Ottoman Bed vs Divan Bed: Which Gives You More Storage?

An ottoman bed usually gives you more storage than a divan bed. On an ottoman, the mattress platform lifts up to reveal one large compartment covering most of the bed's footprint. A divan's storage is limited to the drawers built into its base. That doesn't make an ottoman the right choice for everyone. Drawers are quicker for things you use every day, and a divan often comes as a complete bed with its mattress.

What is an ottoman bed?

An ottoman bed is a bed frame whose mattress platform lifts up on gas-assisted struts, often called hydraulic lifts. Underneath is an open storage well about the size of the bed. You lift the platform, with the mattress still on it, to get at your things. Then you lower it again, and it looks like an ordinary bed. Ottoman beds are usually sold as a frame only, and you choose the mattress separately.

What is a divan bed?

A divan is a bed made of an upholstered, box-shaped base with a mattress on top, often with a headboard attached. The base can be plain or have drawers built into its sides. Divans are commonly sold as a set with a mattress, and larger sizes usually come in two sections that sit side by side.

Which gives you more storage?

In most cases, an ottoman. The storage well covers most of the bed's length and width, with no dividing panels or drawer mechanisms taking up room. For example, our king-size ottoman bed with hydraulic lift lists a 157.5 × 203.5cm storage area beneath the mattress base, plus a separate wheeled front drawer.

A divan's storage depends entirely on its drawers. Our divan bed sets are offered with no drawers or with two drawers on the same side. Drawers are neat and easy to organise, but between them there's space you can't use, and a divan without drawers has no storage at all.

So the honest answer is that it depends on what you're storing:

• Large, bulky or occasional items such as spare duvets, pillows, suitcases, winter coats or Christmas decorations fit best in an ottoman.
• Smaller items you want every day such as socks, T-shirts, chargers or books are easier in divan drawers.

How easy is it to get to your things?

Ottoman beds

You lift the whole platform, mattress included. The gas struts do most of the work, but it's still a two-handed job. Before lifting, clear anything heavy off the bed, such as extra pillows, throws or the laundry you meant to fold. It's quick for a weekly or seasonal dig, but more of a chore for something you need every morning. Some ottoman designs add a front drawer for exactly that reason.

Divan beds

You pull a drawer open. It's faster for everyday items, but each drawer needs clear floor space in front of it to open fully. Measure the drawer depth and the space beside the bed, including bedside tables and wardrobe doors, before choosing which side the drawers go.

Which is better for a small bedroom?

Often the ottoman, but only if the lift direction suits the room.

• A bed pushed against a wall or in an alcove: drawers on the wall side can't open. An ottoman that lifts from the foot end still works.
• Narrow gaps either side of the bed: divan drawers may not open fully, and an ottoman avoids the problem.
• Low shelves, a sloping ceiling or a window sill at the head end: check the ottoman has room to lift to its full height.
• A room with no wardrobe space: an ottoman's large well can do the job of a blanket box or a cupboard shelf.

Whichever you choose, check the bed size against your room first. A standard UK double is 135 × 190cm and a king is 150 × 200cm. Headboards and frames add to these sizes, so check the product's overall dimensions too.

Mattress compatibility

• Ottoman beds are designed for a certain mattress weight and depth, because the gas struts are rated to lift a certain load. For example, our grey linen ottoman bed recommends a mattress no deeper than 20–25cm. A very deep, heavy mattress can make the lift harder to use and may exceed its limit. Always check the frame's guidance before buying a mattress.
• Divan beds sit on a solid base, so mattress weight isn't a lifting issue. Many divans are sold as a matched set. Our single divan bed set, for example, comes with a 1500 pocket sprung mattress, with or without two drawers.
• Either way, the mattress must be the same UK size as the base.

