Anyone who’s tried to fit a wardrobe, a desk, and a bed into a single room already knows the struggle. A double bed frame with storage turns that wasted space under the mattress into something useful.

Standard double bed width: 135 cm · Standard double bed length: 190 cm · Average storage capacity (ottoman): 200 litres · Typical price range (Ireland): €200–€600 · Most common storage types: Drawers, Ottoman

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Long‑term durability of gas‑lift mechanisms across budget models remains untested by independent reviews.
  • Exact storage capacity varies significantly by model and manufacturer; 200 litres is an average for ottoman beds.
  • Whether a storage bed adds to a home’s resale value in the Irish property market is not documented.
3Timeline signal
  • Storage bed options have been sold by both specialist bed retailers and broad‑line furniture retailers in Ireland for several years (DFi Beds (industry overview)).
4What’s next
  • Expect continued innovation in gas‑lift mechanisms and integrated LED lighting in higher‑end storage beds.

The table below shows the key specification ranges a shopper can expect from a double storage bed in Ireland.

Specification Typical value
Standard double dimensions 135 cm × 190 cm
Average price range (Ireland) €200–€600
Common materials Solid wood, MDF, metal, upholstered
Typical storage capacity (ottoman) Up to 200 litres
Weight capacity Typically 200 kg–300 kg
Storage mechanism types Ottoman, drawers, platform (DFi Beds (storage bed guide))
Retailer examples (Ireland) IKEA, Dreams, Des Kelly, Heavenly Beds, JYSK (Dreams Ireland (storage bed range))

What is a double bed frame with storage?

A double bed frame with storage integrates drawers or a lift‑up ottoman compartment into the base, using the void underneath the mattress. Unlike a regular bed frame that leaves that space empty, a storage bed turns it into usable square footage. The mattress sits directly on slats or a solid base, and the storage compartment sits below.

The upshot

Irish buyers in compact apartments or older terraced houses regain roughly 0.5 m² of floor space — enough for a small chest of drawers or a desk.

How does a storage bed differ from a regular bed frame?

  • A regular bed frame has a simple metal or wooden structure with open space underneath. Dust and stray socks gather there.
  • A storage bed uses that gap for organised storage — either pull‑out drawers or a lift‑up ottoman compartment (Dreams Ireland (collection description)).
  • Some storage beds also have headboard shelving, but the core difference is the enclosed base.

Who benefits most from a double bed frame with storage?

  • Anyone living in a small bedroom where every centimetre counts — typical in Irish city centre flats and student accommodation.
  • People who want to declutter without buying extra furniture; a storage bed replaces a chest of drawers or a wardrobe’s bottom shelf.
  • Couples sharing a double bed who need additional space for bedding, off‑season clothes, or travel luggage.

The implication: the storage bed effectively shrinks the furniture footprint without shrinking the sleeping area.

What types of storage are available for double bed frames?

Three main storage formats dominate the Irish market, each with distinct trade‑offs in access, capacity, and price.

Ottoman storage beds

  • Use a gas‑lift mechanism to tilt the entire mattress frame upward, revealing a deep rectangular compartment below.
  • Capacity often exceeds 200 litres — deep enough to store suitcases, bulky duvets, and winter coats (Heavenly Beds (ottoman range)).
  • Best for seasonal items that don’t need daily access. Opening requires clearing the top of the bed.

Drawer storage beds

  • Feature two or three pull‑out drawers built into the base, sliding on casters or runners.
  • Drawers are shallower than an ottoman compartment but offer easy, everyday access while the bed stays made (DFi Beds (drawer storage)).
  • Require enough floor clearance in front of the bed to fully extend the drawers — at least 60 cm.

Platform storage beds

  • Low‑profile frames with a few built‑in shallow drawers, often sold as part of a platform bed.
  • Provide less storage than ottoman or dedicated drawer beds but suit modern, minimalist aesthetics (Corcorans Furniture (storage bed collection)).
  • Typically cost less than ottoman models.

The trade‑off: more accessible = less volume. Drawers win on convenience, ottomans win on capacity.

Why this matters

An Irish buyer choosing an ottoman bed must be sure they can fully lift the bed without banging against a wall or a radiator. A drawer bed, by contrast, works in almost any room layout as long as there’s walking space.

