Quick answer
Measure the clearance from the floor to the lowest part of the bed frame, not the mattress. Subtract about an inch so bins slide easily. Many standard metal frames leave around 7 inches; platform beds can be anywhere from 0 to 14 inches. Rolling bins about 6 inches tall fit most low frames. Bed risers can add 3 to 8 inches if the frame is stable on them.
In this guide
Under the bed is one of the biggest storage spaces in a small apartment, and one of the most wasted. It’s also easy to get wrong. A bin that’s half an inch too tall is a bin that doesn’t fit.
A few minutes with a tape measure saves a return trip.
What to measure
- Clearance height. Measure from the floor to the lowest part of the frame. That’s often the side rail, a slat or a center support bar, not the bottom of the mattress.
- Usable depth. Measure from the edge of the bed to the center support legs. Many queen and king frames have legs or a bar down the middle, which splits the space in two.
- Length along the side. Note where the legs are along the side. Bins need to fit between them.
- Floor type. Carpet makes rolling bins harder to slide and can add resistance to lids. Hard floors are easier.
Subtract about an inch from the clearance for a bin that slides in and out without scraping.
What fits under common beds
| Bed frame type | Typical clearance | What fits |
|---|---|---|
| Basic metal frame | About 7 in | Low rolling bins, 6 in or less |
| Platform bed with legs | 6 to 14 in | Varies widely, so measure |
| Bed with a box spring on a frame | 7 to 8 in | Low bins or flat bags |
| Bed with risers added | Adds 3 to 8 in | Most standard bins |
| Storage bed or divan | None | Built-in drawers instead |
These are rough ranges. Frames vary a lot, which is exactly why measuring matters.
Pick the right kind of container
- Rolling plastic bins with lids are the easiest to pull out and keep dust off. Good for shoes and supplies.
- Fabric bags with zippers squeeze into tighter spaces and work well for bedding and sweaters.
- Drawers on wheels work like dresser drawers, great for clothes you use every week.
- Vacuum bags shrink bulky winter coats and comforters. They save a lot of space but crease clothes, so use them for off-season items.
Clear or labeled containers help. You don’t want to pull out three bins to find one sweater.
Need more height? Bed risers
Bed risers are blocks that sit under each leg and lift the bed. They come in heights from about 3 to 8 inches. They work well on many frames, but check a few things first:
- The leg shape. Risers are made for certain leg sizes. Very thin metal legs or wheels may not sit securely.
- Every leg, including the center. If the frame has center support legs, they need risers too, or the bed will sag.
- Stability. Push on the bed after adding them. If it rocks or shifts, take them off.
- Bed height. Higher beds are harder to get into, especially for kids or anyone with mobility issues.
Some risers have outlets or USB ports built in. Those are fine, but plug them into a wall outlet, not an extension cord running under the bed.
What to store under the bed
Under-bed space works best for things you don’t need daily:
- Off-season clothes and shoes
- Extra bedding and towels
- Luggage, flattened if possible
- Gift wrap and holiday supplies
- Important papers in a sealed, labeled box
Items you use every week, like gym clothes, are better in drawers on wheels so they’re easy to reach.
Keep it clean
Dust collects under beds quickly. Lidded containers stop it from settling on your things. Leave a little space so you can vacuum, or plan to pull everything out once a season.
Common mistakes
- Measuring to the mattress, not the frame. The side rail or center bar is usually lower, and that’s what stops a bin.
- Forgetting the center legs. On queen and king frames, they can block a long bin from sliding in.
- Buying bins that are too deep. If a bin is deeper than half the bed’s width, it can collide with the one from the other side.
- Overfilling fabric bags. A bag that bulges won’t slide under a low frame.
How much fits under a queen bed
A queen bed covers 60 by 80 inches. With the center support taking a strip down the middle, you typically have two zones, each about 28 to 30 inches deep from the side of the bed to the center. That’s room for two or three long, shallow bins on each side, plus space at the foot if the frame allows it.
Planned well, that can replace a small dresser’s worth of storage.
FAQ
How tall can an under-bed storage container be?
About an inch less than the clearance to the lowest part of the frame. For a basic metal frame with about 7 inches of clearance, that’s around 6 inches.
Are bed risers safe?
Generally, if they fit the legs properly, every leg is supported and the bed doesn’t wobble. Remove them if the bed shifts.
What’s the best under-bed storage for clothes?
Zippered fabric bags for off-season clothes, and drawers on wheels for clothes you wear regularly.
