Making Storage Beds Work in South-Facing Rooms

Storage beds work well in south facing bedrooms as long as you plan for the sun. These rooms receive strong, warm light for much of the day, which can fade fabrics, heat up stored items and make a bulky bed feel heavy. Choose a frame in a light, fade resistant finish, position it out of the direct path of the window, keep airflow around the base and use breathable storage containers inside. Do that, and you gain valuable storage without compromising the bright, airy feel that makes a south facing room special.

Our range of modern ottoman storage UK includes lift up designs that make use of the full space under the mattress. Here is how to make one work in a sunny room.

What makes a south facing bedroom different

In the UK, a south facing window catches the sun for most of the day, especially from late morning through the afternoon. That brings real benefits: the room feels warm and cheerful, and it rarely needs artificial light during daylight hours. It also brings a few challenges that affect furniture choices.

• Fading: sustained sunlight lightens fabrics, leather and some wood finishes over time, especially on surfaces that face the window.
• Heat: on bright days, the room can warm up significantly, and enclosed spaces such as storage compartments can feel stuffy.
• Glare: strong light reflects off glossy surfaces and can make a room feel harsh in summer.
• Visual weight: in very bright light, dark and solid shapes appear heavier and more dominant.

A storage bed is often larger and more solid looking than a standard frame, so these factors matter more than usual.

Choosing the right type of storage bed

Storage beds come in a few main formats. Each behaves differently in a sunny room.

Ottoman lift up beds

The whole mattress platform lifts on gas struts to reveal a large compartment underneath. This gives the most storage and keeps everything enclosed, which is a strong advantage in a south facing room because stored items are fully shielded from sunlight. Choose a design with a ventilated base or slatted platform so air can move through.

Drawer beds

Drawers built into the sides or foot of the frame are convenient for items you use often. They need clearance to open, typically around the depth of the drawer plus room to stand, so check your floor plan carefully. In bright rooms, the drawer fronts face outwards and receive the most light, so their finish matters.

Raised frames with open space below

A bed on taller legs with space for baskets or boxes underneath is the lightest option visually. It suits smaller south facing rooms where a solid base might feel bulky. Stored items are more exposed to light and dust, so lidded containers are important.

Our modern bedroom furniture UK collection includes beds in all of these formats, alongside storage pieces that can share the load.

Colour and finish choices

In a sunny room, colour does two jobs: it sets the mood and it determines how well the bed ages.

Cooler tones balance warm light

South facing light is warm, sometimes golden, particularly in the afternoon. Cooler colours such as soft sage, pale grey blue, stone grey and cool white balance it, keeping the room feeling fresh rather than overheated. Warm colours can work too, but very warm schemes in a very warm room can tip into feeling close on summer evenings.

Lighter colours fade less visibly

All fabrics change over time in direct sun, but pale and mid tone fabrics show it less than deep, saturated shades. A navy velvet bed facing a south window may develop a lighter patch on the side nearest the glass. A pale grey or oatmeal weave will change too, but far less noticeably.

Matt over gloss

Glossy finishes reflect sunlight and can create glare. Matt or softly textured fabrics and satin wood finishes keep the light diffused and comfortable.

Positioning the bed

If you can, place the bed so that it sits beside the window rather than directly opposite it. This keeps the headboard and fabric sides out of the strongest light and stops sun falling directly on your face in the early hours during summer.

When the only practical position faces the window, plan for good window treatments. Lined curtains or blinds that you can close during the brightest part of the day will protect the bed and make the room easier to keep cool. Sheer curtains on their own diffuse light but do not offer much protection from fading.

Leave a gap between the bed and any radiator, and avoid pushing the bed hard against an external wall. Even a small space helps air circulate, which keeps the storage compartment fresher.

Keeping storage fresh in a warm room

Warmth combined with enclosed spaces can lead to stale air. A few habits make a real difference.

• Open the base regularly: lift an ottoman lid for a short time every week or two to let air in.
• Use breathable bags: cotton or canvas storage bags let textiles breathe. Sealed plastic can trap moisture and odours.
• Store the right things: spare bedding, out of season clothes, towels and luggage suit under bed storage well. Avoid storing candles, cosmetics or anything heat sensitive.
• Air the mattress: pull back the duvet each morning so the mattress can release moisture before you close the room up.
• Ventilate: open the window during cooler parts of the day, especially in summer.

Avoiding a heavy look

Storage beds can look solid, and in a bright room that solidity is very visible. Keep the overall effect light with these approaches:

• Choose a headboard with a softer outline, such as gentle curves or slim panels, rather than a tall, heavy block.
• Pick a frame that sits on short visible feet if possible. Even a small shadow gap beneath the base makes it feel less bulky.
• Keep bedding pale and simple so the bed does not become a large dark mass.
• Limit other large furniture. With a generous storage bed, you may be able to use a smaller chest or skip a second wardrobe.

Supporting storage pieces

A storage bed can take a lot of pressure off the rest of the room, but most bedrooms still need somewhere for items you use daily. Bedside cabinets with drawers keep chargers, books and glasses tidy and off the floor. Our modern bedside cabinets UK range includes compact designs that leave space for the ottoman lid to open freely.

A blanket box at the foot of the bed is another option, though check that it does not obstruct the lifting mechanism or drawers. Our blanket boxes UK are useful for throws and extra pillows in rooms where the bed base is reserved for seasonal items.

Bedding and textiles for sunny rooms

Natural, breathable fabrics such as cotton percale and linen help keep a warm room comfortable at night. Choose duvet weights to match the season, and store the heavier one in the bed base during summer. That rhythm of swapping bedding through the year is one of the most practical uses of a storage bed.

For colour, soft neutrals with a few cooler accents work well. If you want a pattern, a subtle stripe or small print feels lighter than large florals in strong sun.

Thinking about the whole scheme

Colour trends in bedrooms shift between warm and cool palettes, but a south facing room has its own logic. The light will always add warmth, so the furniture and walls can afford to be slightly cooler or more neutral. For broader inspiration on how designers are using pattern, texture and finish in bedrooms right now, our article on bedroom furniture trends to try in UK homes is a useful read.

Summary

A storage bed in a south facing room offers a practical way to reduce clutter while keeping the space bright. Choose a lift up or drawer design to suit how you use storage. Favour pale, matt, fade resistant finishes in cooler tones. Position the bed out of the direct line of the window where possible, keep air circulating around and inside the base, and use breathable containers. With those steps, the bed will look good for years and the room will keep the light, easy feel that drew you to it.

Browse bedroom furniture, storage and accessories for every room in the house at Furniture in Fashion. Returns are available up to 30 days.

Frequently asked questions

Will sunlight damage a fabric storage bed?

Strong, sustained sunlight gradually fades most fabrics. Lighter colours show it less, and closing curtains or blinds during the brightest hours reduces the effect considerably.

Is an ottoman bed or a drawer bed better for a sunny room?

An ottoman keeps stored items fully enclosed and shaded, which suits bright rooms well. Drawers are more convenient for everyday items but need clear floor space to open.

How do I stop items in a storage bed smelling stale?

Use breathable cotton or canvas bags, open the base regularly to let air in and air the mattress each morning.

What colour storage bed suits a south facing room?

Pale and mid tone neutrals such as stone grey, oatmeal and soft sage balance warm light and age well.