How to choose the right double bed frame with storage?

Selecting the right model involves balancing room dimensions, storage needs, and budget. The steps below cover the key decisions.

  1. Measure your room carefully. IKEA Ireland warns that some bed frames are larger than the mattress because of decorative edges (IKEA Ireland (fitting advice)). Include clearance for opening drawers or lifting the ottoman.
  2. Decide on storage access. Do you need daily reach (drawers) or occasional bulk storage (ottoman)?
  3. Check mattress compatibility. Most storage beds run on slats and accept any standard double mattress (135 × 190 cm). Some ottoman frames require a flexible mattress for the lift mechanism.
  4. Set a realistic budget. Prices in Ireland range from €200 for basic MDF drawer models to over €1,000 for solid‑wood ottoman designs (Harvey Norman Ireland (Coolmore storage bed at €1,399)).
  5. Read independent reviews and check warranty terms — especially for gas‑lift mechanisms, which can fail after a few years.

Consider room size and storage needs

  • In rooms smaller than 3 m × 3 m, an ottoman bed may be too tight to open fully. Drawer beds are safer.
  • If you store only bedding and seasonal clothes, 100–150 litres is often enough. Big families may need the full 200 litre ottoman capacity.

Compare materials and build quality

  • Solid wood frames last longer than particle board but cost 30–50% more.
  • Upholstered storage beds add softness and work well in bedrooms with limited headboard space.
  • Check the weight limit: most double storage beds support 200–300 kg, enough for two sleepers plus storage weight.

Check mattress compatibility and weight capacity

  • Ottoman beds work best with memory foam or pocket‑spring mattresses that fold slightly under the lift.
  • Drawer beds have no mattress restriction, but heavy mattresses can make lifting ottoman frames harder.
Bottom line: The pattern: the best storage bed is the one that fits both your floor plan and your daily habits — there is no universal winner.

Where to buy a double bed frame with storage in Ireland?

Several established retailers across Ireland offer storage bed frames, each with a different focus on price, design, and warranty.

Four retailers, one clear difference in range and price.

Retailer Storage types offered Price indicator (double)
IKEA Ireland Drawer and ottoman €150–€500
Dreams Ireland Lift‑up (ottoman) and drawer €250–€800
Des Kelly Interiors Curated selection, both types €300–€1,000
Heavenly Beds Ottoman and drawer €200–€700
JYSK Ireland Ottoman storage beds €180–€450

The implication: IKEA and JYSK lead on affordability; Dreams and Des Kelly offer better warranty coverage and mattress bundles.

IKEA Ireland

  • IKEA’s bed‑frame guide provides clear sizing advice and warns about frame‑overhang (the bed can be larger than the mattress) (IKEA Ireland (bed‑frame guide)).
  • Models like the MALM and BRIMNES include under‑bed drawers. The HEMNES offers four large drawers.

Dreams Ireland

  • Dreams markets its collection as “ingenious lift‑up storage beds” and “bed frames with drawers” (Dreams Ireland (storage bed collection)).
  • Offers free delivery in Ireland and a 5‑year frame warranty.

Des Kelly Interiors

  • Des Kelly stocks mid‑ to high‑end storage beds, mostly from UK and Irish manufacturers.
  • Their in‑store consultation helps buyers match storage type to room layout.

Heavenly Beds

  • Heavenly Beds sells both lift‑up ottoman and drawer styles, with emphasis on “space‑saving furniture” (Heavenly Beds (storage bed range)).
  • Some models come with matching headboard shelves for extra storage.

JYSK Ireland

  • JYSK offers competitively priced ottoman bed frames in double and king sizes.
  • Known for simple assembly and a 2‑year warranty on moving parts.

The catch: low‑price models often use particle board and gas‑lift mechanisms that may not last beyond 5 years. Spending a little more at Dreams or Des Kelly can mean a solid‑wood frame and a longer warranty.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a double bed frame with storage?

Upsides

  • Frees up to 0.5 m² of floor space — a meaningful gain in small Irish bedrooms.
  • Eliminates the need for a separate chest of drawers in many cases.
  • Keeps belongings dust‑free and out of sight.
  • Modern ottoman designs look tidy and intentional.

