Blog
Best King Size Ottoman Beds UK 2026, Top Picks Reviewed
A king-size bed is one of those upgrades that, once you’ve made it, you genuinely cannot imagine going back.
More room to stretch out. No elbows in your side at 3 a.m. Enough space for a duvet each without the nightly tug of war. If you share a bed with a partner or a child who climbs in at 6 a.m., the extra 15 cm of width over a double makes a difference you feel every single morning.
But here’s the thing: if you’re already upgrading to a king, it makes complete sense to upgrade your storage at the same time. And that’s exactly where a king-size ottoman bed becomes one of the smartest purchases in the entire bed market.
One lift of the mattress. Hundreds of liters of hidden storage. Suitcases, seasonal duvets, and spare bedding, all completely out of sight. No extra furniture. No extra floor space. Just a beautifully made bed that does far more than it appears to.
This guide reviews the best king-size ottoman beds available in the UK right now, covering every style, fabric, and price point, so you find the right one for your bedroom without the guesswork.
What Makes a Great King Size Ottoman Bed?
Before we get into the picks, it’s worth knowing what separates a genuinely great ottoman bed from a mediocre one. Because at this price point, the differences matter.
Gas Lift Mechanism Quality
This is the most important technical component of any ottoman bed, and the one that varies most between products. A quality gas lift mechanism opens smoothly with minimal effort, holds the mattress fully open at a stable angle, and closes gently and quietly without dropping.
Poor mechanisms feel stiff on the way up, drop suddenly on the way down, or develop resistance and noise within the first year. According to Which?, checking the mechanism warranty is one of the most reliable quality indicators when buying an upholstered storage bed. Look for a minimum 2-year guarantee; better products carry 3–5 years.
Internal Base Construction
The base frame, the structure inside the fabric covering, determines how stable, supportive, and long-lasting the bed is. Quality bases use solid timber frame construction with high-density foam padding. Budget bases use thin chipboard or composite materials that compress and deteriorate faster.
This is rarely visible from the outside, which is why buying from a reputable retailer and asking about construction specifics matters.
Fabric and Finish Quality
The upholstery of a king-size ottoman bed is partially visible in your bedroom every day. Quality fabric, whether velvet, linen, chenille, or woven, should feel substantial, resist pilling and fading, and look as good after two years as it did on delivery day.
Storage Access and Capacity
A king-size ottoman base offers approximately 600–800 liters of under-bed storage, but the practicality of accessing that storage depends on the opening direction (end-opening vs. side-opening) and how smoothly the mechanism operates. More on opening types later.
Size and Room Fit
A king-size ottoman bed measures 150 cm × 200 cm. That’s 15 cm wider and 10 cm longer than a standard double. It needs at least 3.5 m × 4 m of bedroom floor space, with additional clearance for the mattress to open. Always measure before you order.
Why an Ottoman Bed Double Might Also Be Worth Considering
While this guide focuses primarily on king-size options, it’s worth addressing ottoman bed double sizes because, for many UK buyers, a double ottoman is actually the more practical choice.
A double ottoman bed measures 135 cm × 190 cm. It offers:
- A smaller footprint, fits comfortably in bedrooms from around 3 m × 3.5 m
- Lower price point, typically £100–£200 less than an equivalent king
- Significant storage, approximately 400–550 liters, still substantially more than drawer divans
- All the same fabric, style, and mechanism quality options as king sizes
Choose a double ottoman if:
- Your bedroom comfortably fits a double but feels tight for a king
- You’re furnishing a guest room where king size isn’t necessary
- Budget is a key consideration and you want the best quality ottoman within a tighter spend
- You sleep alone and want more storage without the full king footprint
Choose a king-size ottoman if:
- You share the bed with a partner and want more comfortable sleeping space
- Your bedroom can accommodate 150 cm width with adequate opening clearance
- Storage is a high priority and you want maximum capacity
- You’re making a long-term investment in your main bedroom
The honest truth is that an ottoman bed double and a king-size ottoman are the same product in different sizes, both equally well-made, both offering the same features. Size is the deciding factor, not quality.
Best Overall: Luxury Velvet King Size Ottoman Bed
Opening type: End-opening or side-opening (specified at order)
Fabric options: Midnight blue, charcoal grey, forest green, dusty pink, steel grey
Storage capacity: Approximately 700 liters
Best for: Main bedrooms, couples, design-conscious buyers
This is the ottoman bed that does everything right.
The gas lift mechanism is smooth, controlled, and confidence-inspiring; the mattress lifts with a gentle push and stays fully open without any wobble or drift. The internal base construction uses a solid timber frame with quality high-density foam padding that gives the base a reassuring firmness underfoot when you sit on the edge.
The velvet upholstery is the real showstopper. In person, the fabric has a depth and richness that photographs simply cannot capture, particularly in midnight blue and forest green, which are among the most striking bedroom choices available at any price point in 2026. The stitching is tight, even, and shows no sign of loosening after extended use.
Paired with a tall wingback or panel headboard, this ottoman creates the kind of bedroom centerpiece that people comment on when they see it.
