A single ottoman bed gives a 90 x 190cm sleeping surface with the full footprint beneath it available as storage - no side clearance required. In a compact bedroom, a children's room, or a spare room that serves more than one purpose, the storage that lives beneath a single ottoman is enough to replace a separate chest of drawers entirely. At Land of Beds, we stock single ottoman beds in fabric, wooden, and metal frames. Free mainland UK delivery, a Price Promise Guarantee, and honest advice from people who know this category properly come as standard.
Browse the range below, or use our guide to find the right frame and lift direction. Our team is available seven days a week on 01928 242829.
Most people buying a single ottoman bed are solving a storage problem in a room that does not have space to solve it any other way. A compact bedroom, a teenager's room, a guest room that doubles as a study - these are rooms where every square metre matters and where the space beneath the bed is the only place left to put things. An ottoman turns that space into genuine, accessible storage with no side clearance required. The decision is which frame suits the room, and whether end-lift or side-lift suits the layout.
If you are still deciding whether a single is the right size, see our single beds page for the full size and type guide. If you have decided on single and storage matters, this page guides everything from here.
| Single Ottoman | Single with Drawers | |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Full footprint - approx. 90 x 190cm | 1-2 drawers - typically 40-50cm wide each |
| Clearance needed | 50-60cm at the opening end only | 60cm on the drawer side - often unavailable in compact rooms |
| Daily access | Lift to access - better for seasonal and bulk storage | Pull out at floor level - better for daily items |
| Can replace a chest of drawers? | Yes - for seasonal items and bulk storage | Partially - limited by drawer dimensions |
| Room layout flexibility | Can sit against any wall | Must have clearance on the drawer side |
| Best for | Compact rooms, rooms against a wall, maximum capacity | Daily clothing access where 60cm clearance is confirmed |
Our recommendation: apply the 60cm rule first. If 60cm is not available on either side of the bed, an ottoman is the only practical storage option. If 60cm is available, choose drawers for items accessed daily and ottoman for bulk and seasonal storage. See our full ottoman beds guide for the storage rule applied across all sizes.
Maria Jones, Land of Beds Sales Director with 18 years of experience: the single ottoman is consistently the most underchosen bed type for compact bedrooms. Parents buying for a teenager default to drawers - but the room rarely has 60cm of clear space on either side for them to open. An ottoman in the same room lifts straight up and replaces the chest of drawers entirely. It is the first thing I suggest for any compact single bedroom where storage matters.
| Factor | Why It Matters | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Lift direction | End-lift or side-lift determines where you stand to access storage. In compact rooms where a single ottoman is typically chosen, this matters more than at larger sizes. | Which end or side of the bed has at least 50-60cm of clear space |
| Gas-lift weight limit | The gas struts are rated for a maximum mattress weight. Most single ottoman bases work well with mattresses up to approximately 25-30kg. | Check the product's stated weight limit against your intended mattress |
| Base construction | Slat spacing inside the ottoman cavity should be no greater than 7cm for most mattress types. The base quality affects mattress lifespan as much as on any other bed. | Slat spacing, whether platform or slatted, compatibility with mattress type |
| Storage cavity depth | Most single ottomans offer 25-30cm of clearance below the platform. Check if tall items need to fit. | Internal cavity height on the product listing |
| End-Lift Single Ottoman | Side-Lift Single Ottoman | |
|---|---|---|
| How it opens | Lifts from the foot end | Lifts from one side |
| Clearance needed | 50-60cm at the foot of the bed | 60-70cm on the lift side |
| Best when | Both sides are close to walls or have bedside furniture | The foot faces a wall or fitted furniture |
| Most common | Yes - suits most compact single room layouts | Less common but available in key styles |
The most common single ottoman return reason is a bed ordered with the wrong lift direction for the room. Always confirm which end or side has clearance before ordering.
| Item | Fits? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spare duvet and pillows | Yes | The most common use - seasonal duvet swaps without separate storage |
| Seasonal clothing (folded) | Yes | Enough for a full wardrobe season change for one person |
| Bedding sets (2-3 sets) | Yes | In bags to maximise space |
| Cabin-size luggage | Yes, if cavity is 25cm+ deep | Check internal cavity height on the product listing |
| Large suitcase | Unlikely | Most single cavities are not deep enough for a large suitcase standing flat |
Choose an end-lift single ottoman if:
Choose a side-lift single ottoman if:
Choose a fabric single ottoman if:
Choose a wooden single ottoman if:
Choose a metal single ottoman if:
Our verdict: for a compact bedroom or teenager's room where storage is a persistent problem, a single ottoman is the most impactful single purchase available. It replaces the need for additional furniture, uses space that is already being paid for in the bed footprint, and requires no side clearance. It is the configuration we suggest first for compact single bedrooms - and the one customers say they wish they had chosen sooner.
