As someone with more stuff than space, I couldn't live without my underbed storage – it's an absolute must-have for my bedding, towels, and pyjamas that don't need to be hung in a wardrobe.
My favourite thing about it is that it doesn't take up any additional floor space, meaning that no matter how big or small your bedroom layout may be, you can take advantage of this hidden storage.
There are two main styles to choose from: ottoman bed frames, which lift up to reveal storage space, and drawer beds, which open and close for easy access. To find out which option is best for your lifestyle, along with personal recommendations from the Homebuilding & Renovating team, keep reading.
1. Ottoman beds
🏆Best for: smaller spaces
Ottoman beds are the number one choice for storage, offering ample space beneath your mattress, which is neatly hidden out of sight. Since the mattress lifts upward (from either the side or the end), it doesn’t waste any precious floor space either.
Homebuilding's Assistant Editor, Sarah Harley, bought the Dusk Berkley Ottoman Storage Bed two years ago and has been impressed by its comfort, easy lift and generous storage space. So much so that she says she will "never buy a bed that's not like this again". Our content director, Laura Crombie, has also tried and loved DUSK for ottomans.
"Ottomans have a large space that is accessible by lifting the top half of the base and the mattress," says Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Furniture. "It means storage is plentiful and perfect for big items that you don’t need very often. This helps you keep your bedroom clutter-free in a highly organised way."
Shop our favourite ottoman beds and accessories
Elegant and timeless, with plenty of storage, this is the best ottoman bed Sarah Harley has ever bought.
These collapsible storage boxes will keep your ottoman well organised and come with internal dividers and handles.
This budget-friendly ottoman bed costs under £200, with three different colours to choose from.
With over two decades of experience designing and delivering interior projects, Melissa creates stunning interiors for residential projects as well as events, workspaces and showroom staging. She aids clients in creating their vision of a dream space through her interior design expertise and creative eye.
2. Divan bed with drawers
🏆Best for: convenient access
Ottomans might score top points for space, but if you need to store items that you frequently use, a divan bed with drawers is the best choice – offering quick and easy access at any time.
I've had a drawer bed for years, where I like to store sheets, bedding and clothes that don't need to be hung up in a wardrobe.
"Divan beds are easier to open for items that may need to be accessed daily, but you will need to ensure that each side of the bed has enough clearance space for the drawers to open properly," says Steve Larkin, co-founder and CEO of Lark & Larks.
Upgrade your bedroom storage with these drawer beds
This two-drawer bed has an impressive number of fabric options available (79!) and arrives fully assembled.
Available in six colours and four sizes, this wooden bed offers six generous storage drawers.
Ideal for children's bedrooms, this wooden frame features a pull-out trundle drawer that can be used as a second bed or storage space.
Steve Larkin is the co-founder and CEO of Lark & Larks with years of experience in kitchen and bedroom design, carpentry and fitting. Lark & Larks are passionate about helping homeowners craft their dream spaces and are with them for every step of their renovation journey.
What can you put in underbed storage?
According to Melissa Denham, underbed storage is great place to hide bulky clothes, out-of-season items, books, old photographs, accessories like bags and shoes, and any clutter that you don’t want on show.
To make the most of your underbed storage, it's worth investing in some vacuum bags (like these storage bags from Amazon) to compress your items and protect them from moisture, moths and dust.
For more space-saving tips and tricks, browse our favourite built-in storage ideas and understairs storage ideas.
