Under Bed Storage Ideas for Small Bedrooms: 12 Ways to Use the Space
Under bed storage ideas for small bedrooms: measure the gap, pick the right containers, raise the bed if you need to, and keep everything dust-free and easy to reach.
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In this guide · 20 sections
The best under bed storage ideas start with a tape measure. Measure the gap between the floor and the bed frame, then choose containers by height: shallow rolling drawers for things you use every week, zip cases or lidded boxes for out-of-season clothes and spare bedding. If the gap is too low, raise the bed or swap it for one with drawers.
In a small bedroom, the space under the bed is often the biggest empty storage area you have. Below are 12 ways to use it, sorted by how often you need what's down there, plus how to deal with a low bed and what not to store under it. If your bedroom has no closet at all, pair this with our bedroom with no closet ideas.
Measure the Gap First
Three numbers decide what fits:
- Clearance: floor to the lowest part of the frame (the side rail or the slats, whichever is lower).
- Depth: from the edge of the bed to the wall or the center leg, so you know how far a box can slide in.
- Width between legs: some frames have a center leg or support bar that splits the space in two.
Many under-bed cases are around 15 to 18 cm tall, so a clearance of roughly 18 to 20 cm fits most of them with room to slide. That's a rule of thumb, not a standard; check each product's listed height against your number.
Under Bed Storage Ideas for Things You Use Every Week
The front edge of the bed is the easy-reach zone. Keep it for things you take out often.
1Rolling drawers
Drawers on casters slide out with one hand, which matters when they're full. Wooden ones look like part of the bed; plastic ones are lighter and cheaper. One drawer for sweaters or gym clothes takes pressure off a small dresser.
2Shallow bins with handles
Open or lidded bins with a front handle are fine for things that don't mind a bit of dust between uses, like spare chargers, a yoga mat or the throw blanket from the end of the bed.
3A shoe drawer
Shoes you wear every week but don't want by the door can live in a low drawer at the foot of the bed. Line it with a washable mat. For the shoes you do keep by the door, see our small entryway shoe storage ideas.
4Spare sheets right where you need them
Keep one set of sheets and a spare pillowcase in a flat case under the bed you use them on. Changing the bed becomes a one-room job and the linen cupboard (if you have one) is freed up.
Under Bed Storage Containers for Out-of-Season Things
Things you need twice a year go further back or in the middle, in cases that close.
5Fabric zip cases
Soft cases with a zip lid and a handle are the classic choice for winter knits in summer and linen in winter. Ventilation holes help keep stored textiles fresh. They fold flat when you don't need them.
6Clear lidded boxes
Clear plastic lets you see what's inside without pulling everything out. Choose boxes with lids that close fully so dust stays out, and add a label on the short end that faces you.
7Vacuum bags, used carefully
Vacuum bags shrink bulky duvets and spare pillows so they fit under a low frame. Many makers advise against compressing down or wool for long periods, so check the care label and use them for synthetic fills or for a single season.
8Suitcases as storage
Suitcases take up the space whether they're empty or not. Fill them with the season's clothes you're not wearing and slide them under the bed.
Not Enough Clearance? Raise the Bed or Swap It
If the gap is under about 15 cm, most containers won't fit. You have three options.
9Bed risers
Risers lift each leg by a few inches and are the quickest renter-friendly fix. They suit beds with separate legs; platform beds with a center support need risers under every leg, including the middle ones, or they're not a good match.
10A storage bed
A bed frame with built-in drawers replaces both the containers and a chunk of dresser space, and it closes neatly so there's nothing to see. If you're replacing your bed anyway, it's one of the most useful double-duty furniture pieces for small apartments.
11A bed skirt to hide it all
A plain linen or cotton bed skirt hides mismatched boxes and keeps some dust off. It works especially well with risers, which can look a little utilitarian.
Keep It Clean and Easy to Reach
12One zone per side
Split the space: the side you get up on holds everyday things, the other side and the foot hold seasonal ones. You'll only ever pull from the front row on a normal day.
A few habits keep it from becoming a dust trap:
- Lids or zips on everything that stays under there more than a few weeks.
- Matching containers. One style looks calm when the bed skirt is up and makes boxes easier to stack. It's the same reason Japandi bedrooms lean on closed storage.
- Vacuum when you rotate seasons. Pull everything out twice a year, clean the floor, and put back only what you still use.
- Don't box in a mattress on a solid base. If your mattress sits on a solid platform rather than slats, leave some airflow around the frame, and follow the mattress maker's guidance.
What Not to Store Under the Bed
- Things you need daily. If you're pulling a box out every morning, it belongs in a drawer or on a hook.
- Heavy things you have to drag. Books and tools are hard on floors and backs. Keep under-bed loads light enough to slide easily.
- Important papers in a damp room. If your bedroom gets condensation, store documents somewhere drier.
In a studio, the bed is also part of the living space, so under-bed storage should look tidy from the sofa. Our guide to creating zones in a studio apartment covers how to make the sleeping area feel separate.
Our Picks for Under Bed Storage
We picked these by comparing listed sizes, materials and price, one for each job: everyday drawers, seasonal cases, more clearance and a full replacement. Check current dimensions on the retailer's page, since they vary by size and region.
A fabric storage case with a plastic insert, a handle and a label holder, sold in 51×51 and 71×51 cm sizes, both about 18 cm tall.
- Capacity
- Fit
- Looks
- Low 18 cm profile
- Ventilation holes and a label holder
- Folds flat when empty
- Soft sides
- Clean with a vacuum or lint roller only
A zip-top fabric case made to slide under a bed or sit on a wardrobe shelf, with a handle on the side.
- Capacity
- Fit
- Looks
- Zip lid keeps dust out
- Side handle
- Several widths
- About 19 cm tall, so check your clearance
- Not stackable when full
An 8-piece set of stackable plastic risers: four 3-inch and four 5-inch pieces that can be used alone or together.
- Capacity
- Fit
- Looks
- 3- and 5-inch sets that stack to 8 inches
- Black, brown or white
- Inexpensive
- Plastic look, best hidden by a bed skirt
- Not for frames with a center bar and no legs
A bed frame with four rolling drawers built into the base, available in several sizes and colors.
- Capacity
- Fit
- Looks
- Four large drawers on castors
- Adjustable sides for different mattress depths
- Compact frame
- Assembly takes time
- Maker lists a 20 kg maximum load per drawer
Practical Takeaway
Measure the gap, then match containers to how often you need things: rolling drawers at the front for everyday items, zip cases and lidded boxes further back for the seasons. If the gap is too low, add risers or switch to a storage bed, and keep everything lidded and matching so the space stays clean and calm.
FAQ
What can I use for under bed storage?
Fabric zip cases, clear lidded boxes, rolling drawers and even your suitcases. Choose by your clearance and by how often you need what's inside.
How much space do you need under a bed for storage?
Measure first. Many under-bed containers are around 15 to 18 cm tall, so a clearance of roughly 18 to 20 cm fits most of them with a little room to slide.
How do I get more space under my bed?
Add bed risers under every leg, choose a taller bed frame, or replace the bed with one that has built-in drawers.
Is it bad to store things under your bed?
Not if it's kept clean. Use lidded or zipped containers, keep loads light, and vacuum under the bed when you rotate seasons.
How do you keep under bed storage from getting dusty?
Choose containers that close fully, add a bed skirt, and pull everything out to clean twice a year when you swap seasonal clothes.
