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A gas-lift ottoman bed stores things under a mattress platform that is held up by gas struts. You pull the platform up a short way, the struts take over the weight and hold it open, and you push it back down when you're done. Most questions about ottoman beds are really questions about those struts: how heavy the lift feels, what mattress they'll carry, and whether they're safe.
How does a gas-lift mechanism work?
Each strut is a sealed cylinder of pressurised gas with a piston rod. When the platform is closed, the strut is compressed. As you start to lift, the gas pressure pushes the rod outwards and does most of the work, then holds the platform open at the top of its travel. Closing reverses the process, with the strut slowing the platform as it comes down.
The Aspen lists twin gas struts on its product page.
Struts are usually fitted in pairs, one each side, so the platform rises evenly. Several Legend Beds designs, including the Aspen and Willow teddy bouclé beds, list twin gas struts on the product page.
Are ottoman beds heavy to lift?
The first few centimetres take some effort, because you're lifting the platform and mattress before the struts are extended enough to help. After that, the struts should carry it. If you have limited grip or can't lean and pull comfortably, a divan with drawers avoids lifting altogether.
Two things make the lift feel heavier than it should: a mattress heavier than the struts are rated for, and bedding piled on top. Strip heavy throws and extra pillows before opening.
What mattress can go on an ottoman bed?
Most mattresses work. The one to be careful with is a very heavy one, such as a deep hybrid with thick comfort layers in king or super king size. Struts are rated for a weight range, and a mattress well over it makes the platform hard to raise and can shorten the struts' life.
Before you buy a new mattress for an ottoman, check two numbers: the mattress weight from its maker, and the depth. Matching a mattress to your bed explains why depth matters too. If a product page doesn't list a mattress weight range for the base, ask before ordering.
Are ottoman beds safe?
An ottoman bed with correctly rated struts, fitted as instructed, is safe for adults to use every day. The platform is held under tension when it is open, so treat it as you would a car boot lid: keep hands and heads clear of the hinge line and lower it with a hand on the edge.
In a child's room, the lift should be operated by an adult. A child shouldn't open or close the base unsupervised, and the storage is best kept for bedding, off-season clothes and bulky toys the child doesn't need daily. The children's bed guide covers this in more detail.
Does an ottoman bed need much headroom?
The platform rises through an arc, so the free edge climbs well above the mattress line at full opening. Under a sloping ceiling or a low shelf, measure the height above the bed before ordering. A side-lift base can help in loft rooms, because it lifts along the long side, which may sit under the higher part of the slope.
Why won't my ottoman bed stay open?
A platform that drifts down usually means the struts can no longer hold the load. The common causes are a heavier mattress than the bed was set up for, or struts that have lost pressure with age. Struts are a replaceable part. Note the rating printed on the cylinder and contact the retailer before buying replacements, as the wrong rating will either fail to lift or snap the platform open too hard.
Looking after the mechanism
- Open and close with steady pressure rather than letting the platform fall.
- Don't stand or sit on the open platform.
- Re-tighten strut bracket bolts if you notice any play, particularly in the first few months.
- Keep the storage load spread out rather than heaped against one side of the frame.
Gas-lift beds in the Legend Beds range
Every bed in the ottoman beds collection opens on gas struts, from plain designs such as the Memory Ottoman Bed to statement frames. The divan ottoman beds put the same mechanism in a divan-style base. Size-specific ranges run from single ottoman beds to super king ottoman beds.
The Memory Ottoman Bed, a plain gas-lift design.
Frequently asked questions
How long do ottoman bed gas struts last?
They wear gradually rather than failing suddenly, and life depends on how often the bed is opened and whether the mattress suits the strut rating. Struts can be replaced without replacing the bed.
Can a heavy mattress break an ottoman bed?
A mattress well over the strut rating won't usually break the frame, but it makes the platform hard to lift and wears the struts faster. Check the mattress weight against the base before buying.
Will my mattress slide when the ottoman is open?
On most beds it stays put, because the platform tilts towards the hinge and the headboard or frame holds the mattress in place. If yours slides, a non-slip underlay between the mattress and the platform helps.
Can I store heavy items in an ottoman bed?
Yes, within reason. The storage cavity sits on the base, not on the lifting platform, so its contents don't add to the lift. Spread heavy items across the floor of the cavity rather than stacking them against one side.
Do ottoman beds make a noise when opening?
You may hear a faint hiss or click as the struts extend, which is normal. Squeaks usually come from bracket bolts that need tightening.
Is a gas-lift ottoman suitable for an older person?
Often yes, because the struts do most of the lifting once you start. If starting the lift is difficult, a divan with drawers is the easier option.
