Newly Assembled Ottoman Bed Won't Close? Setup Fixes That Work

If you've just assembled an ottoman bed and it won't close — it stays locked open, springs back up, or the pistons keep pulling the base upward — don't assume you've got a faulty frame. On a brand-new bed, this is almost always a setup issue with a quick fix.

Worn-out struts cause the opposite problem (a base that sags or drops). A new bed that won't stay down is a different diagnosis entirely.

1. The struts are too strong for your mattress (most common)

Gas struts are rated in Newtons (N) and are matched to a mattress weight range. If your mattress is lighter than the frame expects — a thin foam or rolled mattress, for example — the struts simply overpower it and push the base back open.

How to confirm it: press the base down by hand with the mattress on. If it seats flat under your weight but rises again when you let go, the struts are winning against the mattress.

The fix: a heavier mattress will hold it down, or fit replacement struts with a lower Newton rating. Check the number printed on the strut barrel before ordering — our gas strut replacement guide walks through matching them.

2. The struts are fitted the wrong way round

Gas struts are directional. Most are designed to sit with the thicker cylinder body at one specific end and the thin piston rod at the other — fitting them reversed changes how the lift behaves and can leave the base feeling stuck, jerky, or unwilling to seat.

How to confirm it: compare both struts to the diagram in your instructions, and check both sides are oriented identically to each other.

The fix: with the base safely propped open and the storage well empty, release the clips, turn the strut to the correct orientation and refit until the ball socket clicks home.

3. You've used the wrong mounting holes

Many ottoman frames have more than one bracket hole so the same frame can suit different mattress weights. Using the wrong hole changes the leverage and can stop the base seating properly.

The fix: check the instructions for which hole matches your mattress depth or weight, and move both struts to the same position on each side.

4. A transit clip or safety catch is still fitted

Some frames ship with a plastic transit clip or retaining pin on the strut to keep it compressed in the box. If it's still in place, the strut can't move through its full range — which people often describe as the cylinders not releasing.

The fix: inspect the full length of both struts and remove any packaging clips, cable ties or protective film.

5. The frame isn't square

If every bolt was fully tightened before the frame was squared up, the base can end up very slightly racked — enough that the lid no longer lines up with the base when it comes down.

The fix: loosen all the frame bolts a few turns, gently square the frame up on a flat floor, then re-tighten in the order given in the instructions. See how to assemble an ottoman bed for the correct build sequence.

6. Something in the well is fouling the mechanism

On a first build it's easy to leave packaging, an instruction booklet or a spare fixings bag inside the storage well, right in the path of the strut arm.

The fix: empty the well completely and cycle the base open and closed before loading anything into it.

Is a gas strut reversible?

Physically it will often mount either way — but that doesn't mean it should. Gas struts are designed to run in one orientation so the internal seal stays lubricated, and reversing them can shorten their working life as well as affecting how the base behaves. Always follow the orientation shown in your instructions.

When it really is a fault

If you've worked through all six checks and the base still won't seat, look for a bent bracket, a strut that hisses continuously, or a mounting stud pulling away from the frame. Those point to a genuine defect — contact your retailer while the frame is still under warranty.

Related reading

If the bed isn't new, start with why is my ottoman bed not closing? For the opposite problem, see ottoman bed won't stay up. Curious how the mechanism works? Read how do ottoman beds work.