Sure, you can get basic plastic storage bins that will fit under your bed. But what are your other choices? Let's look at some, in order of height. The cardboard box above is only 5" tall, and it's inexpensive. Update on Oct. 9, 2011: This box was sold by Ace Hardware, which no longer carries it.
John Lewis has a pinstripe under-bed box made from recycled cardboard; it's 15 cm (5.9") tall. Update on Oct. 9, 2011: John Lewis no longer sells this box, but the company does have this water hyacinth one.
This under-bed storage box from Crate & Barrel is made from cotton, combined with polyester made from recycled plastic bottles. It's 6.3" tall. Update on Oct. 9, 2011: Crate & Barrel no longer sells this box.
Caraselle provides this under-bed storage box; it's 17 cm (6.7") tall. Update on Oct. 9, 2011: Caraselle still sells some under-bed storage, but it's more basic stuff - nothing this lovely.
The Sierra Box Company has blue, yellow, red and white plastic under-bed storage boxes; they're 6.75" tall. Update on Oct. 9, 2011: The Sierra Box Company is going out of business, and only has limited stock left.
And then there are the canvas boxes from PB Teen, in a range of sizes and colors (stereotyped as for girls and guys). The under-bed box is 7" tall. Update on Feb. 13, 2011: Now there's girls solid colors, dorm solid colors, and dots.
Pottery Barn also has some 7"-tall under-bed baskets - on sale right now.
The wonderful John Trosko of OrganizingLA made me aware of these under-bed storage boxes - 7" tall without the castors, 9" tall with them. Update on Aug. 12, 2012: These now come in two colors: dark brown and natural. The photos show them without the optional castors, but they do still come with them.
Here's the expensive one of the bunch: an under-bed leather storage trunk, 24 cm tall (9.45"), from The Holding Company. The same company has under-bed boxes for much less money. Update on Oct. 9, 2011: I'm no longer finding the less expensive boxes.
Lombok has two different under-bed storage baskets; both this one and the other one are 24.5 cm (9.65") tall. Update on Feb. 13, 2011: Lombok no longer carries these baskets, but it does have a white under-bed storage basket.
Finally, there are two options, both from the U.K., where I couldn't find any dimensions, so you'd need to contact the sellers if you wanted to know more. This one comes from The Empty Box Company; there's a wide range of patterns to choose from. The lid and the dividers are options, available for an additional fee.
These open-top solid wood under-bed storage boxes can be customized; the word "toys" can be replaced with a child's name (or, I imagine, anything else you wish, as space allows). Update on Oct. 9, 2011: I'm no longer finding these boxes online.
Related Posts:
4 Beds for the Storage-Challenged
Making Good Use of Under-Bed Space
Five More Ways to Store Stuff Under the Bed
awesome! also, for those of us with low-to-the-ground frames, they make risers that, although hideous and plastic, if used with a bed skirt, raise the bed up enough that some storage can be utilized underneath without you even noticing them!
ReplyDeleteohhhh-good roundup! I just pulled out a repurposed bag from under my bed (for storing old towels) and it was super gross and dusty. A hard surfaced container would be much easier to wipe down and clean.
ReplyDeleteThrifty Stylist, I've seen those risers - and you're right, they are as ugly as can be. But I know many people have found them useful.
ReplyDeleteBneato, I'm lucky; my bed has storage drawers in the base, so I've got my under-the-bed storage taken care of.
Just got a bunch of these boxes and they make my bedroom look so much tidier.. and you are right Bneato they are a lot easier to wipe dust and yucky stuff off.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to hear, Public Speaking! If you feel inspired, send along a photo or two to me (jeri at jdorganizer dot com) and I can feature them in a future post.
ReplyDeleteI have something of a platform bed where my bed rails to almost the floor, it's super annoying that I cannot comfortably store anything under my bed without having to lift the bed up. I can only really store artwork or frames. However, many, many suggestions you gave were really beautiful. I especially love the ones that look like luggage.
ReplyDeleteAnd... btw, Jeri, thanks again for mentioning my site and the link. You're the best!
John aka OrganizingLA
John, I'm sure your bed looks beautiful - but too bad about the lack of under-bed storage!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU!!!! for such great suggestions. I'm now excited to get more more organized...
ReplyDeleteCarm, you're very welcome. A lot has changed in the two years since this post was written, so I've just updated the links - and noted which products seem to have disappeared.
ReplyDelete