Downsides

  • Couples save €200–€600 upfront, but a solid‑wood frame can run over €1,000.
  • Ottoman beds need clear headroom to open — impossible if the bed is up against a wall.
  • Drawer beds need 60 cm floor clearance; tight corridors may block them.
  • Assembly is more complex than a regular bed frame; many buyers pay for professional setup.

The pattern: you pay for usable space with either money (buying quality) or convenience (accepting assembly hassle). Most Irish buyers find the trade‑off worthwhile in bedrooms under 12 m².

What to watch

A bargain ottoman bed with a cheap gas‑lift mechanism can lose pressure after 2–3 years. Buyers should check warranty terms — Dreams and Heavenly Beds offer longer coverage on moving parts than discount retailers.

Comparison: Ottoman vs Drawer vs Platform

Three options, one key differentiator: access versus volume.

Feature Ottoman Drawer Platform
Access Lift whole mattress; needs head clearance Pull out; needs floor clearance Pull out shallow drawers
Storage capacity Up to 200 litres 50–100 litres per bed 30–60 litres
Price range (double) €250–€800+ €150–€600 €100–€400
Best for Seasonal / bulk items Daily essentials Occasional light storage

The trade‑off: ottoman wins on space, drawers win on ease. Platform is the compromise for strict minimalists.

Clarity section: confirmed facts and unanswered questions

What we know for sure

  • Double bed frames with storage are widely available in Ireland from IKEA, Dreams, Des Kelly, Heavenly Beds, and JYSK.
  • Ottoman storage offers more capacity than drawer storage, often exceeding 200 litres.
  • Standard double dimensions in Ireland are 135 cm × 190 cm, per IKEA’s official sizing.

What remains unclear

  • Long‑term durability of gas‑lift mechanisms in budget ottoman beds (no independent longevity studies published).
  • Exact storage capacity varies by manufacturer; 200 litres is a rough average.
  • Whether installing a storage bed increases a property’s resale value is undocumented.
  • Drawer wheel quality across sub‑€300 models is inconsistent — no Irish retailer publishes failure rates.

The implication: while key specifications are consistent across retailers, long-term durability and exact storage capacity still lack independent verification.

What buyers say: expert perspectives

“Our storage bed range includes models with under‑bed drawers and ottoman storage, helping customers make the most of their bedroom space without sacrificing style.”

IKEA Ireland (product description overview)

“We offer ingenious lift‑up storage beds that create a huge amount of hidden space, ideal for growing Irish families.”

Dreams Ireland (storage bed collection)

Frequently asked questions

Does a double bed frame with storage require a special mattress?

Most storage beds work with standard double mattresses (135 × 190 cm). Ottoman frames may be easier to lift with a memory foam mattress, but pocket‑spring mattresses also function well.

Can I use a box spring with a storage bed frame?

No. Storage beds have built‑in slats or a solid base that replaces the need for a box spring. Adding one would block the storage compartment.

How do I clean under a storage bed?

Because the compartment seals the base, dust does not collect underneath. Wipe the floor before installing and occasionally vacuum the compartment through the access panels.

Are storage beds safe for children?

Yes, with supervision. Ottoman beds have heavy frames; children should not operate the gas‑lift mechanism. Drawer beds are safe for all ages.

What is the warranty on storage bed frames?

Warranties vary: IKEA offers 1–5 years on moving parts; Dreams and Heavenly Beds provide up to 5 years on frames; discount retailers often offer only 1 year. Always check the gas‑lift coverage.

Can I convert a regular bed frame into a storage bed?

Not easily. Storage beds require a purpose‑built base with either a gas‑lift frame or drawer runners. Some aftermarket under‑bed storage boxes fit under high regular frames, but they are less integrated.

How long does it take to assemble a storage bed frame?

Assembly typically takes 1–3 hours. Ottoman beds with gas‑lift mechanisms are the most complex and often require two people. IKEA estimates 90 minutes for its MALM drawer bed.

Bottom line: A double bed frame with storage is not a gimmick — it reclaims 0.5 m² of floor space for Irish homes that need it most. Couples in compact apartments should prioritise an ottoman bed for bulk storage and accept the access limitation. Families in slightly larger rooms will find drawer beds easier for daily use. Either way, the wasted void under the bed becomes the most productive square metre you own.