10 best storage beds to help you maximise on space

This elegant and modern handcrafted bed is a real showstopper. The Camelia’s design is inspired by the Regency era with a plump headboard that makes morning cups of tea and nightime reading in bed a dream, as well as deep-set buttons that give it a lavish touch. Opening from the bottom using a fabric pull handle, it maximises storage space as the entire top of the bed lifts up easily to reveal an impressive capacity underneath. While the king size feels grand and provides ample storage space, we found that the slatted base glides back down again with real easy, and without causing any backache. The design allows for both easy access and oodles of functional storage space, and we loved that you get a comprehensive choice of colours and textures to choose from, including brushed cotton and rich velvet.

With its scrolled head and foot end, this offering by Dreams features a cosy sleigh-like shaping, which can only be achieved in a storage bed if it opens up from the side – choose left or right when putting the bed together. This one’s available in three sizes, from a small double up to a king, and comes in a choice of three monochrome fabric finishes. While access to its storage space is limited compared to some of the others in our round-up, this bed is a no-brainer when it comes to furnishing a loft room with a slanted ceiling. Further to that, the wilson has impressive build quality for its affordable price.

Thanks to its clever design, Dusk’s offering boasts a deceptively spacious storage capacity. The bed has a clean-lined silhouette that makes it a great fit for almost any bedroom and we loved the winged headboard, which gives it a touch of class. The bed opens up with ease at its foot to reveal a void that offers enough room to store all our extra bedding and then some. Upholstered in a smooth, linen look fabric, it’s stylish, functional and thoughtfully designed. Plus, at less than £400 for a double, it’s exceptional value for money.

What we loved most about the yorkie was its deceptive design. You wouldn’t think this one’s a storage bed thanks to its dark wood feet elevating the frame off the ground – the illusion of extra floor space makes a big difference. The bed opens up from the foot end with ease using gas-powered pistons and can reach a 45-degree angle to give you ample access to your stored bits and bobs. The bed is on the slimmer side, storage-wise, but we found it more than enough for our extra bedding and pillows. Upholstered in chic elephant grey, and with a plush, buttoned headboard, this is one smart, contemporary storage bed.

One for fine art lovers, this sculptural bed takes its design cue from Botticelli’s masterpiece, The Birth of Venus. Most obvious is the shaping of the scalloped wraparound headboard, which echoes that of the shell. But beyond that, the opulent colourway and rich tactile materials borrow from the famous painting, too. As practical as it is pretty, the bed opens up at the end with a simple gas lift mechanism to reveal oodles of storage space underneath. You won’t just fit bedding and coats here but the family’s suitcases, too. We loved the addition of the brushed steel base with its gleaming brass finish, which further adds to the luxurious look and feel.

As its name suggests, the Mirage is an optical illusion with its narrow body and slender gold-coloured legs. You wouldn’t think it’s a storage bed at all. But this one boasts an impressive 33cm of storage depth, which holds more stuff than you’d think. The bed opens up at the foot and offers great access, allowing us to properly get stuck in and organise – and to maximise on capacity. Scoring points on versatility, the Mirage comes in a variety of materials and finishes, as well as a choice of headboard designs. We loved the sumptuous Cleopatra with its fluted, geometric lines. This is a great choice if you want a bed with decent storage space but don’t want to compromise on style.

This modern, upholstered bed features four discreet fabric covered drawers, which provide generous under storage without the need for any lifting. With separate drawer space, we liked that our stuff could be easily compartmentalised – as opposed to all thrown in together. The bed comes in four sizes, from single up to super king, and has a huge range of fabrics to choose from, alongside 17 headboards, winning points on versatility. Whichever you choose, this one’s as plush as it is practical.

The cloud sundae is a stylish sofa bed that not only looks incredibly stylish but is also extremely functional, with a storage compartment built into the chaise. The sofa transforms into a double bed with a simple pullout action, while the chaise section offers a space to keep your bedding, helping to make the transition from sofa to bed as seamless as possible. After months of testing, we’ve found this set-up to be super comfortable with plush, plump cushions that create the perfect lounging, or snoozing, space. You can choose from a range of fabrics and colours, including soft-touch velvet, recycled woven polyester and trendy boucle. The best part? The sofa bed comes delivered in boxes that can fit through small spaces, including tricky doorways or stairwells, and it’s incredibly simple to put together without the need for any tools. While it’s expensive, we think this storage sofa bed is a great option for someone who lives in a studio apartment or those who host guests on a regular basis but don’t have a spare bedroom.

Making a feature out of its storage compartments, as opposed to hiding them, this stylish bed from The Dormy House has an innovative design. The ottoman divan is elevated with smart turned wooden legs and while the top of the bed lifts up in one piece, its storage space is divided into two. These are simply clipped together to create separate storage boxes underneath. This is another space-saving bed that allows for full customisation: choose from a range of fabrics and wood finishes for the legs. Headboards are sold separately so do factor that into your budget.

While most designs are concerned with hiding storage space, this contemporary bed frame from Ikea does the opposite and makes a feature of it. Made from a mix of particleboard and fibreboard, the flat-packed furniture piece is ideal for apartment-dwellers short on shelving: the bed utilises three sides for accessible storage and includes an integrated ottoman-style shelf to perch on at the foot of the bed. Adorn it with scatter cushions or a faux fur rug for the full effect. We loved this storage bed for its clever design. Practical, modern and affordable.