My teddy bear is short and fat, which is not to be wondered at

[venta]

Hullo, internet. I have a question.

Has anyone ever owned/lived with/significantly interacted with an ottoman bed? By which I mean a bed where the whole mattress part lifts up to reveal storage space underneath. They look like this, and are currently being referred to in our household as "crocodile beds".

We are considering getting one, as they look like a good way to get maxium under-bed storage. I'm guessing we'd want to use it for long-term, rarely-accessed storage rather than (for example) spare bedding which one would want to get at regularly. But are they one of those things that looks like a good idea, but turn out to be a pain in the arse? Do the hydraulic mechanisms break after a couple of years, leaving you with the job of manually hauling a mattress about?

Any advice, commentary, or idle anecdotes about crocodiles welcome.

Comments

[motodraconis]

I have one in Norway, an IKEA jobby I had to assemble myself. Only had it since November so no idea of how it will wear in the long term.

There's only a large mirror in there at the moment, waiting for Vargr to visit in June so I can hang it up (it's a two-man job.)

I always try to use space efficiently if I can, (I'm a bit of a sofa-bed addict). I suppose what drew me was the very large storage space... for any potentially massive, non-foldable things that would be awkward to file away in usual circumstances. It's easier to open than you'd think, but not so easy you'd want to open it daily (more because the duvet and pillows would flop about!)

[taimatsu]

We have an ikea one that’s been in use for over 18 months (and survived being disassembled, moved and reassembled). It’s pretty good, no signs of problems with the mechanism or anything. We keep suitcases and winter clothes and spare loo roll and stuff in it. The underside of the mattress base is not flat (has braces) so you have to arrange your storage to take account of that, but it’s not hard. Remember that the inside will get dusty! On ours, I sometimes drop things down the top end of the mattress under the pillows, but it’s not too hard to get them out when you open it up. I’d recommend it.

[ewx]

"Crocodile bed" is a much better name.

[venta]

Thanks! The large storage space is also what appeals to me. Bedside tables means that any drawer-based bed solution would have at least some wastage.

[venta]

Thanks! I'm really hoping not to have to move any time soon, but good to know that such a bed would survive the experience.