Today I'm taking a proper look at the Francesca Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame, a familiar face in the legacy Dreams lineup that makes a return to stock. I got hands-on with it in a Dreams store, had a good poke around the upholstery and tried the lift mechanism, so this isn't just me repeating the brochure. Whether you are looking for a blend of style, comfort, and practicality in a bed frame, the Francesca is trying to tick all three boxes. Here's what sets the Francesca apart.
Modern Design With Enduring Comfort
Right off the bat, you can't help but be taken in by the Francesca's contemporary and chic design. Its grand padded headboard is available in three different finishes consisting of two different greys and a natural looking colour. In person, the padding feels properly generous when you lean back, but it does take up a fair bit of visual space, so in a smaller room it can feel a bit 'big' compared to a slimmer headboard.
The design of the Francesca is a tasteful update on the bestselling Francis bed frame. With streamlined styling and new colour options, it's sure to blend seamlessly with any home decor, adding a plush aesthetic to your bedroom. You're in good company too, with this being one of the most popular bed frames to date and amassing an impressive 2500+ reviews at time of writing.
Storage Galore
But it's not just about looks - the Francesca Ottoman bed frame is a powerhouse of functionality thanks to its end-opening ottoman design which provides an impressive 23cm of internal storage depth, perfect for stowing away essentials like shoes, bags, and blankets. When I lifted the base and looked inside, that depth is genuinely useful for bulkier bedding, but the end-opening layout does mean you need clear space at the foot of the bed to get in and out comfortably.
You can opt for the manual lift, featuring a handy support bar to keep the bed raised while accessing the ottoman, or upgrade to the electric lift. The latter provides the luxury of remote-controlled access, eliminating any heavy lifting and making your storage access a breeze and is the one I was able to personally trial in store. The remote worked first time and the lift felt smooth, but it isn't silent, you can hear the motor doing its thing, and you're obviously relying on electrics long term which won't suit everyone. Price-wise, the electric upgrade is the one that needs thinking about, for some people the manual version will do the job just as well.
Customer Feedback
Storage is what owners write about most. "The space underneath is massive, plenty of room to store things", one wrote, and another has a double duvet, spare pillows, towels, shoes and a fan heater under there and says "I still haven't filled it all". The frame gets called sturdy again and again. A good few owners are glad it has a solid base board with no slats.
The manual lift is where the complaints are. Most owners who mention it find it easy enough, but the gripe that keeps coming up is that it's heavy once the mattress is on: "we have a super king and it is almost too heavy to lift", one owner wrote. A few also say the mattress slides about on the smooth base, and the odd review mentions marks or missing parts on delivery.
Ultimately the Francesca Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame from Dreams is a strong mix of style, comfort, and practicality. For me personally, it's at its best if you actually need that ottoman space and you like a taller, padded headboard for reading in bed. If you're tight on space at the foot of the bed, or you want something lighter and more minimal, the end-opening design and chunky headboard can be a bit much, and I'd also double check the delivery and assembly side of things because it's not a small, quick build.
