If you live in a small home—or if you have a lot of stuff—getting creative with storage is crucial. Using the empty space under the bed is a smart solution, as it hides visual clutter and keeps things out of your walkway. Realistically, it might be the only place you have to stow away off-season clothes, extra blankets, or holiday gift wrap.
However, there are caveats to storing certain items under the bed, and there are things you should avoid storing there at all costs to maintain a clean and safe bedroom environment. We're breaking down the rules of under-bed storage so you can clear out what doesn’t belong and sleep soundly each night.
1. Important Documents
Important paperwork should be organized, readily accessible, and protected—ideally in a fireproof safe. Even if you file documents neatly in a box, reaching for them under your bed during an emergency is inconvenient at best, and dangerous at worst. Not only that, insects, including silverfish, termites, and carpet beetles, to name a few, love to feed on paper. In this case, we recommend not storing any paper products under the bed, including photos and cardboard boxes. If your stack of reading materials is too large to fit on your bedside table, place books in a basket, but keep it out from under the bed if you’re concerned about bugs.
2. Food
Thanks to the nightstand snack drawer trend circling social media, keeping food in the bedroom has become more normalized. It might even lead some to use their under-bed space to store backstock supplies to prevent a trip to the pantry. Sure, it’s tempting to have a late-night treat nearby when you’re tucked under the covers. But is it worth the potential pest infestation that food will invite into your room? Rodents can chew through unopened packages, and bugs, such as ants and roaches, are attracted to sugar and starch. Even if items are placed in lidded plastic bins under your bed, these critters are smart (and stubborn), so bypass the risk altogether and stick to storing food in the kitchen or pantry only.
3. Mementos
Under the bed seems like an acceptable place to store sentimental items, especially if you seldom go through them. However, think twice before sliding a memento box under your bed. The space beneath beds quickly collects dust, and if your mementos aren’t contained, they’re in danger of damage. And, according to the rules of Feng Shui, keeping nostalgia under your bed disrupts the room's energy (and, therefore, your sleep), particularly if any are associated with negative emotions.
4. Electronics
Storing electronics under your bed can poze a fire hazard. The threat is significantly heightened if cords are plugged into a power strip that sits below your bed frame, as it can easily overheat. Even if they’re not actively charging, gadgets will inevitably gather dust if left beneath the bed for a period of time. This can cause their batteries and circuitry to malfunction, rendering expensive devices useless. Eliminate any risk by dropping outdated technology at a local e-waste recycling center and organizing electronics you currently use in a media center or home office area.
5. Valuables
Dust bunnies and uninvited pests aren’t your only enemies when it comes to storing things under the bed. When there’s too much clutter, the airflow is blocked, and the space can become hot and humid. Putting anything of value in this spot is a recipe for ruin, especially when moisture is involved. Plus, your prized possessions deserve more than to be pushed under the bed. Instead, take care of them by displaying them in your home or securing them in a safe.
6. Weapons
Anyone can be unintentionally harmed by unsecured weapons, whether it be a firearm or a knife. Protecting yourself and your loved ones is important, and that includes from the danger of your own self-defense tools. Rather than leave loose weapons under the bed, go through the proper safety measures and lock them away in a child-proof case. If you’re worried about intruders, consider a home security system for better peace of mind.
7. Extra Linens (Sometimes)
When your linen closet is full, you’ll probably turn to under your bed as the next logical solution for storing extra bedding. It can work, but we encourage you to keep a few things in mind before stuffing them away beneath it. First, seal linens in an under-bed storage container to prevent the buildup of dust and mildew. Next, consider using the space for things that aren’t used often, such as a sheet set reserved for guests. Reaching under the bed for the blanket you use nightly will get tiring quickly. Alternatively, you can create extra storage and make things more accessible by organizing extra bedding into a storage bench at the foot of your bed.
8. Clothing and Shoes (With Exceptions)
It can also make sense to keep off-season items under the bed to save space in your closet for the things you’re wearing now. Just as you would with linens, closed containers are a must, so things stay clean and dry. Sort clothing from shoes and accessories, using vacuum-seal bags for soft items and sliding bins for everything else. Refrain from storing anything made of delicate or expensive materials, such as leather, to maintain their condition.
9. Laundry Hampers
Lacking space in your bedroom for a hamper may have you contemplating utilizing the space under your bed for one. Unless you’re desperate, it’s best to rethink this idea. Dirty clothes retain moisture and emit odors (like mildew) that you’ll be in close proximity to and be forced to smell as you try to sleep. It’ll also be a task to repeatedly pull a hamper in and out from under the bed. You’re better off making space for a laundry basket virtually anywhere else in your home.
10. Too Many Items
Too much clutter under your bed prevents airflow and encourages a less-than-ideal environment for your things. But did you know that it can also disturb your sleep? Poor ventilation under the bed can cause a subtle increase in overall room temperature, which may be enough to make it more difficult to fall and stay asleep. A crowded space means sufficient cleaning under the bed is nearly impossible and, therefore, produces allergens that can affect your breathing. It may feel convenient to shove stuff underneath your bed when strapped for storage, but make sure you’re aware of the downsides as well.
11. Frequently Used Items
Speaking of convenience, you’ll experience the opposite effect if you decide to store things you need regularly under your bed. Bending down and pulling things out from under it daily or even weekly will quickly feel tedious. What’s more, you’ll most likely get lazy with putting them back and, as a result, create a cluttered mess and make it difficult to find what you need.
12. Rarely Used Items
On the other hand, storing things under your bed that you hardly need can push the mentality of “out of sight, out of mind” to the next level. Items can remain there for years, collecting dust and creating a stagnant energy. Do yourself and your space a favor by decluttering on a routine basis.
Sources:
- All photos used in this blogpost are sourced from the internet, and the rights belong to their respective owners
- Cornetta, M. (2024a, September 24). 12 things you should never store under the bed. Better Homes & Gardens. https://www.bhg.com/what-not-to-store-under-bed-8713002