Under-bed storage can be as easy as finding and utilizing dead space in your home, which is the key to storage solutions in a tiny home. Building shelves in the corners of rooms, making a kick-drawer for under cupboards, and utilizing under-bed storage bins are great ways to store items without taking up your living space.
Under-bed storage is the first place to look when trying to maximize every inch of your Tiny Home, especially under-bed storage with wheels.
- You can immediately reclaim the space under your bed for storage
- Under your bed is a great space for those bulky and awkward items like suitcases, extra bedding, and even pie tins or turkey pans
- Adding wheels makes it easier to access items stored under your bed and can make the space more like a drawer
How to Make Under Bed Storage
Making use of the space under your bed doesn’t have to be time-consuming or costly. Here are a few ideas for any budget.
DIY with Items You Have On-Hand
If you need a quick and inexpensive option, you can use items around the house! Cardboard boxes, like those you receive shipped items in, can be cut to size to fit under the bed. If you’d like to spruce them up, use wrapping paper or fabric to give them style. This method can be used immediately and is a great idea for preliminary storage as you figure out what longer-term storage and organization system might work best for your home.
Luggage, duffel bags, and backpacks make great organizers and are perfect for small spaces. Loading them up and putting them under your bed keeps your items organized and portable. This means you don’t need to take up closet space storing these bulky items while empty.
Ready-Made Systems
If you’re looking for a ready-made system, the options are nearly endless. The key to choosing the best under-bed storage system for you is to know what size space you have available, what you plan to store, and what style you’re going for. Choose from baskets that fit your size requirements and style, cloth bins that fold up flat when empty, wood bins, or plastic totes. Rolling metal shelves are great for shoes.
Depending on your needs, you can choose to use several small boxes and baskets, one large drawer on wheels, or any variation in between!
Adding Wheels
If you like the look of your existing storage system but want it to be a little easier to retrieve items stored under your bed, you can easily add wheels to most bins, boxes, and baskets! This will save you from scraping your floor and hassling unnecessarily when you’re looking for that stored item.
Wheels can be added to wire baskets, wicker baskets, wooden bins, cloth bins, and more! Just make sure to measure beforehand so that you know your basket will fit under your bed after the wheels have been attached. If needed, feel free to add risers under your bed frame to give you a little more space.
Wheels come in a variety of materials, sizes, and styles. Consider the size of your container. Are you looking for it to work like a drawer or be able to move in several directions around your home? Utilizing under-bed storage with wheels can turn what was empty space into the largest and most versatile drawer in your home.
Under Bed Storage Ideas
The space under your bed is wise to utilize, especially when storage is at a premium. However, there are size constraints. Here are some common items that are suitable for storage under your bed.
- Seasonal items–including seasonal clothing such as swimsuits or winter coats, wrapping paper and decorative items, or kitchenware that one only uses on occasion.
- Extra linens like blankets, sheets, and towels. Using vacuum bags can further pare down the size of these items. Vacuum bags keep them clean and safe from pests during storage.
- Shoes. Always shoes.
- Trundle table–if you don’t have many items to store but find yourself needing extra table space for ongoing projects or tasks like tiny-home laundry, a trundle table might be the perfect solution. You can work on puzzles, art projects, or other projects that you’d like to store without disturbing your progress and simply roll them under your bed when you’re not actively working on them.
- Modular Storage Cubes: Invest in modular storage cubes that can be configured to fit the space under your bed. These cubes come in various sizes and can be stacked to create custom storage solutions for books, shoes, clothes, or other items.
- Drawer Dividers: If you’re using under-bed drawers, consider adding drawer dividers or organizers to keep smaller items, like socks, accessories, or office supplies, neatly separated and easy to find.
- Floating Shelves: Install floating shelves on the sides of your bed frame. These shelves can hold books, magazines, small decorative items, or even a bedside lamp, freeing up surface space in your tiny home.
- Custom-Built Drawers: If you have woodworking skills or can hire a carpenter, consider custom-built drawers that fit perfectly under your bed. This allows you to maximize the available space and create a seamless storage solution.
- Clear Containers: Transparent storage containers are excellent for under-bed storage because you can easily see what’s inside without having to open each container. The lids keep dust out. Label them for even better organization.
- Casters with Locks: If you add wheels to your storage containers, make sure they have locking mechanisms. This prevents containers from rolling around when you don’t want them to.
- Elevated Beds: Consider raising your bed frame to create more vertical space underneath. You can build or purchase bed risers to achieve this. This extra height allows for larger storage bins or drawers.
- Jewelry Organizers: Use jewelry organizers with small compartments to keep your jewelry neatly organized and easy to access. Place the jewelry organizers in shallow under-bed drawers or bins.
- Vacuum Sealed Bags: For clothing and linens, vacuum-sealed bags are a space-saving dream. They compress items, reducing their volume and protecting them from dust and pests. These bags are perfect for seasonal clothing or bedding.
- DIY Sliding Bins: Build your own sliding bins using wooden crates or shallow plastic bins mounted on casters. These DIY bins can be customized to fit the exact dimensions under your bed.
- Under-Bed Desk: If you have a home office in your tiny home, consider using the space under your bed as a hidden desk area. You can install a fold-down desk or place a slim desk on casters that can be rolled out when needed.
- Vertical Hanging Shoe Organizers: Hang vertical shoe organizers with pockets on the sides or foot of your bed to keep your footwear collection organized and easily accessible.
- Artwork Storage: If you’re an artist or have a collection of artwork, use under-bed storage to protect your paintings, canvases, or art supplies. Invest in art storage boxes or portfolios designed for this purpose.
- Kitchen Supplies: Store seldom-used kitchen items like bakeware, large pots, or small appliances under your bed. Ensure they are clean and well-sealed to avoid any odors or food particles.
- Bed Skirts with Pockets for Storage: While not technically under the bed, bed skirts provide a decorative accent to your bedroom and help conceal under-the-bed storage. There are bed skirts with pockets for storage to hold things such as TV remotes, books, glasses, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I increase storage space under my bed?
Maximizing the storage space under your bed all depends on what you plan to store there. The idea, especially in the simplicity of a tiny home, is to use as much of the space as possible without a lot of extra space staying empty. Ensuring you have the right-sized system for the items you plan to store will increase the usable under-bed space.
How do you hide junk under your bed?
To avoid a potential eyesore, choose bins that fit with the style of your bedroom. One large drawer on wheels brings a cohesive look to the space. Wrapping plastic totes or using a bed skirt are great ways to hide under bed storage.
