8 Things You Should Never Store Under Your Bed
Including one that you probably never considered. By Madeline Bilis Published on September 01, 2024
If there’s one storage spot in your home that embodies the “out of sight, out of mind” attitude, it’s under the bed. Stashing stuff under there is an efficient method for keeping bulky items out of the way, but it’s also an easy place to put things you’ll quickly forget about—a storage black hole, if you will.
Whether under the bed is where your out-of-season clothes go to hibernate or it’s a spot for your abandoned scrapbooking projects, there are some things that you’re better off keeping away from the black hole. Ahead, organizing experts reveal the eight things you should never store under your bed.
MEET THE EXPERT
Danica Carson, cofounder of The Uncluttered Life blog and creator of the Declutter Deck
Monica Fay, decluttering expert
Kristi Perry, professional home organizer and owner of Art of the Space
Anything Made of Paper or Cardboard
You might be tempted to kick a shoe box or two under the bed for safe keeping, but that’s a bad idea according to Danica Carson, cofounder of The Uncluttered Life blog and creator of the Declutter Deck, a set of organizing prompt cards.
“Paper products are actually a food source to some insects, from silverfish to moths to cockroaches,” Carson says. “Speaking strictly from a preservation perspective, paper products like photographs, books, documents, and boxes should never be stored under the bed.”
Linens and Textiles
Ever whack an old blanket only to watch dust puff out of it? That scenario is almost a guarantee if you store linens and textiles under the bed.
“Never store blankets, pillows, or anything fibrous or porous under the bed unless the items are contained in a container, or at least bagged,” says Monica Fay, a decluttering expert. “The reason for this is dust easily accumulates underneath furniture, especially beds, and will settle into the material. It may not be as noticeable as it would be on a plastic or wooden surface.”
This is especially important if you suffer from asthma, Carson adds. To be safe, keep your comforters away from dust mites.
Leather Goods
Putting leather shoes or purses under the bed is almost like setting them out in the sun. The environment wreaks havoc on them.
“Dust can cause your leather items to dry out, crack, and become discolored over time,” explains Carson. “If you absolutely have to store these items under the bed, they need to be stored in plastic containers to prevent dust from accumulating on them.”
Awkward or Heavy Items
When you bend down to retrieve items under the bed, you put yourself at risk of straining your back. That’s why it’s wise to avoid storing heavy or awkward items under there. “You increase your chances of injury so much—and increase the risk of damage to the items,” Carson says.
Food
This might seem like a no-brainer, but the experts say you’d be surprised to hear what they find under beds. Food, even unopened boxes of granola bars, are a no-go. Mice and other pests can chew their way through cardboard to get to the goods. (And even if they don’t, do you really want to eat from a dusty box of crackers?)
Electronics
Beyond your bed skirt is not the place for your old DVD player—or the previous model of your phone. “Dust can actually impair or destroy electronics over time,” Carson says. “Additionally, anything with a battery poses an increased fire risk under the bed. Because dust can negatively affect electronics, those batteries are more likely to malfunction than batteries stored in cool, dry places.”
Psychological Torment Devices
This one’s a more philosophical recommendation, Fay says. “Never store memories of your ex or your goal weight clothes under the bed,” she explains. “You deserve to sleep both literally and symbolically in peace every night without lying on top of the physical reminder of the past or a life you aren’t living currently.”
Anything At All
Here’s one you may not have considered: anything at all. Some organizing pros warn against putting anything under the bed. Kristi Perry, a professional home organizer and owner of Art of the Space, is one of them.
“I recommend not storing anything under your bed unless it is something that you regularly access and your back can handle bending down to pull out time and time again,” she says.
The "black hole effect" is real, adds Carson. She estimates 80% of what’s stored under there is forgotten. And no matter how spotless your home is, she says, dust, allergens, and bugs will accumulate there.
If you do truly need to stash stuff under the bed, Carson recommends using airtight storage containers that are clear so you can see what’s in them. Containers with wheels are great, too, especially if retrieving them might be tough for you.