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Storage beds are one of the smartest furniture decisions you can make in a small bedroom. Instead of adding a chest of drawers that eats into your floor space, you use the space that’s already underneath your bed. The problem is that not all storage beds are worth buying, and the difference between a good one and a frustrating one often comes down to details the listing doesn’t make obvious.
We’ve pulled together the best options across ottoman lift and drawer styles, covering everything from budget picks to mid range options, so you can find the right fit for your room without spending an afternoon down a research rabbit hole.
Ottoman Lift or Drawer Storage: Which Is Right for You?
Before getting into the picks, a quick note on the two types since it affects which recommendation makes sense for you.
Ottoman lift beds open from the foot end or the side via a hydraulic gas mechanism, giving you access to the full floor area underneath, usually 400 to 500 litres on a full size. They work best for bulky or occasional-use items like spare bedding, seasonal clothing, and bags. The lift takes a few seconds and the base stays open on its own while you access the storage.
Drawer storage beds have pull-out drawers on the sides. They’re quicker for daily access to specific items but only use 30 to 40 percent of the available under-bed space. If one side of your bed sits against a wall, those drawers become useless.
We cover this comparison in more detail in our article on ottoman beds vs drawer beds, but the short version is: if maximum storage is the goal, go ottoman. If daily access to specific items matters more, drawers make sense.
What We Looked for When Choosing These
- Clearly listed weight capacity: If a bed doesn’t list this, we didn’t include it. It’s the single most important spec for a storage bed and any brand worth buying from lists it clearly.
- Genuine storage depth: Anything under 10 inches starts to feel limiting for bulky items. All ottoman picks here offer at least 12 inches of clearance.
- Review quality not just quantity: We looked at what reviewers specifically said about long term durability, lift mechanism reliability and assembly experience.
- Compact bedroom suitability: All picks here are full size, 54 to 57 inches wide, which fits comfortably in most standard small bedrooms without dominating the room.
All Five Picks at a Glance
| Bed | Best For | Type | Weight Cap | Price |
| Allewie Full Size Lift Up (Traditional) | Best overall ottoman | Lift up | 800 lbs | Check price |
| LUXOAK Full Size Lift Up | Best budget ottoman | Lift up | 1,000 lbs | Check price |
| SHA CERLIN Full Size Velvet Lift Up | Best mid range ottoman | Lift up | 800 lbs | Check price |
| Allewie Full Size 4 Drawer | Best mid range drawer | Drawers | 800 lbs | Check price |
| Allewie Full Size 3 Drawer | Best budget drawer | Drawers | 800 lbs | Check price |
The Picks
1. Allewie Full Size Lift Up Storage Bed (Traditional) — Best Overall Ottoman Pick
Consistently one of the top rated and most reviewed ottoman lift beds on Amazon US, and that’s not a coincidence. The Allewie Traditional is the bed that comes up consistently when people who’ve actually bought one talk about what they’d recommend to someone else.
The 800 pound hydraulic lift rating handles the mattress weight and a fully loaded storage compartment without feeling strained. The storage depth gives you genuine capacity for duvets, seasonal clothing, bags and anything else that’s currently taking up floor space in your room. The button tufted wingback headboard looks considerably more expensive than the price tag suggests, which is either deliberate or a happy accident. Either way it works.
It’s available in both Traditional and Modern styles across several colours so there’s flexibility depending on how your room is decorated. No box spring needed and it ships with a 90 day return window which is reassuring for a piece of furniture this size.
Two people and an afternoon for assembly. Don’t attempt it solo.
| What we like | Worth knowing |
| 800 lb hydraulic lift, well rated for the price | Foot end lift, needs 60-70cm clearance at foot |
| Consistently top rated, one of the highest reviewed ottoman beds on Amazon | Assembly takes 2 to 3 hours, two people needed |
| Button tufted wingback looks premium | Mattress sold separately |
| Traditional and Modern styles available | |
| 90 day easy returns |
2. LUXOAK Full Size Lift Up Storage Bed — Best Budget Ottoman Pick
Amazon’s Choice and a 1,000 pound weight capacity that has absolutely no business being on a budget bed. The LUXOAK surprises you in the best possible way.
The lift rating genuinely stands out at this price point. Most budget ottoman beds cut corners on the piston system and you feel it within a year. The 1,000 pound capacity on the LUXOAK means it handles heavier mattresses and a fully loaded storage compartment better than beds costing significantly more. Noise free construction is a small but appreciated detail too.
The honest trade off is storage depth. At 12 inches of ground clearance you’re working with less vertical space than the other ottoman picks. Flat items like folded bedding, clothing and linens fit well. Tall rigid items will be tight. If your storage is mainly spare bedding and seasonal clothes, this works perfectly. If you need to store boots, bags or anything with height, step up to the Allewie.
