Best under-bed storage: boxes, baskets and bags to store clothes, toys and more

Finding suitable storage for any room in the house can be struggle, and if you decide to utilise the space under your bed, then picking the right product for the job is really important. Clothes storage needs to be mould- and moth-proof, while boxes or baskets for storing the kids' toys need to be easy for them to pull in and out and be big enough for all their treasures. And if you have a bed frame and the area is visible, you'll want to go for something that’s not only practical, but easy on the eye too. We’ve tracked down 10 of the best storage solutions for every bedroom.

Here are the best under-bed storage solutions to buy

1. Best overall under-bed storage: VTL 45-Litre Underbed Large Plastic Storage Box Twin Pack

Price: £30 | Buy now from Amazon

"So, so much Lego, but we have 5 x these under a single bed" - recommended by Mumsnet user, GranolaHolmes

This twin-pack of 45-litre under-bed storage boxes are brilliant for kids' rooms, regardless of whether or not you choose to put them under the bed. If you do, the fact they're on wheels means that children can pull them out easily themselves, and more importantly wheel them back away again! They're a great size too, and excellent value for a twin pack.

Key specs

• Material: Plastic

• Size: 18 x 89 x38cm

• Capacity: 45 litres

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2. Best budget under-bed storage: Amazon Basics Fabric Underbed Storage Bags 2-Pack

Price: £20 | Buy now from Amazon

These fabric storage bags from Amazon's Basic range are great value. The slimline style makes them a good buy for children’s rooms or under single beds in spare rooms. For a cost effective storage solution, or if you're having a declutter and a spring clean, they're bang on the money.

Key specs

• Material: Fabric sides, plastic top

• Size: 77 x 51 x 14.5cm

• Capacity: Not stated

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3. Best under-bed shoe storage: Periea Sami Shoe Organiser Foldable Shoe Storage Bag

Price: £12 | Buy now from Amazon

"Periea under-bed shoe storage. I have one or two or possibly more now. They have dividers and are sturdy but flexible so they bend instead of breaking" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Sonotkylie 

These shoe organisers are the perfect solution if your footwear is currently spilling out all over the house; they're particularly useful for storing summer/winter shoes, or ‘going out’ shoes you no longer have the boxes for. They'd also be great for fascinators, headbands and rolled scarves, too. The storage boxes can be folded down when not in use, and the fabric has anti-odour and mould properties, preventing nasty whiffs from wafting up from under the bed.

Key specs

• Material: Non-woven charcoal and bamboo composite. Cardboard base and inserts.

• Size: 14 x 56 x 60cm

• Capacity: Stores up to 12 pairs of shoes

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4. Best under-bed storage for clothes: Cyntella Underbed Storage, Pack of 2

Price: £16 | Buy now from Amazon

This is a great value pack of two under-bed storage bags. And to sweeten the deal, it comes with two shoe storage bags, too. They're made from a breathable fabric which is a mix of cotton on the main body, and PVC zipped lids, so you can see what’s inside. They have reinforced handles and two-way zips to make packing and unpacking easy. The shoe bags also have a clear panel, making it easy to identify each pair.

Key specs

• Material: Cotton and PVC/plastic

• Size: 100 x 50 18cm

• Capacity: 90 litres

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5. Best plastic-free under-bed storage: Dunelm Cork Underbed Storage

Price: £25 | Buy now from Dunelm

"These store more than I thought they would" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, WakeUpLockie 

These cork under-bed storage boxes from Dunelm have something of a vintage suitcase look about them, and would work well if you have a retro or Scandi-style bedroom. They're a great size, and more environmentally friendly than plastic or vinyl options. Fans of the product love the look of the cork, but warn not to overload and put strain on the leather-look handle. They'd also look great on display, and not just tucked away under the bed.

