Bed Frames with Storage: Maximising Space in Your Bedroom

In modern bedrooms, where space is often at a premium, innovative storage solutions are key to maintaining an organized and clutter-free sleeping environment. Bed frames with built-in storage offer a smart and stylish solution to maximize space while keeping essentials close at hand. In our comprehensive guide, our sleep experts at John Ryan By Design delve into the world of bed frames with storage options, exploring their benefits, types, and tips for selecting the perfect one for your bedroom.

Let’s talk about integrated bedroom storage solutions!

Benefits of Bed Bases & Frames with Storage

Bed frames with storage are more than just a place to sleep; they’re functional furniture pieces that can transform your bedroom into a well-organized oasis. These divan bases and frames offer convenient storage solutions by utilising the underutilised space beneath the bed. Allowing you to store bedding, clothing, shoes, and other items within the same footprint of the ed rather than taking up space in bedside tables or wardrobes.

This not only helps free up valuable closet and dresser space but also reduces clutter and promotes a sense of calm and order in the bedroom, which is vital for good sleep hygiene and a good night’s rest.

Types of Bed Frames with Storage

When it comes to choosing a new mattress, you’re often so invested in picking the right spring tension, upholstery and mattress comfort level that the base on which you place the mattress becomes an afterthought. However, you should put just as much research into choosing the correct mattress base to match the type of mattress. As mattress bases can come with or without storage, you may be missing a trick just by selecting the ‘basic bed base’.

Let’s review the different types of bed bases and storage options that you have.

1. Divan Beds & Drawer Beds

These are the most popular and varied offerings in terms of bed bases with storage, as they offer five different drawer configurations. Divans and drawer beds are so popular as they are available in a wide range of fabulous fabrics and colours to really personalise your bedroom. They add a warm, soft feel to the bedroom compared to hard wooden bedframes.

Divan beds consist of a base with integrated storage drawers or compartments. They offer a sleek and seamless storage solution, with options for different drawer configurations and sizes. Drawer beds are similar and usually used interchangeably with divan bases. With these bed base models, you can have drawers integrated into the bed base on one side, both sides or the foot end of the bed.

Common Divan & Drawer Bed Storage Configurations

• 2 Foot-end Drawers
• 2 Top-end Drawers
• 4 Full Sized Drawers (Top and Bottom)
• 2 Continental Drawers at the Top (Shorted drawers that allow for bedside tables so they can open)
• 2 Full Sized Drawers (Bottom) and 2 Continental Drawers (Top)
• Foot End Drawer

Divan bases offer the most robust platform for a mattress and can also come sprung-edged, meaning that the bed base itself also has a spring unit in it. Think of this as a mini mattress for your mattress. Offering even deeper progressive support and comfort whilst still offering drawer configurations. Sprung-edged divans can take your sleep experience to the next level of luxury!

2. Ottoman Beds

The next popular option are Ottoman beds that feature a hydraulic lift mechanism that allows the mattress base to be effortlessly raised, revealing a spacious storage compartment underneath. This type of bed frame is ideal for storing bulky items or seasonal bedding. It opens up the entire bed frame for storage, which can be really useful.

Ottomans are a fantastic choice in very narrow bedrooms where drawers and bedside tables are already at a squeeze. Usually, Ottoman bases are frequently used in guest rooms, caravans or boats/yachts as they lift up rather than open outwards.

You can use an Ottoman with any mattress type, whether:

• Pocket Sprung
• Latex
• Memory Foam
• Hybrid
• Cage Sprung

However, there are some considerations with Ottoman bed frames which are needing to ensure that the gas struts they use are strong enough to lift a quality mattress. A number of cheaper Ottoman bed frames use inadequate ‘lift’ mechanisms, meaning the bed can come crashing down on your head if not careful. Always use an Ottoman with the supervision or help of someone else who can hold it up if you’re uncertain that the lifts can accommodate the mattress weight.

For example, a high-quality hand-made mattress in a kingsize can weigh upwards of 80kg, so make sure that the Ottoman has a lift capability for this. If it only guarantees the lift of a 30kg mattress, then choose a different manufacturer.

3. Cabin Beds

Cabin beds feature raised platforms with built-in storage compartments, including drawers, shelves, and cubbies. These beds are particularly popular in children’s bedrooms, where space-saving solutions are essential. They are suitable for most mattress types.

Sometimes confused with bunk beds, cabin beds differ as they have storage underneath the top bunk, so they only feature one bed, not two. These are great for small bedrooms or guest rooms which double as an office. You can work underneath the bed at a desk whilst having a bed above or use the base for storage. IKEA has always had a really good range of cabin beds for space-saving solutions.

One thing to bear in mind with cabin beds is that the bedframe always uses slats. Which can damage a mattress if they are not adequately boarded over. Slatted bed bases are the most basic forms of support and can make a mattress feel far firmer than on a sprung edge divan. So always consider this when trying out a mattress, especially if it’s on a sprung divan. If you then put this mattress on a cabin bed with slats, it will feel far firmer.

Tips for Selecting Bed Frames with Storage

Now that you understand the three main types of bed bases with storage, it’s essential you choose the right one for your bedroom. Taking the time to assess the size of your bedroom and requirements can save you the heartache of choosing a bed base with storage that then becomes unusable or impractical.

i) Consider Your Bedroom Space

Before choosing a bed frame with storage, assess the dimensions of your bedroom and the available space around the bed. Measure the clearance needed for drawer and ottoman beds to ensure easy access.

To ensure your room is big enough, measure your bedroom’s length and width. Then, add on any existing bedroom furniture dimensions to create a plan for your room. Then, use the handy table below to see what size mattress and bed frame with storage will fit in your bedroom.

ii) Think About Storage Needs

Determine the types of items you plan to store beneath the bed and select a storage solution that accommodates your needs. Drawer beds are ideal for clothing and accessories, while ottoman beds offer more versatile storage options.

It’s worth noting that heavier items like books, shoes or sports equipment can damage the drawers or Ottoman base. The bases and drawers are not made for heavy-duty storage but more for linens, clothing and soft furnishings.

iii) Test Mechanisms

If considering an ottoman or hydraulic lift bed, test the lifting mechanism to ensure smooth operation and durability. Look for beds with robust hydraulic systems that can handle the weight of the mattress and bedding. Ensure that the Ottoman will stay up once the weight of your mattress is added; you can read more on mattress weights here for an idea of which mattress will be suitable.

iv) Consider Bedroom Style and Aesthetics

Bed frames with storage come in various styles, materials, and finishes to complement any bedroom decor. Choose a design that aligns with your aesthetic preferences and enhances the overall look of your bedroom. Colour has a huge impact on the feel of your bedroom, which is why we offer all of our bed bases with storage in a number of complimentary fabric choices and colours.

If you’re stuck on which colour to choose, we provide a handy list below of the colours and their associated moods in the bedroom to guide you.

What size are mattress or ottoman base drawers?

The last step is to work out how much storage you need in your bed, which can be worked out by viewing the drawer or storage dimensions. Luckily, this is pretty much standardized across the bed and mattress industry, so the measurements below are true for most retailer bed bases and frames.