Mistakes You're Making With The Drawer Under Your Bed

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Taking up such a huge chunk of the room, the bed can certainly feel like an unfortunate drain on usable bedroom space, which is why more homeowners are now looking toward clever DIY under-bed storage drawer options. Storage beds can be pricey and bulky, but custom solutions make them possible for almost any setup, offering long-term benefits that are hard to ignore. The toughest part of adding it may be determining how you should optimize your under-bed storage, an area where many of us tend to fumble.

Under-bed storage often becomes another catch-all space where clutter can accumulate. It's about as far from ideal as you can get, as many designers even feel you shouldn't store anything under the bed for the sake of feng shui. And with the amount of dust that collects there as well, keeping it clear of stored items is sensible. If you have to use it, a thoughtful arrangement is preferable.

Smart practices like labeling and categorizing containers and using organizing bins make life much easier. Before that, though, a common mistake many make is overlooking all the things you should stop storing under the bed. If anything, store items like linens, off-season gear, and accessories, ensuring you keep them well-protected. Aside from dust, moisture and subsequent mold and pests can become an issue when you don't use the drawers under your bed responsibly.

Overloading the drawers under your bed can cause a litany of issues, many of which center on airflow. Pack the drawers to the top, and the lack of air circulation can trap heat. A warmer experience won't be too comfortable, potentially affecting your sleep quality. More importantly, trapped moisture can build up, leading to mold and mildew under the bed. Mold is particularly problematic for certain mattresses, such as memory foam models, as they are denser and more absorbent.

Avoid overpacking your under-bed storage drawer. The drawer will stay light and manageable, and you won't risk circulation issues. Use clear plastic totes in your drawers to ensure you never load it too high. The sealed containers will also help prevent dust and moisture intrusion that can promote mold on your stored materials. Of course, you also need to make sure you don't inadvertently bring moisture into any containers. If you're storing clothes or linens, for instance, always ensure they are completely dry before putting them away. For extra help when humidity is a significant concern, you can use desiccant packs, such as DryTote Rechargeable Desiccant Packs, in your storage drawers and bins. Clean and inspect your under-bed drawers frequently, pulling everything out to see the entire case. While this helps you catch any early signs of mold growth, it's also a great time to make sure nothing is damaged or missing.

Mold isn't the only irritating intruder to worry about inviting into your under-bed drawers with poor storage practices. Carpet beetles, moths, silverfish, and even larger nuisances like mice are just a few of the many pests that can destroy fabric and paper items. Ideally, you won't store any important papers, photos, or cardboard boxes under the bed. Still, some items like books and spare bedding may be reasonable. To keep them safe, store anything vulnerable in sealable containers.

When possible, use vacuum seal storage bags, like these Cozy Essential Vacuum Storage Bags. With it being able to compress fabrics down to about 1/5 of their normal size, a vacuum seal bag makes a perfect space-saving storage item to let you add extra materials to the drawer and maintain airflow under the bed. Put in your fabric items, seal the opening, and suck out the air with a standard vacuum cleaner. Delicate materials likely won't work here, but you can often use these bags for anything that might normally get wrinkled, like synthetic winter wear, old t-shirts, and bedding. As with the storage totes, desiccant packs can help control any lingering moisture. You could also go provide another level of protection and try using cedar chips. While they're a proven natural deterrent to moths and other pests, cedar can also help suck up moisture and impart a pleasant scent to deodorize any items you store, ensuring complete freshness when you reopen the under-bed drawer.