Ottomans and Sofas. Which One to Choose?

Let's begin!

What is a Sofa Bed?

A sofa bed has a base instead of a frame, made from MDF, laminated wood or solid wood and covered with upholstery.

The base always fits exactly the size of the mattress it is designed for, so sofas take up less space than standard beds.

The base can have built-in drawers installed on the side of the bed, which is perfect for storing bedding, seasonal clothing and other items.

Sofa bases consist of two parts connected together width-wise with special fasteners. The advantage is that the base can be transported and passed through doorways more easily.

Image: Chatsworth 4FT 6 Double Divan bed by Giltedge, available at Bedstar – £359

Sofa bases are covered with fabrics such as gabardine, linen, cotton, artificial leather or plush velvet, creating a softer and cozier style. Many prefer fabric bases over standard bed frames because they look more homey.

Sofas are also available with a 'zip and link' system. These bases connect lengthwise, each base working independently as either a single or small double bed. They are popular in hotels and budget welcome stays where the arrangement of beds needs to be changed.

Choose if

If you want to save space and have built-in drawers for bedding, choose a sofa. They are also available in hundreds of different finishing options, so a sofa is better than a standard bed if you want something unique. We personally like linen bases.

What is an Ottoman Bed?

An ottoman bed also has a base of the same size as the mattress it is designed for, but unlike sofas, the ottoman base can be lifted.

Ottomans have a lift-up base that carries the mattress with it, fully utilizing the space between the mattress platform and the floor. In this sense, ottomans are a much more practical option compared to sofas.

Image: Birlea Berlin Single Ottoman Bed – Black Plush Velvet, available at Bedstar £289

With some bases you can choose side or end opening of the platform. What works best depends on your bedroom layout.

Like sofas, ottomans come in two parts connected lengthwise with a clip.

This creates separation in the storage area.

The ottoman base is covered with the same fabrics as sofas, so visually they are indistinguishable.

Choose if

If you need more storage space than a sofa, choose an ottoman. The lift-up platform uses all the space under the mattress as storage. The only downside is that ottomans cost more than sofas, adding on average £100 to £200 to the price, so you should weigh whether that extra cost is worth it.

Headboards

Sofas and ottomans are available with or without a headboard.

Headboards are useful because they provide a soft surface for support when sitting. Additionally, headboards complete the look of the base. Without a headboard, sofas and ottomans appear unfinished, so a headboard is a valuable element.

There are three types of headboards:

• Strap – securely attached to the base.
• Floor-standing – fixed to the base and stand on the floor, creating a bed-like appearance.
• Wall-mounted – freely attached to the wall behind the base.

Most people should choose a strap or floor-standing headboard if the base has mounting points. Otherwise, a wall-mounted headboard is better.

Hard and Spring Bases

Ottomans and sofas can have either a hard or slatted mattress base. With good quality mattresses, there is no noticeable difference in feel between the two types of bases when using a bed.

For ottomans, bases are usually hard because moving slats can affect the position of the mattress when lifting the platform. However, special clips solve this issue for slats, so it's not something to overly worry about.

Overall

Sofas and ottomans share several common qualities, including compact designs, upholstered bases, and built-in storage.

Under equal conditions, ottomans are better because the lift-up platform opens up much more space compared to a sofa's drawers.

However, ottomans are pricier, adding on average £100 to £200 to the cost, so you should assess whether that extra payment is worth it.