Organizers' Picks for Under-Bed Storage in Dorms
NBC Selected consulted three professional home organizers on how to use the space beneath a bed, from tall bins for dorm frames to vacuum bags that cut volume by 80%.
With back-to-school season underway and a wardrobe change coming with the end of summer, NBC Selected asked three professional home organizers how to make the most of the space under a bed — the default storage spot for college students and anyone in a small apartment.
The outlet consulted Rachel Winkler, owner of the home organizing service Tidyspot; home organizer Pia Thompson; and Nancy Meck of Meck Organizing. Products on its list also had to carry at least a 4-star average rating from 500 or more reviews on Amazon, or at least 50 reviews on a brand's own site.
Two factors matter most, according to the experts. The first is bed height, including whether the frame sits on risers. Dorm frames are often built tall specifically to allow storage underneath, which favors tall containers that use vertical space; a frame sitting a foot or less off the floor calls for flat bins that maximize surface area instead.
The second is what is going inside. Tall containers suit stackable items that will not be damaged under weight — folded clothes, books, toiletries, first aid kits. Flat, wide containers are better for things meant to lie down, such as blankets.
Among the picks: a fabric bin with handles on all four sides and a label slot, recommended by former NBC Selected staffer Riley Atkinson. "Two of these containers store my entire winter wardrobe," she said, adding that the thick gray-and-white striped fabric looks presentable enough that she does not need a bed skirt.
Thompson favored a set of two bins from Open Spaces made from recycled plastic bottle fibers. "They're made of recycled plastic bottle fibers, come in a beautiful color and are perfect for storing off-season clothing," she said. The brand says up to three fit under a full, queen or king mattress.
Other recommendations include a 12-pair shoe organizer with dividers, a two-pack of foldable polypropylene bags from Onlyeasy with clear top windows and metal zippers, 60-quart wheeled and stackable ClearView boxes from Sterilite, and a lidded linen box with a removable internal board so it folds flat.
For long-term storage, a six-pack of Spacesaver vacuum bags reduces volume by 80%, according to the brand — more space, but more work to pack.
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.
