Over the years, our family has had a lot of different beds. Wooden frames, divans, upholstered beds, a carved statement bed and even a high sleeper my husband built himself.

Some were brilliant, some broke, and one ended up costing us a lot of money for all the wrong reasons. Now, all four of us have lift-up ottoman storage beds, and I honestly can't see us going back.

Here are the different types of beds, what we've learned from the ones we've had, and how to choose the right bed without wasting money.

Types of beds and bed frames

Ottoman storage beds

An ottoman bed has a base that lifts up, usually on a hydraulic or gas lift mechanism, to reveal storage space underneath. It's our favourite type of bed by far.

The space under a bed can easily go to waste, but with an ottoman you can use all of it. We store spare bed linen, duvets, pillows and clothes in ours, and the kids keep toys, extra bags and sleeping bags in theirs.

We can fit so many things in there! And because the sides go practically down to the floor, it always looks neat and tidy, with no dusty clutter showing underneath.

Our bed is the Simba Ludlow ottoman bed in a peacock colour, with a hydraulic lift and full storage underneath. It has a flat divan-style base rather than slats, and a velvet-effect fabric headboard.

The kids each have a grey fabric ottoman bed from Origin, with a headboard. Even though the base looks like a divan, it actually has curved wooden slats, and it lifts up easily for storage.

Here are some photos of our Ottoman storage beds:

Divan beds

A divan bed has a solid, fabric-covered base, often with drawers built into the sides. They're comfortable and practical, and usually come with a separate headboard.

Before her ottoman bed, our daughter had a divan with two side drawers. But with a bedside table next to one drawer, we could only really open the other one.

Her bed was against the wall too, so it felt like three-quarters of the space under her bed was wasted. That's exactly why we swapped to an ottoman.

If you're choosing a divan with drawers, check where your bedside tables and walls will be first. Some divans let you choose which side the drawers go on.

Here are some photos of our divan beds:

Wooden bed frames

Wooden bed frames are a classic choice, and in our previous two homes, we always had wooden frames. The kids did too, usually with slatted bases and either wooden headboards and footboards or spindles.

Ours were often budget-friendly, and honestly, some of the cheaper ones weren't well made. One of the kids' beds broke when our son and his cousin were jumping on it, and one of the wooden support beams snapped in half!

To use the space underneath, we once bought wooden under-bed drawers, which looked much neater than plastic tubs. But they can be too tall for some bed frames, so always check the measurements before you buy.

Ours didn't fit when I bought them, because the measurements were for the drawers without the castor wheels attached! We had to take the wheels off, and then just slide (or scrape) them across the floor.

Here are some photos of wooden bed frames we've had over the years:

Metal bed frames

Metal bed frames are usually affordable and come in lots of styles, from simple black frames to vintage-style brass and iron designs. And they can't get woodworm!

When I could finally afford a bed frame, I went for a metal one, but it was so difficult to put together. I moved house a lot back then, and taking it apart and rebuilding it every time was such a pain.

I think that's why I switched to wooden bed frames, which I found much easier to build. So if you move often, check how easy a frame is to assemble before you buy.

Upholstered beds

Upholstered beds are covered in fabric, like linen, velvet or chenille, and often have a padded headboard. They look soft and stylish, and come in loads of colours.

Before his ottoman bed, our son had a teal upholstered bed to match his room. It looked great, but it didn't have any storage underneath.

He has the smallest bedroom of all of us, so it felt like a lot of wasted space. Now, his upholstered ottoman bed gives him the look and the storage.

One thing I love about upholstered headboards is how comfortable they are to sit up against. We all use ours for reading or working on our laptops in bed, whereas our older, lower beds had short wooden headboards that weren't comfortable at all.

Here's a photo of my son's upholstered bed frame he previously had:

Statement and carved beds

I've always loved unique-looking beds. When we moved home and sold our old bed, we ordered a beautiful mango wood bed from Maisons du Monde, with a carved headboard in a geometric pattern with gold detail.

It looked amazing, but it split in one place, and we hadn't realised for a while that it had woodworm! We tried to get rid of the woodworm, but it was too much, and in the end we had to cut up the bed and dispose of it. There was no way we could sell it!