Key specs

• Material: Natural cork

• Size: 76 x 46 x 20cm

• Capacity: Not stated

6. Best wheeled under-bed storage: Strata Under-bed Smart Plastic Storage Box 35 Litre

Price: £16 | Buy now from Amazon

These wheeled storage boxes are made from high quality plastic, and are strong enough to use for heavier items like towels and spare bedding. These would be brilliant for holiday homes or chalets, where functionality is key. They're easy to move around, are a brilliant size and it's easy to see what's in them. Beyond the bedroom, these would work well in playrooms and for storage in the loft, garage or shed, too.

Key specs

• Material: Plastic

• Size: 69 x 46 x 18cm

• Capacity: 35 litres

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7. Best under-bed vacuum bags: Lakeland jumbo vacuum tote bag

Price: £25 | Buy now from Lakeland

"They do different sizes. Had them years and still going strong" - recommended by Mumsnet user, BatshitCrazyWoman 

With a whopping 87-litre capacity, these vacuum storage bags are a brilliant size for storing large pieces. One of the major plus points of this set is that the vacuum packs are stored safely in the outer bag, meaning that your out-of-season clothes and bed sheets are not only tidied away, but are also protected from damp, mould and moths. This is a really brilliant buy for the bedroom and an excellent storage solution for cluttered homes.

Key specs

• Material: Polypropylene

• Size: 65 x 50 x 16cm

• Capacity: 50 litres

8. Best under-bed storage for bedding: John Lewis Compactor Norvara Underbed Storage Bag

Price: £8 | Buy now from John Lewis & Partners

This is a great low profile organiser for your extra bedding or winter/summer duvets. It won’t look mega bulky under your bed, and if you already have drawers in your divan, it will fit neatly in, keeping everything contained and protected from damp and moths. The shaped zipped opening makes it easy to put your folded items in, too, and see what you’ve got in there without taking everything out when you open it.

Key specs

• Material: Polypropylene

• Size: 108 x 45 x 15cm

• Capacity: Not stated

9. Best space-saving under-bed storage: iwill createpro Three-side Zipper Cover Basket

Price: £16 | Buy now from Amazon

With three zipped sides, this is a practical box for loading and unloading, and provides a stylish and practical solution for overspill clothes and bedding. It can collapse down when not in use, and is nice enough to look at to be left on show if your covers don’t quite hide the area under your bed. It could be used elsewhere around the house, too.

Key specs

• Material: Plastic

• Size: 70 x 40 x 18cm

• Capacity: Not stated

10. Best stylish under-bed storage box: John Lewis & Partners Fusion Seagrass Under Bed Storage Box

Price: £55 | Buy now from John Lewis & Partners

This is a lovely looking under-bed storage box, which would be good for storing smaller items. The seagrass design means it will fit in beautifully with rustic and minimalist decors, and look just as good left out on display, too. It would also work well in other rooms - perhaps even stacked to create a storage feature.

Key specs

• Material: Seagrass

• Size: 18 x 75 x 45cm

• Capacity: Not stated

Is under-bed storage a good idea?

Under-bed storage is definitely a good idea if you're short on space and if you have the height available under your bed to make good use of it. The fact that it's easily accessible also makes under-bed storage a winner and a better option than lugging boxes up into the loft (never to be seen again), or cramming spare clothes and bedding into wardrobes and drawers.

How do I make under-bed storage look nice?

If you have a bedstead and tucked covers and your storage will be on view, consider seagrass baskets, or fabric storage bags in colours that coordinate with your bedroom decor. Storage does not have to mean functional, practical plastic - there are some easy-on-the-eye options out there.

What’s the best under-bed storage to buy in the UK?

The Lakeland vacuum bag tote set is a great buy from a trusted brand, and offers not only a practical solution to help organise your clutter, but also the added benefit of protecting your spare bed linens and clothes from potential damage from damp and moths, too.

How we chose our recommendations

Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation from a real parent, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which under-bed storage Mumsnet users had bought. We checked out the types they recommended for being up to the job, and that could hold toys, clothes and bedding, as well as being smart to look at, and well-priced. We then did some research across the wider web, looking at which under-bed storage solutions had won accolades or had been featured in ‘best buy’ lists across websites and print media, and what customer reviews said about them.

Having collated all that information, we picked the top under-bed storage we thought would make the best buys.

Why you should trust us

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