How to measure for under-bed storage
Check the lowest rail, the space between the legs and the room to open a box before you order.
Start here
Measure the way the box will move
Take the height above the floor it will travel over, check the clear bay between supports and leave enough floor space to pull the box out and open it.
Find the lowest point along the route
Measure from the top of any rug or carpet to the underside of the bed rail. Then look behind the rail for brackets, slats or other parts that hang lower. Repeat the height check where the back of the box will sit.
Compare with the outside height of the assembled product. A quoted height should include its fitted lid, castors and anything that sticks up. If the listing is unclear, check before ordering.
Measure each bay between the legs
A centre support can divide the space even when it is hard to see from the edge. Measure the opening the box has to pass through and the distance it can travel before it meets a support. Try the proposed footprint both ways round.
A piece of cardboard cut to the outside dimensions helps you check the route. It can show where a corner catches, but you still need the height measurement.
Leave room to grip and open it
Measure from the bed edge to the wardrobe, wall or other obstruction in front of it. A removable lid needs space to reach its clips and lift it clear. A folding lid may let you reach the near end sooner, provided the lid can rise without meeting the bed.
Check the space your things will use
The shallow Really Useful 10L below is 8.5 cm high outside and 7 cm high inside. That difference matters when a folded stack is close to the top. Measure the item or stack at its widest and highest point, then compare with the usable interior.
For very low beds
Really Useful Box 10L Clear
An 8.5 cm high box for flat puzzles, spare pillowcases or craft supplies. Its shorter footprint can work in the bay between a bed leg and a centre support.
- Outside · cm
- 52 × 34 × 8.5
- Inside · cm
- 46 × 29.8 × 7
- Capacity
- 10 litres
- Access
- Removable clip lid
What to check The 7 cm internal height limits what you can put in it. Plan to pull the box far enough out to unclip and lift the whole lid.
View on Amazon — Really Useful Box 10L ClearUse the box comparison and height checker to see the three sizes together. If you are deciding between rigid and soft storage, return to under-bed storage.
Questions before you choose
Should I measure under the side rail only?
No. Check behind it for lower brackets, slats and supports, and measure along the full route from the resting bay to the room.
Do I include the rug in the height measurement?
Measure from the surface the container will travel over, including carpet or a rug. Check raised edges that could tilt a wheeled box towards the rail.
How do I measure around a centre leg?
Treat each bay as a separate opening. Record its clear width and the depth to the support, then try the proposed footprint in both orientations.
Does a box need to come all the way out?
It depends on the opening. A removable lid needs room to lift clear; a folding lid may allow near-end access sooner but still needs rising space.
Can I rely on a fabric bag’s nominal height?
No. Measure the packed profile, including bulky folds and the zip. A filled case can be higher or wider than its empty nominal size.
Can I remove a bed support to gain storage room?
Do not alter required bed supports to accommodate storage. Choose a smaller container or another location and follow the bed’s instructions.