Storage beds turn the dead space under your mattress into some of the most useful storage in the house — but "storage bed" covers four very different designs, and the right one depends on your room, your budget and how often you'll actually get into it. This guide explains the main types of storage beds sold in Australia, the pros and cons of each, and how to choose.
There are four main types of storage bed: drawer beds (built-in drawers in the base), gas-lift / ottoman beds (the whole base lifts up on gas struts), bookcase-headboard beds (shelving in the bedhead) and sofa beds with storage (for living and guest rooms). Drawer beds are easiest for everyday access; gas-lift beds hold the most; bookcase headboards add display space without taking floor space.
If you're short on wardrobe space, tackling a small bedroom, or just tired of plastic tubs sliding around under the bed, a storage bed frame is one of the highest-value pieces of furniture you can buy. Below we break down each type so you can match it to how you live. (Wondering whether the extra cost is justified at all? We cover the value question in our space-saving bedroom guide.)
The 4 main types of storage bed
What they are, what they hold, and who each one suits
1. Drawer storage beds
Drawer beds have two to four large drawers built into the sides or foot of the base. They glide out like a dresser, so you can reach folded clothes, spare linen or shoes without lifting anything — ideal for items you use week to week. Fabric-upholstered drawer bases (like the Fiona, Flame and Fila) are the most common, and they're often the most affordable way into a storage bed.
- Easy, everyday access — no lifting
- Kids and shorter people can use them
- Usually the lowest entry price
- Needs clear floor space beside the bed to open
- Less total capacity than a gas-lift base
2. Gas-lift (ottoman) storage beds
On a gas-lift bed — sometimes called an ottoman bed — the entire mattress platform lifts up on gas struts to reveal one large storage cavity underneath, the full footprint of the bed. That's the biggest storage capacity of any bed type, perfect for bulky, occasional items like doonas, suitcases and seasonal clothing. A2Z carries both fabric gas-lift beds (Valko, Polo) and solid-timber gas-lift frames (the Lilly, Lyric, Levi and Lisbon range).
- Maximum capacity — full under-bed area
- No floor clearance needed to open
- Great for bulky, less-frequent items
- You lift the whole bed, so clear the top first
- Higher price than a basic drawer base
→ New to gas struts and weight limits? Read our complete gas-lift beds guide.
3. Bookcase-headboard beds
A bookcase headboard builds shelving — and often sliding compartments — into the bedhead itself, so you gain storage and a bedside display without adding a single centimetre to the bed's floor footprint. It's a clever pick for smaller rooms where there's no space for bedside tables. Some frames, like the Levi, combine a bookcase headboard and gas-lift base for maximum storage.
- Replaces bedside tables in tight rooms
- Keeps books, phone and lamp within reach
- Can combine with drawer or gas-lift base
- Adds length to the bed at the head end
- Shelf storage is for small items only
→ More on this style in our bookcase-headboard beds guide.
4. Sofa beds with storage
Not every storage bed lives in the bedroom. Pull-out sofa beds with a storage compartment under the seat (like the Elvis, Solomon and Samson) double as living-room seating, an occasional guest bed, and a place to hide the spare bedding for that guest bed — three jobs from one footprint. They're the go-to for studios, apartments and multi-use spare rooms.
- Seating + guest bed + storage in one
- Ideal for studios and small apartments
- Stores its own spare linen
- Not intended as an everyday main bed
- Storage cavity is smaller than a bed base
Storage bed types compared at a glance
| Type | Storage capacity | Access | Floor space to open | Typical price band (AU) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drawer bed | Moderate | Easy — slide out | Needs side clearance | ~$300–$700 | Everyday clothes & linen |
| Gas-lift / ottoman | Maximum | Lift whole base | None needed | ~$600–$1,400 | Bulky & seasonal items |
| Bookcase headboard | Small (shelves) | Open shelves | None needed | ~$700–$1,300 | Small rooms, bedside items |
| Sofa bed w/ storage | Small–moderate | Lift seat | None needed | ~$700–$2,000 | Living/guest rooms, studios |
Price bands are indicative and vary by size and finish — see each collection for current pricing.
How to choose the right storage bed
Start with your room, your budget and what you'll store
Fabric or timber storage bed?
Both drawer and gas-lift beds come in upholstered fabric and solid timber. Fabric bases are softer-looking, usually more affordable, and easy to match to bedding. Timber gas-lift frames (like the Lyric and Lisbon) are heavier-duty and suit traditional or rustic rooms. Browse the full wooden and fabric ranges to compare finishes.
Frequently asked questions
The most-searched questions about storage beds in Australia
They're the same idea. "Ottoman bed" is the term used more in the UK; in Australia it's usually called a gas-lift bed. On both, the whole mattress base lifts up on gas struts to reveal one large storage cavity underneath.
A gas-lift (ottoman) bed holds the most, because it opens up the entire area under the mattress as a single deep cavity. Drawer beds hold less but are easier to access day to day.
Drawer beds need free floor space beside or at the foot of the bed so the drawers can slide fully out. Gas-lift and bookcase-headboard beds don't need any side clearance, which makes them better for tight rooms.
Mostly, yes — as long as the mattress matches the bed size. On gas-lift beds, stay within the recommended mattress weight range so the base lifts and lowers smoothly. Check whether the base is slatted or solid, as very soft mattresses suit a solid base better.
For anyone short on wardrobe or floor space, a storage bed is one of the best-value pieces you can buy — it reclaims space you already have. If you have generous built-in storage, a standard frame may be all you need.
Yes — A2Z stocks storage beds from single and king single through to queen and king. Larger sizes naturally give you a bigger storage cavity. Browse by size: queen, king and king single beds with storage.
Shop storage beds at A2Z Furniture
Drawer, gas-lift and bookcase storage beds — in stock across our South-East QLD showrooms with free local delivery.
Related reading: Gas-Lift Beds: The Ultimate Australian Guide · Bedframes with Bookcase Headboards · Australian Bed Sizes: A Comprehensive Guide · Space-Saving Bedroom Furniture Ideas · How to Choose a Bed Frame: Complete Australian Buying Guide