Do Ottoman Beds Break Easily? - Honest Guide & Tips – Bedroomking

Do Ottoman Beds Break Easily? Let’s Find Out

Ottoman beds have become incredibly popular in recent years, especially here in the UK, thanks to their clever storage and stylish designs. But if you’re considering buying one, it’s only natural to ask: do ottoman beds break easily? After all, the idea of a bed base lifting up and down every day might make you wonder how long it will actually last.

In this blog, we’ll explore what makes ottoman beds durable (or not), what you can realistically expect, and how you can make sure yours stays strong for years to come.

What exactly is an ottoman bed?

Before diving into whether they break easily, let’s quickly remind ourselves what an ottoman bed is. Simply put, it’s a type of storage bed where the entire mattress platform lifts up (usually with the help of gas-lift pistons or hydraulic struts) to reveal a large storage compartment underneath.

Unlike drawers built into a divan base, ottoman beds use the full area under the mattress – which makes them brilliant if you need extra storage space in smaller bedrooms, flats, or homes where every bit of space counts.

So, are they fragile?

The short answer: no – not if you choose a well-made ottoman bed and look after it properly.

Ottoman beds might look fancy and complicated, but most modern designs are built to withstand daily use. Manufacturers know that the lifting mechanism and bed frame have to deal with the weight of the mattress (and sometimes bedding or even the person pulling it up), so quality ottoman beds are made with sturdy materials and tested to handle this.

However, like anything mechanical, they can develop issues over time, especially if they’re poorly made or not used as intended.

To know more on this topic, you can check this article - Are Ottoman beds good?

What parts are most at risk?

If an ottoman bed does break or start giving trouble, it’s usually down to one of three areas:

The gas-lift mechanism or hydraulic struts:
These are the metal arms (often with black gas-filled cylinders) that help you lift the mattress platform up smoothly. If the bed is cheaply made, these struts might be underpowered, making the lift feel heavy. Over time, the gas pressure can weaken, which makes lifting more difficult.
The bed frame itself:
The frame holds everything together. Cheaper beds might use thin wooden slats, softwood, or poor-quality chipboard. Over time, especially if you sit or jump on the edge of the bed, these parts can weaken, warp, or even crack.
The lifting platform:
This is the part under your mattress that actually lifts up. Again, if it’s made from poor materials or overloaded with weight, it can bend or bow.

How long do ottoman beds normally last?

With normal use and a good build, an ottoman bed should easily last 8–10 years or more, just like any other quality bed frame.

The gas-lift struts themselves don’t usually fail overnight. They may gradually lose some pressure, making the bed heavier to lift. But replacing the struts isn’t usually expensive or difficult.

One thing to remember: ottoman beds are designed to lift the mattress, bedding, and not much more. Using the bed to store very heavy items (think boxes of books or gym weights) will speed up wear and tear.

Before buying an Ottoman bed, you should know the difference between an Ottoman bed and a drawer bed.

Tips to keep your ottoman bed strong

If you’re worried about breakage, here are some simple tips to help your ottoman bed stay in good shape:

Buy quality, not just price:
Look for beds made from solid wood, good quality MDF, or metal frames rather than very cheap chipboard.

Check the weight rating:
Reputable manufacturers will tell you what weight the gas-lift mechanism can handle. Make sure your mattress isn’t too heavy, especially if it’s a thick memory foam or hybrid model.

Use it gently:
Don’t slam the base shut, and don’t sit or stand on the edge of the open platform. It sounds obvious, but it really helps!

Don’t overload the storage:
Keep heavy items closer to the head end (where the struts are stronger) and don’t overfill with weight.

Regular checks:
Every few months, check the screws and fittings to make sure nothing’s coming loose.

The bottom line

So, do ottoman beds break easily? Not if you choose wisely and take care of them.

Just like with any furniture, quality matters. Cheap ottoman beds with thin wood, low-quality struts, or weak joints may not last very long and can indeed break or become frustrating to use. But a solidly built ottoman bed from a trusted brand is usually very reliable and should serve you well for years.

And the best part? You’ll enjoy all that extra hidden storage without cluttering your bedroom – which, for many people, makes it well worth the investment.

Thinking about buying an ottoman bed? Look for reviews, ask questions about the frame and lifting mechanism, and check the warranty. With a bit of research, you can have peace of mind that your bed won’t just look good – it’ll stay strong too.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I stop my wooden bed from squeaking when I move?

Tighten All Screws and Bolts in the Bed Frame to Stop Your Wooden Bed from Squeaking. Lubricate Joints: Apply silicone wax or paraffin with little friction for noise reduction. If the problem continues, perhaps your bed slats have become worn and might need replacing or it could be time for the mattress turning to reduce pressure on springs.

Why does my wooden bed creek when I lay on it and how do check where it is coming?

The wooden bed you have may begin to creak when screws are loose, or the joints start rubbing against each other with time (or slats becoming too old and need replacement). Remove the mattress to test the noise on the floor. Pull the bed away from the wall to access all areas of the frame, or potentially even dismantle one side (or lift a corner) so you can get inside and work that noisy bit.

What should I do if tightening the screws doesn’t stop my wooden bed from creaking?

If the creak has not stopped by tightening up screws then wax all the joints using specialised wood squeak sealing was, paraffin or candle wax to alleviate any friction. Also, get the wooden slats of a platform bed checked or replaced if needed and verify that your big boy/girl is exerting even pressure on joints by keeping the base level.

Can an uneven floor cause my wooden bed frame to squeak?

One of three potential causes of a squeaky bed frame is an uneven floor resulting in excess pressure applied against the joints on your wood bed. You can have the bed adjusted or just place floor padding under its legs for stability and noise.

When should I consider replacing my mattress if my bed is squeaking?

If the squeaking continues after fixing your bed frame, you may consider getting a new mattress (if it is also quite old one with noisy inner springs). In theory, spreading out weight over a larger area should alleviate the problem - but in practice rotating your mattress is just going to ease that pressure for a brief moment or two. If you need one solution to this noisy issue, consider getting yourself a foam mattress without any springs inside; these take quite some time before wearing off!

Do Ottoman Beds Break Easily ?