What to know: Velvet shows directional light marks with regular contact; a lint roller and occasional light brushing keeps it looking its best. The end-opening configuration needs at least 70 cm of clearance at the foot; measure carefully before ordering.
Verdict: The best all-round king-size ottoman bed available for UK buyers in 2026. Premium in every detail without being unnecessarily expensive.
Best for Modern Bedrooms: Panel Fabric King Size Ottoman
Opening type: Side-opening
Fabric options: Silver grey, stone, mink, navy woven
Storage capacity: Approximately 650 liters
Best for: Contemporary, minimalist bedrooms; buyers who want a cleaner, less textured look
Where the velvet ottoman is rich and dramatic, this panel fabric option is clean, quiet, and effortlessly modern.
The woven fabric in silver grey and stone is particularly versatile; it works with virtually any bedding color and suits both neutral Scandi-style bedrooms and more bold, contrasting color schemes equally well. The flat panel design of the base has a contemporary precision that feels considered and deliberate.
The gas lift on this model is side-opening, an important practical detail that makes it the right choice for bedrooms where the foot of the bed is close to a wall or wardrobe. The side lift operates with the same smooth, controlled motion as the best end-opening models; there’s no quality compromise in the mechanism because of the opening direction.
Internal construction is solid throughout. The base sits firmly and quietly, no creaking, no shifting, no movement at the join between the two base sections.
What to know: Woven fabric is slightly more forgiving of everyday marks than velvet and easier to maintain in homes with pets or young children. The side-opening configuration needs at least 65 cm of clear space on the opening side.
Verdict: The best choice for modern UK bedrooms that want ottoman storage without the dramatic texture of velvet. Quiet, versatile, and very well made.
Best Luxury Option: King Size Upholstered Ottoman with Wingback Headboard
Opening type: End-opening
Fabric options: Crushed velvet in silver, champagne, mink, and slate
Storage capacity: Approximately 720 liters
Best for: Luxury main bedrooms, buyers who want a complete showpiece setup
If budget is less of a constraint and bedroom aesthetics are the priority, this is the pick.
The crushed velvet fabric has a shimmer and movement that sets it apart from standard velvet; in champagne and silver particularly, it catches light in a way that looks genuinely extraordinary in a well-lit bedroom. The wingback headboard, sold as a matched set with this base, frames the bed with the kind of presence that makes the rest of the room feel curated around it.
The storage capacity of 720 liters is among the highest available in any king-size ottoman, thanks to a deeper-than-standard base construction. The gas lift mechanism on this model is the smoothest we’ve tested; it opens with almost no effort at all and closes with a whisper-quiet descent that feels like a genuinely premium product should.
At this price point, the internal construction is exactly what you’d hope for: solid hardwood frame, quality foam padding, and fabric that shows every sign of lasting well beyond a decade of daily use.
What to know: Crushed velvet requires slightly more care than plain velvet; avoid direct sunlight which fades the shimmer over time, and brush in one direction to maintain the pile. This model is end-opening and needs 75–80 cm of clearance at the foot.
Verdict: The best luxury king-size ottoman bed available in the UK in 2026. Worth every penny for buyers making a serious long-term investment in their bedroom.
Best Budget King Size Ottoman: Essentials Fabric Ottoman Bed
Opening type: End-opening
Fabric options: Silver grey, charcoal, cream
Storage capacity: Approximately 580 liters
Best for: Value-conscious buyers, first-time ottoman buyers, rental properties
Not everyone needs, or wants to spend, top-tier money on a bed. And the good news is that you don’t have to.
This essentials-level king-size ottoman proves that a lower price point doesn’t mean a poor product; it means a product with fewer fabric options and a simpler finish, but the same fundamental structural quality that makes an ottoman bed worth buying.
The gas lift mechanism works smoothly and reliably. The base construction is solid and stable. The storage capacity at 580 liters is excellent for a king size at this price. And the plain woven fabric in silver grey is clean, neutral, and genuinely attractive in a bedroom setting; it just doesn’t have the visual drama of velvet or crushed fabric options.
For first-time ottoman buyers, this is an excellent way to discover whether the ottoman format works for your lifestyle and room, without committing to a premium spend upfront.
What to know: Fabric options are limited at this price point. If you have a specific color scheme in mind, check availability carefully before ordering. The plain woven fabric is the most hardwearing option in the range, a practical advantage.
Verdict: The best value king-size ottoman bed in the UK for 2026. Honest quality at an honest price.
Best for Guest Rooms: Double Ottoman Bed, Grey Woven
Opening type: Side-opening
Fabric options: Grey, cream, silver
Storage capacity: Approximately 480 liters
Best for: Guest bedrooms, spare rooms, buyers upgrading from a single to a double
For a guest room, a double ottoman bed is often the smarter choice than a full king, and this model makes the strongest case.
