Ottoman TV Bed The Complete Buying Guide

If you've searched "ottoman TV bed" you've probably already got the basic idea: a bed frame that lifts up on gas struts to reveal a storage space underneath, built to also house a TV that rises out of the footend. What's harder to find is a straight answer on how well the two features actually work together, what it does to your choice of mattress, and where people go wrong. We fit these beds every week, so here's what we tell customers in the showroom.

What is an ottoman TV bed?

An ottoman TV bed combines two separate ideas into one frame. The "ottoman" part refers to the storage mechanism; the whole bed base lifts on a gas-assisted hinge (either from the foot end or the side) to give you full access to a deep storage compartment underneath, instead of the shallow drawers you get on a normal divan. The "TV bed" part is a lift mechanism, usually electric, built into the foot end that raises a television up to viewing height at the press of a button and drops it away when you're not using it.

Put them together, and you get a bed that stores your winter duvets, spare bedding or luggage in the base, and hides your TV completely when it's switched off — which is the main reason people choose an ottoman over a standard storage drawer TV bed.

How the ottoman mechanism works

Almost all ottoman TV beds are side lift: the bed lifts from one long edge, hinged along the opposite side, to reveal the storage compartment underneath. This only needs clearance down one side of the bed, which is why it's the standard design, it works in most bedrooms without you needing to leave extra space at the foot end.

The lift is gas-assisted, so it should take minimal effort — if you're testing one in a showroom and it feels heavy or jerky, that's worth flagging, because it usually means a cheaper strut.

What can you actually fit in the storage?

This is the bit that gets glossed over online. Storage depth varies significantly between beds — cheaper frames can be quite shallow once you account for the mattress sitting inside the base, while better-built ottomans give you closer to a full underbed's worth of space. As a rough guide, expect enough room for bedding, a couple of suitcases, or seasonal clothing, but check the listed storage dimensions rather than assuming — they're not standardised across brands.

Ottoman TV bed vs a standard TV bed with drawers

If storage capacity matters more to you than day-to-day convenience, ottoman wins outright; even two or four drawers can't match the volume of a full lift-up base. But there are trade-offs:

• Access — drawers are quicker for things you need often; the ottoman base is better suited to things you pack away and don't need to get at regularly, since you have to clear the bed to lift it.
• Mattress type — ottoman beds need a base that can lift as one unit, so you're generally looking at a sprung or reinforced base rather than a slatted one, which can slightly narrow your mattress options.
• Price — the gas-lift mechanism adds cost over a simple drawer base, so ottoman TV beds usually sit toward the upper end of the TV bed range.

The disadvantages of an ottoman bed

Worth being upfront about, since most retailers aren't:

• Weight and clearance — you need floor space down one side of the bed to lift into, and the mechanism adds noticeable weight versus a standard divan, which matters if you're moving house often.
• Not ideal for daily-use storage — because you have to clear the bed and lift the whole base, it's a poor fit for things like everyday clothes; it suits infrequently-accessed items far better.
• Mattress restrictions — as above, the base type limits which mattresses will sit properly and lift safely.
• Build quality varies a lot — the gas struts and hinge points are what wear first on a poorly made ottoman bed, so this is one product category where it really pays to buy from a specialist rather than the cheapest listing you can find.

None of these is a dealbreaker for most bedrooms; they're just worth knowing before you commit.

What to check before you buy

• TV size compatibility — most ottoman TV bed footends are built for screens up to 43", so measure your TV (or check the VESA mount spec) before ordering.
• Sound setup — better frames include built-in surround sound and Bluetooth rather than relying on the TV's own speakers, which makes a real difference lying down.
• Storage depth — ask for the actual internal dimensions, not just "ottoman storage" as a headline feature.
• Lift and hinge quality — a whisper-quiet, one-button mechanism is worth paying for over a manual strut you have to wrestle with.
• Delivery and assembly — these are heavy, multi-part frames. Check whether installation is included or chargeable.

Is an ottoman TV bed any good?

For the right bedroom, yes — you get meaningful underbed storage and a TV that disappears completely when not in use, which is hard to replicate any other way in a standard-sized room. They suit people short on storage space (small double and box rooms especially) more than anyone who already has a chest of drawers and wardrobe doing the job. If storage isn't a priority for you, a standard TV bed with a fixed footend is simpler and slightly cheaper.

Our take on the best ottoman TV bed in the UK

There's no single "best" — it depends on room size and budget — but if you want a benchmark, our own Kaydian Titan Ottoman TV Bed is a fair example of what a well-built one should include: a quiet gas-lift ottoman base, 4.1 surround sound with 8 directional speakers, Bluetooth, USB charging built into the headboard, and support for up to a 43" screen. It's available in double, king size and super king, and it's exclusive to us. Beyond our own range, when comparing any ottoman TV bed, use the checklist above rather than the marketing copy — storage depth and lift quality are where the cheap ones fall down.

FAQs

Can you get an ottoman TV bed? Yes — they're a well-established category now, combining a lift-up ottoman storage base with a TV lift mechanism in the footend. You'll find them in double, king and super king sizes.

What are the disadvantages of an ottoman bed? Mainly the floor clearance needed to lift it, the fact it's slower to access than drawers so it suits occasional-use storage better than everyday items, and some restriction on mattress type since the base needs to lift as one unit.

Are TV beds any good? For a bedroom where you'd genuinely watch TV in bed anyway, yes — a built-in lift is neater than a wall bracket or stand, and a good one hides the screen completely when off. They're a bigger investment than a normal bed frame, so they suit people who'll actually use the feature regularly.

What is the best TV bed in the UK? It depends on your room and budget rather than one single model — the key differentiators are sound quality, screen size supported, lift mechanism quality, and (for ottoman versions) actual storage depth. Browse our range or visit the showroom and we'll talk you through what suits your space.