Ottoman Bed Storage Depth Guide UK: Standard, Extra Deep, Super Deep and Jumbo Compared

When comparing ottoman beds, most shoppers first look at the colour, headboard style, fabric, price or delivery time. But if storage is the main reason for buying, one measurement matters more than almost anything else: usable internal storage depth.

Two ottoman beds can look similar online, but the storage space inside can be very different. One may be suitable for light bedding and sheets, while another may have enough internal depth for thick duvets, pillows, seasonal clothes, storage bags and larger household items.

This guide explains how ottoman bed storage depth works, what the common UK depth ranges mean, and how to compare standard, extra deep, super deep and jumbo ottoman storage beds more accurately.

This guide is based on publicly available UK ottoman bed information checked in June 2026. Storage measurements can vary by model, size, base construction and supplier, so always confirm the current product specification before ordering.

What Does Ottoman Bed Storage Depth Mean?

Ottoman bed storage depth usually means the internal vertical space available inside the bed base once the mattress platform is lifted. In simple terms, it is the usable height of the storage compartment inside the ottoman base.

This is different from the total height of the bed. A bed can look tall because of glides, feet, upholstery, the lid or the mattress, but the actual usable storage space inside the base may be smaller. For a fair comparison, the important figure is the internal storage depth.

If a bed has around 33cm internal storage depth, it should provide more usable space than a standard ottoman base around 25cm to 26cm, assuming both measurements are taken in the same way.

Why Storage Depth Matters

Storage depth affects what you can actually keep inside the bed. A standard ottoman base may be enough for sheets, light blankets and smaller soft items. A deeper ottoman base gives more room for thick duvets, pillows, towels, folded clothes, seasonal bedding and larger storage bags.

The difference between 26cm and 33cm may not sound huge, but across the full footprint of a double, king or super king bed, that extra depth can make a meaningful difference. The deeper the internal base, the more useful the bed becomes as a practical storage solution.

Common Ottoman Bed Storage Depths in the UK

UK ottoman beds are often described using terms such as standard, deep, extra deep, super deep or jumbo. These terms are helpful, but they are not always used consistently across retailers. The safest way to compare beds is to look for the actual depth measurement in centimetres.

Standard Ottoman Beds: Around 25cm to 26cm

A standard ottoman bed base usually gives enough space for everyday bedding, sheets, pillowcases, light blankets and smaller items. For many bedrooms, this is already more useful than a bed frame with no storage at all.

However, standard-depth storage can feel limited if you want to store thick duvets, spare pillows, winter bedding, larger clothing bags or suitcase-sized items. If storage capacity is one of your main reasons for buying, it is worth checking whether the bed is standard depth or extra deep before choosing.

Extra Deep Ottoman Beds: Around 33cm

Extra deep ottoman beds are designed for shoppers who want more useful internal space without moving into the tallest base designs. At SoSoftBeds, extra deep ottoman beds use a 33cm internal storage depth where specified, compared with around 26cm on a standard base.

That extra depth is useful for bulkier bedding and larger soft items. It can also make the storage space easier to organise, because there is more vertical room inside the base.

For many UK bedrooms, 33cm is a practical middle ground: noticeably deeper than standard ottoman storage, while still suitable for everyday use.

Super Deep Ottoman Beds: Around 39cm

Super deep ottoman beds are for households that need a higher-capacity storage base. At SoSoftBeds, super deep ottoman beds use a 39cm internal storage depth where specified.

This gives a much larger storage area than a typical standard ottoman base and can be useful if the bed needs to replace other bedroom storage, such as boxes, drawers or spare cupboard space.

Super deep storage can work especially well in smaller homes, flats, guest rooms and bedrooms where every bit of storage space matters.

Jumbo Ottoman Storage: Up to Around 50cm

Jumbo ottoman storage is designed for maximum internal depth. Selected SoSoftBeds jumbo storage models offer up to 50cm storage depth where specified.

This type of storage is useful for larger bedding, bulky household items, seasonal storage, vacuum bags and items that would otherwise need cupboard or loft space.

Because jumbo bases are deeper, shoppers should check the full specification before ordering, including total bed height, mattress suitability, lift mechanism and room layout.

How SoSoftBeds Compares With Other UK Ottoman Bed Options

Across the UK market, many ottoman beds are advertised as storage beds, but the actual internal depth is not always shown clearly. Some competing ottoman beds use standard or medium-depth bases, while other competitors advertise deeper storage options on selected models.

Publicly available UK buying guides and retailer pages commonly describe ottoman storage depths from around 25cm to 40cm, with some specialist deep-storage models going higher where specified. This means shoppers should avoid relying only on words such as "deep", "large" or "spacious" and should look for the actual centimetre measurement wherever possible.

Why Exact Measurements Matter More Than Marketing Words

Words such as "deep", "large", "spacious" and "maximum storage" can mean different things depending on the retailer, model and base construction. One competitor may describe a 30cm base as deep, while another may reserve similar wording for a taller storage system.

This is why the clearest comparison is always the internal depth measurement. If the product page does not show a storage depth, shoppers may need to ask the retailer before ordering.

A clear centimetre measurement helps customers understand whether they are buying a standard ottoman bed, an extra deep storage bed or a maximum-capacity storage option.

How to Compare Ottoman Beds Properly

When comparing ottoman storage beds, do not rely only on phrases such as "large storage", "deep base", "spacious storage" or "maximum storage". These descriptions can be useful, but they are not as clear as an actual internal depth measurement in centimetres.

A bed described as "deep storage" by one retailer may not be the same as a "deep storage" bed from another retailer. This is why shoppers should always look for the internal storage depth, not just the marketing wording.

