Storage Beds: Are They Worth It? Honest Pros, Cons and What to Check
A storage bed is worth it if you are short on closet space: it turns the area under the mattress into hidden storage for bedding, clothes and luggage. The trade-offs are weight, less airflow under the mattress and how easy it is to open.
Key takeaways
- A storage bed hides the space under the mattress, so bedding, clothes and luggage stay out of sight.
- Types differ: lift-up (ottoman) bases, drawers, or a lift-off panel.
- Work out the space: inside length x width x depth in cm, divided by 1,000, gives litres.
- The trade-offs: a heavier bed, less airflow under the mattress, and no robot vacuum underneath.
- Check in store: open it yourself, feel how it lifts and see how deep the space is.
What is a storage bed?
A storage bed is a bed frame with an enclosed space built into the base, under the mattress. Instead of an open gap under the bed that collects dust, you get a hidden compartment for duvets, spare pillows, out-of-season clothes and luggage. Many Turkish beds are made this way, and every bed we sell at Home Centre Green has a built-in storage base.
How do storage beds open?
Storage beds open in one of three main ways, and each suits a different room and routine:
- Lift-up (ottoman) base: the mattress platform lifts on gas lifts or hinges, giving access to the whole space at once. Good for bulky items you reach now and then.
- Drawers: drawers slide out from the side or the foot. Good for things you use every day, but you need clear floor space beside the bed for them to open.
- Lift-off panel: a panel under the mattress lifts out. Simple, but you have to lift the mattress too, so it suits long-term storage.
Ask the store which type a bed uses, and open it yourself before you buy. In our Hamilton showroom our team will open the storage on any of our beds so you can see how it works and how deep it is.
What are the pros and cons of a storage bed?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large hidden storage without an extra dresser | Heavier and bulkier to move than an open frame |
| Frees up closet space in small bedrooms and condos | Less airflow under the mattress than slats over an open gap |
| No dust or lost items collecting under the bed | A robot vacuum cannot clean under it |
| Keeps bedding and luggage clean and out of sight | Lift-up types mean lifting the mattress platform to reach items |
| A neat, solid look from floor to mattress | Drawer types need clear floor space to open |
| Useful in kids' rooms for toys and spare bedding |
How much can a storage bed hold?
You can work out the storage space in litres with one calculation:
Measure the inside of the base, not the outside of the frame, because the upholstered sides and any centre support take up room. The depth decides what fits standing up, such as a suitcase on its side.
Is a storage bed bad for your mattress?
A storage base is closed, so less air reaches the underside of the mattress than with an open slatted frame. In a dry, aired bedroom this is rarely a problem, and a few habits keep the mattress fresh:
- Pull the bedding back for a while each morning to let the mattress air.
- Open the window or run the bathroom fan to keep humidity down, especially in winter.
- Store items in breathable cotton bags, not sealed plastic, and never put damp items in the base.
- Open the storage now and then to let it air.
What should you check before you buy?
- Open it yourself. It should lift or slide smoothly, without a jolt.
- For a lift-up base, check that it stays open on its own and closes gently.
- Look inside: the depth, any centre support, and a clean, finished lining.
- Check the mattress size the frame takes, so the mattress sits properly inside the frame. Our guide to fitting a Canadian mattress on a Turkish bed explains why.
- Measure the room with space to open the storage and to walk around the bed. Our queen bed size guide shows how.
Shop the look
How do you look after a lift-up storage bed?
- Lift and close from the middle of the foot end, not from one corner, so the frame and lifts work evenly.
- Do not sit or stand on the base while it is open, and keep children from playing with it.
- Spread heavy items evenly across the base rather than in one corner.
- Check the lifts now and then. If the base no longer stays up on its own, stop using it and contact the store.
Our storage beds in Hamilton
Every Turkish bed at Home Centre Green, Hamilton, Ontario has a built-in storage base. All prices are CAD before HST:
- Queen: white ($2,500), brown ($3,000) and soft yellow ($3,000). Compare them in our guide to queen beds in Hamilton.
- Single, 90 x 200 cm: grey ($350) and cream wingback ($750).
- 120 x 200 cm: pink wingback ($700) and royal blue velvet ($950). Our twin vs single bed guide explains these sizes.
Our own team delivers inside the City of Hamilton and carries the bed into the bedroom. Assembly is not included; our bedroom set installation service is a paid extra on request. Still deciding on the frame style? Read our comparison of an upholstered vs wooden bed, or browse all our beds.
Open our storage beds in Hamilton
The best way to judge a storage bed is to open it. Visit Home Centre Green, 110 Lancing Dr, Unit 2, Hamilton, ON L8W 3A1, with free parking outside, and our team will show you how each base opens and how much space it has.
We are open Monday to Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. We are closed on Sundays. Call or WhatsApp us on (905) 253-0202, or send us a message.
Frequently asked questions
Are storage beds worth it?
For most small and medium bedrooms, yes. A storage bed gives you a large hidden space for bedding, seasonal clothes and luggage without adding a dresser or using closet space. It is less useful if you need to reach the items every day or move the bed often.
How much can a storage bed hold?
Multiply the inside length, width and depth of the storage space in centimetres and divide by 1,000 to get litres. For example, a space of 150 x 200 cm and 25 cm deep holds 750 litres. Measure the inside, not the outside of the frame, because the sides take up room.
Do storage beds cause mould under the mattress?
A closed base lets less air reach the underside of the mattress than an open slatted frame. In a dry, aired bedroom this is rarely a problem. Air the room, pull the bedding back in the morning, store items in breathable bags and do not put damp items in the base.
Do all your beds have storage?
Yes. All of our Turkish beds at Home Centre Green have a built-in storage base: our three queen beds from $2,500, our 90 x 200 cm single beds from $350 and our 120 x 200 cm beds from $700, all CAD before HST. Ask us to open them in the showroom.
How do I look after a lift-up storage bed?
Lift and close the base from the middle of the foot end, not one corner, and do not sit on it while it is open. Keep heavy items spread evenly, check that the lifts still hold the base up, and tell the store straight away if a lift weakens.
Home Centre Green Design Team
The team behind our Hamilton showroom. We help customers choose Turkish-made sofas, beds and carpets every day, and we write these guides to answer the questions we hear most in store.
