Best Under-Bed Storage Drawers by Bed Height

The space under a bed can hold a season’s worth of clothes or all your spare bedding, but only if the container fits the gap. Bed height decides that, so this guide is sorted by clearance: measure from the floor to the lowest point under your bed, and shop the section that matches.

Quick picks

• Under 6” of clearance: raise the bed first. A set of 5” bed risers turns 5” of clearance into about 10”, which fits most of the picks below.
• 6”–8”: Mainstays canvas bag (6”) for soft, zippered storage; IRIS Underbed Sliding Drawer (6”) if you want to open it without pulling the whole bin out; or Sterilite 66 Qt. Ultra box (7”) for a clear bin that rolls.
• 8”–12”: IKEA SKUBB storage case (7 1/2”) for soft storage, or Alaterre wooden drawers (9 3/8”) on wheels.
• 12”+: IKEA MALM underbed storage box for high beds (11 3/8”), a pair of large rolling drawers.
• Bed just short of the container you want? A set of 5” bed risers moves you up a band.

Measure first

Leave at least 1/2” between the top of the container and the lowest point under the bed, and more on carpet. Each product below lists the clearance it needs based on that rule.

What to look for

• Height against your lowest point. A container that clears the side rail can still hit a center support. Measure where the container will actually slide.
• Footprint against the legs. Check the container’s length and width against the open space between legs, not the size of the mattress.
• Wheels, a sliding drawer, or neither. Wheels and drawers make heavy bins easier to reach. Fabric bags with no wheels are lighter and slide on their own.
• A lid. Lids and zippered tops keep dust off clothes and bedding. Open-top drawers are faster to reach into but collect dust.
• Pull-out room. You need space beside the bed at least as long as the container to get it all the way out.

Renter-friendly notes

Nothing in this guide attaches to the bed, floor, or wall. The bed risers add height without tools, and everything else slides out and goes with you when you move.

Under 6” of clearance

Below 6”, very few containers fit once you leave the 1/2” of breathing room, and the shallow ones hold little. For a bed this low, the more reliable fix is to raise it: a set of 5” bed risers turns 5” of clearance into about 10”, which fits everything up to the wooden drawers below. See bed risers before you shop.

6”–8” of clearance

Best soft bag for low beds

#1

Mainstays Under-Bed Zippered Closet Storage Organizer with Clear Top, Beige

Best for: Beds with at least 6 1/2 inches of clearance, for clothes or bedding in a soft canvas bag with a clear zippered top

Dimensions 27"L x 18"W x 6"H

Check priceat Walmart

• Beige canvas
• Clear polypropylene top with a zipper
• No wheels
• Sold as a single bag (model MS89-620-010-04)

Specs verified 2026-10-30

Renter note: Freestanding fabric bag, no installation.

Best for opening without pulling the bin out

#2

IRIS USA Underbed Storage Stackable Sliding Drawer, 22 Qt, 2 Pack

Best for: Beds with at least 6 1/2 inches of clearance, when you want to slide a drawer out of a box that stays put under the bed

Dimensions 23.69"L x 17.81"W x 6"H

Check priceat Walmart

• Clear drawer slides out of a fixed outer box — no wheels
• Molded drawer handle
• Stackable
• Sold as a 2-pack by IRIS USA through Walmart

Specs verified 2026-09-29

Renter note: Freestanding, no installation.

Best clear bin on wheels

#3

Sterilite 66 Qt. Ultra Latching Underbed Wheeled Storage Box

Best for: Beds with at least 7 1/2 inches of clearance, for heavier loads you'd rather roll than drag — the clear latching lid shows what's inside

Dimensions 39 1/2"L x 20 1/4"W x 7"H (interior at bottom 37 3/8" x 18 1/8" x 6 7/8")

Check priceat Walmart

• Clear base and lid
• Latches keep the lid closed
• Wheels
• Sold by Walmart

Specs verified 2026-09-29

Renter note: Freestanding, no installation.

