pushed into a corner or against a wall at the foot.

What Is a Divan Bed?

A divan bed is a solid, upholstered base — usually two joined halves for double beds and up — that sits directly on the floor or on integrated castors. Storage comes from drawers built into the base itself, most commonly two drawers (one side) or four drawers (both sides), each pulling out like a chest of drawers rather than lifting the whole bed.

Ottoman Bed vs Divan Bed: Storage Capacity Compared

This is the question most shoppers are actually asking, so here’s the direct comparison:

How Much Storage Does an Ottoman Bed Actually Save You?

A standard double ottoman bed can free up the equivalent of two to three large suitcases’ worth of space — enough for a full seasonal wardrobe rotation, spare bedding sets, or a child’s toy overflow. Because the storage void spans the entire footprint of the bed rather than being split into boxed-in drawers, ottoman beds consistently win on raw capacity, which is why they’ve become the default recommendation for flats, studio apartments and box rooms across the UK.

When a Divan Bed Is the Better Choice

Ottoman beds aren’t automatically “better” — they’re better for volume. Divan beds win when:

• You want to grab pyjamas, socks or extra pillows without lifting anything
• Your budget is tighter and you still want some underbed storage
• You share the bed and don’t want to disturb your partner by lifting the whole base to reach storage
• You prefer a lower-maintenance mechanism with nothing to hinge or hydraulically lift

Do Ottoman Beds Damage Easily?

Modern ottoman beds use gas-lift or hydraulic struts rated for years of daily use, and the storage base is typically a reinforced timber or steel frame. The parts most likely to need attention over time are the lift struts themselves, which is why it’s worth checking the weight rating and warranty length before buying rather than assuming all mechanisms are equal.

Are Divan Bed Drawers Strong Enough for Heavy Items?

Divan drawers are built for clothing, linens and lighter household items rather than heavy storage — the runners are sized for repeated daily use, not maximum load. If you’re storing books, tools or heavier boxes, an ottoman’s single deep compartment distributes weight more evenly across the base.

Ottoman Bed vs Divan Bed: Which Should You Buy?

Choose an ottoman bed if storage volume is your priority and you’re furnishing a smaller room where every cubic foot counts. Choose a divan bed if you want simpler day-to-day access, a lower price point, or you’re pairing the base with an existing headboard. Furniture Bazaar stocks both ottoman and pine bed frames across single, double and king sizes, so the right call usually comes down to how your bedroom is used day to day rather than which option is “best” in the abstract.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is an ottoman bed better than a divan bed?
A: Neither is universally better — an ottoman bed offers more total storage in one large compartment, while a divan bed offers faster, drawer by-drawer access. The right choice depends on whether you value capacity or convenience more.
Q: Can you put an ottoman bed in a small bedroom?
A: Yes. In fact, ottoman beds are especially popular in small bedrooms because they replace the need for a separate wardrobe or storage unit, freeing up floor space elsewhere in the room. A side-lift ottoman is usually the better fit when the room is tight, since it doesn’t need clearance at the foot of the bed.
Q: How long do ottoman bed gas lift mechanisms last?
A: A well-made gas-lift mechanism is designed to handle years of regular daily lifts. Check the manufacturer’s weight rating and warranty when buying, since this varies between bed frames.
Q: Do divan beds come with storage as standard?
A: Not always — divan beds are sold both with and without drawers, so it’s worth checking the specific listing. A “storage divan” or “4-drawer divan” will specify the drawer count clearly.
Q: What size ottoman bed is best for a couple sharing a small room?
A: A double or king ottoman bed with a side-lift mechanism tends to work best for couples, since it maximises storage without needing extra clearance space at the foot of the bed.