The best metal beds for under bed storage have a clearance of at least 25cm to 30cm beneath the side rails, a centre support that does not block the space with a mass of legs, and slim side rails that let you slide boxes in and out easily. Frames with high clearance and open sides make the most of the space, while a valance or bed skirt keeps it looking tidy.
Metal is well suited to this job. Steel is strong enough to raise a mattress high off the floor on slim legs, leaving plenty of usable space underneath. Our range of modern metal beds UK sale includes frames with generous clearance as well as lower designs, so it is worth knowing what to look for.
Many UK homes, particularly flats and newer houses, are short on built in storage. Wardrobes fill quickly, lofts are not always available and spare bedrooms often double as offices. The area under a double bed can hold a surprising amount: several large storage boxes, a suitcase or two, and spare duvets and pillows.
Using that space well means you can choose a smaller wardrobe or skip an extra chest of drawers, which leaves more floor space in the room. That makes even a compact bedroom feel calmer. Our wider bedroom furniture UK collection includes storage pieces that complement a high clearance bed, so you can plan the room as a whole.
Clearance is the distance between the floor and the underside of the side rail or slats. It decides what you can store.
Measure your storage boxes and suitcases before choosing a frame. It is easier to match the bed to what you already own than to buy new containers to suit the bed.
Clearance alone is not the whole story. How the frame is built underneath affects how easy the space is to use.
Side rails: slim, high side rails leave the space open for sliding boxes in from either side. Deep rails reduce the usable height at the edge, even if the clearance further in is good.
Centre support: doubles and larger need a centre rail with legs. A single row of legs down the middle divides the space into two halves, which is easy to work with. Several legs scattered underneath can make it awkward to slide boxes around.
Feet: legs positioned at the very corners leave the sides clear. Legs set further in can get in the way of wide boxes.
Footboard: a bed without a footboard, or with a low one, lets you store items at the foot end too, which is useful in rooms where the sides are close to walls.
The containers you use make a big difference to how tidy and accessible the space stays.
Rigid plastic boxes with lids protect contents from dust and are easy to stack. Clear boxes let you see what is inside. Boxes with wheels slide out easily, which is useful on carpet.
Fabric boxes and woven baskets look softer and suit rooms where the storage might be visible. They are breathable, which is good for textiles, but less protective against dust. A lid or a cloth cover helps.
Vacuum storage bags compress bulky duvets and winter clothes, freeing up more room. They are best for items you will not need for months.
Shallow drawers on castors make good use of lower clearances and are easy to pull out from the side of the bed.
Under bed storage gathers dust, so make cleaning part of the plan. Leave a small gap between boxes and the walls so you can reach in with a vacuum attachment. Pull everything out every few months to clean the floor beneath.
A high clearance metal frame helps here, because there is more room to reach underneath. Slim metal legs are also easier to clean around than solid wooden bases.
For a more enclosed look, add a valance or a fitted bed skirt. It hides storage completely and reduces dust. Choose one in a fabric that suits the room, and wash it along with your bedding every so often.
Under bed space suits some things better than others. Good candidates include spare duvets, pillows and bed linen, out of season clothes, shoes in boxes, gift wrap, luggage, photo albums and keepsakes in sealed boxes. These are items you need occasionally and can retrieve with a little effort.
Avoid storing anything damp, as moisture can affect both the item and the mattress above. Food, even sealed, is best kept elsewhere. Very heavy items, such as boxes of books, are awkward to slide in and out and can scratch floors.
Think about access too. Items you might need at short notice, such as a spare phone charger or a first aid kit, are better kept in a bedside drawer than buried under the bed.
How your bed sits in the room affects how you use the space beneath it. If the bed has clear floor on both sides, you can divide storage into two zones, one for each person or one for clothes and one for bedding. If one side is against a wall, keep frequently used boxes on the open side and long term items towards the wall.
In narrow rooms where the sides of the bed are close to furniture, the foot end may be the easiest place to reach. A frame without a footboard makes this possible. Long, shallow boxes that slide in from the foot are worth considering in these rooms.
In shared children’s rooms, giving each child their own labelled boxes under the bed helps keep belongings separate and makes tidying a little easier.
A higher frame puts the mattress at a higher sitting height. Combined with a deep mattress, this can make the bed feel tall. Sit on the edge in your mind: your feet should rest flat on the floor with your knees roughly level with your hips. If the bed will be too tall, choose a slightly lower frame or a shallower mattress.
Make sure the slats are closely spaced and well supported. The storage underneath should never press against the slats, as this can affect the mattress and the frame.
Under bed space works best as part of a wider storage plan. Keep everyday items, such as clothes you wear each week, in wardrobes and drawers. Use the space beneath the bed for things you need occasionally: spare bedding, seasonal clothes, luggage and keepsakes.
A modern blanket box UK at the foot of the bed adds extra storage for throws and spare pillows within easy reach, while doubling as a place to sit when putting on shoes.
In children’s rooms and shared bedrooms, under bed boxes are a good home for toys and games, which can be slid away at bedtime. Our article on storage furniture for UK homes where children share rooms has more ideas for making every corner count.
A high clearance frame has an airy, open look, so keep the bedding simple to let the frame’s lines show. If the storage is visible, choose containers in a single colour or material for a calm, uniform look. Woven baskets bring warmth; white or grey boxes feel cleaner and more contemporary.
A rug that extends beyond the sides of the bed softens the floor and frames the storage area neatly. Wall lights or a pendant keep bedside surfaces clear, reinforcing the sense of an organised room.
At Furniture in Fashion, we offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes, and Returns are available up to 30 days.
Around 25cm to 30cm gives useful space for most storage boxes and baskets. Measure your containers first and match the frame to them.
Not if the slats are well supported and the storage does not touch them. Leave a gap so air can circulate beneath the base.
Use lidded boxes, add a valance and pull everything out every few months to vacuum underneath.
Metal frames often provide more clearance on slimmer legs, which makes the space under the bed easier to use and clean.
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