It was such a shame, as it was expensive, and overall it was a waste of money, time and effort trying to save it. And honestly, once I knew the woodworm was there, I didn't want to sleep in it anyway!

The space underneath was wasted too. We used low plastic under-bed storage tubs, but they gathered a lot of dust and never looked neat, which is why I wanted an ottoman next time.

So a statement bed can look stunning, but make sure it's practical too. A carved headboard can be a lovely focal point in a bedroom, but you have to live with the rest of the bed every day.

Here's a photo of our carved mango wooden bed:

High sleeper and mid sleeper beds

High sleepers have the bed raised up high, with space underneath for a desk, wardrobe or play area. Mid sleepers are lower, so they're easier to get in and out of.

When our daughter was a bit older, she really wanted a high sleeper. My husband is very handy with carpentry and joinery, and had a workshop at the time, so he built her one, complete with hearts he carved himself to match her low bed.

It looked amazing, and she absolutely loved it at first. But it wasn't without its problems.

It was impossible to change the bedding, as it was so high up. I literally had to half lie down and crawl across the bed to put the fitted sheet on!

Our daughter was also terrified of spiders, and once she spotted one on the ceiling right above her, that was that. She refused to sleep up there anymore.

It wasn't practical for bedtime stories either, which we read every night until the kids were around 10. So although it was a brilliant piece of craftsmanship, it didn't last long, and she went back to a low bed.

Our son has asked for a mid sleeper, high sleeper or bunk beds, but after the faff with our daughter's, we're sticking with normal-height beds!

Here's my daughter's DIY high rise bed frame:

Cot beds and toddler beds

A cot bed is a cot that converts into a first toddler bed, usually by taking the sides off. To save money when the kids were younger, we had one that turned into a toddler bed, so it was two in one.

The toddler bed was really low to the floor, so it was safe, and they weren't falling from a height if they rolled out. We used it for both our daughter and our son, so it got great use.

Bunk beds

Bunk beds stack two beds on top of each other, so they're great for siblings sharing a room or for sleepovers. Some have a pull-out trundle bed underneath for a third.

Just think about who'll be changing the top bunk bedding, as it has the same problem as a high sleeper. And check the guidance on minimum ages for the top bunk.

Adjustable beds

Adjustable beds let you raise the head or foot of the bed, usually with a remote control. They can be really helpful for people with back pain, reflux, poor circulation or limited mobility, and for anyone who likes to sit up in bed.

They do cost more than a standard bed and can be heavy, so check what's included. If you're considering one, this adjustable bed frame pick shows the kind of features worth looking for, like head and foot adjustment.

Platform beds

Platform beds have a low, solid or slatted base, so you don't need a box spring or divan. They have a clean, minimal look and work well with most mattresses.

Because they're low, they can be harder to get in and out of. And there's usually little or no storage underneath.

Sleigh beds

Sleigh beds have curved headboards and footboards, a bit like an old-fashioned sleigh. They make a real statement in a large bedroom.

They take up more space than most beds, and the footboard can limit legroom if you're tall. They're also usually heavy and harder to move.

Mattress on the floor

Putting a mattress straight on the floor, sometimes with a headboard fixed to the wall, is the cheapest option of all. Some people love the relaxed look.

Before I met my husband, I had my mattress on the floor for a while. It was actually comfy, but it was really because I couldn't afford a bed frame at the time!

It isn't ideal for everyone, though, as it's harder to get up from and less airflow can lead to damp under the mattress.

How to choose the right bed

After all the beds we've had, here's what I'd think about before buying:

• Storage: if you have a small room or lots of stuff, an ottoman bed makes the most of the space under the bed.
• Your room layout: check where the bedside tables, walls and door are, so drawers and lift-up bases can actually open.
• Measurements: measure the room, and check under-bed drawers or boxes fit before you buy them, including any wheels.
• Comfort: a tall, padded headboard is so much nicer for reading or working in bed.
• Changing the bedding: high sleepers and top bunks look fun, but they're a real pain to change.
• Build quality: cheap frames can snap, so it's worth paying a bit more for something sturdy, especially for kids.
• Practical vs pretty: a beautiful bed isn't worth it if it doesn't work for you.

Bed size matters too, especially in a small room. Our spare room is a tiny box room, so for a few years we had a small single bed in there as a guest bed, as a standard single would have taken up too much space.