Industrial rustic style in a few colour options. Assembly estimated at 40 minutes for two people which is the fastest on this list. 90 day returns.
| What we like | Worth knowing |
| 1,000 lb weight capacity, best on this list | 12 inch ground clearance, shallower than other picks |
| Amazon’s Choice, highly rated | Best for flat items, tighter for bulky storage |
| Budget friendly, strong value for the price | Industrial style won’t suit every bedroom |
| Fastest assembly on this list, ~40 mins for two | Mattress sold separately |
| Noise free construction |
3. SHA CERLIN Full Size Velvet Lift Up Storage Bed — Best Mid Range Ottoman Pick
If the Allewie’s button tufted traditional look isn’t your style, the SHA CERLIN is the ottoman pick that steps things up aesthetically without a dramatic price increase. The velvet upholstered wingback headboard with horizontal channel stitching looks genuinely modern and the finish is noticeably more premium than anything else at this price point.
The 800 pound lift rating matches the Allewie and the hydraulic mechanism is described as squeak resistant, which is worth noting if you live in a flat where noise travels. Consistently well reviewed with a strong ratings track record, and it holds a top position in Bed Frames on Amazon US which for a specific style of storage bed is a strong signal.
Available in black and several other colours to suit different room styles. No box spring needed. The 30 day return window is shorter than the other picks so if you’re on the fence, factor that in before ordering.
| What we like | Worth knowing |
| Velvet wingback headboard, genuinely premium finish | 30 day return window, shorter than other picks |
| 800 lb hydraulic lift, squeak resistant | Slightly pricier than the Allewie for similar capacity |
| Highly rated across thousands of verified purchases | Assembly required, two people recommended |
| Modern aesthetic in multiple colours | Mattress sold separately |
Prefer Drawer Storage? These Two Are Worth Looking At
If you need daily access to specific items or you’re working with a tighter budget, a drawer storage bed makes more practical sense than an ottoman lift for your situation. These two are the strongest options at their respective price points.
4. Allewie Full Size 4 Drawer Platform Bed — Best Mid Range Drawer Pick
One of the most reviewed storage beds on Amazon, and by a significant margin over most competitors. Numbers like that tell you something real: a lot of people bought it, used it, and thought it was worth five minutes of their time to say so.
The four drawer setup gives you two side drawers and two additional drawers, more accessible daily storage than the three drawer version below. The adjustable headboard, which you can set at 40 or 42 inches depending on your mattress thickness, is a genuinely useful feature that most beds at this price don’t offer. Linen fabric finish in light grey works in most bedroom styles without looking generic.
The 800 pound weight capacity, squeak resistant construction and no box spring required round out a spec sheet that punches well above the price. One thing to check before positioning: you need clear access on both sides to use all four drawers. If one side of your bed sits against a wall, two of those drawers become inaccessible. Plan your room layout before you order.
| What we like | Worth knowing |
| Most reviewed bed on this list by a significant margin | Needs clear space on both sides for all 4 drawers |
| Adjustable headboard height, 40 or 42 inches | Drawer storage uses less total space than ottoman |
| 800 lb weight capacity, squeak resistant | Assembly required, two people recommended |
| Linen fabric, clean neutral finish | Mattress sold separately |
5. Allewie Full Size 3 Drawer Platform Bed — Best Budget Drawer Pick
Amazon’s Choice, highly rated across thousands of verified reviews, and consistently ranked among the top drawer storage beds in its category. If budget is the main constraint and you want drawer storage rather than a lift up base, this is the honest answer.
The three drawer layout is slightly different from most drawer beds. You get two side drawers and one end drawer at the foot, which is a useful configuration if one side of your bed sits against a wall since the foot end drawer remains accessible regardless of how the bed is positioned. That’s a practical advantage the four drawer version above doesn’t have.
The 800 pound weight capacity and metal frame construction give it a sturdiness that belies the price. The black faux leather finish is modern and clean. It won’t win any awards for premium feel but it looks considerably better than anything else at this price point.
Headboard is compatible but not included, you can add your own or use it without one. Assembly instructions included.
| What we like | Worth knowing |
| Most affordable pick on this list | Faux leather less durable than fabric long term |
| Foot end drawer works even when side is against wall | No headboard included |
| 800 lb weight capacity, metal frame | Drawer storage, less total volume than ottoman |
| Amazon’s Choice, highly rated across thousands of verified reviews | Mattress sold separately |
One More Thing Worth Adding: A Storage Ottoman Bench
If you’re going with a drawer bed, the foot end of your bed is probably sitting against a wall or just wasted space. A storage ottoman bench placed at the foot of the bed solves two problems at once. It gives you a place to sit while putting shoes on, extends the visual length of the bed which makes the room feel more intentional, and adds another hidden storage compartment for things you reach for regularly.
