A small double ottoman bed gives a 120 x 190cm sleeping surface - 30cm wider than a single - with the full footprint beneath it available as storage. No side clearance required. At small double size the ottoman is a particularly compelling combination: the extra sleeping width of a small double, combined with full under-bed storage, makes this the most practical configuration for compact guest rooms, teenagers' main bedrooms, and solo adult rooms where floor space is limited. At Land of Beds, we stock small double 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.
The small double ottoman solves two problems simultaneously in rooms where both problems exist: not enough sleeping space and not enough storage. At 120 x 190cm it is 30cm wider than a single - a meaningful improvement for a teenager or solo adult - and the ottoman mechanism gives the full under-bed footprint as accessible storage with no side clearance required. For rooms under 3m wide where a full double would be tight, this is frequently the highest-value single purchase in the house.
If you are still deciding whether a small double is the right size, see our small double beds page for the full size comparison. If you have decided on small double and storage matters, this page guides the rest of the decision.
| Small Double Ottoman | Small Double with Drawers | |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Full footprint - approx. 120 x 190cm | 2 drawers - typically 50-60cm 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 - at this size, frequently does | Partially |
| 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, ottoman is the only practical storage option. For a small double in a compact room - the most common use case for this size - ottoman almost always wins. See our full ottoman beds guide for the storage rule.
Maria Jones, Land of Beds Sales Director with 18 years of experience: the small double ottoman is the configuration most people overlook and most often wish they had chosen. It is 15cm narrower than a double ottoman but sits in rooms where a double cannot, replaces a chest of drawers, and needs no side clearance. For compact guest rooms and solo bedrooms, it is consistently one of the most practical purchases we recommend - and the one customers say changed how the whole room worked.
| Factor | Why It Matters | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Lift direction | End-lift or side-lift determines where you stand to access storage. In rooms where a small double is chosen because space is limited, 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 small double ottoman bases work well with mattresses up to approximately 30-35kg. | Check the product's stated weight limit against your intended mattress |
| Storage cavity depth | Most small double ottomans offer 25-32cm of clearance below the platform. | Check internal cavity height on the product listing if tall items need to fit |
| Mattress availability | Small double mattresses (120 x 190cm) are available from most major UK brands but the range is narrower than standard double. Confirm your preferred mattress is available in this size before ordering the frame. | Whether your preferred mattress brand stocks 120 x 190cm at your chosen tension |
The small double ottoman is the guest room decision most people get right when they think it through - and get wrong when they default to a standard single. A single is perfectly adequate for one guest. But a small double ottoman at just 30cm wider accommodates two occasional guests comfortably, gives a solo guest considerably more room, replaces the need for separate storage furniture, and requires no side clearance. For rooms between 2.5m and 3m wide where a full double would be tight, a small double ottoman is frequently the highest-value single purchase in the house: more sleeping comfort, more storage, less furniture needed.
| End-Lift Small Double Ottoman | Side-Lift Small Double 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 room layouts | Less common but available in key styles |
Always confirm lift direction against the room layout before ordering - not after. The most common small double ottoman return reason is a bed that opens toward a wall.
| Room Width | Practical Guidance |
|---|---|
| Under 2.5m | Very compact. A small double fits but is tight. Ottoman is especially valuable here - no side clearance needed. |
| 2.5m to 2.8m | Standard compact room for this size. End-lift suits most layouts. Ottoman resolves the clearance problem that would make drawers impractical. |
| 2.8m to 3m | Good clearance on both sides. End-lift and side-lift both work depending on which end has more space. |
| 3m and above | Comfortable. If the room is 3m or above, also consider a standard double ottoman - see our double ottoman beds. |
| Type | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric / Upholstered | Padded headboard; soft finish; wide range of colours | Guest rooms and solo adult bedrooms where design matters |
| Wooden | Solid or engineered wood; warm natural finish | Long-term everyday use; rooms that will be redecorated over time |
| Metal | Slim frame; lightweight; open structure | Minimalist rooms; guest rooms; budget-conscious setups |
Choose an end-lift small double ottoman if:
Choose a side-lift small double ottoman if:
Choose a fabric small double ottoman if:
Choose a wooden small double ottoman if:
Our verdict: the small double ottoman is the configuration we recommend most often for guest rooms and compact solo bedrooms. It gives more sleeping space than a single, more storage than drawers, and requires no side clearance. Customers who make this choice consistently say it is the one piece of furniture that changed how the whole room worked.
| Budget | What You Get | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Under £350 | Entry-level small double ottoman - functional mechanism, basic fabric or metal | Guest rooms; bedrooms where storage matters but budget is a consideration |
| £350 to £700 | Better construction, wider material choice, more reliable mechanism | A main bedroom or guest room used regularly |
| £700 and above | Premium materials - solid wood or high-end fabric, smoother mechanism | Long-term investment in a compact bedroom used every night |
0% finance from 3 to 48 months. See our finance page for details.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is a small double ottoman bed? | A small double ottoman bed has a 120 x 190cm sleeping surface with a gas-lift mechanism that raises the entire mattress and base upward, revealing the full under-bed footprint as accessible storage. No side clearance is required. At 30cm wider than a single, it gives meaningfully more sleeping space while delivering the same full ottoman storage capacity. The storage cavity typically offers 25-32cm of depth. |
| How much storage does a small double ottoman have? | A small double ottoman provides approximately 120 x 190cm of floor area at typically 25-32cm depth. This footprint is enough to replace a full chest of drawers - holding spare bedding, seasonal clothing, spare pillows, and similar items. It is meaningfully more than a single ottoman and only slightly less than a standard double ottoman. |
| Is a small double ottoman good for a guest room? | Yes - it is one of the most practical guest room configurations available. The 120cm sleeping surface accommodates one guest comfortably and two for occasional stays. The ottoman storage replaces the need for separate furniture in a room that typically serves multiple purposes. No side clearance means the bed can sit against a wall without storage compromise. |
| What is the difference between a small double ottoman and a double ottoman? | A small double ottoman is 120cm wide; a double ottoman is 135cm wide - 15cm broader. Both use the same gas-lift mechanism and provide similar cavity depths. If the room can comfortably take a double (135cm) with 60cm of clearance on each side, a double ottoman gives more storage and a wider range of styles. Choose a small double ottoman when those 15cm would compromise the room layout. |
| What clearance does a small double 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. |
| Should I choose a small double ottoman or a small double with drawers? | Apply the 60cm rule first. If 60cm is not available on either side of where the bed will sit, drawers are not a workable option and ottoman is the right choice. If 60cm is available, choose drawers for items accessed daily and ottoman for maximum capacity and layout flexibility. In compact rooms where a small double is chosen because space is limited, ottoman almost always wins. |
| What styles are available in small double ottoman beds? | Small double ottomans are available in fabric (velvet, linen, chenille), wooden (solid and engineered), and metal frames. The range at small double size is narrower than at standard double but covers all main style options. |
| Do you offer free delivery on small double ottoman beds? | Yes. All small double 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 small double ottoman on finance? | Yes. 0% finance from 3 to 48 months. See our finance page for details. |
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 small double or double ottoman suits the room, or which lift direction works best? 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. |
