Small Bedrooms Are the UK Reality
Let us be honest — most UK bedrooms are not the spacious, magazine-worthy rooms we see on Pinterest. The average UK bedroom is around 11-12 square metres, and if you live in a Victorian terrace, a new-build flat or a converted property, yours might be even smaller.
But a small bedroom does not have to feel cramped, cluttered or chaotic. The single biggest thing you can do to transform a small bedroom is to tackle storage. And the smartest way to do that? An ottoman bed.
In this guide, we share practical small bedroom ideas centred around ottoman storage beds — because when your bed works harder, your whole room works better.
Why Storage Beds Solve Small Bedroom Problems
In a small bedroom, every piece of furniture needs to earn its place. Your bed is already the largest item in the room — it typically takes up 40-60% of the floor space. So it makes sense to turn that footprint into usable storage.
An ottoman bed does exactly that. By lifting the mattress platform with a gas-lift mechanism, you unlock the entire area underneath the bed as a clean, deep storage compartment. No extra furniture needed. No floor space sacrificed.
Think about it this way: if your bed is already taking up that space, why not make it work double duty?
Ottoman vs Under-Bed Drawers vs Freestanding Furniture
If you are weighing up your storage options, here is how the three main approaches compare in a small bedroom:
| Feature | Ottoman Bed | Divan with Drawers | Wardrobe + Drawers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | 500-750 litres | 200-250 litres | 600-800 litres |
| Extra floor space needed | None | Drawer clearance needed | 1-2 sq metres |
| Access | Full access from above | Partial (drawer depth only) | Full access |
| Visibility | Hidden (bed looks like any other) | Visible drawer fronts | Large visible furniture |
| Room impact | Clean, minimal | Moderate | Room feels smaller |
| Best for small rooms? | Excellent | Good | Poor (takes too much space) |
The key advantage of an ottoman bed is that it gives you wardrobe-level storage capacity without using any additional floor space. In a small bedroom, that is transformative.
5 Small Bedroom Layout Ideas with an Ottoman Bed
Here are five practical layout strategies that work brilliantly with an ottoman bed in a small bedroom:
1. Wall-to-Wall Bed with Side Access
Push the headboard against the back wall with one side against a side wall. Use a side-lift ottoman that opens from the free side. This maximises floor space by eliminating one walkway and keeps storage fully accessible from the open side.
Best for: Rooms under 10 sq metres where you need every inch of floor.
2. Central Bed with Floating Shelves
Position the bed centrally against the back wall with equal space on both sides. Instead of bedside tables (which eat floor space), install floating shelves or wall-mounted ledges at mattress height. The ottoman stores everything else.
Best for: Rooms 11-13 sq metres with a symmetrical layout.
3. Bed Opposite the Door
Place the bed directly opposite the door so it is the first thing you see when entering. This creates a focal point and makes the room feel intentional rather than squeezed. A tall headboard enhances this effect.
Best for: Rectangular rooms where the door is on a short wall.
4. Corner Nook Layout
Tuck the bed into a corner with the headboard and one long side against walls. This frees up the largest possible open floor area for other furniture or simply to create breathing room. Use a side-lift ottoman opening away from the wall.
Best for: Box rooms, spare bedrooms and children's rooms.
5. Under-Window Layout
If your room has a window on the longest wall, position the bed beneath it. This uses the wall space that is often wasted (you cannot put a wardrobe under a window) and allows natural light to flood across the bed. Pair with slim curtains or a blind to keep the window area clean.
Best for: Rooms where the window position limits furniture placement.
Maximising Vertical Space Alongside Your Ottoman
An ottoman bed handles your horizontal storage — everything hidden at bed level. But in a small bedroom, you should also think vertically:
- Floating shelves above the headboard — Display books, plants or decorative items without using any floor space
- Wall-mounted hooks — For dressing gowns, bags or tomorrow's outfit. Keeps things off the floor and off the bed
- Over-door hooks or organisers — The back of your bedroom door is prime storage real estate that most people forget about
- Tall, slim shelving units — A narrow bookcase (30 cm wide) takes minimal floor space but adds significant storage height
- Wall-mounted bedside lights — Eliminate bedside table lamps entirely and free up surface space
The principle is simple: your ottoman bed handles bulk storage below, vertical solutions handle everyday items above. Together, they can replace a wardrobe entirely in many cases.
Choosing the Right Size Ottoman for a Small Room
Bigger is not always better in a small bedroom. Here is how to decide between a double and king size ottoman:
Double Ottoman (4'6" x 6'3" / 135 cm x 190 cm)
- Minimum room size: 3.0 m x 3.3 m (10 sq metres)
- Storage capacity: ~400-600 litres
- Best for: Single sleepers, couples in smaller rooms, guest bedrooms
- Leaves more walking space in tight rooms
King Size Ottoman (5'0" x 6'6" / 150 cm x 200 cm)
- Minimum room size: 3.6 m x 3.6 m (13 sq metres)
- Storage capacity: ~500-750 litres
- Best for: Couples who want comfort AND storage, rooms where you are replacing a wardrobe
- The extra storage capacity often justifies the larger footprint
Our recommendation: if your room can fit a king with at least 60 cm clearance on the access side, go king. The extra 150+ litres of storage can mean the difference between needing a wardrobe and not needing one.
