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One of the keys to creating a truly organized home is taking advantage of unexpected and underutilized spots — like that wide open terrain under the bed frame — and transforming them into smart storage spaces. (Smart being the key word here.) The easiest way to turn an under-bed area into useful space is by bringing in storage bins, bags, and baskets to keep things organized. Sure, it may be tempting to just toss clutter under the bed and adopt an out-of-sight, out-of-mind attitude, but being mindful about a storage strategy will precent a ton of headaches.
“What if I don’t even have a bed frame to store anything under?” one might ask. Well, dear reader, that is an issue in and of itself. You aren’t alone, though — even interior designer Bobby Berk was once a mattress-on-the-floor guy. But if you do go that route, you’re giving up some serious real estate — and when it comes to storage, every inch counts. That little bit of space between frame and floor can completely change your home organization game if you bring in the right under-bed storage products.
The best under-bed storage solutions come in a variety of materials and sizes to best suit your needs. Stashing some bulky winter sweaters during the warmer months? Consider a vacuum-sealed bag. Need an easily accessible box to store your extra sheets? A plastic bin with wheels should do the trick. No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve got an expert-approved option for you. And the best part is they all come in under $50.
For this story, SPY spoke with Aidan Gately, KonMari consultant & decluttering expert on RTÉ’s Home Rescue; Jaclyn King, professional organizer and founder of Sort of Space; Jessica Litman, organizing educator and founder of The Organized Mama; and Leslie Kilgour, professional organizer and founder of Get It Straight! to help sort through the best under-bed storage solutions available now.
Our sources agree that before shopping for under-bed storage, the first step is to figure out what types of items will need a home there. “First, you have to look at what you are planning on storing under your bed,” Litman says. “I only suggest under-bed storage for space-saving purposes. I would recommend decluttering first, then deciding if things are worth storing there.”
What qualifies? Items you actually use, but not every day. (Think: seasonal décor, off-season clothing, and special-occasion shoes.) “As the area can be difficult to access, I wouldn’t put anything there that you need very often,” Gately says.
However, Kilgour adds that it’s not the best space to store valuable items, even if you rarely need to access them. “As under-the-bed storage is closest to the floor, and floors could possibly flood, you want to make sure that anything ultra-valuable is not stored there,” she says.
That said, our sources agree that under-bed storage is a great solution for small spaces. “When storage space is lacking, you need to get creative with where to put things,” King says. Gately feels similarly, adding that he doesn’t necessarily see this area as a prime storage spot, but does see the potential. “Personally, I prefer to leave that space empty if at all possible,” he says. “But if you don’t have enough space elsewhere, then using storage bins or bags to keep the items clean, dust-free, and accessible is best.”
BEST OVERALL
When most people think of the products they would use to organize the space under their bed, this box from The Container Store is exactly what comes to mind — and for good reason. A low-profile bin with an easy-to-open lid and wheels is basically the platonic ideal of under-bed storage solutions, after all.
“At 6.5 inches high, these fit under most standard bed frames,” King says. “They also have wheels and a split hinge lid for easy accessibility.” Also, you can easily see everything inside because they’re so clear, and they’re incredibly durable, so users don’t have to worry about replacing them anytime soon.
These bins are in line price-wise with most other options of a similar size, coming in at $24.98 a piece. And if one just isn’t enough you can also pick up a set of six for $149.88.
FOR SOFT GOODS
If the goal is to store excess soft goods but don’t want the bulkiness to eat up precious space, look no further than vacuum-sealed storage bags. Just fill them up, zip them closed, then use the vacuum to suck out all the air. In an instant, you’ll watch your fluffiest comforter turn into something so flat it resembles a crepe.
These bags are also a great option for off-season clothing or seasonal bedding (hello, flannel sheets!) that would eat up a ton of precious space if left uncompressed. As an added bonus, the bags keep your soft goods free from grime and pests. “I like keeping clothing or bedding in air-tight bags so they don’t get dusty,” Litman says.
