Under Bed Storage: Drawers vs Ottoman

It's tough to find places to put all your stuff in a bedroom, especially if it's small or has little closet space. We all have clothes, blankets, books, and other things that need a home. But we often forget about the space right under our beds.

There are two main types of storage beds that people choose from: drawer beds and ottoman beds. Both of these options provide the extra storage space you need, but they work in completely different ways. 

Let’s help you understand the differences between these two storage solutions so you can decide which one is best for your bedroom and your needs.

What are Ottoman Beds?

An ottoman bed is a type of bed that has a secret storage compartment hidden underneath the mattress. 

How Do Ottoman Beds Work?

Ottoman beds utilise a gas lift system to facilitate easy mattress lifting. These are the same types of mechanisms you might find on the back door of an SUV or a kitchen cabinet that closes softly. When you want to access your storage, you lift the mattress and bed base, and the gas struts help support the weight so it doesn't feel heavy. When you're done, you lower it back down.

Different Types of Ottoman Beds

There are three main ways an ottoman bed can open:

1. Side-opening: The bed lifts from one of the long sides. This is the most common type and works well in most bedrooms.
2. End-opening: The bed lifts from the foot end (the end where your feet go). This is good if you have furniture or walls close to the sides of your bed.
3. Half-lift: Only half of the bed lifts, usually the foot half. This provides some storage space while keeping the head of the bed stable.
   

What Are Traditional Drawer Beds?

It is a type of bed that has drawers built into the base. Instead of lifting the entire mattress like an ottoman bed, drawer beds have individual drawers that slide out from the sides of the bed frame.

How Do Drawer Beds Work?

Drawer beds open and close just like regular drawers. They have special rails, either metal or wood, that help the drawers slide out easily so you can get to your things inside.

Drawer Beds: Storage Options

Drawer beds offer different amounts of storage:

• 2-Drawer Beds: These have one drawer on each side, suitable for a little extra space.
• 4-Drawer Beds: You get two drawers on each side, so double the storage. These drawers are usually smaller, but they help you organise more.
• Captain's Beds: These are the biggest storage beds. They have drawers on both sides, sometimes at the end, and might even include shelves or cabinets.
  

Storage Capacity Comparison

When picking between an ottoman bed and a drawer bed, think about how much you can put away and how easy it is to get to your things. Let's compare them.

Volume of Storage Space

Ottoman beds offer more storage because the entire space under the mattress functions as a single large compartment. There's no wasted space, so you get the maximum storage capacity.

Drawer beds have less storage overall. This is because parts like the drawer slides and frames occupy some space. However, the storage you do get in a drawer bed is well-organised and easy to access.

Getting to Your Stored Items

Ottoman beds give you a full view of your storage space as soon as you lift the mattress. It's great for seeing everything at once, but you may need to rearrange things to access items at the very back.

Drawer beds, on the other hand, let you get to specific sections of your storage without moving everything else. You can open the drawer you need and easily find what you're looking for.

What Items Work Best?

Ottoman beds are great for storing large, bulky items you don't use often, such as duvets, extra pillows, suitcases, or winter coats. Their open space can even fit oddly shaped items that drawers can't.

Drawer beds are better for smaller, everyday items such as clothes, linens, books, or accessories. Their compartments keep things neat and stop them from getting messy or wrinkled.

Ease of Use and Accessibility

Using your bed's storage daily depends on how easy it is to access. If it's a hassle, you won't use it much. Easy access makes storage practical for everyday life.

Daily Access Requirements: Ottoman beds make you lift the whole mattress to get things, which is a hassle if you need stuff often. Drawer beds let you easily pull out a single drawer, so they're better for things you use all the time.

Physical Effort Needed: Ottoman beds require lifting the mattress and bed base, which can be tiring. Drawer beds are easier because you pull out the drawers.

Age and Mobility Considerations: Ottoman beds can be difficult for older people or those with back issues, as you have to bend and lift the mattress. Drawer beds are much easier because you can open them while standing up.

How To Make The Right Choice?

It is not easy to choose between ottoman and drawer storage, as there's no single ‘best’ option. Your perfect choice depends on your needs, lifestyle, and the layout of your bedroom. Think about these things when you decide:

How You Live Matters:

• Drawer beds are good if you often need to grab things from under your bed. They're easy to use every day.
• Ottoman beds are ideal for storing items you don't use often, such as winter blankets during the summer.
• If lifting a mattress sounds like too much work, drawer beds are a more convenient option for regular use.

Room Size & How It's Set Up:

• Ottoman beds need open space above and around them to lift the mattress. Make sure nothing is in the way.
• Drawer beds need space on the sides for the drawers to pull out. Check that they won't hit walls or furniture.
• For small rooms, ottoman beds can save space because the storage is built up, not out.

How do You Like to Store Things?

• If you like to keep different things separate and tidy, drawer beds with their different sections are good.
• If you want a single ample space for storing large items, ottoman beds are ideal.

You may also like to read: Best bed frames for small rooms

Final Remarks

Deciding between a bed with drawers and an ottoman bed depends on your needs. If you want to get to your things easily and keep them neat, drawer beds are best. But if you need to store big items and don't mind lifting the mattress sometimes, ottoman beds give you the most space. Think about how easy it is for you to lift things, your room's setup, how you store things, and your budget to pick the right bed for you.