Are ottoman beds good?

Ottoman beds became quite popular in recent times, especially in the UK. The reason for that is its versatility. They are a combination of sleep and storage. However,  just like anything, questions keep adding with popularity, and it is the same with an ottoman bed. “Are ottoman beds good?” Is a common question that comes to a customer's mind before buying a bed.

To uncover the truth, I have written this blog to help everyone planning to buy an ottoman bed. In this blog, I will cover the benefits of ottoman beds and highlight the downsides to make sure your money doesn’t go to waste.

 

Let's start with the main question: Are Ottoman beds good?

Ottoman beds are good for you if you need a small bed that has a storage capacity, your budget allows it, and you have the physical ability to use the ottoman bed. 

Let's start with the need. If you need a bed for a small bedroom and your priority is to save space and efficiency, then an ottoman is a good option. On the flip side, if you don't have enough things to store in a bed, then spending money on an ottoman bed might not be a good idea.

The reason is that Ottoman beds are costly as compared to normal beds. However, if budget is not an issue, then an ottoman bed is a good deal. 

The biggest problem with Ottoman beds is that its mechanism gets faulty after some time. Ottoman beds often come with a hydraulic or gas lift system, which usually gets faulty or fails over time with regular use or if not maintained properly. The main problem comes with pistons, gaskets, or hinges.

However, you can overcome this issue if you keep lubricating on time, though one can still face the issue if the mechanism is of low quality. The only way to find the quality of an ottoman bed mechanism is to check the reviews and ratings of the customers. 

A positive thing is that you can replace the gas pistons to increase the durability. But if you don't want this hassle, then the best option is to go with a divan bed. Check out the comparison below to know more about this.

Issues to consider with Ottoman bed

 

Mechanism failure: As discussed above, mechanism failure can happen in Ottoman beds, especially if you put extra weight on compartments, as they come with a weight limit. Overloading it can reduce the life span of the mechanism.

Mechanism failure can occur randomly because of poor quality.

Complex assembly: Complex assembly makes it difficult to assemble the bed. Ask for complete instructions to assemble the bed. Because of complex things, the price of an ottoman bed is usually high. 

Noise issue: Noise issue is very common with ottoman beds, as users often report that the cracking wood noise comes from the bed. 

Benefits of buying an ottoman bed

Ottoman bed provides some great benefits, which make it one of the popular bed options. Here are some benefits of it.

Maximising storage: First and foremost benefit of an ottoman bed is its ability to provide a big space without needing extra floor space. This is one of the best options if you want to keep your bedroom clutter-free. In comparison to other beds, ottoman beds are the only beds that provide this much storage. 

With an ottoman bed, you don't need to have extra furniture in the room to store your things. You can easily store your seasonal clothes or items.

Versatility: With time, ottoman beds design and style also changed; now it comes in different styles such as upholstery ottoman beds, metal frame ottoman beds, and wooden beds. 

You can go with an upholstery ottoman bed if you want to blend it with your room decor. Most retailers give the option to choose your favourite fabric so that it can go well with the ambience of the bedroom.  However, one should know that an upholstery bed costs more than a normal wooden ottoman bed.

Comparison with other beds

If you are still confused about an ottoman bed, then don't worry, this comparison will clear your mind and help you pick the better option. 

In this comparison, I will cover the three main storage beds, i.e divan bed with drawers, ottoman bed, and blanket boxes. 

 

 

The main difference between the Ottoman bed and other storage solutions is that you get a big single storage compartment. So if we talk about storage capacity, the ottoman bed stands out. If storage is the key point in your checklist before buying a bed, simply go with an ottoman bed. 

If we talk about design and aesthetics, then both beds come with modern upholstery. However, it is difficult to declare any bed winner as it is subjective and depends on personal preference. But we talk on a broader spectrum than ottoman beds blend easily with contemporary bedrooms. On the other hand, divan beds with drawers come with a modern touch. 

The best thing about divan beds is that they can blend in with a traditional theme as well. 

The main difference between both beds in terms of design is the storage compartment.  Divan bed comes with drawers, which give separate storage compartments, helps in organising things easily. 

The downside of a divan bed is that it comes with less storage because of drawers. In comparison to a divan bed, an ottoman bed comes with one big compartment, making it easy to store big blankets and bedding. 

For more, check out this -  Divan Beds vs Ottoman Bed Frames

Cost  and value for money 

As I already discussed above, ottoman beds often cost more than a divan storage bed because of the gas lift mechanism. The complex assembly of the Ottoman bed adds to the cost of the bed.

The upholstery version of an ottoman bed can cost up to £1200. To cut the cost, you can go with a wooden or metal frame.

More like this: What is the size of a double bed?

Tips for choosing the right ottoman bed 

If you are planning to buy an Ottoman bed, then here are some quick tips to consider that can help you prevent any hassle.

Check the lift mechanism: Firstly, you need to check how smoothly the lift operates. The best way to check this is by going to the shop yourself and checking it. However, if you are buying from an online store, then make sure to check the return policy. Or simply check the reviews of the retailer. 

Check the mattress compatibility: It doesn't matter if you already have a Mattress or buy a new one, you need to ask the retailer about mattress compatibility. 

The most important thing is to ensure that how much weight and thickness of the mattress are suitable for the bed. Secondly, ask them about the traction ability to prevent the slipping of the mattress.

Room layout: Ottoman beds appeal to different users. If you are a minimalist who likes multi-functional furniture, then this bed is a perfect fit. Besides that, an ottoman bed offers a big space for storing items if you are a big family. 

But one should know that pick the ottoman bed according to their needs. The Ottoman bed that opens from the side is best for rooms with limited access. Go with the end opening if both sides of your room are accessible. 

 

Lastly, a half lift ottoman bed is best if you have a low ceiling.

Choose the right bed base: Another important parameter to check in Ottoman beds is to pick the right base according to your needs. For a firmer base or if you want a strong base, then go with a solid base. On the contrary, if you want better air circulation, then go with sprung slats. 

Weight capacity: Make sure you verify the weight capacity of the storage and the base of the bed to prevent any hassle. This is important as some retailers might void the warranty if you put the extra weight. 

Buy from a good retailer: Whether you are buying offline or online, make sure to buy from a good retailer. It's easy to check the legit ratings online; all you have to do is Google the reviews. 

Offline stores mainly operate on regular customers in the local area. So, you can ask anyone from your local region to get insight into the retailer. Also, make sure that wherever you buy from, the retailer has at least 5 years of experience in the industry.