A small single is narrower than a standard single, so it left us more room to move around. If you're short on space, here are the best bed types for small rooms.

We also use a small double in my daughter's bedroom to maximise the rest of the space in the room.  However, it's worth noting that using small doubles and small singles means if you like fitted sheets, you may need to search a little harder to find the right size, as standard home stores and supermarkets don't often stock these sizes. 

How to choose the right bed with storage

If storage matters to you, the type of bed you choose makes a huge difference. We've tried most options over the years, and here's what we've learned.

Think about what you'll store

Start with what you actually need to keep under the bed. Bulky things you don't need every day, like spare duvets, pillows, bed linen, sleeping bags and out-of-season clothes, are perfect for an ottoman.

If you want to grab things daily, like clothes or toys, drawers can be easier. You don't have to lift the whole bed base every time.

Ottoman beds give you the most space

An ottoman uses the entire area under the bed, so nothing goes to waste. It's the biggest storage space we've ever had under a bed, and we can fit so much in ours.

Check how the base lifts before you buy. Some lift from the foot end and some from the side, so make sure you'll have room to open it fully once your bedside tables and walls are in place.

Look for a decent gas or hydraulic lift too, as it makes lifting the base much easier, even with the mattress on top.

This bed came with a matching under drawer, but as it was the width of the bed, we couldn't open it if we used a bedside table!

Drawers only work if you can open them

Divans and frames with built-in drawers are handy, but only if nothing is in the way. With our daughter's divan, the bedside table blocked one drawer and the wall blocked the other side, so most of the space underneath was wasted.

Before you buy, plan where the bed will go. Check which sides will be free, and whether you can choose the drawer positions.

Under-bed boxes and drawers

If you already have a bed you love, separate under-bed drawers or boxes are a cheaper way to add storage. Wooden drawers look much neater than plastic tubs, which gathered a lot of dust under our mango bed and never looked tidy.

Always measure the gap under your bed, and check the product height includes any wheels. Ours didn't fit with the castors on!

Here's a  photo of under-bed drawers we bought and added to our wooden framed bed:

High sleepers can store a lot underneath

High sleepers free up the whole floor space under the bed. The one my husband built for our daughter had a wardrobe, a desk and storage steps underneath, which was a brilliant use of space in a small room.

Just remember the downsides, like changing the bedding up there!

Don't forget the mattress

A good mattress is just as important as the bed. We always used to buy mattresses for £100 to £200, and we had to replace them every couple of years, as they literally sank!

Now, we have a Simba Hybrid mattress, which is much better quality. We've had it for a year and a half so far, and it still feels like new.

Interestingly, the kids have cheaper mattresses, but theirs seem to last much longer than ours ever did, even in the same style. Maybe it's because they're lighter and there's only one person in each bed!

How to save money on a bed

When we had less income, we always looked for budget-friendly beds. Now, I'd rather spend a bit more on something practical, comfortable and good-looking that will last for years.

Our current bed is perfect, and unless it breaks, I can't see us replacing it. Here's what has helped us save money over the years:

• Spend more on quality. Cheap beds and mattresses often need replacing sooner, so they can cost you more in the long run (and give you a bad back in the process!).
• Look at second-hand beds. We once bought our daughter a single bed second-hand, with white headboards and footboards with hearts cut out, and it was in great condition for a fraction of the price of a new one. Just check carefully for damage and woodworm before you buy.
• Choose beds that grow with your kids. Our cot bed turned into a toddler bed and was used by both children, so we only had to buy one.
• Sell your old bed. We've sold unwanted beds on Facebook Marketplace and eBay, which helps recoup some of the cost or put money towards the next one.
• Build your own. My husband built our daughter's high sleeper, but you do need the skills and tools. It's a great option for awkward spaces or custom sizes.

Final thoughts

There are lots of different types of beds, and the right one depends on your room, your storage needs and how you'll actually use it. For us, after years of wooden frames, divans and even a homemade high sleeper, lift-up ottoman storage beds have won hands down.

They look neat, they're comfortable to sit up in, and they make the most of every bit of space. Choose a bed that's practical as well as pretty, invest in a good mattress, and you shouldn't need to replace either for years.