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When most people think of an ottoman bed, they picture a mattress lifting from the foot end — the most common configuration in the UK market. But there is a second, equally important option that is often overlooked: the side opening ottoman bed, where the mattress lifts from the side rather than the foot. For rooms where the foot of the bed is close to a wall, fitted wardrobe, or radiator, a side opening ottoman is not just a preference — it is frequently the only configuration that works at all.

This guide covers everything you need to know about side opening ottoman beds specifically: how they work, how they differ from end lift ottomans, which room layouts they suit, what to check before buying, and whether a side lift is right for your bedroom.

What Is a Side Opening Ottoman Bed?

A side opening ottoman bed — also called a side lift ottoman bed or lateral opening ottoman — is an ottoman storage bed where the gas lift mechanism is positioned along one of the long sides of the bed rather than at the foot end. When activated, the mattress hinges from the opposite long side and lifts laterally, revealing the full under-bed storage space from the side.

The key distinction from a standard end lift ottoman is the direction of the hinge and the clearance space required. An end lift ottoman requires clear space at the foot of the bed (typically 70 to 80 cm) to allow the platform to lift without obstruction. A side lift ottoman requires clear space along one long side of the bed (typically 60 to 80 cm) rather than at the foot.

Most UK manufacturers offer side opening as either a left-hand or right-hand lift — specifying which side the mattress lifts from when you are standing at the foot of the bed looking toward the headboard. Left-hand lift means the mattress lifts from the left side; right-hand lift from the right side.

End Lift vs Side Lift Ottoman: The Key Differences

The storage volume and storage depth are identical between end lift and side lift configurations at the same size — the only difference is the direction of access. Both reveal the full under-bed floor area when open.

Which Room Layouts Need a Side Opening Ottoman?

Understanding when a side lift is necessary (rather than simply preferred) helps you make the right decision before purchasing.

Bed Positioned with Foot Close to a Wall

The most common scenario requiring a side opening ottoman. If the foot of the bed is within 50 to 60 cm of a wall, fitted wardrobe, en-suite doorway, or radiator, an end lift ottoman cannot open fully — the lifting platform will hit the obstruction before reaching its full extension. This is one of the most frequently reported problems with end lift ottomans purchased without checking clearance first.

A side lift ottoman solves this entirely: the foot clearance is irrelevant because the mechanism lifts from the side, not the foot.

Alcove Bedrooms

Many UK master bedrooms — particularly in Victorian and Edwardian properties — have alcove recesses on one or both sides of a chimney breast where the bed is naturally positioned. If the bed fits into an alcove with a wall or fireplace at the foot end, a side lift ottoman is the only ottoman configuration that works in this layout.

En-Suite Doorway at the Foot of the Bed

In many modern UK master bedrooms, the en-suite bathroom door opens at or near the foot of the bed. An end lift ottoman in this position either cannot open fully or requires the en-suite door to be kept shut whenever the ottoman is accessed. A side lift ottoman eliminates this constraint.

Fitted Wardrobes Facing the Foot of the Bed

Where fitted wardrobes span the wall facing the foot of the bed, the clearance between the bed foot and the wardrobe door swing may be insufficient for an end lift mechanism. A side lift ottoman removes the dependency on foot clearance entirely.

Narrower Rooms Where One Side Is Against a Wall

In a narrower room where the bed is positioned with one side against the wall — to maximise walkway space on the other side — a side lift ottoman can be specified to lift from the accessible side rather than the wall side. This provides full ottoman storage access without requiring the bed to be moved away from the wall. In this configuration, the side lift is the only practical ottoman option.

Choosing Left or Right Side Lift

When ordering a side opening ottoman bed, you will typically need to specify whether you want a left-hand or right-hand lift. This choice depends on your room layout and which side of the bed has adequate clearance for the mechanism to operate.

