In dormitories space is often a luxury. Rooms are typically small or shared with others. As such, it can be challenging to set and organize your personal space. But that doesn’t mean that you cannot try and in fact succeed in doing so.
With that said, one of the best places to optimize is the under-bed; that area below your bunk or elevated berth. To give you a better idea, here are some of the best under-bed storage concepts that will turn your room into a cool and clutter-free haven.
1. Flat Basket Storage
Woven baskets blend well with most dorm room themes and decors, though it’s definitely most appealing in rustic settings.
Regardless, you can use woven baskets or bins to organize items under the bed while adding a decorative touch to your room.
These baskets are versatile and practical to use. They can store clothing, essentials or whatever variety of household items.
2. Rolling Under-Bed Cart
If you’re not looking for anything too fancy, then a rolling cart is the safest and most affordable bet.
You’ll encounter a lot of designs out there, but rolling carts are more or less just about functionality and convenience. Although you can always scale depending on your preferences and room capacity.
3. Under-Bed Bookcase
Under-bed bookcases are not only stylish, but also efficient. Usually, these multipurpose compartments can be installed as shelving units on wheels or as fixed drawers attached to the bed. Some beds also come with built-in shelves that can be organized to store books and literature.
4. Folding Storage Ottoman
Ottomans work great as storage when not in use. But aside from that, they are excellent accent pieces. Neutral colors in fact look amazing in almost any style. With that said, if you’re working on limited space, you can opt for a foldable ottoman for more flexibility.
5. Under-Bed File Box
File boxes come in all shapes and sizes. While they are normally seen as desk organizers, there are also file box varieties fitted as under-bed storage options. In general, under-bed file boxes are excellent for organizing archives and documents in an easily accessible place.
6. Lift-Up or Hydraulic Lift Storage Bed
A hydraulic lift bed has a signature storage system that is only accessed by lifting the base of the mattress. This storage idea is harder to pull off because you’re replacing an entire piece of furniture, but the space-saving and sleek design might draw you in regardless.
7. Slide-Out Shoe Organizer
Simply sliding a pair of shoes under the bed is a common practice, but it’s never been optimal. It’s also hardly a storage, since the footwear gets pushed aside and exposed to wear and tear without much resistance.
So, what’s our ideal solution? Under-bed shoe organizers. If you plan to store your out-of-season shoes under the bed anyways, then this is one of the most efficient and secure upgrades to make.
8. Vacuum-Sealed Under-Bed Bags
Vacuum-sealed bags are great for storing bulky items like bedding, winter clothes or blankets. Even better, you can purchase a foldable bag so that you can easily set it aside when not in use.
It may not be as durable as other storage options on this list, but it’s one of the more adaptable, space-saving stash for under-beds.
9. Milk Crate Storage
If you’re looking for a makeshift under-bed storage that is durable and quite spacious, then milk crates are worth a look! This versatile and compact open storage can be used in various indoor and outdoor settings. Depending on what you need, you can stack them in a corner or slide them under furniture and beds.
10. Stackable Plastic Containers
If you simply want to start utilizing the space underneath your bed, then plastic containers are practical and highly affordable.
You can stack several layers depending on the clearance you have, or just line them up if you’re really short on space. It’s a simple storage solution for out-of-season clothes, shoes, blankets and so on.
11. Under-Bed Desk Shelf
Under-bed desk shelves can be organized or bought together with a bunk or elevated bed. Depending on your preferences, you can build this space as your primary study or workshop.
Additionally, the desk can hold shelves and organizers to maximize the space allotted under the bed.
12. Under-Bed Storage Trunk
If you are looking for something more stylish and spacious, then an under-bed storage trunk is a reasonable upgrade.
Trunks are like the expensive variants of standard storage boxes, but aside from simply having a more polished design, these containers also sport a more sophisticated lock system, which makes them perfect for storing personal items.
13. Collapsible Fabric Storage Cubes
Collapsible fabric storage cubes are wonderful organizers that you can creatively use to fill gaps and declutter your dorm room. These boxes come in different sizes, so choosing one for your under-bed shouldn’t be too difficult. When not in use, you can simply collapse the box and stack them on a shelf.
