Space is the reason most people look at a storage bed in the first place. In a single bedroom, there’s rarely room for a wardrobe, a chest of drawers and a bed all at once.
So the bed has to work harder. The three most common choices are an ottoman, a divan with drawers and a sleigh bed. Each one stores things differently, fits a room differently, and costs a different amount.
This guide compares all three side by side. It covers how much each one holds, how easy it is to use, how much floor space it needs, and which rooms it suits. By the end, you’ll know which single bed with storage fits the way you live.
Storage Single Bed Comparison at a Glance
The short version: the ottoman holds the most, the divan is the easiest to reach into every day, and the sleigh is the one you choose for its shape.
| Features | Single Ottoman | Single Divan with Drawers | Single Sleigh |
|---|---|---|---|
| How storage works | The whole base lifts on gas pistons. | Drawers are built into the base. | No built-in storage unless made on an ottoman base. |
| Storage space | Most: the full area under the mattress. | Moderate: drawers use part of the base. | Little to none. |
| Everyday access | Lift the base to reach inside. | Pull out a drawer. | Use under-bed boxes if the frame sits high enough. |
| Extra floor space | Room is needed to stand and lift the base. | Clear space is needed for drawers to open. | Extra length is needed at the foot of the bed. |
| Look | Upholstered frame with clean lines. | Simple base with a separate headboard. | Curved headboard and footboard. |
| Relative price | Mid-range. | Usually the lowest. | Depends on fabric and finish. |
| Suits | Box rooms and storing bulky or seasonal items. | Children’s rooms and everyday storage. | Bedrooms where style matters most. |
| Zenna Beds single price | From £499 | From £549 | From £499 |
Prices change with fabric and finish, so check each bed’s page for the exact figure. You can compare every style in our range of single beds.
The Single Ottoman Storage Bed
An ottoman bed hides a storage box under the mattress. The whole base lifts on gas pistons, so you raise the mattress and platform together to reach everything underneath.
Because the storage runs the full length and width of the bed, no space is wasted. Bulky things fit that would never go in a drawer, like spare duvets, winter coats, suitcases and boxed toys. That’s what makes a single ottoman storage bed so useful in a small room.
Our single ottoman bed uses a gas piston lift, so the base rises smoothly and stays open while you reach inside.
Why people choose it:
- It gives you more storage than any other single bed
- A closed base keeps everything inside free of dust
- An end-lift base needs no space at the sides for drawers
- It suits seasonal things you don’t need every day
Worth knowing: You lift the base to reach anything, so it’s less handy for things you use several times a day. In a child’s room, an adult should do the lifting.
The Single Divan Storage Bed
A divan is a solid, fabric covered base that sits close to the floor, with the mattress on top and a headboard fixed to the base or the wall. On its own, it’s a plain base. Add drawers, and it becomes a single divan storage bed.
The drawers are what make a divan so practical. You can open one without touching the mattress, which makes a divan the easiest storage bed to use every day. Divan beds come with a choice of drawer layouts [confirm single drawer options].
Why people choose it:
- Drawers are easy to open, even for children
- It’s usually the most affordable storage bed
- Separate drawers keep different items sorted
- The base is sturdy and sits low to the floor
Worth knowing: Drawers need clear space to slide out fully, so a bedside table, wall, or radiator can block them. They also hold less than an ottoman, because drawers only use part of the space under the mattress.
The Single Sleigh Bed
A single sleigh bed has a headboard and footboard that curve outwards, like the front of a horse drawn sleigh. It’s the most decorative of the three, and it can turn a small bedroom into a finished, considered space.
Storage is where it falls short. A standard sleigh frame has no built in storage. Depending on the frame height, you may fit shallow under bed boxes, but that’s all. Some sleigh beds can be made on an ottoman base, which adds full lift up storage while keeping the curved shape.
Why people choose it:
- It gives the room a strong focal point
- The padded, curved headboard is comfortable to sit up against
- It comes in a wide range of velvets, chenilles and linens
Worth knowing: The curved footboard adds length, so a sleigh needs more floor space than an ottoman or divan with the same mattress size. Measure the room before you order.
Single Ottoman vs Divan Bed: Head-to-Head
Most people shopping for a single bed with storage end up choosing between these two. Here’s how they compare on the four things that matter most.
Storage Space
The ottoman wins clearly. It opens up the full area under the mattress in one go. A divan’s drawers use only part of that space, and nothing taller than the drawer depth will fit.
If you need to store bulky items, like a spare duvet, a suitcase or a box of winter clothes, the ottoman is the stronger choice.
Everyday Access
The divan wins here. You pull a drawer open and take what you need, without touching the bed. With an ottoman, you lift the whole base. Gas pistons make that easy, but it’s less convenient several times a day.
A simple rule helps: use drawers for things you reach for daily, and an ottoman for things you need once a week or once a season. For a fuller breakdown of the mechanisms, see our guide to hydraulic vs drawer storage beds.
Floor Space Needed
Each bed needs a different kind of clear space around it. This matters most in a narrow room.
| Bed Type | Clear Space Needed | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ottoman, End Lift | Room to stand at the foot | The base lifts upwards from the foot end. |
| Ottoman, Side Lift | Room to stand at one side | The base lifts upwards from the side. |
| Divan with Side Drawers | Clear floor along the drawer side | Drawers slide out sideways. |
| Sleigh | Extra length at the foot | The curved footboard extends beyond the mattress. |
In a narrow box room, an end lift ottoman is often the only storage bed that works. It needs no space at the sides, so the bed can sit against one wall with a walkway along the other.
