Ottoman Bed vs Divan Bed: Which Storage Bed Is Right for You?
Key takeaway: A divan bed stores your belongings in drawers set into its upholstered base, which suits people who want simple, sturdy storage for everyday items. An ottoman bed lifts the whole mattress platform on gas pistons to reveal one large storage cavity underneath, giving you more total space and suiting smaller bedrooms where drawers would have no room to open. Choose a divan for simple daily access, and an ottoman when you need maximum hidden storage.
If your bedroom is short on cupboards, a storage bed can free up a surprising amount of space. The two most popular options in the UK are divan beds and ottoman beds, and although they look similar at first glance, they store your belongings in completely different ways. This guide explains what is a divan bed, how an ottoman bed works, and how divan bed vs ottoman storage capacity compares, so you can choose the right one for your room, your budget and your routine.
What Is a Divan Bed?
A divan bed is an upholstered bed base, usually covered in fabric, with the mattress sitting directly on top. Most divan bases include built-in storage in the form of two or four drawers, although some come as a plain platform base with an open or enclosed interior accessed another way.
Divans are known for being simple and sturdy. There are no slats to fit and no complex mechanism to learn: you pull open a drawer and put things in. Because the base is fully upholstered, it also gives a neat, tailored look that works in both modern and traditional bedrooms. Many divans can be paired with a matching headboard to complete the setup.
A divan bed suits you if you want straightforward storage for everyday items such as clothes, shoes and spare bedding, and you prefer furniture with no moving parts to maintain. Browse our range of divan beds to see the available drawer configurations.
What Is an Ottoman Bed?
An ottoman bed looks like a standard bed frame, but the entire mattress platform is hinged and lifts up on gas pistons to reveal the whole area underneath the mattress. Instead of separate drawers, you get one large storage cavity that runs the full length and width of the bed.
The gas-lift mechanism does most of the heavy lifting for you, so opening the bed takes little effort even with the mattress in place. Ottoman beds come in side-opening designs (the platform lifts from the long edge, ideal when one side of the bed sits against a wall) and end-opening designs (the platform lifts from the foot of the bed, ideal for rooms with space at the foot).
An ottoman bed suits you if you need the maximum possible hidden storage, especially in a smaller bedroom. It is also a strong choice for storing bulky or seasonal items such as suitcases, winter duvets and boxes that would never fit inside a drawer. Take a look at our ottoman beds to compare side-opening and end-opening designs.
Storage Capacity Compared: Drawers vs the Full Under-Bed Cavity
The biggest difference in the ottoman bed vs divan bed debate is how much you can store, and how that storage is organised.
Divan drawers are neat and easy to organise, but each drawer is limited by the size of its drawer box. You can typically fit folded clothes, shoes and bedding sets, but large or awkwardly shaped items will not fit. Most divans offer two to four drawers, and the storage is split across them.
An ottoman bed gives you the entire footprint of the bed as a single open space. That makes it far more generous for bulky items: suitcases slide in easily, and you can store full-size storage boxes, spare pillows and seasonal bedding without folding everything to fit a drawer. If raw capacity is your priority, the ottoman wins clearly.
| Feature | Divan bed | Ottoman bed |
|---|---|---|
| Storage type | Pull-out drawers in the base | One large cavity under a lifting platform |
| Storage volume | Moderate, split across drawers | Large, full bed footprint |
| Best for bulky items | Limited | Excellent (suitcases, boxes, spare duvets) |
| Organisation | Easy, items stay separated | Needs storage boxes to stay tidy |
| Access effort | Pull a drawer open | Lift the mattress platform |
| Room clearance needed | Space beside the bed for drawers to open | Clear space above the bed to lift |
Ease of Access: Everyday Items vs Seasonal Storage
Think about how often you will reach for the things you plan to store, because this is where the two designs feel very different in daily life.
Divan drawers are the winner for everyday access. You pull a drawer open, take what you need and push it shut, all in a few seconds. If you plan to store clothes, shoes or bedding you use regularly, drawers fit naturally into a daily routine.
An ottoman bed takes a little more effort to open: you lift the mattress platform, which means moving any pillows, throws or bedside items resting on the bed first. The gas pistons make the lift easy, but it is still a two-step process rather than a quick drawer pull. For that reason, ottomans work best for items you access weekly or seasonally rather than several times a day. An ottoman bed for small bedroom layouts is still practical, because the lift-up action needs no floor space beside the bed at all.
Space and Room Layout: Wall Clearance for Drawers vs Lift-Up Clearance
Your bedroom layout may decide this for you.
Wall clearance for drawers
Divan drawers need enough clear floor space beside the bed to pull fully open. If your bed sits close to a wall, a wardrobe or a chest of drawers, the drawers on that side may be blocked or only open partway. Before choosing a divan, check that each drawer side has room to extend. In very tight rooms, a divan with drawers on only one side, or an end-opening drawer configuration, can solve the problem.