8”–12” of clearance

Best soft storage for bedding

#4

SKUBB Storage Case, White, 35 1/2x20 3/4x7 1/2" — IKEA

Best for: Beds with at least 8 inches of clearance, for duvets, pillows, or sweaters in a lidded fabric case that keeps out dust

Dimensions 35 1/2"W x 20 3/4"D x 7 1/2"H

Check priceat IKEA

• 100% polyester fabric (min. 90% recycled), polypropylene insert
• Lid to keep out dust
• No wheels
• Clean by vacuuming or with a lint roller; not washable

Specs verified 2026-09-28

Renter note: Freestanding, no installation.

Best wooden drawers on wheels

#5

Alaterre Under Bed Storage Drawers, Chestnut (Set of 2)

Best for: Beds with about 9 7/8 inches of clearance or more, when you want under-bed drawers that look like furniture

Dimensions 37"W x 19.12"D x 9.375"H

Check priceat The Home Depot

• Wood
• Rolling drawers
• 28 gal total
• Sold as a set of 2

Specs verified 2026-09-28

Renter note: Freestanding on wheels, no installation.

12”+ of clearance

Best for high bed frames

#6

MALM Underbed Storage Box for High Bed, White, Queen/King — IKEA

Best for: Beds with about 11 7/8 inches of clearance or more — IKEA designs these for its MALM high bed, but they're freestanding boxes on castors, so the height is what decides the fit

Dimensions 40 1/8"W x 24 3/8"D x 11 3/8"H each; drawer interior 38 5/8" x 23 1/4" x 5 7/8"

Check priceat IKEA

• Rolls in and out on castors
• Sold as a 2-pack
• Designed by IKEA for its MALM high bed frame

Specs verified 2026-09-28

Renter note: Freestanding on castors, no installation.

Bed too low? Bed risers

If your clearance is under 6”, or just short of the container you want, risers raise the bed itself. A 5” riser turns 5” of clearance into about 10”, and 7” into about 12”, which opens up the taller picks above. Risers suit frames with sturdy legs that sit squarely in the riser’s cup. Raising the bed also raises the mattress, so check that the new height still works for getting in and out of bed.

Slipstick Bed Riser, 5" H, Black, Set of 4

Best for: Adding 5 inches of clearance under a bed whose legs or casters fit the listed cup size: up to 3 inches round or 2 1/4 inches square

Dimensions Adds 5" of height; fits furniture feet or wheels up to 3" round or 2-1/4" square

Check priceat The Container Store

• Plastic with steel reinforcement and a memory-foam inner cushion
• Recessed cup holds the leg or caster
• Non-slip rubber pads
• Listed at 660 lb per riser, 2,640 lb per set of 4

Specs verified 2026-09-28

Renter note: Slides under the existing legs, with no tools or drilling. Remove before you move.

Compare the six

“Best clearance” adds the 1/2” recommended in our measuring guide to each container’s height, up to the height where the next, taller pick fits. On carpet, add more.

FAQ

How do I measure the clearance under my bed?

Measure from the floor to the lowest point under the bed, which is often a center support rail, a slat, or a leg rather than the side rail you see from outside. Measure in a few spots and use the smallest number, then leave at least 1/2 inch of room, and more on carpet.

Is fabric or plastic under-bed storage better?

Fabric cases like SKUBB and the Mainstays bag are lighter and softer, which suits bedding and clothes. Plastic bins like Sterilite’s and the IRIS drawers are rigid and see-through, so they hold their shape and you can spot what’s inside without opening them.

Will wheels work on carpet?

They roll best on hard floors. Thick carpet adds drag and also takes away height, so leave extra clearance. Fabric bags with no wheels, like the Mainstays and SKUBB, slide out instead — on carpet, they still need the extra clearance.

What should I store under the bed?

Things you don’t need every day: off-season clothes, spare bedding, extra shoes, gift wrap. Keep daily-use items somewhere easier to reach, since you’ll be kneeling and pulling a bin out every time.

---

For the full method, see how to measure under a bed. More at the Bedroom & Closet hub.