In Australian cities where property prices push many of us into smaller apartments and compact homes, storage space becomes precious real estate. The area under your bed represents approximately 1.5 square metres of potential storage—space that traditional frames simply waste. Storage bed frames transform this dead zone into functional organisation, eliminating the need for additional furniture and helping keep bedrooms clutter-free. This guide explores your storage bed options and helps you choose the right solution for your space.
Types of Storage Bed Frames
Ottoman (Lift-Up) Storage Beds
Ottoman beds feature a platform that lifts on gas struts to reveal a large storage cavity beneath. The entire mattress area becomes accessible storage, offering the maximum possible capacity—typically 150-250 litres for a queen size. The gas-lift mechanism makes opening easy despite the mattress weight, and most models hold the platform open while you access contents.
This design excels for storing bulky items: spare bedding, luggage, seasonal clothing, or sports equipment. Items are protected from dust by the enclosed design, and the clean exterior reveals no visible storage elements—your bed looks like any other bed frame.
Drawer Storage Beds
Drawer beds incorporate pull-out drawers into the frame, typically two to four per side. Drawers provide quick access to frequently used items without moving the mattress. They're ideal for clothing, books, shoes, or children's toys—anything you need to access regularly.
Drawer beds require clear floor space beside the bed for drawers to extend. A typical drawer needs 40-60cm of clearance, which may be problematic in very tight spaces or if bedside tables are positioned close to the frame.
- Ottoman beds: 150-250 litres (equivalent to 3-5 large suitcases)
- 4-drawer beds: 80-120 litres (equivalent to 2 medium suitcases)
- 2-drawer beds: 40-60 litres (equivalent to 1 large suitcase)
- Bookcase headboards: 15-30 litres (shelving and small compartments)
Bookcase and Headboard Storage
Some bed frames integrate storage into the headboard rather than under the mattress. Bookcase headboards offer shelving for books, devices, decorative items, and bedside essentials. While storage volume is limited, this design keeps frequently-accessed items within arm's reach and may suit situations where under-bed access is difficult.
Combination Designs
Premium storage beds sometimes combine multiple approaches—drawers on the sides with lift-up storage in the centre, or ottoman storage with headboard shelving. These maximise capacity but typically cost more and may be more complex to assemble.
Choosing the Right Storage Type
Consider Your Access Needs
How often will you access stored items? For seasonal storage (winter blankets, camping gear, holiday decorations), ottoman beds make sense despite the effort of lifting the platform. For daily access items (clothing, books, grooming products), drawer storage is more practical.
Evaluate Your Room Layout
Ottoman beds need clearance above the mattress to open fully—check your ceiling height. Drawer beds need floor clearance beside the frame. In very compact rooms, neither may work well, and you might consider a standard low-profile frame with under-bed storage containers that slide out as needed.
Key Takeaway
Choose ottoman storage for maximum capacity and infrequently accessed items. Choose drawers for regular access and smaller items. Consider your room's clearances before deciding.
Practical Considerations
Weight and Assembly
Storage beds are significantly heavier than standard frames. The storage mechanism, reinforced base, and additional structure add 30-50kg to the overall weight, making delivery more challenging and assembly more demanding. Most storage beds genuinely require two people to assemble safely.
Factor in the weight of stored contents when considering frame weight capacity. If you're storing heavy items like books or equipment, this adds to the load your frame must support.
Mattress Requirements
Ottoman beds in particular have specific mattress considerations. The mattress must be light enough for the gas struts to lift (most standard queen mattresses are fine, but very heavy luxury mattresses may struggle). The mattress also shouldn't be too thick, or the total height may be uncomfortable for getting in and out of bed.
For drawer beds, ensure your mattress doesn't overhang the frame edge where it might obstruct drawer operation.
