Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home, Storage & Organization, Furniture
These clever beds have storage built right into them.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
Leave it to IKEA to figure out how to cram more storage into your home. The Sultan Alsarp box spring ($220 to $350) stores extra linens, clothes and the like right inside the box spring itself. This would be a great option if you already have a frame and mattress you love: Simply switch out your existing box spring for IKEA's space saver.
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