Lift-up clearance for ottoman beds
Ottoman beds need no floor clearance at all, which is why they suit box rooms and bedrooms where the bed is pushed against the wall. What they do need is clear space above the mattress so the platform can rise, and a bed that is not piled high with heavy items when you want to open it. Side-opening ottomans are the practical pick when one long side of the bed is against a wall; end-opening ottomans suit rooms with open space at the foot of the bed.
Ottoman Bed Pros and Cons
Pros: Maximum under-bed storage (the whole bed footprint becomes usable space). Ideal for bulky and seasonal items such as suitcases and spare duvets. No floor clearance needed, so it suits small bedrooms and beds placed against walls. Gas pistons make lifting the platform easy. Clean, modern appearance with no visible drawers or handles.
Cons: Opening the bed takes more effort than pulling a drawer, so it suits less frequent access. The open cavity needs storage boxes to stay organised. The lift mechanism has moving parts that should be checked occasionally. Very heavy mattresses can make the platform harder to lift.
Divan Bed Pros and Cons
Pros: Simple and quick to use (drawers open in seconds with no lifting). Sturdy, straightforward construction with no mechanism to maintain. Drawers keep items naturally organised and separated. Upholstered base gives a neat, finished look from every angle. Pairs easily with matching headboards for a complete bedroom setup.
Cons: Less total storage than an ottoman bed. Drawers need clear floor space beside the bed to open fully. Bulky items such as suitcases usually will not fit inside drawers. Drawer runners can wear over time with heavy daily use.
Price, Durability and Mattress Compatibility
In general terms, divan beds tend to be the simpler and more budget-friendly option because the construction is straightforward: an upholstered base with drawers. Ottoman beds involve a hinged platform and gas pistons, which adds complexity and usually puts them a step above divans in price. Both types are built for long-term daily use when bought from a reputable retailer.
For durability, divans have fewer parts that can wear out, while ottomans rely on their pistons and hinges staying in good order. Checking the mechanism occasionally and avoiding overloading the storage cavity will keep an ottoman working smoothly for years.
Mattress compatibility is broad for both designs. Most standard UK mattress types, including pocket sprung, memory foam and hybrid mattresses, suit divan and ottoman bases. The main point to watch with an ottoman is mattress weight: an unusually heavy mattress can make the platform harder to lift, so check the product guidance if your mattress is on the heavier side.
The Verdict: Which Storage Bed Should You Choose?
So, are ottoman beds better than divan beds? Neither is better in every situation. The right choice depends on your room and how you live.
Choose a divan bed if you want quick, everyday access to your stored items, you prefer simple furniture with no mechanism, your bedroom has enough space beside the bed for drawers to open, and you mainly store clothes, shoes and bedding rather than bulky objects.
Choose an ottoman bed if you need the maximum possible hidden storage, your bedroom is small or the bed sits against a wall, you want to store suitcases, boxes or seasonal items, and you are happy to lift the platform for weekly or occasional access rather than daily rummaging.
Many shoppers find it helps to list what they actually plan to store before deciding. Everyday clothes point towards a divan; a bedroom full of clutter with nowhere to put it points towards an ottoman. Either way, pairing your storage bed with the right mattress and a matching headboard will give you a bedroom that is both comfortable and genuinely practical.
Buying a Storage Bed from Royal Furniture
When you order from Royal Furniture, delivery is free across the UK, with 1 to 3 working days on in-stock lines. Because we offer cash on delivery, you can inspect your new bed at the doorstep before paying. Many ranges include a 5-year manufacturer guarantee. See the product page for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ottoman beds better than divan beds?
Neither is universally better. Ottoman beds offer more total storage and suit small bedrooms, while divan beds give quicker everyday access through drawers and have a simpler construction. The better choice depends on your room layout, what you plan to store and how often you need to reach it.
What is a divan bed?
A divan bed is a bed with an upholstered fabric base that the mattress sits on directly. Most divan bases include built-in drawers for storage, though plain platform versions are also available. Divans are known for being sturdy, simple to use and neat in appearance.
Do ottoman beds need a special mattress?
In most cases, no. Standard pocket sprung, memory foam and hybrid mattresses all work on ottoman bases. The main consideration is weight: a very heavy mattress can make the lifting platform harder to raise, so check the product guidance if your mattress is unusually heavy.
Can you open an ottoman bed every day?
Yes, the gas pistons make daily opening perfectly possible. However, because you need to lift the mattress platform (and move anything resting on the bed first), most people find ottomans more practical for weekly or seasonal access, and prefer drawers for items they grab every day.
Which gives more storage, an ottoman bed or a divan bed?
An ottoman bed gives noticeably more storage. Its single cavity uses the entire footprint under the mattress, while a divan is limited to the volume of its drawer boxes. For bulky items such as suitcases and storage boxes, the ottoman has a clear advantage.
Do divan beds work in small bedrooms?
They can, but check your layout first. Divan drawers need clear floor space beside the bed to pull fully open, so a divan suits small rooms only when the drawer sides are unobstructed. If the bed sits against a wall or furniture, an ottoman bed is usually the more practical storage choice.
