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Let me start by stating VERY clearly for the record that I love my daughters and would not change them for the world.
However, their bedrooms are ALWAYS a total mess!
No matter how much furniture we put in their rooms, clothes, toys, and books are always lying around. If you've ever trodden on Lego barefoot when half asleep, you'll know that a messy bedroom can be extremely painful!
To save my sanity (and my feet), I decided to research the best non-toxic, eco-friendly under-bed storage solutions to fully utilize the space under their bed frames.
✔ Choice of Natural Finishes
✔ Ideal for Bulky Items
✔ Free US Shipping
They Say: I love these storage bins, there are so many uses for them. They can go under a bed, under a bench to store items, a toy box and so much more. There are four finished options: barn-wood, distressed black, dark walnut, and natural. Select the color at checkout. I love doing custom orders, so if you have a different size you need, just let me know, and I can give you a price quote.
We Say: You can always rely on good old Etsy to throw up thousands of solutions for a problem.
After much scrolling (is it sad I find Etsy scrolling therapeutic?) I settled on Rustiek.
I tested the natural finish option and was mightly impressed. It’s very well built and fantastic for storing bulkier items that might damage fabric under bed storage.
The rolling action was very smooth. Thanks to the high-quality multi-directional caster wheels, it effortlessly rolled in and out of the under bed area, even on thick carpet.
Don’t think this storage solution will fit under your bed? Need something bigger, smaller, wider, etc.? Simply message Rustiek on Etsy with your requirements, and they’ll quote you for a bespoke storage solution to meet your exact needs.
Free U.S. shipping is available on this storage box, and Etsy will offset the carbon emissions from the delivery and packaging.
They Say: This under bed storage bag fits perfectly under your bed. And ideal for storing clothes, comforters, blankets, off-season duvets, beddings, pillows, garments, sweaters, and so on. Keep your closet tidy and clean. This storage bag is made of nonwoven fabric that allows air to circulate inside, keeping stored items fresh for longer.
We Say: I was unsure about recommending under bed storage containers made from polypropylene nonwoven fabric due to the potentially unsustainable materials and manufacturing processes it might involve.
However, after weighing up numerous factors (including price, performance, and reviews from other users), I decided that if you want breathable fabric storage bags that’ll last, these are your best bet.
The Onlyeasy range of fabric under bed storage is very popular on Amazon, with over 13,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.4 out of 5.
Yes, the material used might be slightly less eco-friendly than ideal, but it's more eco-friendly than many of the other options. Plus, they’re so well made that I’ve no doubt they’ll last a very long time.
The sidewalls of these bags are soft, so they can be folded up and stored away in a small space when not in use. However, this does mean that they don’t stack too well unless full.
If you’re looking for breathable bags that stack better, the firm sidewall option below might be more to your liking.
They Say: The sturdy side walls with inserts can hold shape without being filled up. With the help of a top transparent window, you will find what’s inside easily and quickly. This storage bag has a 5# larger metal zipper, it can be used more than 1000 times (not like most cheap bags where the zipper can break after only a few uses).
We Say: This is a firmer version of the storage bag recommended above.
Thanks to the addition of eight firm panels, these storage bags can be stacked when empty or only partially full.
However, one thing to note is that this firmer option is around five inches shorter.
They Say: Organize your closet and stop sifting through shoeboxes. Get a hold of all your kid's shoes lying around. Clear top lets you see your shoe collection at a glance and keeps them away from dust. Firm sides and durable handles so you can pull them out from under the bed without worry. Durable (chunky!) zippers and quality materials. Low friction fabric on the bottom of this shoe organizer helps it slide easily on hardwood floors and even carpet.
We Say: I’m not one for buying new clothes. But I do have quite an extensive sneaker collection. I also might be guilty of leaving them lying around the hallway from time to time.
So, I was keen to test out some under-bed shoe storage options for two reasons:
I tested three different soft fabric options, and storageLAB came out on top.
I loved the flexibility of the movable compartments. This means I can make bigger spaces for my high tops and smaller spaces for my skate shoes.
Firm sidewall inserts are included if you want to make this shoe storage box more stable and stackable.
The antifriction material on the bottom and the sturdy handles made this box a breeze to slide in and out on any surface.
If you're struggling for height under your bed, storageLAB also makes a low-profile option.
✔ Handwoven by Artisans
✔ Sustainable Materials
✔ Choice of Sizes
They Say: The only rectangular design in the home décor collection, each Sonora storage basket is hand braided with sustainable palm straw materials by artisans in Guerrero, Mexico. The woven box shape and detachable lid make this style a customer favorite. Available in three sizes: small, medium, and large - to accommodate various storage needs for an organized space.
