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Choosing a bed can be stressful: It's a major commitment, since it's the focal point of the bedroom. There's the frame, the headboard and the mattress to consider. I won't even get into the myriad of decisions that must be made about sheets and bedding.
However, my number one concern for my next bed is storage. That's right, at about 33-square-feet, which is approximately 10 percent of the usable floor space in the bedroom of my small New York City apartment, I want a bed that works twice as hard as your standard mattress and frame: Not just a place to sleep, but a place to stash my stuff.
Knowing that there are probably lots of other people who would like to maximize their under-the-bed storage, I rounded up seven smart storage beds. Here they are:
With Pottery Barn's Stratton bed, the storage is right at-hand. Photos: Pottery Barn
Style: Country Charm
Pros: Hardwood construction makes this is a quality bed. Plus, it attaches to any of Pottery Barn's queen or king-sized headboards, if you want to add a headboard. Assembled in your home by Pottery Barn's delivery team at no extra charge.
Cons: The rattan baskets are not lined and therefore would not be good for storing delicate items, like knits.
Also available in a dark wood tone, this bed is simple and sleek. Photo: West Elm
Style: Cool Contemporary
Pros: Comes in twin, full, queen, king and California King sizes, so you can get the right size for your space. Plus, the frame accommodates mattresses with or without box springs.
Cons: You only have one headboard choice, and assembly is required.
It may not be a looker, but this bed has room to spare. Photo: Gothic Cabinet Craft
Style: Back-to-Basics Traditional
Pros: Available in 20 finishes, you can match this storage bed to your decor. With six drawers on this option and twelve on another, you really get a lot of additional storage space.
Cons: This piece is strictly functional, not design conscious -- you'll have to rely on your bed dressings for style.
Yup, there's storage beneath that handsome frame. Photo: Room & Board
Style: Mid-century Modern
Pros: Made from solid maple, cherry or walnut right here in the U.S., this bed is built to last; the headboard is included in the price. It doesn't look like it belongs in a dorm room.
Cons: This model offers less storage than some of its counterparts; finish choices are limited.
Wood plus powder coated drawers add up to a winning finish. Photo: Blu Dot
Style: Utilitarian Chic
Pros: Three wood finishes and six color choices for the powder-coated steel drawer fronts add up to many options. Blu Dot's designed-by-architects furnishings have been added to the collections of several contemporary museums.
Cons: At $2000 (and up), some might find the price high for a piece with a mildly juvenile look.
If Lenny Kravitz had a storage bed, this would be it. Photos: BoConcept
Style: Sleek and Slim
Pros: This low-profile bed won't steal the show from your collection of designer furnishings.
Cons: You'll be disappointed when your friends ask if it's from IKEA. The single drawer means less compartmentalized organization.
Storage is an open-and-shut case with IKEA's box spring. Photos: IKEA
Bonus: A storage box spring!
Style: Basic and unassuming.
Pros: Leave it to IKEA to figure out how to cram more storage into your home. This box spring is great for housing extras you don't need access to regularly -- spare blankets, seasonal linens and clothes, for example. It's a great option if you already have a frame and mattress that you love. Just switch out your existing box spring.
Cons: You'll need to store wisely. This is not ideal for everyday items -- not even those in-between-season pieces like cardigan sweaters. Stick with things you know you won't need -- like a ski jacket in the summer or bathing suit during winter months.
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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
The beds with the storage drawers like chest or dressers are fine, but can you imagine all the cobwebs aka (spiders webs) that collect on & in stuff stored under beds. I like under my bed to be free of all this. No matter how hard you try...you just can't keep the spiders & their cobwebs out of your home, but using under the bed as storage is just inviting them in. I'll bet the people that have all these ideas wouldn't dream of putting stuff under their beds.
ReplyActually, we used to have storage under our waterbed-never saw a single spider or web in there-not even in the empty space between the sets of drawers. I have more problems with them now that there is no storage drawers under my bed than I ever did then.
I have storage under my bed, and no bugs. Have had it for about 15 years, and have hardly any dust, or dust bunnies. I really love it. Mine is a pedastal bed with built in cabinet and drawers. I don't know about those plastic containers you put under the bed, but I have no bugs and everything is as fresh as when I put things in there.
I had underbed storage for years -- in N.C. and we had no problems with spiders, webs or any creepy crawlers at all! The way ours was set up, it had four drawers on each side and then a sort of t-shape crawl-through behind doors at both sides center and at the center of the end. Truly it was fantastic! Even when we moved after nine years, there was no evidence of anything having been under there. Don't be afraid! It really adds to storage space!
LOVE, love this idea..I've been eyeing the storage bed for a few years (I want to get one for my handicapped son's room) but they aren't cheep. I like the idea of having some foot room under the bed, so I can make the bed easly--not putting to much of a strain on my back--I'm not a spring chicken any more. Now if they would only come back with the 3/4 bed and do away with the full or twin beds, the 3/4 is a more logical choice, kids grow, twins arent right for them when they become teens, a full bed isn't big enough for a married couple to rest comfortably, and their too big for a teen in my openion, so the 3/4 bed is the most logical size, and then have storage drawers under it, there you have a perfect kids bed.
ReplyLynn, Those built in cabinets and drawers should be fine, just like a dresser or chest, it is the indivdual containers, boxes, anything people shove under the bed to get it out of sight, etc., that create problems. Yours is great!
ReplyI've had a king size with Very deep storage drawers. I've had it approx. 25 years. Solid wood. The drawers are on (3) each side, wide and deep. I keep all my winter things in them. I also have a small door at the foot of the bed like a cawl space, it's like a hidding space. I keep guns, rugs and other LONG items in that cubbie area. I paid $550.00 for it back then, I recently was thinking of selling it. I thought I'd never get what I paid for it and really didn't want to loose the storage space or a few hundred dollars. After seeing these and how much they cost now, I have now changed my mind!!!
ReplyAs for bugs, spiders, dust, NEVER. Everything stays nice and clean. I have never had to deal with anything like the poster mentioned..
So feel free to buy one..I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I have...Now I realize I really did get a great deal!!
I think the one from West Elm is great looking, especially for the price and the amount of storage (go for the double). I also think Pottery Barn has some nice ones with drawers, but more expensive than with the baskets.
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