At 135 cm wide, it’s comfortable for a single guest and generous enough for a couple staying short-term. The side-opening mechanism is ideal for guest rooms where the foot of the bed is often close to a chest of drawers or wardrobe. And the 480-liter storage capacity is more than enough for spare bedding, towels, and guest supplies, all completely hidden when the room isn’t in use.
The grey woven fabric is neutral, contemporary, and goes with any bedding choice a guest might bring. The whole setup feels considered and welcoming, which is exactly what a good guest room should feel like.
What to know: At double size, the gas lift mechanism requires slightly less effort than king-size models; the lighter mattress load makes it the easiest ottoman to operate in the range. Great for older users or anyone who finds heavier lifts difficult.
Verdict: The best ottoman bed double for UK guest rooms in 2026. Practical, attractive, and well within a sensible guest room budget.
How to Choose Between These Options
Still deciding? Here’s a simple decision guide based on your priorities.
- If storage capacity is your top priority: Choose the Luxury Upholstered Ottoman with Wingback Headboard, 720 liters and the deepest base in the range.
- If bedroom aesthetics are your top priority: Choose the Luxury Velvet King Size Ottoman in midnight blue or forest green, the most visually impressive option in the range.
- If you want a clean, modern look: Choose the Panel Fabric King Size Ottoman in silver grey or stone, versatile, contemporary, and easy to style around.
- If budget is the primary consideration: Choose the Essentials Fabric Ottoman Bed, genuine quality at the most accessible price point.
- If you’re furnishing a guest room: Choose the Double Ottoman Bed in Grey Woven, right size, right price, right opening direction for most guest room layouts.
What to Check Before You Order Any Ottoman Bed
Regardless of which model you choose, run through this checklist before confirming your order:
- Room dimensions: At least 3.5 m × 4 m for king, 3 m × 3.5 m for double
- Opening clearance: 60–80 cm at foot (end-opening) or 60–70 cm on one side (side-opening)
- Opening direction: End or side, chosen based on your actual room layout, not preference
- Headboard: Included or separate? Factor into total budget
- Mechanism warranty: Minimum 2 years; ask if not stated
- Delivery specifics: Kerbside, doorstep, or room of choice? Assembly included?
- Fabric swatch: Request one if color accuracy matters to you; screen colors vary
- Returns policy: Understand the window and conditions before ordering
Conclusion: The Right King Size Ottoman Is a Bedroom Game-Changer
A king-size ottoman bed is not just an upgrade; it’s a genuinely transformative bedroom purchase that solves problems most beds can’t touch.
More sleeping space. Hundreds of liters of hidden storage. A clean, contemporary look that works in any well-dressed bedroom. A solid, supportive base that looks after your mattress for a decade or more.
The key is choosing the right one, the right size for your room, the right opening direction for your layout, and the right quality of mechanism and construction to make sure it performs as well on day 1,000 as it did on day one.
Every option in this guide represents genuine quality at its price point. Whether you’re investing in a luxury centrepiece for your main bedroom or finding the best value ottoman bed double for a guest room, there’s an option here that’s right for you.
Ready to find yours? Visit our full Ottoman Bed collection at Appex Beds, king size, double, and super king options in premium upholstered fabrics, all with free UK mainland delivery included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best king size ottoman bed in the UK in 2026?
The best overall king size ottoman bed for most UK buyers in 2026 is a luxury velvet upholstered ottoman with a quality gas-lift mechanism, solid timber internal construction, and end or side-opening configuration chosen to suit the room layout. The most important quality indicator is the gas-lift mechanism, look for a minimum 2-year warranty and smooth, controlled operation in both directions.
Is a double ottoman bed the same quality as a king size?
Yes, an ottoman bed double uses the same construction quality, fabric options, and gas-lift mechanism as a king size ottoman. The only difference is size. A double ottoman (135 × 190cm) offers approximately 400–550 litres of storage versus 600–800 litres for a king. The choice between them should be based on room size, sleeping preferences, and storage needs, not quality considerations.
How much storage does a king size ottoman bed provide?
A standard king size ottoman bed provides approximately 600–800 litres of usable under-bed storage, depending on the specific base depth of the model. This is substantially more than a divan bed with 4 standard drawers, which typically provides around 150–250 litres. The open, unpartitioned storage area of an ottoman base accommodates large bulky items, suitcases, full duvets, seasonal clothing, that would not fit in standard drawers.
What is the difference between end-opening and side-opening ottoman beds?
End-opening ottoman beds lift from the foot of the bed, best when the head is against a wall and there’s clear space at the foot. Side-opening beds lift from one side, best when the foot is close to furniture or a wall and one side has adequate clearance. The choice must be made based on your specific room layout. Getting the opening direction wrong is the most common ottoman bed buying mistake and the most important thing to get right before ordering.
Are king size ottoman beds difficult to assemble?
Most king size ottoman beds arrive in clearly labelled sections and assemble without specialist tools. The base sections connect via a link bar system, the gas pistons are typically pre-fitted to the base, and headboards attach via standard strut brackets. Most buyers complete assembly in 30–45 minutes with two people. The heaviest individual component is usually the mattress, always have a second person available for this stage.