To determine which side lift you need:

1. Stand at the foot of the bed, facing the headboard
2. Identify which long side of the bed has at least 60 to 70 cm of clear floor space for the platform to lift without hitting furniture or a wall
3. That is the side the lift should open from: if the clearance is on the left, order a left-hand lift; if on the right, order a right-hand lift

Always confirm with the retailer how the manufacturer defines left and right lift — some describe it from the foot-end perspective (as above), others from the headboard end. Getting this wrong means the ottoman opens toward the wall rather than away from it, which prevents the mechanism from functioning correctly.

Side Opening Ottoman Bed Sizes

Side opening ottoman beds are available across standard UK sizes, though availability is more limited than end lift configurations at some retailers. The most widely available sizes in side lift configurations are:

For full UK size guidance, our complete UK bed sizes guide covers every size with room dimension recommendations.

How Much Clearance Does a Side Opening Ottoman Need?

The minimum clearance required along the lifting side of a side opening ottoman depends on the specific model — always check the manufacturer's specification. As a practical guide for planning purposes:

• Minimum side clearance for operation: 60 cm along the lifting side
• Comfortable side clearance: 70 to 80 cm — allows the mechanism to open fully and provides space to stand alongside the open bed while accessing storage
• Clearance on the opposite (hinge) side: no minimum beyond standard walking clearance, since the opposite side does not need to open
• Foot clearance: only standard walking clearance required (50 to 60 cm minimum) — the foot end does not need to open

This clearance profile is why side lift ottomans are so useful in rooms where the foot clearance is restricted: the clearance requirement simply transfers from the foot to one side, which in most room layouts is considerably easier to accommodate.

Gas Lift Mechanism on Side Opening Ottomans

The gas lift mechanism on a side opening ottoman works on the same hydraulic piston principle as an end lift, but the engineering requirements are slightly different because the lift span across the long side of the bed is greater than the lift span across the foot.

On a king size side lift ottoman (150 cm wide), the hinge runs along 150 cm of the long side and the pistons must lift evenly across that full width. On an equivalent end lift, the hinge runs across 150 cm of the foot end — the same width. The side lift at king size therefore has a longer lifting span relative to the end lift at the same size, which places greater demands on the piston engineering to ensure even, smooth lifting across the full hinge length.

This is why piston quality matters even more on a side opening ottoman than on a standard end lift. Always check reviews specifically for comments on smoothness of the side lift mechanism, and confirm that the model uses multiple pistons (at least two, ideally three or more on king and super king sizes) rather than a single piston that would struggle to lift evenly across the full length.

Side Opening Ottoman Fabrics and Storage

Side opening ottoman beds are available in the same range of upholstered finishes as standard end lift ottomans:

• Plain woven fabric — neutral tones; the most versatile long-term choice
• Crushed velvet — jewel tones and deep neutrals; the most visually dramatic option. Our crushed velvet ottoman guide covers this fabric in detail
• Faux leather — the most practical choice for families; easy to clean and durable
• Bouclé — textured weave in warm neutral tones; suits the current UK interior design direction

The storage capacity of a side opening ottoman is identical to an equivalent end lift model at the same size — the full under-bed volume at 40 to 55 cm depth across the full mattress footprint. Our ottoman beds collection covers the full range of sizes and fabrics.

What to Check Before Buying a Side Opening Ottoman Bed

• Measure your room accurately. Confirm that the side you intend to lift from has at least 60 to 70 cm of clear, unobstructed floor space when the mechanism is fully open
• Confirm left or right lift specification. Determine which side of the bed needs to lift based on your room layout and confirm the manufacturer's definition of left and right before ordering
• Check piston count and quality. Ask the retailer how many pistons the side lift mechanism uses and whether there is a warranty on the mechanism specifically
• Confirm the opening span. Some side lift ottomans lift the full platform; others may lift only part of the base. Confirm that the full under-bed volume is accessible
• Check delivery dimensions. The base still splits into two halves for delivery at double size and above; confirm the delivery access at your property in the normal way
• Read reviews for mechanism reliability. Side lift mechanism quality varies more between manufacturers than end lift quality. Reviews that specifically comment on smoothness and long-term reliability of the side lift are the most valuable quality indicator

