Wooden Ottoman Beds: What to Know Before You Buy

GUIDES · WOODEN OTTOMAN BEDS

What actually matters when you're choosing a wooden ottoman bed, from storage depth to the lift, the wood and who builds it.

I've been making storage beds in Nottingham since 2007, and the questions people ask about wooden ottoman beds are nearly always the same. How much will it actually hold? Will it be easy to lift? Is it real wood? Will it look good in ten years? This guide answers those properly, so you can compare any wooden ottoman bed, ours or anyone else's, on the things that make a difference.

What Is a Wooden Ottoman Bed?

An ottoman bed is a bed whose base lifts up on gas struts, so the whole space under the mattress becomes storage. You'll also hear it called a storage bed or a lift-up bed. They're the same thing. A wooden ottoman bed simply has a wooden frame rather than an upholstered one.

Wood brings a warmth to the bedroom that fabric can't. It's easy to wipe clean, it doesn't hold dust, and it suits a calm, uncluttered room.

1. Check the Real Storage Depth

This is the number that matters most, and the one most often left vague. Ask for the usable depth: measured from the floor of the base to the top of the slats. That's the space you can actually fill.

A lot of ottoman beds offer somewhere around 20cm to 25cm. That's fine for spare bedding, but a suitcase lying flat or a winter duvet in a bag needs more. Our Air Wood has 33cm. Max Wood has 35cm as standard, or 40cm with Max+, which is the most popular choice.

2. Make Sure the Lift Suits Your Mattress

The gas struts do the lifting, and they need to match the weight of your mattress. Too weak and the base is hard work to open. Too strong and it won't stay closed.

We fit struts by mattress weight: 900N for a mattress of around 30kg, 1,150N for around 50kg, and 1,350N for 65kg and above. If you're ordering a big size, like a super king or emperor, an electric lift takes the effort out of it completely. Ask any maker which struts they fit and why. If they can't tell you, that tells you something.

3. Solid Wood or Veneer?

Both are real wood. Solid wood is cut from the tree in one piece. It's beautiful, but it moves with the seasons as it takes on and loses moisture, and a big panel uses a lot of timber.

A veneer is a thin layer of real wood bonded to a stable core. You see and touch genuine oak or walnut grain, the panel stays flat and true, and each bed uses a fraction of the timber. That's what we use, and all our wood is FSC-certified. What you want to avoid is a printed "wood effect" finish sold as wood. Always ask what the surface actually is.

4. Oak or Walnut?

This one is down to your room. Oak is lighter and brighter, with a soft natural grain that suits pale, airy spaces. Walnut is darker and richer, running from chocolate to honey tones, and suits deeper colour schemes. Both warm slightly with light over the years.

See both: oak ottoman beds and walnut ottoman beds. Better still, come and see them side by side in a showroom. Wood always looks different in person.

5. Look at the Frame and Footprint

A bulky frame eats floor space, which matters in most UK bedrooms. Our frames are 2cm thick, so the bed takes up barely more room than the mattress itself. Check the slats too: they should be sprung and supportive, so your mattress lasts.

Then decide how you want it to sit. Air Wood stands on slim legs and feels light and open. Max Wood sits low on a plinth and gives you the deepest storage.

6. Wood or Fabric Headboard

You don't have to go all wood. A fabric headboard on a wooden base is one of the most popular ways our customers order. It softens the look and gives you something comfortable to lean on when you're reading in bed. Or match the frame with a wood headboard for a cleaner, more minimal finish. Or leave it off altogether and fix the bed against a panelled or painted wall: see our wooden ottoman beds without a headboard.

7. Sizes

Check the size range before you fall for a design, as plenty of wooden ottoman beds stop at king. Ours go from single to emperor, including European sizes. If you've got the room for a super king or emperor, the storage underneath is enormous.

8. Who Builds It?

A flat-packed ottoman bed means an afternoon with an Allen key and a lot of heavy panels. Our own team delivers in sections, carries everything up, and builds the bed in your room. That's included in the price*. You get 60 days to live with it at home, too.

Common Questions

Are wooden ottoman beds strong enough for everyday use?
Yes, if they're built properly. Look for a solid frame, good slats and struts matched to your mattress. Ours are made to be used every day.

Do I need a special mattress?
No. Any mattress works. We just match the struts to its weight.

How much will a wooden ottoman bed hold?
It depends on the storage depth and size. A king size Max Wood at 40cm gives you a huge space, enough for suitcases lying flat as well as bedding.

Is a wooden ottoman bed hard to open?
Not with the right struts. The base should lift easily and close gently. For heavy mattresses or big sizes, choose an electric lift.

Can I see one before I buy?
Yes. Both beds are in our Swiss Cottage and Chelsea showrooms, open seven days a week. You don't need an appointment, although you can book one if you want.

See Our Wooden Ottoman Beds

Browse the full range of wooden ottoman beds, or go straight to oak or walnut. Or come and try them. That's always the best way.

David Norman, Founder, Furl

*Terms apply.