Ottoman Bed Won't Stay Open? 7 Reasons and How to Fix Them

You open your ottoman bed to grab something from storage, and the mattress won't stay up. Or worse — it starts closing on you while you're leaning in. This is one of the most common ottoman bed problems in UK homes, and the fix is usually simpler than you'd think.

This guide walks through the 7 most common causes, how to diagnose which one applies to you, and how to fix each one. Most repairs cost £15-30 and take under 30 minutes.

First: Diagnose the Symptom

Before jumping to solutions, identify exactly what's happening:

• Bed rises slowly and won't stay up → Failed gas struts (most common)
• Bed drops suddenly when you let go → Failed gas struts or wrong N-rating
• One side rises but the other doesn't → One strut has failed
• Bed shoots up violently → Wrong (too strong) N-rating fitted
• Grinding or squealing noise → Worn hinges or damaged pivots
• Bed lifts fine but sags after a minute → Slow gas leak in struts
• Won't open at all → Broken hinge, seized pivot, or completely failed struts

Now match your symptom to the reason below.

Reason 1: Gas Struts Have Lost Pressure

By far the most common cause.

Gas struts contain pressurised nitrogen that provides the lifting force. Over 3-7 years of normal use, tiny amounts leak past the internal seals. Eventually the pressure drops below what's needed to hold the mattress up.

How to Confirm

• Push down on the bed base from the fully open position
• If it drops with less effort than it used to, struts are weak
• If it won't stay up at all, they've lost most or all pressure

How to Fix

Replace both struts as a matched pair. Never replace just one — the working strut will fail soon after and you'll be doing the job twice.

Buy struts that match your bed's original rating. Look at the barrel of the old strut for a number followed by "N" — that's the force rating (750N, 1200N, etc.).

Reason 2: Wrong N-Rating Was Originally Fitted

If your bed has always struggled to stay up — even from new — the wrong strength strut may have been installed.

How to Confirm

• Bed opens partially but never fully
• Bed feels heavy to lift throughout the range
• Problems started immediately, not gradually

How to Fix

Move up one force rating. For example:

• 600N → try 700N or 750N
• 750N → try 800N or 1000N
• 1000N → try 1200N

Always in matched pairs. Never jump more than one rating at a time — going too strong makes the bed dangerous to close.

Reason 3: Bed Mattress Is Heavier Than Original

Bed manufacturers pair strut ratings with a specific mattress weight range. If you've upgraded to a heavier mattress (thick memory foam, pocket sprung with pillow-top, latex hybrid), the original struts may no longer be strong enough.

How to Confirm

• Problems started after you changed the mattress
• Original mattress was thinner or lighter
• Bed now struggles where it used to work fine

How to Fix

Upgrade the strut rating by one step. Standard weight guides:

• Standard mattress (100-150mm thick) → Original rating works
• Medium mattress (150-250mm thick) → +100-150N
• Heavy mattress (250mm+ or memory foam) → +200-300N

Reason 4: One Strut Has Failed While the Other Works

Gas struts almost always fail one at a time. When one fails, the working strut tries to lift the whole bed alone — it can't, so nothing rises properly.

How to Confirm

• One side of the bed rises before the other
• Bed twists as it opens
• One strut feels much harder to compress by hand than the other

How to Fix

Replace both struts, even though only one has failed. Reasons:

• The other is likely close behind
• Mismatched pressures cause twisting and hinge damage
• Cost difference is minimal — struts come as pairs

Reason 5: Bent or Damaged Hinges

If the bed base has been dropped, forced closed too hard, or overloaded, the lift mechanism hinges can bend. Bent hinges cause the strut angle to change — reducing lift efficiency.

How to Confirm

• Visible bent or twisted metal on the hinge frame
• Bed opens crookedly (not straight up)
• Struts look fine but the geometry is wrong
• Fresh struts didn't solve the problem

How to Fix

Replace the entire lift mechanism, not just the struts. A complete "Ottoman Bed Lift Mechanism Set" includes new hinges, new struts, and all fixings.

Attempting to straighten bent hinges rarely works long-term — the metal is fatigued and will fail again.

Reason 6: Seized or Rusty Pivot Points

Ottoman beds have pivot pins where the hinges rotate. Over time these can seize from rust, dry grease, or accumulated debris. Seized pivots create friction that overwhelms the gas struts.

How to Confirm

• Grinding, squealing, or creaking when opening
• Bed feels stiff throughout the range
• Applying WD-40 or oil temporarily improves things

How to Fix

1. Fully open and support the bed base
2. Spray each pivot point with WD-40 or silicone spray
3. Work each pivot back and forth
4. Wipe clean and apply proper machine oil or grease
5. If pins are heavily rusted or worn, replace the whole lift mechanism

Reason 7: Bed Base Has Warped

Ottoman beds have a wooden or MDF base that lifts up. Over years — especially with heavy mattresses — this can warp, twist, or sag. A warped base doesn't move straight up, so the struts can't do their job.

How to Confirm

• Bed lifts crookedly
• One corner rises higher than others
• Visible warping when viewed from the side
• New struts didn't fix the problem

How to Fix

Unfortunately, this usually means replacing the base. If it's under warranty, contact the manufacturer. If not, a competent DIYer can build a plywood replacement from the old base as a template.

Emergency Fix: How to Safely Close a Failed Ottoman Bed

If your bed is stuck open and you need to close it right now:

1. Ask for a helper — don't try alone
2. Never force it closed quickly — gas struts under load can damage hinges
3. Support the base while lowering slowly
4. If the base slams down it's likely already too late for the struts

When to Call a Professional vs DIY

DIY it if:

• You're comfortable with basic hand tools
• The problem is failed struts (most common)
• You can safely lift or prop the mattress base

Call a professional if:

• The lift mechanism is bent or damaged
• You have back or shoulder issues
• The bed is under warranty (don't void it)
• You're not confident about identifying the issue

Most gas strut replacements take 15-20 minutes with a 13mm spanner. It's genuinely one of the easiest bed repairs.

FAQs

How much does it cost to fix an ottoman bed? Struts only (both): £15-30. Full lift mechanism set: £25-40. Professional repair: £80-150.

How long do ottoman bed gas struts last? 3-7 years with normal use. Heavier mattresses reduce lifespan.

Can I use car boot gas struts on an ottoman bed? No — they're the wrong force rating and often the wrong length. Buy ottoman-bed-specific struts.

My bed has 4 struts instead of 2. Do I replace all 4? Yes — always replace all struts as a complete set for balanced lifting.

Why does my bed close by itself now? Gas struts have lost pressure. Replace immediately — closing beds are dangerous.

Are ottoman bed struts universal? No — they vary by force rating (N), length (mm), and end fitting type. Match all three.

Can I add extra struts to make it stronger? Adding a third strut isn't possible on standard ottoman frames. Upgrade to stronger existing struts instead.

Shop Ottoman Bed Gas Struts at SpringFix UK

We stock the complete range of ottoman bed gas struts and lift mechanisms:

• Ottoman Bed Gas Struts Collection →
• 600N, 700N, 750N, 800N, 1200N force ratings
• 340mm and 360mm lengths
• Struts-only pairs or complete lift mechanism sets
• Same-day dispatch on orders placed before 4pm

Not sure which struts you need? Read our Ottoman Bed Gas Struts Replacement Guide or send us a photo of your current strut with the N-rating visible.

---

Article by SpringFix UK — Ottoman bed struts, gas springs, and engineering hardware. UK based, UK dispatched.