It also works well alongside an ottoman lift bed if you want quick daily access storage without lifting the base every time.
BELLEZE 47 inch Storage Ottoman Bench — Top Pick
Thousands of verified reviews at 4.7 stars, Amazon’s Choice, and a safety close hinge that prevents the lid from slamming. That last detail matters more than it sounds if you’ve ever had a storage ottoman lid drop on your fingers. It’s not a throwaway purchase but it’s a genuinely well made piece that holds up in a bedroom setting.
At 47 inches wide it fits neatly at the foot of a full size bed without overhanging. The linen fabric in multiple colour options works alongside most bed frame finishes. The rubberwood leg base keeps it stable and slightly elevated, which gives the bedroom a cleaner look than a bench that sits flat on the floor.
If budget is tighter, the SONGMICS folding storage ottoman is a decent alternative. Smaller capacity and faux leather rather than linen but it does the job for the price.
Not Sure Which One to Go For? Start Here
- Maximum storage in the smallest footprint: Allewie Traditional Lift Up. The ottoman base gives you the full under-bed footprint and the button tufted headboard looks great doing it.
- Best budget ottoman bed: LUXOAK. The 1,000 pound lift rating is the standout spec. Just be realistic about the shallower storage depth.
- Best looking ottoman bed: SHA CERLIN. The velvet wingback finish is the most visually premium of the three ottoman picks.
- Best drawer bed for daily access: Allewie 4 Drawer. The most reviewed bed on this list by a wide margin, which tells you everything about whether it delivers. The adjustable headboard is a bonus.
- Tightest budget: Allewie 3 Drawer, the most affordable pick on the list. The foot end drawer being accessible even when a side is against a wall makes it smarter than it first looks.
Before You Order, Check These Four Things
- Lift direction for ottoman beds. All three ottoman picks here are foot end lift. Make sure you have at least 60 to 70cm of clear floor space at the foot of the bed before positioning it. Getting this wrong after delivery is not a fun afternoon.
- Drawer access for drawer beds. Check which sides your drawers open from and whether your room layout gives you clear access. A drawer against a wall is a drawer you can’t use.
- Mattress weight. All five beds are rated at 800 to 1,000 pounds which covers most standard mattresses comfortably. If you’re using a particularly heavy latex or hybrid mattress over 50kg, check the specific rating before buying.
- Assembly help. Every bed on this list requires two people to assemble safely. Line up help before delivery day, not the morning it arrives.
Questions Worth Answering Before You Decide
Are ottoman lift beds hard to use every day?
Not on a well-made bed. The hydraulic lift does most of the work and the base stays open on its own while you access the storage. The main thing to keep in mind is that ottoman beds work best for occasional access storage, spare bedding, seasonal items, things you need once a week or less. For daily use items keep a bedside table or small set of drawers nearby. We cover this in detail in our article on whether ottoman beds are hard to lift every day.
How much can you actually store in an ottoman bed?
A full size ottoman bed typically gives you 380 to 450 litres of usable storage, roughly double what a four drawer chest of drawers holds. We go into the exact numbers, what fits well and what doesn’t, in our article on how much you can store in a double storage bed.
Do these beds come with a mattress?
No, none of the beds on this list include a mattress. All are sold as bed frames only. All are compatible with standard full size mattresses and none require a box spring.
Can I use these beds in a studio apartment?
Yes. All five picks are full size which is one of the most practical sizes for studio apartments, enough sleeping space for one person comfortably or two in a pinch, without the bed taking over the room. The ottoman picks in particular work well in studios because the hidden storage keeps the space looking uncluttered even when the bed is the main piece of furniture in the room.
Which One Is Worth Your Money?
If you want the most storage for the space, the Allewie Traditional Lift Up is the pick we’d point you toward first. Strong reviews, solid lift mechanism, good looking headboard and a price that’s hard to argue with for what you get.
If budget is the priority and you mainly need somewhere to store spare bedding and seasonal clothing, the LUXOAK’s 1,000 pound lift rating is genuinely impressive and it’ll serve you well for that purpose.
And if you prefer the convenience of drawers over the larger capacity of an ottoman, the Allewie 4 Drawer is the most reviewed bed on this list by a wide margin, which tells you everything you need to know about whether it delivers on its promises. A tidier, less cluttered bedroom genuinely makes a difference to how well you sleep and how the room feels to live in day to day. Getting your storage sorted properly is worth doing once and doing right.