I wanted a guest bed that doubled as storage – this ottoman bed solved both problems, says our shopping lead
If you own a small home, you’ll know the second bedroom often ends up trying to be everything at once. Mine is my office during the week, a dumping ground for parcels and occasionally a guest bedroom when friends or family come to stay.
The problem is, I didn’t want it to feel like a bedroom all the time, but I also didn’t want guests sleeping on a lumpy old sofa bed. I needed something that looked smart enough to blend into the room when it was in the back of my virtual work calls, offered proper cosiness for overnight visitors and, ideally, could hide away some of the clutter that inevitably builds up.
After a lot of scrolling and measuring, I settled on the Dream Team Ottoman Divan Bed Base from Dreams. It usually costs £520 but is currently on sale for £468, and it’s turned out to be one of the smartest furniture buys I’ve made.
Unlike traditional bedsteads with bulky headboards and frames, the divan base has a much neater look. Pushed against the wall with a few oversized cushions, it almost passes as a daybed or sofa, which is exactly the aesthetic I wanted. When I’m working from home, it doesn’t scream ‘spare bedroom’. Instead, it feels like an extra seating area in the office.
But wait until you hear about what’s underneath.
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The entire base of the Dream Team ottoman lifts easily using gas-assisted hydraulics, revealing one huge storage compartment underneath. I’ve managed to fit everything from beauty products to bulky baby buys that were previously crammed into cupboards, meaning I’ve freed myself up more wardrobe space. Hoorah.
If you’re someone like me who lives in a smaller property, that hidden storage is almost as valuable as the bed itself. I was also pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to lift. Even when the storage compartment is full, the mechanism does most of the hard work, so I don’t think twice about opening it to grab something. Essentially, I don’t dread having to go pull something out of it.
Comfort obviously depends on the mattress you choose, but the base itself feels incredibly solid. I haven’t styled it up for guests yet, but despite being a single, I don’t think it feels small or compact at all.
Another unexpected bonus is the ability to tailor the bed frame’s look to your room. I chose a neutral fabric finish that works perfectly with the rest of the room, and because the design is so simple, I can easily style it with throws and cushions to make it feel more like a cosy reading nook than a place to sleep. But, if you prefer a more vibrant shade like a blue, green or copper, there are options for you .
Other ottomans I eyed up
If you’re shopping around, I found a couple of other great buys to suit different budgets. Amazon had a fair few good options, with this Home Treats Upholstered Bed for £199 being a good one. As with all Amazon buys, just be sure to check the reviews. If you have more to spend, I also liked the look of B&Q’s BTM 3ft L-Shaped Daybed, £201.99, because it can be pushed against the wall to look like a sofa.
