Why King Size Ottoman Beds Are the UK's Most Popular Choice
If you are looking for a new bed that combines generous sleeping space with serious storage, you are not alone. The king size ottoman bed has become the most popular bed choice in UK homes — and it is easy to see why.
A king size gives couples the room to sleep comfortably without dominating a standard bedroom. Add an ottoman gas-lift mechanism underneath, and you get a massive hidden storage space that replaces the need for bulky wardrobes or chest of drawers.
In this guide, we cover everything you need to know before buying a king size ottoman bed — from dimensions and room requirements to storage capacity and our top picks for 2026.
UK King Size Bed Dimensions
First, let us make sure we are talking about the same thing. UK bed sizes differ from US and European sizes, so here are the exact measurements:
| Measurement | UK King Size |
|---|---|
| Width | 5'0" (150 cm) |
| Length | 6'6" (200 cm) |
| Per person width | 2'6" (75 cm) each |
For comparison, a UK double is 4'6" wide (135 cm), giving each person just 67.5 cm — barely wider than a single bed. The extra 15 cm width of a king size makes a genuine difference to sleep quality for couples.
Room Size: How Much Space Do You Need?
Before you fall in love with a king size ottoman bed, measure your room. Here is what we recommend:
| Requirement | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Minimum room width | 3.6 m (12 ft) |
| Minimum room length | 3.6 m (12 ft) |
| Ideal room size | 4.0 m x 4.0 m or larger |
| Clearance around bed | At least 60 cm on each side |
| Ottoman lift clearance | See side-lift vs end-lift section below |
The minimum 3.6 m x 3.6 m allows the bed itself plus enough walking space on three sides. If your room is smaller, consider a double size ottoman instead — we cover all sizes in our bed size guide.
What Is an Ottoman Bed Mechanism?
If you have never owned an ottoman bed before, here is how it works:
An ottoman bed uses a gas-lift mechanism (similar to the struts that hold your car boot open) to raise the entire mattress platform. This reveals a large, clean storage compartment underneath — the full footprint of the bed.
The gas lifts do the heavy work for you. Even with a thick mattress on top, you can raise the platform with one hand. When you lower it back down, the mechanism controls the descent smoothly and safely.
Think of it as a giant storage chest disguised as a bed. No drawers to pull out, no visible storage from the outside — just clean lines and a secret compartment underneath.
Side-Lift vs End-Lift Ottoman
Ottoman beds come in two lifting styles, and the one you choose affects both room layout and usability.
Side-Lift Ottoman
- The mattress platform lifts from the side (left or right)
- Requires clearance alongside the bed
- Easier to access when the bed is against a wall on one side
- Britain Sleep specialises in 18-inch deep side-lift ottoman beds — one of the deepest on the market
End-Lift Ottoman
- The mattress platform lifts from the foot of the bed
- Requires clearance at the foot end
- Works well when the bed is positioned between two walls or bedside tables
Which Is Better?
For most bedrooms, a side-lift is the more practical choice. It allows you to keep bedside tables in place while accessing storage, and it works well in rooms where the bed has a wall behind the headboard and space on at least one side.
At Britain Sleep, our 18-inch side-lift ottoman beds are our signature product. The 18-inch depth provides approximately 50% more storage than standard 12-inch ottoman beds — and that is a lot of extra space.
How Much Storage Does a King Size Ottoman Bed Hold?
This is where ottoman beds really shine. Here is how a king size ottoman compares to traditional storage furniture:
| Storage Solution | Approximate Capacity |
|---|---|
| King size ottoman (standard 12") | ~500 litres |
| King size ottoman (18" deep — Britain Sleep) | ~750 litres |
| Divan bed with 4 drawers | ~200-250 litres |
| Standard double wardrobe | ~400-500 litres |
| Chest of drawers (5 drawer) | ~150-200 litres |
A king size ottoman bed with 18-inch sides holds roughly the same as a double wardrobe — but takes up zero additional floor space. That storage is already part of your bed footprint.
What Can You Store?