| Room Width | Practical Guidance |
|---|---|
| Under 2.3m | Very compact. Ottoman is especially valuable here - no side clearance needed. Check lift direction carefully: confirm which end or side has 50-60cm of clear space. |
| 2.3m to 2.8m | Standard compact single room. End-lift suits most layouts with bedside furniture on both sides. |
| 2.8m to 3m | Comfortable for a single with good clearance. Both end-lift and side-lift work depending on room layout. |
| 3m and above | Generous for a single. Consider whether a small double would suit the room - see small double ottoman beds. |
| Type | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric / Upholstered | Padded headboard; soft finish; wide range of colours | Teenagers' bedrooms where design matters; neutral tones that adapt to redecorating |
| Wooden | Solid or engineered wood; warm natural finish; durable | Long-term investment; rooms that will be redecorated over time |
| Metal | Slim frame; lightweight; open structure | Minimalist or vintage rooms; guest rooms; budget-conscious setups |
| Budget | What You Get | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Under £300 | Entry-level single ottoman - basic fabric or metal, functional mechanism | A child's or teenager's bedroom where storage matters but budget is tight |
| £300 to £600 | Better construction, wider fabric and material choice, more reliable mechanism | A teenager's main bedroom used every night |
| £600 and above | Premium materials - solid wood or high-end fabric, smoother mechanism | Long-term investment in a compact bedroom used every night |
A poor base shortens a good mattress's life. Match the frame quality to the mattress you are pairing with it. 0% finance from 3 to 48 months. See our finance page for details.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is a single ottoman bed? | A single ottoman bed has a 90 x 190cm sleeping surface with a gas-lift mechanism that raises the entire mattress and base upward - either from the foot end (end-lift) or from one side (side-lift) - revealing the full under-bed footprint as accessible storage. Unlike drawer beds, no side clearance is required. The storage cavity typically offers 25-30cm of depth, enough for bedding, seasonal clothing, and similar items. |
| How much storage does a single ottoman bed have? | A single ottoman provides approximately 90 x 190cm of floor area at typically 25-30cm depth. This is enough for a full spare bedding set, seasonal clothing for one person, and similar items stored and retrieved infrequently. It consistently replaces the need for a separate small chest of drawers in a compact single bedroom. |
| What is the difference between end-lift and side-lift? | An end-lift ottoman opens from the foot of the bed - you stand at the foot end and lift upward. A side-lift opens from one side. End-lift is more common and better suited to compact rooms where both sides are close to walls or bedside furniture. Side-lift suits rooms where the foot faces a wall or fitted wardrobe. Always confirm which end or side has at least 50-60cm of clear space before choosing a lift direction. |
| Is a single ottoman suitable for a teenager? | Yes - it is one of the most practical configurations for a teenage bedroom. It replaces the need for a separate chest of drawers, requires no side clearance, and gives a clean modern look. The gas-lift mechanism is simple and reliable. Check the product's mattress weight limit before pairing with a heavier mattress. |
| What clearance does a single ottoman need? | No side clearance is required. For an end-lift model, approximately 50-60cm at the foot of the bed. For a side-lift model, approximately 60-70cm on the lift side. Always confirm which end or side has more space before choosing a lift direction - this is the most important decision when ordering a single ottoman for a compact room. |
| Can a single ottoman replace a chest of drawers? | For seasonal and bulk items, yes. The storage footprint - approximately 90 x 190cm at 25-30cm depth - holds spare bedding, seasonal clothing, and similar items. For daily clothing access, drawers at floor level are more convenient. Many customers use the ottoman for seasonal storage and a smaller set of drawers for daily items - or find the ottoman capacity is sufficient and remove the chest of drawers entirely. |
| Are single ottoman beds suitable for all mattress types? | Most single ottomans work with pocket spring, memory foam, hybrid, and latex mattresses. The key check is mattress weight - the gas-lift is rated to a maximum load. Very thick or heavy mattresses can strain the mechanism. Check the product's stated maximum mattress weight before ordering. |
| What styles are available in single ottoman beds? | Single ottomans are available in fabric (velvet, linen, chenille), wooden (solid and engineered), and metal frames. Fabric in neutral tones is most popular for teenagers' bedrooms. Wooden frames are the most durable long-term choice. Metal frames suit minimalist rooms or guest rooms. |
| Do you offer free delivery on single ottoman beds? | Yes. All single ottoman beds are delivered free to mainland UK addresses with no minimum spend. Typically delivered flat-pack in two to three boxes. Professional assembly and old bed removal and recycling are both available as add-on services. |
| Can I buy a single ottoman bed on finance? | Yes. 0% finance from 3 to 48 months on eligible orders. See our finance page for eligibility. |
Third-generation family business, founded 1974. Over 100,000 beds sold. Genuinely independent - not tied to any manufacturer. 9,000+ verified Trustpilot reviews, rated Excellent. Free mainland UK delivery on every order. Price Promise Guarantee. 0% finance from 3 to 48 months.
Not sure whether end-lift or side-lift suits your room layout? Our team can talk through the room dimensions before you order. Call us on 01928 242829, visit either showroom, or use live chat - we're open seven days a week and there's no obligation to buy.
| How to Reach Us | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Phone: 01928 242829 | Speak directly with a bed expert. Seven days a week. |
| Live chat | Fast responses during opening hours. |
| In-store (Helsby, Cheshire / Wigan, Greater Manchester) | See ottoman beds in person. Open seven days a week. |