14. Mini-Fridge
If you have an elevated bed or loft bed, then a mini-fridge should fit nicely underneath it with some extra room to boot. Just take note that some mini-fridge may come across as noisy. So, be mindful of your choice to ensure that you won’t be unnecessarily disturbed while taking a rest.
15. Clothing Rack or Rolling Closet
Another fitting arrangement you can make with a loft bed is a full-on closet. For this, you can use a wardrobe or closet on wheels to quickly get your stuff in and out. You can choose between a clothes hanger or a free-standing rack with a cover to give your clothes more protection.
16. Flip-Top Storage Bins
Flip-top storage bins are fairly new, but the concept is pretty straightforward. You get stackable flat containers that can be semi-opened from its front lid.
These boxes work perfectly as an under-bed storage because you won’t have to fully open them each time. You can just pull them halfway and instantly access what you need via the three-pronged flip-top cover.
17. Rolling 3-Tier Utility Cart
Rolling carts use vertical space efficiently that’s why we see them a lot in residential and office setups. Likewise, they should fit right into the gaps in your dorm, particularly the under-bed if you are using an elevated berth. These carts can be used as a kitchen assembly or moving shelves for office supplies or utilities.
18. Bed Risers
If you’re interested in some of the storage options we mentioned above but couldn’t commit to anything because of low clearance space, then you might want to start your room makeover with bed risers.
For this, we recommend choosing metal extenders. Simply put, the riser will elevate your bed frame a few more inches above ground, giving you ample space where more under-bed storage can slide in.
19. Under-Bed Shoe Organizer with Wheels
Our preferred alternative to a boxed shoe organizer is an on-wheel shoe rack. While shoe storage may not be the first on your checklist, it’s always nicer to have a dedicated space for storing loafers and sneakers.
Nevertheless, the best part about the shoe rack is its simplicity and form. If you’re not much of a collector, this storage might work out better since you can easily access your footwear from here instead of them being zipped out under the bed.
20. Ziploc Under-Bed Storage Bags
We recommend ziploc bags for storing items that you will not be using frequently. Like reserve bedding, towels and clothing.
Ziploc bags are typically made of processed materials like PVC and non-woven fabric, making them relatively durable. These bags can be slid in directly underneath the bed and you can pull them back through their multiple reinforced handles.
21. Easy-Pull Fabric Dresser
This specialty item serves as a mini closet that you can place in the corner of your room or under an elevated bed.
Unlike standard drawers, the fabric dresser has a convenient push-pull design, which makes it so much easier to access personal effects. Another notable difference is that this dresser is easier to assemble and store when necessary.
22. Plastic Under-Bed Container
If you want something simple and inexpensive, then plastic containers might just do the trick.
Clear base plastic containers make for great under-bed storage because they are typically compact and stackable, which helps when organizing stuff throughout the dorm. There are also variations of the container that have wheels or lift-up lid for quick access.
23. Repurposed Old Drawers
If you love rustic or vintage-themed dorm rooms, then it’s hard to ignore the appeal of repurposed drawers from old tables and cabinets.
If you don’t have one that fits the bill, there are online markets where you can purchase secondhand units that you can use as pull-in under-bed storage. To make it even better, you can add wheels on the bottom of the drawer to make movement and access more convenient.
24. Vintage Suitcases
Repurposing vintage suitcases is an ingenious way to declutter and maximize your dorm space. You can use suitcases to hold excess clothing or as a secured storage for archived documents.
Like repurposed drawers, you can increase your stash by purchasing secondhand items from local and online thrift stores and vintage goods dealers.
25. Designer Under-Bed Storage
For those who love modern urban style, you can check out specialized containers like Open Space’s Under-bed storage. The biggest upside here is that you get both style and substance in one product. This means you’ll have a thoughtfully designed under-bed storage that is both beautiful, sustainable and ergonomic.
Choosing the Best Under-Bed Storage
Finding the best under-bed storage for your dorm is not always an easy thing to accomplish. For that reason, we rounded up some of the best storage options that can work in various dorm room setups no matter how much space you are working with.