Moving to London for my master's meant a tiny, empty flat. Here’s how one affordable ottoman bed frame made my life a little less cluttered.
Credit: DHS
Moving to a new city for my master’s sounded glamorous when I told people back home. London, independence, academia, all that. What I didn’t mention was that the cheap flat I rented came with absolutely nothing. No bed, no sofa, not even a wobbly chair left behind by the last tenant. Just four bare walls, a stubbornly creaky floorboard, and a student who had to figure out how to furnish it without torching the bank account.
The first realisation I had was simple: if I bought random bits of furniture without thinking, the place would drown me in clutter. My room wasn’t big, and I wasn’t exactly calm under pressure. I get overwhelmed if I see laundry piling up, let alone books, boxes, and half my life scattered around.
So, I needed a bed that could do double duty: somewhere to sleep and somewhere to hide things. That’s how the ottoman bed frame idea started making sense. A bed with hidden storage underneath meant I could shove my extra trainers, winter coats, and textbooks out of sight, and the room would still look halfway decent when my parents visited.
Of course, the next question was size. Part of me thought, “Go big. Get a double bed with storage. Live like an adult.” But reality? My room would have been swallowed whole. I barely had space for a desk, and there was no way I’d survive squeezing past a bulky bed every morning.
That’s when I started looking at the single ottoman bed options. They made much more sense for my small room compact, cheaper, and still had plenty of space underneath to tuck things away. Even better, I spotted a grey ottoman bed early on and loved it. It wasn’t flashy, but it felt neutral and grown-up, a colour that wouldn’t clash with the random décor I’d eventually cobble together.
Linen Ottoman Bed Frame - End Lift Ottoman Storage Bed | DHS
I didn’t want to gamble with some shady online shop, so I looked at ratings. That’s how I came across DHS. They were selling cheap Ottoman beds, but not in the dodgy way. The reviews were solid (4.6 on Trustpilot), and the catalogue didn’t look like something you’d regret two weeks later. They had several options: velvet ottoman bed, fabric ottoman bed, and more, just like the big names, but at prices that made sense for a student budget. With what my parents pitched in, I realised I could go for the bed and still save for a proper mattress.
The bed frame sorted, I knew the real deal was the mattress. I wasn’t about to spend my master’s tossing and turning on a thin piece of foam. I pitched in some of my own money on top of what my parents had sent and went for a hybrid. Honestly? Best decision.
The combination of springs and foam made it ridiculously comfortable without costing the earth. And it worked perfectly with the ottoman storage bed I’d chosen. Sturdy enough to hold the extra weight but still lifted easily to reveal the cavern of space underneath. The best bit? I didn’t feel guilty splurging because the ottoman bed single frame itself had been such a steal.
I laughed at myself while setting it up. Here I was a broke student, stressing over deadlines, but suddenly with opinions on mattress density and bed frames like I’d been on Grand Designs.
Now that I’ve lived with it for a while, I can say this: the storage is a lifesaver. On bad days, I don’t tidy. I just lift the frame and throw things underneath. Out of sight, out of stress. Shoes, spare bedding, and even my rice cooker has lived under there at one point.
The ottoman single bed setup works like a secret weapon against clutter. It makes the room feel bigger than it is, even though it’s the same shoebox-sized student accommodation I moved into. I’ve even had friends come over who couldn’t believe how tidy it looked, and I wasn’t about to confess that half my belongings were hiding under my mattress.
Grey ottoman bed in my small apartment
The grey ottoman bed frame was a clever choice too. It doesn’t scream for attention, which is great because I don’t have the energy to design a Pinterest-worthy flat. Instead, it just blends with whatever mismatched lamp or bargain rug I drag home.
I know it’s just a piece of furniture, but honestly, this single ottoman bed has made life so much easier. Between coursework, part-time work, and trying to keep my head above water, I don’t have time for clutter wars. And thanks to one sturdy frame, I don’t have to.