An ottoman bed is the best storage you can get in a bedroom, right up until the gas lift starts dropping halfway or the base refuses to stay open. Most of those problems come from choosing the wrong spec at the point of purchase, not from the bed failing.
This guide covers how the gas lift mechanism actually works, what weight limits mean in practice, what to check before you order, and how to keep an ottoman working for years. We build these in the UK, so this is the detail we discuss with customers before they buy.
How an Ottoman Bed Works
An ottoman bed has a hinged platform that holds the mattress, mounted over a hollow storage base. Two gas struts, sometimes called gas lifts or pistons, sit on either side and take most of the weight when you lift.
Lift the base and the struts extend, holding the platform open. Push down and they compress in a controlled way so the platform lowers rather than slams.
The struts do not lift the bed on their own. They counterbalance the weight so you only have to provide the initial push, which is why a correctly specified ottoman feels light and an incorrectly specified one feels like a workout.
Side Lift vs End Lift
This is the first decision, and it depends entirely on your room.
Side lift opens from the long side of the bed. It suits rooms where the bed sits against a wall or in an alcove, which covers most UK bedrooms. The platform tilts sideways, so you need clear height above the bed but no floor space at the foot.
End lift opens from the foot. It suits rooms with clear floor space at the end of the bed, and it is often easier for one person to operate on larger sizes because the hinge is on the shorter edge.
Quick rule: bed against a wall or in a corner, choose side lift. Clear space at the foot, either works.
Our ottoman beds come in 41 designs across both lift types, in single through super king.
Gas Strut Ratings Explained
Gas struts are rated in Newtons, usually written as a number like 800N or 1200N. The rating tells you how much force the strut provides.
Here is what actually matters: the strut rating has to match the combined weight of your platform and your mattress.
- Strut too weak for the mattress: the base feels heavy to lift, drops too fast, or will not stay open
- Strut too strong for the mattress: the base flies up when you unlatch it and resists closing
The platform weight is fixed by the manufacturer. The variable is your mattress, which is why mattress choice matters more on an ottoman than on any other bed type.
Most UK ottoman beds are specified for mattresses between roughly 20kg and 45kg depending on size. A single platform needs far less force than a super king.
Ottoman Bed Weight Limits
Two different limits get confused here.
Mattress weight limit. This is the one that affects the gas struts. A very heavy mattress, typically a deep pocket sprung model over 30cm, can exceed what the struts were specified for. Check the mattress weight before ordering, not the thickness alone, since a 25cm foam mattress and a 25cm pocket sprung mattress can differ by 15kg or more.
Storage weight limit. The base itself holds a lot, but the limit is about the base structure rather than the struts. Spread heavy items across the compartment rather than piling them at one end, and avoid storing anything that could shift and jam the hinge.
If you are choosing a mattress for an ottoman, our mattress collection lists weights, and the Pocket Memory Collection sits in a sensible weight range for ottoman use.
What to Check Before You Order
Run through this list before committing.
Ceiling height. The platform lifts to roughly 1.5 to 2 metres depending on bed size. Measure from your mattress surface to the ceiling, and check for sloped ceilings, low beams, light fittings and shelves above the bed.
Which side opens. If the bed sits in an alcove or corner, the lift has to open away from the wall.
Mattress weight. Check it against the bed's stated range. This is the single most common cause of ottoman problems.
Access route. Ottoman bases arrive in sections but are bulkier than flat pack frames. Check stairs, landings and doorways.
Floor level. An uneven floor twists the frame slightly, which puts uneven load on the struts and causes squeaking later.
Ottoman Bed Care and Maintenance
Ottomans last years with almost no maintenance, but a few habits help.
Lift from the designated point. Most ottoman bases have a lifting strap or a defined edge. Lifting from a corner twists the frame and wears the hinge unevenly.
Clear the bed first. Pillows and cushions should come off before lifting. Their weight is unevenly distributed and works against the struts.
Do not sit on the edge while it is open. Obvious, but it happens.
Check the bolts once a year. Hinge and strut mounting bolts can loosen with repeated use. A quick tighten takes two minutes and prevents most squeaking.
Air the storage compartment. A sealed storage space holding bedding can get musty, especially in UK homes prone to damp. Leave it open for ten minutes occasionally, or choose a slatted platform if your room has poor airflow.
Do not overfill. Items pressing against the underside of the platform stop it closing properly and strain the hinge.
Common Problems and What Causes Them
The base will not stay open. Almost always a strut rating mismatch with the mattress, or a strut that has lost gas pressure. Struts are replaceable and relatively cheap.
It is hard to lift. Mattress too heavy for the spec, or pillows left on the bed. Occasionally a strut failing on one side only, which you can spot because the platform lifts unevenly.