The only issue is that vacuum-sealed bags filled with sweaters and blankets don’t make for the most attractive sight. So, if there’s a chance your under-bed storage might peek out from under your duvet, consider using something more aesthetically pleasing to house the bags. “If the storage will be seen, use some baskets and store the vacuum sealed bags in the baskets,” Kilgour says.
And at $29.99 for a set of 10 bags, your wallet will forgive you if you accidentally stuff one too much and tear it.
BEST ON A BUDGET
The STUK Storage Cases from IKEA bridge the gap between classic plastic bins and unstructured storage bags. They’re pliable, which means they’re well suited to holding soft goods, but still have plenty of structure and a handle that makes them easy to pull out from under the bed.
“These larger storage cases are incredibly versatile for under-bed storage,” Gately says. “They’re great for storing large items that you don’t need very often, like out of season duvets, sheets, pillows or throws, or lesser-used sports equipment.”
His clients also love that the top zips all the way around, which not only makes the case easier to fill, but easier to search through as well. And at $8.99 a piece you can’t beat the price.
BEST DRAWER
There’s a reason so many home brands these days are coming out with bed frames that come equipped with drawers — it’s just so damn convenient. But you don’t have to splurge on a new set up if you already have a frame you love. Plenty of brands have drawers specifically designed to fit right under standard bed frames.
Pull-out drawers are a particularly great choice for anyone who finds bins cumbersome or has floors that aren’t super conducive to pushing and pulling a container back into place. “If you have to twist and turn a bin to get out from under the bed, it may not be the best item for you as it will become work to get it out,” Litman says.
These clock in at $31.99 a piece but you’ll likely want to pick up at least four if you’re hoping to fill the full length of your bed (eight will fill both sides). That can add up quickly, so we suggest starting with one to make sure the make and material is what you’re looking for.
BEST LATCH
You can walk into just about any store with an organizing section and find a classic bin with a latch top like this one. It’s not because of oversaturation, though — it’s because they’re genuinely solid options.
The tight cover keeps everything inside safe from dust, dirt, and grime, while the clear material means it’s easy to clock what’s inside each bin. “I just like buying long plastic bins from Target and using them for shoes and seasonal clothing,” Kilgour says. “You can buy plastic bins at most stores these days, and they work really well.”
If you just need one or two bins the $19.99 per bin price tag is quite reasonable, but if you find yourself needing a bunch of containers you might want to consider buying in bulk. You can find sets of four, eight, 12, and 16 on Amazon.
BEST FOR SHOES
Who doesn’t have a few pairs of shoes — for special occasions, etcetera — that just kind of sit there most of the time? Tucking them into dedicated boxes and storing them under your bed is one of the best ways to keep them pristine.
Sure, one could toss a few pairs into one big bin and call it a day, but safely storing each pair in its own container is the better way to go. “These shoe storage boxes are just the right size to fit under most standard beds and are a really great way to store special occasion shoes that you don’t wear very often,” Gately says.
Each box will cost you a reasonable $10, so investing in a few at a time is pretty doable. And if your shoe collection outgrows the under-bed area, you can always stack the extra boxes in a closet or other storage space.
That really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to maximize your home’s storage potential and essentially create more space for yourself, spending a little extra dough is worth it.
“I suggest investing in the space rather than the item,” Litman says. “So if something costs more but can save you a lot of space, it is worth the investment.”
Luckily most storage bins are affordable to begin with.
Simply put: Because the items you’re storing might sit there for a while until you need them. Which means, left uncovered, they’ll end up covered in dust. This is especially true for soft goods. “For clothing or textile storage — like off-season items or extra bedding — make sure your bins have covers,” King says. “This will help keep things clean and free of dust.”
Seriously, that old cliche again? It’s time to look at your life and look at your choices. And not just because you’re breaking almost every design rule in the book. According to Litman, not elevating your bed can affect your room’s energy, as well.
“There is this idea that energy flows around your room as you sleep,” she says. “And if the energy gets stuck by clutter under your bed or because you don’t have a bedframe, then you [may be] taking in stagnant energy while you sleep. So regardless of storage, get your bed off the ground!”