Maintenance and Durability
Moving parts mean potential maintenance needs. Gas struts in ottoman beds may weaken over time—quality brands use struts rated for tens of thousands of cycles, but budget options may need replacement within a few years. Drawer runners should be smooth-operating and sturdy; cheap plastic runners are prone to breaking.
Dust accumulation differs by design. Ottoman storage remains sealed and relatively dust-free. Drawers may collect dust, particularly if left partially open. Consider how much cleaning effort you're willing to invest.
- Check gas strut operation quarterly and replace if struggling
- Lubricate drawer runners annually with silicone spray
- Don't overload drawers beyond their weight rating
- Vacuum under ottoman platforms every few months
- Avoid storing items while the platform is raised
Storage Bed Styles
Storage beds come in the full range of aesthetic styles, so you needn't sacrifice appearance for function:
Upholstered Storage Beds
The most popular category, combining soft fabric or leather exteriors with hidden storage. The upholstery conceals the storage mechanism completely, making these indistinguishable from standard upholstered beds. Fabric options range from linen to velvet, and colours span neutral tones to bold statements. For fabric care guidance, see our upholstery guide.
Timber Storage Beds
Wooden storage beds typically use drawer systems, as ottoman mechanisms are harder to integrate with traditional timber aesthetics. Drawer-style wooden beds suit Scandinavian, coastal, or classic bedroom styles and are available in various timber finishes from light oak to rich walnut.
Modern and Minimalist
Platform-style storage beds maintain clean lines and low profiles while maximising under-bed capacity. Often featuring floating visual designs where the base appears to hover, these suit contemporary interiors. White, grey, and black finishes dominate this category.
Making the Most of Your Storage
Organisation Accessories
Maximise storage efficiency with organisation accessories. Vacuum storage bags compress bulky items like bedding and winter clothes to a fraction of their size. Drawer dividers keep smaller items organised. Labels help you find stored items without rummaging.
Storing Strategically
Place frequently accessed items in drawers or the front section of ottoman storage. Seasonal items and rarely-used belongings go toward the back or bottom. Group similar items together for easier retrieval.
What to Store (and What Not To)
Good candidates for under-bed storage include spare bedding, out-of-season clothing, shoes, luggage, books, and sports equipment. Avoid storing anything that could attract pests (food, unwashed items), anything valuable that needs climate control (wine, documents), or hazardous materials.
For homes with children, see our family safety guide regarding storage beds. Ottoman mechanisms can cause injuries if children are near when the platform closes, and drawers can pose climbing and tipping hazards.
Cost Considerations
Storage beds cost more than equivalent standard frames—typically 30-50% more for drawer beds and 50-100% more for quality ottoman models. However, this premium often saves money overall by eliminating the need for additional storage furniture. A $600 storage bed might replace a $300 standard frame plus a $200-400 chest of drawers, breaking even while saving floor space.
For rentals where building permanent storage isn't an option, storage beds provide flexible solutions that move with you. The initial investment pays dividends across multiple homes.
Installation and Positioning
When positioning a storage bed, consider access requirements. Ottoman beds should have a metre or more of clearance at the foot where the platform lifts. Drawer beds need clear access on the sides with drawers—positioning one side against a wall is fine as long as the other side remains accessible.
Floor surface matters too. Drawer beds may struggle on thick carpet where drawers catch on fibres. Hard floors or low-pile carpet work best. If carpeting is unavoidable, look for beds with elevated drawer runners that clear carpet pile.
Final Thoughts
In an era of shrinking floor plans and rising living costs, storage beds represent smart design thinking—making everyday furniture work harder. Whether you choose a sleek ottoman bed that hides everything beneath a lifting platform or a practical drawer system for daily-access organisation, the extra storage capacity can transform a cramped bedroom into an organised retreat.
Assess your storage needs, measure your space constraints, and choose a style that complements your bedroom aesthetic. With the right storage bed, you'll gain functional capacity equivalent to a small wardrobe while maintaining a clean, uncluttered sleeping environment.