We Say: Want to add a touch of artisan charm to your under bed storage? The handwoven palm straw boxes from LEAHCalifornia could be just what you’re looking for.
I tested the large size and loved the quality of the material and craftsmanship. It felt like an eco-friendly product that would last for many years.
There are no handles, and it didn't slide very easily on carpet, so if easy movement and access are important to you, this might not be the right option.
If the size and shape of this large option are not to your liking, click here to view Leah’s entire range.
This storage box will be shipped for free in the US.
✔ Reclaimed Barn Wood
✔ Free Curbside Delivery
✔ Carbon Offset Shipping
They Say: The bed is made from old reclaimed barn wood. Four pieces that are simple to put together with common household tools.
We Say: My father-in-law asked me to research reclaimed wood beds with storage for his small fishing cabin. He wanted authentic barn-wood character and needed drawers to store tackle boxes and off-season gear. This platform bed from BarnWoodFurniture72 came out on top against five similar options, based on lead time, storage room, shipping cost, and seller reputation.
The barnwood platform bed arrived at his cabin via freight five weeks after he ordered it. The shipping crate was heavy and bulky, so we unpacked the pieces in the driveway before moving them inside. This process took about 30 minutes and was manageable for two people.
There are four main pieces to this bed, and they fit together easily with basic household tools. The assembly took us about 90 minutes. We could have done it quicker, but we had a couple of beers on the go at the same time.
The reclaimed barn wood has genuine character with visible saw marks, nail holes, and natural color variations. I really like the matte finish of this platform bed. It highlights the wood's patina without excessive shine.
✔ Durable Fabric
✔ Officially Licensed Product
✔ Water-Resistant Base
They Say: The Big Toy Bucket makes a great portable solution. With an open main compartment and four outer pockets, it has plenty of room for toys, books or games. The webbing handles make it easy to carry it from one place to another. The opening has a plastic ring to keep its shape and make it easy to see what's inside the main compartment.
We Say: If you found yourself empathizing with my LEGO foot agony anecdote earlier, then this is the storage solution you've been waiting for!
Any of the storage bags I've recommended earlier could, in theory, be used for LEGO. However, the Big Toy Bucket is LEGO-branded and, in my experience, is much more likely to be used by kids than a generic storage bag.
The LEGO Storage Big Toy Bucket is large enough to accommodate most medium to large LEGO collections, but still fits comfortably under most beds.
Hard plastic bins and boxes traditionally dominate the world of storage containers.
Instead, look for storage solutions made from more eco-friendly materials such as reclaimed wood or sustainable fabrics.
The perfect material for the job also depends on what you intend to store:
The design you go for will be influenced by what you intend to store. For example:
Correctly measure the under-bed space you have available and ensure the storage container you buy is big enough to store all you need but small enough to fit under your bed.
Good quality sustainable products are often more expensive than mass-produced products. I’ve tried to include a range of storage container options to suit all needs and budgets.
I thoroughly test every product I recommend in every article. I also go further with the research and often check out genuine reviews to see if other users' experiences were similar to mine. This helps create a fully rounded and well-informed process.
Storage containers under your bed will not cause any support issues providing they don’t touch your foundation (or other parts of your bed frame that support your mattress). Don’t jam too many storage containers under your bed, and you’ll be fine.
If your storage boxes don’t slide easily on a thick carpet, consider placing them on a piece of cardboard.
You can now buy nicely designed under bed storage that you’ll be happy to show off. However, if you want to hide what's going on under your bed, you might need a to use a bed skirt.
Steer clear of plastic boxes. They can trap moisture and lead to musty smells and mildew. Instead, go for a material bag or wooden box.
I was keen to test the FREDVANG under bed storage from IKEA. However, I experienced stock shortages and then delivery delays. If my IKEA under bed storage containers ever arrive, I’ll put them through their paces and update this article. From the pictures on the IKEA website, it looks like a neat solution.
The Container Store is on my list for testing if/when I come back and update this article. Watch this space.
We’re all looking for more storage space, but we should be careful that extra storage doesn’t come with a hefty environmental price tag.
Whether you need wheeled access for daily use, or big tubs that you’ll fill, slide under your bed, and forget about, I hope this article will help you choose your next under bed storage container solution.
Whatever you need to store, there is an eco-friendly under bed storage option to meet your needs.
Where do you buy your eco-friendly under bed storage containers? Do you try to avoid plastic underbed storage containers, or do you love their long-lasting, easy-clean features? Do you have a killer DIY hack to maximize your under bed storage space? Drop me a line and let me know.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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