Side Opening Ottoman vs Divan with Drawers for Restricted Rooms

For rooms where an end lift ottoman cannot work due to foot clearance restrictions, there are two practical storage bed alternatives: a side lift ottoman or a divan with drawers. Here is how they compare for this specific scenario:

For a full comparison of ottoman and divan storage approaches, our Ottoman vs Divan guide covers the decision in full depth. Our divan beds collection covers drawer storage alternatives for rooms where ottoman clearance is not available on either side or foot.

FAQ: Side Opening Ottoman Beds UK

What is a side opening ottoman bed?

A side opening ottoman bed is an ottoman storage bed where the gas lift mechanism operates from one of the long sides of the bed, lifting the mattress laterally rather than from the foot end. It provides identical storage capacity to a standard end lift ottoman but requires clearance along one side rather than at the foot — making it suitable for rooms where the foot of the bed is close to a wall, wardrobe, or doorway.

How much space does a side opening ottoman need?

A side opening ottoman requires a minimum of 60 cm of clear floor space along the lifting side to operate comfortably. 70 to 80 cm allows full operation and provides space to stand alongside the open bed while accessing storage. No additional clearance is needed at the foot end beyond standard walking space.

What is the difference between left and right lift ottoman?

Left lift and right lift refer to which long side of the bed the mattress lifts from. Standing at the foot of the bed facing the headboard: left lift means the mattress rises from the left side; right lift means it rises from the right side. Always confirm which side of your room has clearance before specifying left or right, and confirm how the manufacturer defines the direction before ordering.

Is a side lift ottoman harder to open than an end lift?

On a quality model with properly rated gas pistons, a side lift ottoman should open as smoothly and easily as an equivalent end lift. The greater lifting span on a side lift (across the full length of the long side) requires more robust piston engineering — which is why piston quality is especially important on side lift models. A poorly engineered side lift may be harder to open than an equivalent end lift.

Can I get a side opening ottoman bed in king size?

Yes — side opening ottoman beds are available in king size from a range of UK bed retailers and manufacturers. The king size side lift is one of the most requested configurations for UK master bedrooms with en-suite constraints or alcove positions that restrict foot-end clearance.

Does a side opening ottoman have the same storage as an end lift?

Yes — the storage volume is identical. Both configurations lift the entire mattress platform to reveal the full under-bed floor area at the same depth. The only difference between end lift and side lift is the direction of access, not the storage capacity.

What if neither the foot nor either side of my bed has adequate clearance?

If there is insufficient clearance for either an end lift or side lift ottoman mechanism on any side, a divan bed with drawers is the most practical storage alternative. Side drawers on a divan typically require 60 cm of clearance on the drawer side to open fully, and all drawers can be specified to open from the same side if one side has more clearance than the other. Our divan beds collection covers all drawer configurations.

Conclusion

A side opening ottoman bed is the answer to one of the most common room layout problems in UK bedrooms: wanting the storage capacity and clean aesthetic of an ottoman bed but having insufficient foot-end clearance for a standard end lift mechanism. The side lift configuration moves the clearance requirement from the foot to the side — which in alcove bedrooms, rooms with en-suite doorways at the foot, and rooms with beds positioned against walls, makes all the difference between an ottoman that works practically and one that does not.

The storage volume, the fabric options, and the headboard choices are identical to a standard end lift ottoman. The only decision to make differently is the lift direction — left or right — which is determined by which side of your specific room has adequate clearance.

For our full range of ottoman beds including side opening configurations in a range of sizes and fabrics, explore our ottoman beds collection. For the complete storage bed picture including divan drawer alternatives, our storage beds range covers every configuration. And for a comprehensive guide to all aspects of ottoman beds, our honest ottoman beds guide and Ottoman vs Divan comparison cover the full decision in detail.