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I have had a good long test of the Lance Left Hand Side Opening Ottoman Bed Frame, a rather upmarket upholstered sleigh model that uses classic scroll ends with a space saving side lift. It is a Furniture Village exclusive and while the ticket price is firmly in the higher bracket, the specification and finish are in keeping with the other quality side opening ottomans I have tested. It is a good bet if you like the look of a sleigh bed but need proper hidden storage.
Design & Build
The Lance is a sleigh style frame with a scrolled headboard and matching foot end, finished with deep cushioning and tailored buttoning to a luxe finish. The proportions are purposefully a little shorter end to end than many sleigh beds to help it fit in smaller rooms where every centimetre counts. It is offered in several upholstery fabrics and colours, across the small double, double, king and super king sizes. Maximum recommended mattress weight is 80 kg, which is good going for a side lift mechanism. This model lifts on the left as you face the headboard, and a mirrored right hand version is available by phone order if your room layout demands it.
Assembly & Setup
Furniture Village offers a premium delivery service to room of choice, with assembly included where appropriate, and quotes a typical lead time of around 14 days for this frame. For bed frames specifically, delivery currently sits in the £79 band, which is competitive for a two person delivery with careful placement. If you want to double check the choice of upholstery you can order fabric samples first to be sure of colour and texture. The frame also comes with a 20 year structural guarantee, which is a good confidence marker for the lift hardware and core frame.
Comfort & Practicality
As a frame only, comfort is down to your mattress choice, but the Lance felt reassuringly solid once it was built. The sleigh ends create a cosy, traditional silhouette but it is not too bulky to overwhelm the room, and the upholstered rails soften any bumps if you are a bit tight on space. The side lift is the headline feature. In day to day use I found the left hand opening much more practical than a front lift in a narrow room, as you do not need space at the foot of the bed to swing the mattress up. The action is smooth and the gas struts take the strain once you get past the initial lift, which is the case with most ottoman mechanisms at this level. The 80 kg mattress limit is worth bearing in mind if you run an exceptionally heavy mattress, but it comfortably covers common hybrid and pocket sprung models I regularly test.
Storage
The under bed cavity runs the full footprint of the mattress and is accessed from the side. This makes it ideal for spare bedding, seasonal clothing and bulkier items that would overwhelm drawers. Because the lid is the full mattress deck you get maximum cubic capacity with no centre divider eating into the space. The brand also usefully flags safe use guidance such as keeping hands clear of the mechanism and avoiding sitting on the frame while opening, which I echo from my own experience of ottomans in general.
Everyday Use
Day to day the Lance behaves like a conventional upholstered sleigh only with the convenience of a lift up base. The upholstered finish will benefit from light regular care with a soft brush or vacuum, and pile fabrics such as velvet will naturally show shading over time. If you are planning the room around it, remember that this particular SKU opens on the left, so the clear side needs to remain free to operate the lid safely. For households that regularly rotate bedding or swap seasonal items, the side opening genuinely reduces the faff of moving bedside tables to access a foot opening lid.
Price & Value
At the time of writing I found the Lance listed with a saving against a higher previous price and marketed as an exclusive model. Even at its sale price it is not cheap, but side opening ottomans use robust gas lift components and reinforced platforms, which do add cost compared to a standard bed frame. In my view the combination of build quality, practical side access and the 20 year structural guarantee make the price credible if you will actually use the storage. If you are stretching the budget, check for periodic promotions or finance, both of which are available from the retailer.
Who It Suits
Anyone fitting a bed into a narrower room or against a wall on one side will appreciate the left hand side access.Those who want a classic sleigh silhouette with practical storage will find this a smart compromise.Households that value a long structural guarantee and prefer to buy from a nationwide retailer with premium delivery options.
Who It Doesn't Suit
People who rarely use under bed storage may not get full value from the ottoman mechanism.Owners of ultra heavy mattresses above 80 kg should note that the mechanism is not designed for excessive weight.Buyers who need a right hand opening version online will need to order by phone instead.
Final Verdict
The Lance Left Hand Side Opening Ottoman Bed Frame blends an elegant buttoned sleigh design with genuinely useful, side accessible storage. It is pricier than a standard frame, but in line with other quality side opening models and backed by a long structural guarantee. If your room layout makes a foot opening impractical and you want an upholstered statement piece that works hard, this is an easy recommendation, provided the budget fits.
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Published: 3 September 2024 · Updated: 27 October 2024