Before buying, check the following:

• Internal storage depth: the usable depth inside the ottoman base.
• Bed size: a king or super king usually gives more total storage volume than a double if the depth is the same.
• Opening direction: end-lift and side-lift designs suit different room layouts.
• Lift mechanism: gas lift and electric lift systems feel different in everyday use.
• Mattress weight: heavier mattresses may affect how easily the ottoman opens.
• Total bed height: deeper storage can increase the overall height of the bed.

Gas Lift vs Electric Lift Ottoman Beds

Most ottoman beds use a gas-lift mechanism, which helps raise the mattress platform and hold it open. This is common and suitable for many homes.

Electric ottoman beds use powered lifting, which can make access easier, especially on larger or deeper storage beds. If you plan to use the storage often, or if you are choosing a super deep or jumbo model, an electric lift can make the bed more convenient.

The right choice depends on your budget, room layout, mattress weight and how often you expect to access the storage space.

Which Storage Depth Should You Choose?

Best Storage Depth by Bed Size

The depth of the storage base is only one part of the calculation. Bed size also matters because a larger bed gives a bigger storage footprint. A 33cm storage depth in a king size bed will usually offer more total storage volume than the same depth in a small double.

Approximate Ottoman Bed Storage Capacity by Size

Storage depth is useful on its own, but total storage capacity also depends on the bed size. A deeper base gives more vertical space, while a larger bed size gives a wider and longer storage area.

The table below shows approximate storage capacity in litres based on common internal base measurements. These figures are intended as a practical guide only, as exact capacity can vary by model, upholstery, frame construction and internal fittings.

This shows why storage depth matters so much. For example, a king size ottoman base at 26cm depth offers around 780 litres of storage, while the same size at 39cm depth offers around 1,170 litres. A jumbo 50cm king size base can offer around 1,500 litres where specified.

For customers comparing ottoman beds, this makes the difference easier to understand: deeper storage is not just a small measurement change, it can add hundreds of litres of usable space across the full bed base.

Storage Depth, Base Height and Mattress Height

One important point shoppers often miss is that deeper ottoman storage usually means a taller bed base. This is useful for storage, but it can also change how high the bed feels once the mattress is added.

For example, a standard ottoman base may be around 37cm high including feet, while an extra deep base may be around 44cm and a super deep base may be around 50cm. Once a 20cm, 25cm or 30cm mattress is added, the final sitting height can change noticeably.

This matters because the deepest storage option is not always the best option for every customer. A taller bed can feel luxurious and practical, but some people prefer a lower sitting height for easier access.

Comfort tip: when sitting on the edge of the bed, your feet should touch the floor comfortably. If you choose a super deep base and a thick mattress, the finished bed height may feel taller than expected.

How Much Room Do You Need Around an Ottoman Bed?

Storage depth is only useful if the ottoman bed can open properly in the room. Before ordering, check the available floor space around the bed and the direction the ottoman opens.

• End opening ottoman beds: allow enough space at the foot of the bed to lift and access the storage area.
• Side opening ottoman beds: allow enough space on the opening side of the bed for comfortable access.
• Walkway space: aim for around 60cm of walking space where possible.
• Headboard allowance: floor standing headboards can add extra length behind the bed.
• Mattress depth: thicker mattresses increase the final sitting height of the bed.

As a simple planning rule, measure the base size, add any headboard allowance, then check the space needed for the ottoman to open. This helps avoid choosing a deep-storage bed that fits the floor area but feels awkward to use.

Who Should Choose Extra Deep Storage?

Extra deep storage is a good choice for shoppers who want more usable space than a standard ottoman bed but do not necessarily need the tallest base available.

It is especially useful for:

• Spare duvets and pillows
• Winter bedding
• Folded clothes
• Towels and linen
• Storage bags
• Guest room bedding

For many customers, extra deep storage gives the best balance between capacity, comfort and everyday practicality.

Who Should Choose Super Deep or Jumbo Storage?

Super deep and jumbo ottoman beds are better suited to shoppers who want the bed to act as a major storage area in the room.

They can be especially useful for:

• Smaller homes with limited cupboard space
• Flats and apartments
• Guest rooms that need hidden storage
• Seasonal clothes and bedding
• Large duvets and pillows
• Bulkier soft household items

If you plan to access the storage regularly, it is worth considering the lift mechanism as well as the depth. A deeper bed with a convenient lift system can make everyday use much easier.

Why SoSoftBeds Focuses on Storage Depth

At SoSoftBeds, storage depth is treated as a key specification because it helps customers compare beds more clearly. Instead of only describing an ottoman bed as "spacious" or "deep", the aim is to show the actual storage depth where possible.

This makes it easier to understand the difference between standard, extra deep, super deep and jumbo ottoman storage beds before buying.

A customer looking for simple bedding storage may not need the deepest option. A customer trying to maximise bedroom space may find that extra deep, super deep or jumbo storage makes a much bigger difference.

The important point is simple: storage should be measured, not guessed.

Final Advice Before Buying

If storage is your main reason for buying an ottoman bed, always check the internal depth before making a decision. A small difference in centimetres can become a large difference across the full footprint of a double, king or super king bed.

As a simple guide:

• Choose standard storage if you only need space for lighter bedding and everyday items.
• Choose extra deep storage if you want a more useful all-round storage bed.
• Choose super deep storage if you need high-capacity bedroom storage.
• Choose jumbo storage if maximum internal depth is the priority.

For shoppers comparing ottoman beds in the UK, storage depth is one of the clearest ways to separate ordinary storage beds from genuinely high-capacity designs.

Explore SoSoftBeds ottoman storage options:

• Extra Deep Ottoman Beds
• Super Deep Ottoman Beds
• Ottoman Beds
• Electric Ottoman Beds