Short answer: Start with the bed, because the space under the mattress is the largest storage area in a small bedroom. A storage bed with built-in drawers, such as our Ara bed with the Storage frame, uses that space without adding furniture. Then add a nightstand with a drawer, and use the walls for open shelves. Leave room for every drawer to open, because storage you cannot reach does not help.
In a small bedroom, floor space is the limit, not the number of things you own. A plan that works from the biggest piece down, bed, then bedside, then wall, keeps each choice small. Our guide to small bedroom storage ideas covers the general principles. This guide focuses on the pieces we sell and how they fit together.
On This Page
- What are the best ways to maximize small bedroom storage?
- Which beds have built-in storage?
- What are the best under-bed options?
- Which nightstand adds the most storage without taking floor space?
- How do I use the walls and the foot of the bed?
- Our recommendation
- Explore our bedroom range
What are the best ways to maximize small bedroom storage?
Work in this order and stop when the room has what it needs.
- The bed: a frame with drawers, or lidded boxes under a frame without them.
- The bedside: a nightstand with a drawer, so small items stay out of sight.
- The walls: shelves and cabinets that keep the floor clear.
- The foot of the bed: a bench or storage ottoman, only if the walkway stays open.
The table compares the options, with space needs drawn from our product pages and live guides.
What are the best ways to maximize small bedroom storage?
| Storage option | Space it needs | What it holds |
|---|---|---|
| Ara bed, Storage frame | Open floor beside the bed so each of the four side drawers can slide out | Folded bedding, clothing and bedroom essentials; a Queen holds about 2.3 cubic feet per drawer, 9.2 cubic feet in total |
| Lidded boxes under a bed without drawers | The gap between the floor and the frame, which you measure before buying | Seasonal items and spare bedding you rarely reach |
| A nightstand with a drawer | Its depth and width, checked against the path of the nearest bed drawer | Books, chargers and small items you use nightly |
| Altitude wall shelves | 9.4 inches deep, mounted on the wall | Books, folded items and baskets, with closed cabinets for small things |
| Themis shelf or cabinet | 11.0 inches deep, wall-mounted or freestanding | Books, linens and a closed cabinet; 50 lb per shelf or cabinet |
Which beds have built-in storage?
Our Ara bed has a Storage frame with four drawers, two on each side. The drawers open independently, so you can take out a blanket without moving the mattress or disturbing a partner. The Regular frame has no drawers, so choose the Storage frame when you order. Our Ara storage guide has the drawer sizes for every bed size and the weight each drawer holds.
The trade-off is clearance. Side drawers need open floor beside the bed, and a bed pushed against a wall can block the drawers on that side. Our guide to whether storage beds are worth it explains when the extra cost pays off and when it does not.
What are the best under-bed options?
The right choice depends on how often you reach for what you store.
- Built-in drawers: best for everyday items such as bedding and clothes. The Ara drawers are fairly shallow, so they suit folded items better than bulky comforters.
- Lidded boxes: best for things you reach for twice a year. Measure the gap under your frame first, because low frames leave little room. This is general advice, not a product specification.
- Lift-up storage: a different mechanism, where the mattress platform lifts to reveal one large space. We do not make one, and it can suit a room where the bed must sit against a wall.
If you are choosing a frame for the mattress you already own, our guide on whether the Ara bed works with your mattress lists the sizes it fits.
Which nightstand adds the most storage without taking floor space?
Choose a nightstand with a drawer, so the surface stays clear. Look at three numbers before you buy: the width and depth on the floor, the height next to your mattress, and the depth of the drawer. A drawer lets small items disappear, which keeps the surface clear. This is general advice, not a product specification.
A nightstand can also block the Ara drawer nearest the headboard. Place it, then check that the drawer still opens fully, or choose a wall shelf instead. Our nightstand guide covers height and width, and our guide to bedroom furniture for tight spaces covers layouts.
How do I use the walls and the foot of the bed?
Walls are the storage a small bedroom wastes most often. Altitude is wall-mounted and only 9.4 inches deep, and a set of 1 measures 32.0 x 9.4 x 32.0 inches. Our Altitude cabinet adds a closed door with a magnetic push latch, which hides small items among open shelves. Themis shelves and cabinets are 32.0 x 11.0 x 24.0 inches and each holds 50 lb. Altitude uses wall anchors, and freestanding Themis units use anti-tip hardware fixed to the wall, so check what your wall and building allow before you drill. Our guide to storage furniture for small spaces compares the footprints.
At the foot of the bed, a storage ottoman can hold extra blankets. Ours are sofa pieces, so check them against your bed width and walkway. The Atmosphere long storage ottoman is 40.6 x 20.1 x 18.1 inches, and our storage ottoman guide lists the others.
Our recommendation
- Closet space is limited: choose the Ara Storage frame, add a nightstand with a drawer, and keep one wall for Altitude shelves.
- The bed must sit against a wall: skip the side drawers, use lidded boxes or a lift-up design, and put the storage in the nightstand and on the wall.
- You rent or may move: Themis can stand on the floor or hang on the wall, so the same pieces work in the next room.
- You need very little: a nightstand with a drawer and one wall shelf is often enough.
Measure the room, tape the bed and the drawer paths on the floor, and walk the room before you order. Our bedroom furniture guide helps you sequence the purchases.
Explore our bedroom range
Product specifications can change. Check the current dimensions on the product page before ordering.