- Bedding — Spare duvets, pillows and sheet sets (easily 3-4 complete sets)
- Seasonal clothing — Winter coats, summer dresses, items you only need part of the year
- Shoes — Easily 15-20 pairs of shoes in organised rows
- Suitcases — Most cabin-size suitcases fit flat inside
- Towels and linens — Guest towels, tablecloths, spare bed linens
- Personal items — Books, photo albums, keepsakes you want stored safely
Top King Size Ottoman Beds from Britain Sleep
Every bed in our range is available in king size and comes with our signature 18-inch deep side-lift ottoman storage. Here are some of our most popular designs:
Asher Chesterfield Ottoman
A classic Chesterfield design with deep diamond buttoning. Available in over 200 fabrics. The tall headboard makes a stunning focal point in any bedroom.
View the Asher Chesterfield Ottoman Bed
Blossom Line High Ottoman
A contemporary design with clean lines and a high headboard. Perfect for modern bedrooms where you want elegance without fuss.
View the Blossom Line High Ottoman Bed
Boston Chesterfield Ottoman
Our best-selling Chesterfield ottoman bed. Deep scroll headboard with classic buttoning, handcrafted in West Yorkshire and available in your choice of fabric.
View the Boston Chesterfield Ottoman Bed
Lucine Line High Ottoman
A striking 60-inch high headboard design that commands attention. With 18-inch side-lift storage and over 200 fabric options, it is luxury and practicality combined.
View the Lucine Line High Ottoman Bed
Browse all ottoman beds to see our complete range of king size options.
Fabric and Customisation Options
Every king size ottoman bed from Britain Sleep is made to order in our workshop. That means you choose:
- Fabric type — Plush velvet, crushed velvet, chenille, linen and more
- Colour — Over 200 options across all fabric types
- Headboard height — Standard, high or extra-high designs available
- Headboard style — Chesterfield, panel, buttoned, plain, winged and more
Not sure about your fabric choice? Read our fabric comparison guide or request free fabric samples from our team.
Price Guide: What to Expect
King size ottoman bed prices vary enormously depending on quality, materials and where they are made. Here is a rough guide to the UK market:
| Category | Price Range | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | £200-£400 | Flat-pack, thin fabric, shallow storage, basic mechanism |
| Mid-range | £400-£700 | Better quality, deeper storage, some fabric choice |
| Premium | £700-£1,200 | Handcrafted, deep storage, full fabric customisation, quality mechanisms |
| Luxury | £1,200+ | Bespoke design, premium materials, white-glove delivery |
Britain Sleep beds sit in the premium range — handcrafted quality with full customisation, but without the luxury markup. Every bed includes free UK mainland delivery.
Delivery and Assembly
Our king size ottoman beds are delivered in sections for easy room access:
- Headboard — One piece
- Ottoman base — Two half-sections that bolt together
- Gas-lift mechanism — Pre-fitted to the base sections
- Mattress — Separate (if ordered)
Assembly typically takes 15-20 minutes with two people. The base halves bolt together, the headboard attaches, and the gas lifts are ready to go. No specialist tools needed — just a standard spanner or Allen key (included).
For full delivery details, see our delivery information page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How heavy is a king size ottoman bed?
A king size ottoman bed frame typically weighs between 60-80 kg in total. However, because it arrives in sections (headboard, two base halves, and slats), each piece is manageable. The heaviest individual piece is usually around 25-30 kg.
Can I move an ottoman bed easily?
Ottoman beds are heavier than standard bed frames due to the storage base and gas-lift mechanism. If you need to move one, we recommend disassembling it into sections first. Moving a fully assembled king size ottoman bed is difficult and risks damaging the mechanism.
Do I need a special mattress for an ottoman bed?
No. Any standard king size mattress works with an ottoman bed. The mattress sits on a slatted platform just like a regular bed frame. However, very heavy mattresses (over 50 kg) may require slightly firmer gas-lift struts — our team can advise on this.
Is the storage space ventilated?
Yes. Our ottoman beds use a slatted base which allows air to circulate both to the mattress above and the storage space below. This prevents moisture buildup and keeps stored items fresh.
How long do gas-lift mechanisms last?
Quality gas-lift mechanisms are rated for tens of thousands of cycles. With daily use, you can expect the mechanism to last well over 10 years. If a strut ever does weaken, they are inexpensive and straightforward to replace.
Can I get a king size ottoman in any fabric?
Yes. Every Britain Sleep ottoman bed is available in king size and in any of our 200+ fabric options. Velvet, plush, chenille, linen — you name it, we build it. Browse our king size ottoman range to see the designs available.