Space Saving Bedroom Ideas: Storage Beds and Smart Storage

A small bedroom does not have to be a cluttered one. These small bedroom storage ideas show how to put the bed itself, tall furniture, nightstands and wall space to work, so you can hold more without crowding the room. This guide covers how storage beds work, what to check before you buy and how to arrange everything so drawers still open and you can still walk around. When you are ready to compare styles, browse our beds.

Start With What Needs a Home

Before you buy any storage, sort what is actually in the room. Spare bedding, off-season clothing, shoes, luggage and bulky winter gear are the usual culprits. A quick declutter helps you choose the right amount of storage instead of buying more than you need.

Then group items by how often you reach for them. Daily clothes belong in easy-to-reach drawers and hangers. Items you use a few times a year, such as the heavy duvet or the suitcase, can go in the least convenient spots, like deep under-bed space or a high shelf.

Storage Beds: Drawers or Lift-Up

A storage bed turns the largest piece in the room into the largest storage unit. The two main types work differently:

• Drawer storage beds: drawers slide out from the side or foot of the frame. They are easy to reach every day, but you need open floor next to the bed at least equal to the drawer depth.
• Lift-up storage beds: the mattress platform raises, often on gas-lift arms, to reveal one large space underneath. They suit bulky items like duvets and luggage, but you need clearance to lift the platform, and everyday access is less convenient.
• Platform beds with shelves or cubbies: open storage in the footboard or headboard area, handy for books and baskets.

Before you buy, check these points:

• Whether you have room to open every drawer fully or lift the platform without hitting a wall, door or nightstand
• Which mattress sizes and types the frame supports, according to the maker
• The weight the drawers or lifting mechanism are designed to carry
• How smoothly the drawers glide and whether the handles feel solid, which is easy to test in person

Our guide to bed frame sizes in Canada and how to choose a storage bed covers sizing and clearances in more detail.

Go Tall With Chests and Dressers

Floor space is limited in a small bedroom, but wall height is not. A tall chest of drawers holds a lot of clothing in a narrow footprint, while a wide dresser gives you a surface for a mirror or lamp. If you are weighing the two, our comparison of dresser vs chest of drawers breaks down the trade-offs.

A few practical points before you commit to a tall piece:

• Measure the wall and the ceiling height, and make sure you can comfortably reach the top drawer.
• Leave about 36 inches (91 cm) in front of the drawers so you can stand and pull them fully open.
• Anchor tall furniture to the wall with the hardware the maker provides.

Browse our dressers to compare widths, heights and drawer layouts.

Nightstands and Headboards That Pull Their Weight

The bedside is prime real estate. A nightstand with a drawer and a shelf can hold a charger, a book and a glass of water out of sight. Wall-mounted or floating nightstands free up floor space and make the room easier to sweep, though they must be fixed securely to the wall, and rental rules should be checked before drilling.

• A headboard with built-in shelves or cubbies can replace one piece of furniture, but check how deep it sits, since a deep headboard pushes the bed farther into the room.
• A storage bench or ottoman at the foot of the bed holds extra blankets and gives you a place to sit while putting on shoes.
• Slim bedside tables work better than bulky ones when the gap between bed and wall is narrow.

Use Vertical and Hidden Space

Walls, doors and the area under the bed often go unused:

• Install shelves above a dresser or over the door for items you use rarely, and keep heavy things low.
• Slide flat lidded bins under a bed that has legs, but check the maker's guidance before adding risers.
• Hang hooks on the back of the door or a wall for bags, robes and jackets.
• Use the closet more efficiently with a second rod, shelf dividers and slim hangers.

For shelving, cabinets and baskets that keep clutter contained, see our storage furniture.

Lay Out the Room So Storage Stays Usable

Storage only helps if you can reach it. Leave about 24 to 36 inches (61 to 91 cm) beside the bed where you walk, keep door swings and closet doors clear, and put the tallest pieces on a single wall rather than spreading them around. Keep the tallest furniture away from the foot of the bed if you have a lift-up frame so the platform has room to open. A full-length mirror on a door or wall also makes a compact bedroom feel larger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are storage beds worth it for a small bedroom?

They can be, if you will use the space. A storage bed can replace a dresser or a set of bins and uses room under the mattress that would otherwise sit empty. Make sure you have the clearance to open drawers or lift the platform, and check the weight the frame is designed to carry.

What is the difference between drawer and lift-up storage beds?

Drawer beds have pull-out drawers along the side or foot and suit items you reach for often. Lift-up beds raise the whole mattress platform to reveal a large open space, which suits bulky or seasonal items. Drawer beds need floor space beside the bed, while lift-up beds need room at the foot or side.

How do I add storage to a small bedroom with a small closet?

Use space you are not using yet: a storage bed or under-bed bins, a tall chest of drawers, shelves above the dresser, hooks behind the door and a nightstand with a drawer. Sorting out items you rarely use also frees up room in the closet itself, so the storage you add goes further.

Where should I put a tall dresser in a small bedroom?

Place it on a wall where the drawers can open fully, away from the door swing and clear of the closet door, with about 36 inches (91 cm) of standing room in front. Anchor it to the wall using the hardware the maker provides, so that it stays steady.

See Storage Beds in Person

Opening the drawers and trying the lift-up mechanisms yourself is the best way to judge how a storage bed will feel in daily use. Bring your bedroom measurements to the Rockwell Home showroom at Unit D200, 9737 Macleod Trail SW in Calgary and compare frames, chests and nightstands in one visit.