Even after a bold decluttering effort, there is always plenty of stuff to store in most households, including clothing. Carving out little nooks for storage throughout your home can become really important when you’re short on space.
Enter the under-bed storage bin. Perhaps even more helpful than bed frames with built-in drawers, the right under-bed storage bins can help make the most of your available space.
If you’re looking for a way to store your sweaters safely in summer or your flip-flops and sundresses in winter, the Whitmor Jumbo Underbed Bags would be ideal. Once you tuck in your items, you can protect them from dust and pests with a zipper, and the clear vinyl top makes it easy to remember what’s inside.
What to know before you buy an under-bed storage bin
It is worthwhile to be a little creative when planning how to use the space under your bed. The right bin can help you store the part of your wardrobe that is not in season, of course, but it can also take the pressure off an overloaded linen closet, store and organize shoes, toys, wrapping paper, baby clothes and much more. For more information, take a look at the full under-bed storage bins buying guide from BestReviews.
Storage bin styles
There is a wide range of bins designed to fit under your bed — soft- or hard-sided, covered or uncovered and wheeled or not. A lot of your final decision will depend on what you need to store. For most common items like clothing, a soft-sided bin with a full zipper will protect and organize perfectly.
Storage bin sizes
Bed sizes are standardized but under-bed storage bin sizes are not. They are more likely to come in sizes like “jumbo” or “small” that are less specific than the dimensions of your bed frame. You will want to measure first for all dimensions under your bed (especially height) to make sure you are maximizing every inch of space.
Under-bed storage area
You may associate bed risers with the cinderblock furniture creations that can sometimes be found in tiny college apartments. There are much sturdier and more refined options now, though. Adding a riser or two under each leg of the bed can open up some real estate for storage. If you still find the risers unsightly, the right bed ruffle can help the room look more polished.
Under-bed storage bin features
Soft sides
A soft-sided box with a zipper is going to work great for the majority of things you want to store, including clothing and bedding. Opting for soft-sided also means you can fold your bin when not in use. Any of the hard-sided options will require the same amount of space whether they are in use or not. It is a bit counterproductive for your space-saving under-bed organizer to become part of the clutter problem.
Wheels
The wheeled version of under-bed bins might be nice if you are trying to store something heavy like magazines. Dragging them out from under your bed will be easier if you have wheels. But if you’re just storing clothing and bedding, you most likely won’t need wheels.
Zippers
A bin with a solid closure will protect your belongings in the long run. Look for sturdy zippers if you are storing anything that needs protection from dust. Plastic bins are sturdy but they don’t always close tightly. A zippered option is most often the best choice.
Handles
Look for bins with strategically placed handles. It might be hard to pull bins out from under the bed without handles, especially if you have several different boxes stored at a time.
Under-bed storage bin cost
A basic fabric storage bin with a zippered top costs $10-15. There are more sturdy versions that cost up to $100 but you are usually getting a set of several bins for that price.
Under-bed storage bin FAQ
Is there anything that should not go under the bed?
A. Deciding what to store is largely a matter of personal choice, but you probably don’t want to store anything you are likely to forget about. It is worth storing things that you will actually seek out and use once in a while. If you’re not, consider donating the items instead of storing them.
But don’t store things that you use every day either. It will be taxing to drag everything out more than a couple of times a season.
Will dragging the bins damage my floors?
A. It’s not likely you will damage your floors with under-bed storage containers. However, if you have very delicate wood flooring, you might want to consider a wheeled bin or attaching some felt to the bottom of the bin to prevent scratches.
Which under-bed storage bin should I get?
Best of the best under-bed storage bin
Whitmor Jumbo Underbed Bags: available at Amazon
Our take: Great features like a window top combined with a reasonable price make this under-bed storage bin a clear front runner.
What we like: The soft sides mean it can be folded into a very small size when not in use but the reinforced seams will also provide lots of protection for what’s inside.
What we dislike: These bins don’t have handles, which would make it even easier to slide out from under the bed.
Best bang for your buck under-bed storage bin
Ziz Home Under The Bed Organizer: available at Amazon
Our take: The soft sides make this bin easy to store when not in use and it costs less than $10.
What we like: Its zipper closure and breathable fabric will protect clothing from dust while still allowing for airflow, which helps with longevity.
What we dislike: This bin is a little smaller than some similar products.
Honorable mention under-bed storage bin
STERILITE Underbed Storage Box: available at Amazon
Our take: Hard-sided plastic bins like this might make sense for some things like your child’s toys or shoes.
What we like: These bins come in a large set for total home organization and the durable clear plastic helps you know what is inside.
What we dislike: This bin is not collapsible and will require the same amount of storage space whether in use or not.
Angie Parkinson is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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