Squeaking. Usually loose bolts or an uneven floor. Tighten the hinge mountings first.
It closes too fast. A failing strut. Replace both at the same time rather than one, since mismatched struts cause uneven wear.
The lid does not sit flush. Something inside is too tall, or the frame is twisted by an uneven floor.
Ottoman vs Divan: A Quick Note
If you are still deciding, the short version is that ottomans hold roughly twice as much and need no floor space to open, while divan drawers are faster to access and work under low ceilings.
For the full comparison, read our guide on ottoman beds versus divan beds.
Is an Ottoman Right for Your Room?
Choose an ottoman if:
- Your bedroom is small and floor space is limited
- You need to store bulky items like suitcases and spare bedding
- You have no loft or garage
- Your ceiling gives clear height above the bed
Choose something else if:
- Your ceiling slopes over the bed
- You need daily access to what is stored
- Lifting anything is physically difficult
- Your mattress is unusually heavy and you do not want to change it
Ready to Buy?
Every Bonanza Sleep ottoman is handcrafted in the UK using solid hardwood from sustainable sources, with headboard heights from the standard 54 inches up to 95 inches and full customisation on fabric, colour and size.
Free delivery across the UK by a two person team to the room of your choice, with optional assembly at £75 including packaging removal. Klarna and Clearpay available if you want to spread the cost.
Unsure whether your ceiling height works, or whether your current mattress suits an ottoman? Message us on WhatsApp at +44 7529 903256 with your measurements and mattress details and we will tell you straight.
Browse ottoman beds, see ottoman storage boxes or order fabric swatches first.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do gas lifts on an ottoman bed work?
Two gas struts mounted either side of the base counterbalance the weight of the platform and mattress. They do not lift the bed by themselves, they offset most of its weight so you only provide the initial push. The same mechanism controls the descent, which is why a correctly specified ottoman lowers smoothly rather than dropping.
2. What weight mattress can an ottoman bed take?
Most UK ottoman beds are specified for mattresses between roughly 20kg and 45kg depending on size, with larger beds using stronger struts. Check the weight rather than the thickness, since a 25cm memory foam mattress and a 25cm pocket sprung mattress can differ by 15kg or more. Exceeding the rating is the most common cause of a base that will not stay open.
3. Why will my ottoman bed not stay open?
Usually the mattress is heavier than the gas struts were specified for, or a strut has lost pressure over time. Leaving pillows and cushions on the bed adds unevenly distributed weight and makes it worse. Struts are replaceable and relatively inexpensive, and should always be replaced in pairs so they wear evenly.
4. How much ceiling height does an ottoman bed need?
The platform lifts to roughly 1.5 to 2 metres depending on bed size. Measure from the top of your mattress to the ceiling and check for sloped ceilings, low beams, pendant lights and shelves above the bed. Loft conversions and rooms with sloping eaves are where ottomans most often turn out to be unsuitable.
5. Should I choose side lift or end lift?
Side lift suits beds against a wall or in an alcove, which covers most UK bedrooms, because the platform tilts sideways and needs no floor space at the foot. End lift opens from the foot of the bed and is often easier for one person to manage on larger sizes. If the bed sits in a corner, make sure the lift opens away from the wall.
6. Are ottoman beds hard to lift?
No, when correctly specified. The gas struts carry most of the weight, so the base rises with light pressure and holds itself open. You do need to clear pillows and cushions first, and you cannot open it while someone is on the bed. Anyone with a shoulder or back injury may prefer drawers for anything accessed daily.
7. Why is my ottoman bed squeaking?
Most squeaking comes from loose hinge or strut mounting bolts, which work loose with repeated use. Tighten them first, since it takes a couple of minutes and solves it in most cases. An uneven floor is the other common cause, because it twists the frame slightly and puts uneven load on the mechanism.
8. How do I stop the storage compartment smelling musty?
Air it occasionally rather than leaving it sealed for months, particularly if you store bedding or clothing inside. UK homes prone to damp are more susceptible. A slatted platform rather than a solid one allows air to move through, which helps considerably in rooms with poor ventilation or a single small window.
9. Can I put any mattress on an ottoman bed?
Any standard UK size will fit, but the weight has to suit the gas struts. Very heavy deep pocket sprung mattresses can exceed the rating on some ottoman bases. If you are reusing an existing mattress, check its weight against the bed's specification before ordering rather than assuming it will be fine.
10. How long do ottoman gas struts last?
Typically five to ten years with normal use, though this varies with how often the bed is opened and whether the mattress weight suits the rating. The usual sign of ageing is the base closing faster than it used to or not holding fully open. Replacing both struts is straightforward and far cheaper than replacing the bed.
