The 10 Best Storage Beds
Special Honors
Design Within Reach Matera Created by famed designer Sean Yoo, this model has some of the cleanest lines and edges you'll ever find on a piece of furniture. It's as functional as it is beautiful, with deep drawers and a solid walnut or oak frame. dwr.com
Pottery Barn Chesterfield Every surface on this bed is extra-comfortable, thanks to the thickly-padded upholstery that covers the sides, headboard, and footboard. Its adjustable leg levelers provide stability, regardless of whether the floor's level or how much your partner tosses and turns. potterybarn.com
Room&Board Hudson Handcrafted by artisans in West Virginia, this gorgeous bed is a tribute to the wonders of minimalist design. Natural grain patterns on the solid wood frame give it an authentic air, while the hand-sanded finish ensures that it feels as good as it looks. roomandboard.com
Editor's Notes
July 28, 2019:
It's an inescapable fact: the more storage your bed offers, the more space it will take up in your room. The Novogratz Kelly is about as unobtrusive as a bed can get, and its four drawers offer a generous amount of storage space, but don't expect to pack your entire life away inside them.
On the other end of the spectrum is the Meridian Furniture BlissBlack-Q. This offers a surprising amount of hidden storage, but it will absolutely dominate any room you place it in. Luckily, it's a beautiful piece of furniture — just don't expect to squeeze it into your studio apartment (and God help you if you have to carry it upstairs).
The Donco Kids Loft can replace other pieces of furniture in a child's room, opening up the space without sacrificing utility. It serves as a desk, dresser, and bookcase, giving your kid more room to play and make a mess. Of course, if you have more than one child that has to live in the room, you may need to consider a similarly-styled bunk bed.
Benefits Of A Storage Bed
Even if you opt for one that doesn't have a headboard, you still won't have to worry about trying to find a matching dresser.
There are many ways a storage bed can make your life easier. So much so that once you have one, you'll definitely never want to go back to a traditional model. Let's start with the obvious benefit of these items: all of the nooks and crannies to put your belongings. One of these beds can eliminate the need for a dresser because you have plenty of drawers to keep your clothes. If you get a model with shelves, then that also gets rid of your need for a bookshelf since you can store all your favorite literature right in your sleeping area — that's probably where you do most of your reading anyways. Opening up that valuable floor real estate means you have more room for a computer desk, reclining chair, or other important furniture.
Getting enough sleep is vital. Experts say seven hours a night is the magic number for living a longer life, so it's important to do what you can to clock those REM cycles. There are a lot of issues that can contribute to a poor night's sleep, and one of those is an uncomfortable bed. If your mattress feels unstable, shifting during the night as you do and slowly edging its way off the box spring, that is bound to keep you awake. Storage beds contain your mattress in a solid frame, reducing its movement significantly.
If you want to impress guests, but don't really have an eye for decorating, a storage bed can help. Many come with an attached headboard that perfectly matches the built-in drawers. Even if you opt for one that doesn't have a headboard, you still won't have to worry about trying to find a matching dresser. If nothing else, you can be certain that your sleeping area looks well coordinated. There's another way these beds enhance the tidiness of your room: dust control. Since most have bases that sit flush with the floor, they don't allow dust bunnies to blow beneath your bed and pile up. This is a blessing to those who don't have the patience to move their bed and vacuum beneath it.
What To Look For In A Storage Bed
When you're ready to pick out your storage bed, consider your sleeping habits, lifestyle, and preferred aesthetic. People have some interesting and varied sleep habits, and a lot of different factors can contribute to getting a good night's rest. One element that snoozers can be split on is having a bed that is low to the ground, or higher up. Whichever you prefer, there is a storage bed that will fit your needs. Just keep in mind that those lower to the floor will have less storage beneath them. If you are a messy person and your purpose for getting the bed is to look less so, you may want one made of materials that wipe down easily.
If you are a messy person and your purpose for getting the bed is to look less so, you may want one made of materials that wipe down easily.
The quality of the drawers is important, as well. Find ones with stoppers, so they don't roll completely out of the frame if you pull too hard. More pronounced handles or knobs will make them easier to open, but if you want a discreet aesthetic, you can find drawers that have neither. In fact, this latter type of design is best for those wanting to keep private or valuable items inside of their storage bed — an onlooker wouldn't even guess you had drawers built into your sleeping area. If you want something truly incognito, you can find a model that has no drawers at all, but rather a box spring that you lift up to reveal storage area beneath the mattress. These are ideal for students who want to hide their laptops when they leave their over-crowded and rather vulnerable dorms.
Style is important, too. Just because you're buying a bed that is functional doesn't mean it can't be attractive. There are some gorgeous models featuring solid pine construction, dramatic-looking oak, nickel hardware, and other materials that will enhance the look of your room. If you prefer something modern, there are designs with more solid-colored materials with clean lines that will complement a contemporary room.
How To Make Your Bed Your Favorite Place
There's good news for people who like to sleep in on the weekends: it might make up for your shorter night's rests during the weekdays. So, don't feel bad about lazing around a bit more, and while you're at it, making your bed the most comfortable spot in your home. If temperatures are cool enough, start by getting a quality down comforter or even a weighted blanket. There is something very soothing about having a tiny bit of pressure on our bodies as we snooze — it creates a safe, cocoon-like sensation. Instead of the traditional top sheet setup, consider putting a duvet over your comforter. These don't slide around as much as a top sheet.
A silk one will help you wake up without lines on your face, while a bamboo one will keep you cool when it's hot.
Be generous with pillows and even add a body one if you like. It's nice to be able to reach over and find one to hug, put between your knees, or prop up your head, no matter where you are on your bed. Drape a canopy over your bed to enhance the feeling of being hugged and coddled while you sleep. For something truly luxurious, add a foam or gel mattress topper to your bed. Just know you may never want to get up again. Consider the materials of your pillowcase. A silk one will help you wake up without lines on your face, while a bamboo one will keep you cool when it's hot.
Add a nice throw blanket — perhaps a cable knit one — for times you don't want to get fully under the covers (like Netflix binge-watching afternoons), but still need to be cozy. When you are ready to face the world and get up, you'll like having a faux fur shag rug beside your bed. It will cushion the blow of placing feet on cold hardwood or tile floors. Now that your bed is a haven, your friends will wonder why you've disappeared on the weekends.