If you’re trying to maximize your home’s storage space, consider purchasing under-bed storage containers. These containers utilize the unused space available under your bed to store excess clothes, shoes, and other items you wish to put away. The This Old House Team created a buyer’s guide to help you choose the right container for your needs. Below are our top picks.
Top 5 Under-Bed Storage Containers
- storageLAB Under-Bed Storage Containers: Best Compact Storage
- Lifewit Under-Bed Storage Bag Organizers: Best Overall Capacity
- Woffit Under-Bed Shoe Organizers: Best Shoe Capacity
- Onlyeasy Under-Bed Storage Bag Organizers: Best Handles
- Rubbermaid Cleverstore Stackable Plastic Storage Containers: Best Plastic Storage
Best Compact Storage
storageLAB Under-Bed Storage Containers
This combo pack includes two compact containers that each hold 60 liters of clothing, giving you plenty of storage without taking up much space.
Storing jackets, sweaters, jeans, and other clothing items, these containers keep out-of-season clothes safely tucked under your bed. They come in several colors to match the design and color scheme of your bedroom. For an added benefit, each container has tear-resistant riveted handles.
Best Overall Capacity
Lifewit Under-Bed Storage Bag Organizers
With a 270-liter total capacity, these three under-bed containers offer users convenient storage for a range of household items, including clothes, blankets, pillows, and plush toys.
Security is a main priority with these containers. They have durable stainless steel zippers and reinforced handles to ensure they maintain their structural integrity. While they’re good for under-bed storage, these versatile containers can also be used for closet, attic, or dormitory storage.
Best Shoe Capacity
Woffit Under-Bed Shoe Organizers
These under-bed shoe storage containers have see-through vinyl windows, allowing users to identify which shoes they want to wear before unzipping the covers.
These convenient under-bed storage containers hold up to 16 pairs of shoes and four pairs of boots, keeping all of your footwear safe and secure. Plus, they each feature two handles to make pulling them out to access a pair of shoes easy.
Best Handles
Onlyeasy Under-Bed Storage Bag Organizers
These under-bed storage containers have two handles on the front and one handle on each side, allowing you to pull them out from any direction.
The handles are a different color than the bodies, making them easy to identify when you’re trying to pull the organizers out. In total, the containers hold up to 14 pairs of shoes and four pairs of boots. In addition, each organizer has a large, clear zipper cover that protects your shoes from debris and odors while allowing you to view them.
Best Plastic Storage
Rubbermaid Cleverstore Stackable Plastic Storage Containers
These four storage containers are made with long-lasting clear plastic, providing you with the perfect storage solution for craft supplies, clothes, and shoes.
These containers feature latching handles for spill prevention and stacking lids for easy storage. Additionally, this combo pack comes with four containers that can each hold up to 39 liters, providing you with enough room for a plethora of items.
Buyer’s Guide
Before buying an under-bed storage container, it’s important to consider how its design and specifications influence its user experience. Here are four factors to think about before making a purchase.
Material
Most under-bed storage containers are made with a mixture of non-woven fabric and plastic. Typically, an under-bed storage container has fabric walls and a plastic cover that shows you its contents. However, some models, including the Rubbermaid Cleverstore Stackable Plastic Storage Containers, are made of all plastic. This makes them more durable but less aesthetically pleasing.
Purpose
Many under-bed storage containers have interior layouts to accommodate specific clothing items. For example, the Woffit Under-Bed Shoe Organizers have sectioned interiors that hold individual pairs of shoes, sandals, and boots. Other models have open interiors for multipurpose storage.
Capacity
The capacity of an under-bed storage container is typically measured in liters. Large-capacity models, such as the Lifewit Under-Bed Storage Bag Organizers, can hold around 90 liters each, while compact models, such as the Rubbermaid Cleverstore Stackable Plastic Storage Containers, hold around 40 liters.
Additional Features
Many under-bed storage containers come with additional features to keep your items secure but accessible. For example, the Rubbermaid Cleverstore Stackable Plastic Storage Containers come with latching lids that lock items inside. Other models come with built-in fabric handles to help users reach their belongings when they’re far under the bed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How heavy are under-bed storage containers?
Made with fabric and plastic, most models are lightweight at under five pounds.
Can I use under-bed storage containers outside?
Many under-bed storage containers aren’t able to withstand outdoor temperatures and weather conditions because of their fabric and plastic construction. Fabric can soak up moisture, and plastic can crack in extreme temperatures. This leaves your items vulnerable to damage.
How tall are under-bed storage containers?
Because these containers need to fit under your bed, they’re typically around six inches tall.
Why Trust The This Old House Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.