Legend Beds is a UK retailer of upholstered fabric, ottoman and divan beds. This collection covers gas-lift ottoman storage beds in velvet, plush, linen-look and teddy bouclé upholstery, from single through super king.

The Luella and Silvia are the ottoman beds people search for most, and both start at £229.99 in single. For a plain design at a lower price, the Memory Ottoman Bed starts at £154.99.

What is an ottoman bed?

An ottoman bed is a storage bed where the entire mattress platform lifts on gas struts, opening a single large storage cavity inside the base. It differs from a divan bed, which stores items in side-access drawers, and from a platform bed, which has no storage at all.

Because the cavity runs the full footprint of the bed, an ottoman holds considerably more than a drawer base of the same size. The trade-off is that you must clear the bed to open it, and you need floor space for the lid to swing.

Side lift or end lift?

A side-lift ottoman opens along the long edge of the bed. It suits rooms where the bed sits against a wall at the foot but has clear space to one side.

An end-lift ottoman opens from the foot of the bed. It suits rooms where both sides are tight but there is walking space at the end. End lift is usually the better choice for a bed in an alcove.

Choose the direction that matches where you actually have floor space, not the one that looks better in photographs.

UK bed sizes and storage footprint

Storage capacity depends on two things: how deep the base is, and how large the bed is. At the same depth, a larger bed gives a proportionally larger storage volume.

How to compare ottoman beds properly

Words such as deep, large, spacious and maximum storage mean different things at different retailers. The clearest comparison is the internal storage depth in centimetres, measured from the base floor to the underside of the platform.

If a product page does not state a depth in centimetres, ask before ordering. A bed described as deep storage by one retailer may be shallower than a standard base from another.

Storage depth should be measured, not guessed.

Before you order

• Measure the doorway, stairwell and any turns the base and headboard must clear.
• Allow floor space for the lid to open in the direction you have chosen.
• Aim for around 60cm of walking space around the bed where the room allows.
• Add your mattress depth to the base height to work out the finished sitting height.
• Floor-standing headboards add length behind the bed.

Questions before you choose

Will a deeper base make the bed feel too tall? Possibly. When sitting on the edge, your feet should reach the floor comfortably. Deeper storage means a taller base, and a thick mattress adds to it.

Can any mattress go on an ottoman bed? Most can, but a very heavy mattress makes the gas lift harder to raise. Check the mattress depth range stated on the product page.

Can I keep my existing headboard? Yes, if you choose a base sold without a headboard and your fittings match. Check the fixing type before ordering.

Ottoman or divan drawers? Choose ottoman for volume, divan drawers for easier everyday access and lower floor clearance.

Legend Beds covers single through super king in every range and prices include VAT.