Price
A divan is usually the more affordable of the two. An ottoman costs more because of its gas lift mechanism. The extra storage can pay for itself, though. If an ottoman means you don’t need a separate chest of drawers, the total cost of the room may come out lower.
The Verdict
Choose the ottoman if storage space is your priority. Choose the divan if you want quick, everyday access and a lower price.
Where the Single Sleigh Bed Fits In
A sleigh bed isn’t really competing on storage. People choose it because they want the bedroom to look finished and considered, not purely practical.
If you want both the shape and the storage, ask about a sleigh frame on an ottoman base. If storage is your only priority, an ottoman or divan will give you more for your money.
Which Single Storage Bed Suits Your Room
The right bed depends on who sleeps in it and what you need to store. Use this table as a starting point, then read the notes for your room below.
| Your Situation | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Child’s room, toys and clothes used daily | Divan with drawers | Children can open the drawers themselves. |
| Child’s room, bulky or outgrown items | Ottoman | Holds spare bedding, old clothes and big toys. |
| Narrow box room | End lift ottoman | Provides full storage without needing space at the sides. |
| Guest room used a few times a year | Ottoman | Keeps spare bedding hidden between visits. |
| Teenager or adult | Ottoman or divan | Depends on whether storage is needed daily or occasionally. |
| Room where looks matter most | Sleigh | The curved frame becomes the focal point. |
| Tight budget | Divan with drawers | Usually the most affordable storage bed option. |
Children’s Rooms
For young children, a divan with drawers is usually the more practical choice. They can put toys and clothes away themselves, and there’s no base to lift.
An ottoman works well too, especially for things children have outgrown but you want to keep. Just make sure an adult does the lifting.
Box Rooms and Small Spaces
Small rooms need every centimetre to count. An end lift ottoman stores the most without needing space for drawers to open, so it’s usually the strongest choice here.
If the room is very narrow, width matters as much as storage. Our guide to standard vs small single beds explains the 90cm and 75cm options.
Guest Rooms
A guest room sits empty for most of the year, which makes it a good place to store things you rarely use. An ottoman keeps spare bedding, towels, and seasonal items tidy and out of sight until visitors arrive.
Teenagers and Adults
For an older sleeper, comfort and space come first. Both the ottoman and divan work well, so decide on how often you’ll reach into the storage.
If the bedroom doubles as a study or a place to relax, a sleigh bed can make it feel less like a spare room and more like a finished space.
How to Choose in Three Steps
- Measure the room: Note the width and length of the space, and where the door, window, and radiator sit. Then check each bed’s overall frame size, not just the mattress size.
- Decide how you’ll use the storage: Everyday items suit drawers. Bulky or seasonal items suit an ottoman. If looks matter more than storage, a sleigh is worth considering.
- Choose your fabric: Order free fabric samples and hold them up in the room in daylight and lamplight before you decide.
Single Storage Beds From Zenna Beds
Every bed is made to order in our Yorkshire factory, so you’re not choosing from whatever happens to be in a warehouse. You pick the bed type, the size and the fabric from our range of velvets, chenilles and linens. There’s no flat pack and no guesswork.
Delivery is free across the UK, straight to the room of your choice, usually within 5 to 10 working days. You can spread the cost with Klarna or Clearpay.
Start with free fabric samples, then choose the storage bed that fits your room.
Shop by bed type:
Frequently Asked Questions
Which single storage bed gives the most space?
An ottoman gives the most space. The whole base lifts to reveal storage under the full length and width of the mattress. A divan with drawers holds less, and a standard sleigh bed has no built in storage.
Is a single ottoman better than a single divan for daily use?
Not for daily use. Drawers are quicker to open, so a divan suits things you reach for every day. An ottoman is better for bulky or seasonal items you need less often, because it holds far more.
Do single sleigh beds come with any storage options?
A standard sleigh frame has no built in storage. Some sleigh beds can be made on an ottoman base, which adds lift up storage under the mattress. Otherwise, you may fit shallow under bed boxes if the frame sits high enough.
Which single storage bed suits a child’s room?
A divan with drawers suits most children’s rooms, because children can open the drawers themselves. An ottoman is a good choice for bulky items like spare bedding and outgrown clothes, as long as an adult does the lifting.
What is the most affordable single storage bed option?
A divan with drawers is usually the most affordable single storage bed. An ottoman costs more because of its gas lift mechanism. A sleigh bed’s price depends on the fabric and finish you choose.
Is a single ottoman bed hard to lift?
No. Gas pistons take most of the weight, so an adult can usually raise the base with little effort. The mattress lifts with it, so a heavier mattress will take a little more effort to raise.
Do divan drawers need space to open?
Yes. Drawers slide out from the side or the foot of the base, so you need clear floor space in front of them. Check that a bedside table, wall or radiator won’t block them before you order.
Can a single ottoman bed fit in a small room?
Yes. An end lift ottoman suits small rooms well, because it lifts from the foot and needs no space at the sides for drawers. That lets you push the bed against one wall and keep a walkway along the other.
