Beds with storage drawers: what to know first
Massif drawers are 120 cm long and 15 cm deep, on silicone wheels. What fits, how much space to leave by the bed, and when an ottoman bed is better.
In short: Under-bed drawers suit things you use often and that lie flat: bedding, blankets, out-of-season clothes, shoe boxes. A Massif drawer is 120 cm long, 35–90 cm wide and 15 cm deep, and runs on silicone wheels; you can add one or two, and two cost less than twice the price of one. Before you order, check two things: that what you want to store is under 15 cm tall, and that there's enough free floor beside the bed to pull the drawer all the way out. If you want to hide large luggage, an ottoman (lift-up) bed gives you more volume.
The space under the bed is the biggest unused storage area in most bedrooms. The question isn't whether to use it, but how: with drawers, with an ottoman bed, or left open for the vacuum cleaner and airflow. Each option has a cost, and not just in money.
Massif drawers at a glance
| Massif storage drawer | |
|---|---|
| Length | 120 cm |
| Width | 35–90 cm, depending on configuration |
| Depth | 15 cm |
| Movement | on silicone wheels |
| Material | solid wood; the drawer bottom is MDF, as it plays no structural role |
| How many | 1 or 2 |
| Price | an add-on; two drawers cost less than twice one — see the bed's product page |
| Which models | can be added to any model, on the bed's product page |
The drawers aren't part of the bed's structure, so the bed is just as solid with or without them. The standard clearance under our beds is up to 21 cm, and a 15 cm drawer fits beneath it. If you'd rather set the under-bed height around something else, such as a robot vacuum, see how high a bed should be.
Drawers or an ottoman bed?
The classic alternative to drawers is the ottoman or lift-up bed: the mattress sits on a frame that lifts on gas struts, with a storage box underneath covering the whole bed area. Neither is better across the board; they're good at different things.
| Drawers | Ottoman bed | |
|---|---|---|
| Access | pull the drawer out, mattress untouched | lift the mattress together with its base |
| Best for | things you use often: bedding, clothes, shoes | things you use rarely: luggage, winter duvets, boxes |
| Volume | limited to the drawers | usually the whole area under the mattress |
| Height of items | up to the drawer depth | taller, depending on the bed |
| Space around the bed | needs free floor on the side the drawers open | opens upwards; the bed can sit closer to walls |
| Mechanism | wheels; nothing to adjust | struts and hinges, which wear over time |
| Cleaning underneath | no vacuuming where the drawers sit | the space is fully enclosed |
| Look | the bed keeps its shape; the drawer fronts are visible | boxier, usually heavier-looking |
If you want to store a suitcase or a thick winter duvet you take out twice a year, an ottoman is more practical. If you reach for a set of sheets or a pair of shoes every day, drawers are easier.
What fits in a 15 cm drawer
Fifteen centimetres sounds shallow, but it covers most things people keep under a bed. Just check that the item, packaging included, is under 15 cm, and leave a little margin.
Fits well:
- folded bedding and sheets, towels;
- thin blankets and throws;
- duvets and pillows in vacuum bags;
- out-of-season clothes, jumpers, scarves;
- most shoe boxes;
- toys, board games, wrapping paper, folders.
Usually doesn't fit:
- suitcases and hard travel bags;
- thick duvets and tall pillows, unless vacuum-packed;
- tall boot boxes.
A 120 cm drawer holds a lot lengthwise. Boxes or fabric organisers of the same height stop you rummaging through the whole drawer to find one thing.
How much space to leave beside the bed
A drawer you can't open fully loses half its point. Rule of thumb: on the side where the drawers open, leave at least as much free floor as the drawer comes out, plus room to bend or kneel next to it. Interior designers usually start from a walkway of about 60 cm around a bed; with drawers, you'll want more on that side.
Also check:
- floor-standing nightstands, so they don't block the drawer. Floating nightstands that attach to the bed, available on compatible models, keep the floor clear;
- the bedroom or wardrobe door, if it swings towards the bed;
- rugs — a thick rug, or a rug edge right where the drawer runs, can make the wheels drag. On wooden or tiled floors, silicone wheels roll easily.
Because the drawer is 35–90 cm wide and 120 cm long, exactly how far it comes out depends on the model and bed size. Ask us when you order which side the drawers open on and how much room you'll need in your bedroom.
Drawers under a floating bed
You can have drawers on a floating bed too — the Perfect floating bed, for example, can be ordered with one or two.
The floating effect comes from the base being set back out of sight. The drawers also sit under the bed, so if the floating look matters to you, check photos of the model with drawers, or ask us for one, before you order. For floating beds in general, see floating beds: pros, cons and what to check.
Checklist before you order
- What you want to keep in the drawers, and whether it's under 15 cm tall.
- How much free floor you have on the side the drawers open.
- Whether nightstands, doors or radiators are in the way.
- Whether one drawer is enough or you need two.
- Whether you want to keep part of the under-bed space free for vacuuming.
Bear the lead time in mind too: beds are made to order, and the standard lead time is 40–50 working days to dispatch.
Frequently asked questions
Can drawers be added to any Massif bed?
Yes. You choose them as an option on the bed's product page: one drawer or two.
What are the drawers made of?
Solid wood like the rest of the bed, except the bottom, which is MDF. The bottom carries no structural load, so MDF is a practical choice there.
Can I have drawers and still use a robot vacuum?
Not where a drawer sits. With one drawer, the rest of the under-bed space stays clear; standard clearance is up to 21 cm and can be raised to 31 cm for a small extra charge.
Are two drawers worth it over one?
If you have room to open both, yes: the second drawer costs less than the first and doubles the storage.