http://www.bin-store.com/blog

Whether you are moving into a dorm room or simply are in search of small space storage solutions, it is hard to beat the idea of under-the-bed storage. Even if you have a standard bed which sits low to the ground, you probably have some space underneath it. And if you have a bed in a dorm room or you buy or construct a bed for home which has extra space beneath it, you can use it to store even more of your stuff. Here is how to make the most of your under-the-bed storage.

1. Raise your bed as high as it can go.

First of all, do you have one of those beds which can be raised manually to different levels? If you do, hoist it up as high as possible so that you have the maximum amount of space underneath.

There are two good reasons to do this. The first is obviously that more space is better. The second however is that it gives you more options as far as dimensions and configurations go—more on that next.

2. You don’t have to use just one bin or one type of bin.

Large flat storage totes are popular under the bed for obvious reasons. They are perfectly designed to fit even under beds which sit close to the floor. But just because they are the obvious choice, that does not mean they are the only choice.

If you raised your bed up high enough, you should have enough space that you can go with different dimensions of storage boxes. A combination of large and medium plastic storage containers all stacked up may be exactly what you need to make the best possible use of the space and afford yourself maximum convenience.

Why? If everything is all in one large plastic storage container, how will you keep everything organized and easily get at your stuff? If you use multiple smaller bins, you can separate items and dig through less to pull out what you need.

3. Pay attention to weight when you pack your bins.

Finally, here is one more tip if you are going to be moving your bins around a lot, especially if you will be transporting them between a dorm and your home or vehicle. Do not just stuff as much as humanly possible into your bins! Think about weight distribution, not just space distribution.

If you overload one of those large flat plastic containers, believe me, you will regret it. The bin will not only be awkward, heavy and unwieldy, but it will also gradually deform from the pressure as you try to move it. Eventually it may no longer close properly or fit underneath your bed.

Under-the-bed storage is an easy and convenient solution when you have limited space in your bedroom. But it does take time, thought and planning to make the most of the space under your bed. So keep these tips in mind when you are shopping for under-the-bed plastic storage boxes!