For a full breakdown of all bed sizes and room requirements, see our UK bed size guide.
What Actually Fits Inside an Ottoman Bed?
People always ask this, so let us get specific. Here is what you can realistically store in an 18-inch deep king size ottoman bed from Britain Sleep (~750 litres):
- 3-4 spare duvet sets (including pillows) in vacuum bags
- A full season's wardrobe — winter coats, jumpers, boots, or summer dresses, sandals, swimwear
- 15-20 pairs of shoes in organised rows or shoe boxes
- 2-3 suitcases (cabin size laid flat)
- Spare towels and bed linens for guests
- Books, photo albums and keepsakes
- Children's toy overflow — board games, stuffed animals, craft supplies
For context, that is roughly equivalent to a standard double wardrobe. Except it is completely hidden, takes no extra floor space, and your bedroom looks clean and clutter-free.
Style Tips: Making a Small Bedroom Feel Bigger
An ottoman bed tackles the storage problem, but here are some additional tricks to make your small bedroom feel more spacious:
Choose Light Fabric Colours
A bed in a light fabric — soft grey, cream, blush pink or ivory — reflects more light and makes the room feel airier. Dark colours can make a small room feel smaller, though a single dark accent piece (like a deep navy headboard) can actually add depth if the rest of the room is light.
Pick a Streamlined Headboard Design
In a small room, avoid overly ornate or very wide headboard designs that visually dominate. A clean, streamlined design with simple lines keeps the room feeling open. Our Line High range is perfect for this — tall enough to make a statement, but clean enough not to overwhelm.
Keep the Colour Palette Simple
Stick to 2-3 colours maximum. A small bedroom with too many competing colours and patterns feels chaotic. Choose a bed fabric that coordinates with your walls and bedding for a cohesive, calm feel.
Use Mirrors Strategically
A large mirror opposite or adjacent to the window doubles the natural light in the room and creates an illusion of depth. Even a simple full-length mirror leaning against a wall makes a noticeable difference.
Keep the Floor Visible
The more floor you can see, the bigger a room feels. This is another reason ottoman beds work so well — they replace wardrobes and chest of drawers that would otherwise eat into your visible floor space.
Britain Sleep's Ottoman Range: Built for Your Space
Every ottoman bed we make is handcrafted in our West Yorkshire workshop and built to your specifications. For small bedrooms, we particularly recommend:
- Our full ottoman bed range — Over 120 designs, all with 18-inch deep side-lift storage
- 18-inch side-lift beds — Our deepest storage option, designed for maximum capacity
- Streamline beds — Clean, minimal designs that suit smaller rooms beautifully
Every bed is available in over 200 fabrics — velvet, plush, chenille, linen and more. Not sure which fabric suits your room? Read our fabric comparison guide or request free samples.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store heavy items in an ottoman bed?
Yes. Ottoman beds are designed to hold substantial weight. Our 18-inch deep bases are built with reinforced boards and strong gas-lift mechanisms. You can store heavy items like books, suitcases and seasonal clothing without any concern. Just distribute weight evenly across the base for best results.
How do gas-lift mechanisms work?
Gas-lift mechanisms use compressed gas in sealed cylinders (the same technology as office chair height adjusters) to assist in lifting the mattress platform. When you raise the bed, the gas struts extend and support the weight. When you lower it, they control the descent so it closes gently. The mechanism is rated for tens of thousands of cycles and requires no maintenance.
Will an ottoman bed work in a box room?
Absolutely. A single or small double ottoman bed fits comfortably in most box rooms and provides invaluable storage in what is often the most space-challenged room in the house. For box rooms, we recommend a side-lift design that opens away from the nearest wall.
Do ottoman beds make noise?
A well-built ottoman bed with quality gas-lift mechanisms operates almost silently. The lifting and lowering is smooth and controlled. Our beds use premium gas struts that do not squeak, creak or slam. The base is solid and does not rattle.
Can children use ottoman beds safely?
Yes. The gas-lift mechanism is controlled and cannot slam shut unexpectedly — it lowers gradually. However, as with any furniture, we recommend supervising younger children when the bed is in the raised position. Our mechanisms include a safety catch that prevents accidental closing.
Is an ottoman bed comfortable to sleep on?
Equally as comfortable as any other bed frame. The mattress sits on a solid slatted platform identical to a standard bed frame. The ottoman mechanism is entirely below the sleep surface and has no effect on comfort. Your mattress choice determines how the bed feels to sleep on — the frame simply supports it.