How they're built

Storage layouts you'll come across

• End-lift ottoman: the platform hinges at the headboard and lifts from the foot end. This is the most common type and good for beds against a wall.
• Side-lift ottoman: lifts from one side. Useful where the foot end is blocked, but the bed needs clear space on the lifting side.
• Ottoman with a front drawer: a lift-up well for bulky items, plus a drawer for everyday things.
• Divan with no drawers: no built-in storage, and usually the lowest-priced version of a given divan.
• Divan with two drawers on one side: a common layout, and the one our divan sets offer.
• Divan with drawers on both sides or at the foot: more storage, but you need clear floor space wherever the drawers are.

Using an ottoman bed safely

Gas-lift beds are used safely in many homes, but the mechanism holds a heavy load. In October 2024, a coroner in County Durham issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report after a woman died when a gas-lift bed platform came down unexpectedly because of a defective piston. The report raised concern about gas piston bed mechanisms whose failure presents a risk to life, and was sent to the Office for Product Safety and Standards.

Sensible habits for any ottoman bed:

• Assemble the lift exactly as the instructions say, and don't modify it.
• Keep within the mattress and weight guidance for the frame.
• Lift the platform fully open before reaching in, and don't lean right into the well.
• Keep children and pets away while the bed is open, and don't let children operate it.
• If the platform starts to drift down, won't stay up, or the struts feel weak, stop using the storage and contact the seller.

Ottoman vs divan: pros and cons

Which one suits you?

• You're short of cupboard space and need somewhere for bulky things: an ottoman.
• You want a chest of drawers' worth of everyday storage without the chest of drawers: a divan with drawers, if you have floor space beside the bed.
• Your bed goes against a wall or into an alcove: an end-lift ottoman.
• You'd like to buy the bed and mattress together: a divan set.
• You're furnishing a child's room: a divan with drawers avoids a lifting mechanism. If you choose an ottoman, make sure only adults open it.
• You already own a very deep or heavy mattress: check it's within an ottoman's guidance, or choose a divan.

Buying checklist

• Your room measurements, and the bed's overall dimensions including the headboard
• Where you have clearance: above the bed for an ottoman, or beside it for drawers
• For an ottoman: end-lift or side-lift, and the recommended mattress depth and weight
• For a divan: how many drawers, which side, and whether a mattress is included
• What you actually plan to store, and how often you'll need it
• Delivery access: stairs, landings and doorways the parts must fit through
• Delivery cost. At the time of writing, beds are an exception to our free UK delivery offer, so check the charge at checkout.

Frequently asked questions

Is an ottoman bed better than a divan?

Neither is better for everyone. An ottoman gives you more storage in one large space, which suits bulky or seasonal items. A divan with drawers is quicker for everyday things and is often sold with a mattress. Choose based on what you'll store and the space around your bed.

Which bed has more storage, an ottoman or a divan?

An ottoman bed usually has more, because nearly the whole area under the mattress is one storage compartment. A divan's storage is limited to its drawers, and a divan without drawers has none. Drawers are easier to organise and reach every day.

Are ottoman beds good for small bedrooms?

Often, yes. An end-lift ottoman needs space above the bed rather than floor space beside it, so it works against a wall or in an alcove where drawers couldn't open. Check there's room for the platform to lift fully, and measure the bed's overall size.

Can I use any mattress on an ottoman bed?

Not necessarily. Gas struts are rated for a certain weight, and manufacturers often recommend a maximum mattress depth. For example, one of our ottoman frames suggests 20–25cm. Check the frame's guidance, and make sure the mattress is the right UK size.

Do divan drawers need a lot of space?

They need enough clear floor space to pull out fully, so allow at least the drawer's depth beside the bed. Bedside tables, radiators and wardrobe doors can get in the way, so plan which side the drawers go before ordering.

Comparing the options

If storage is the priority and you have headroom above the bed, an ottoman is hard to beat. If you'd rather reach things quickly or buy the bed and mattress together, a divan with drawers may suit you better. You can compare ottoman and divan beds side by side in our beds collection. Returns are accepted within 30 days, and bed delivery charges are shown at checkout.

Written and checked by the Hackerprice® editorial team. Product specifications were checked against our live listings when this guide was written. Safety information refers to the published Prevention of Future Deaths report. Always follow the assembly and use instructions supplied with your bed. Last updated: 23 September 2026.