Storage Bed or Normal Bed? A Comparison of Storage and Dimensions
Short answer: if your bedroom is 12-15 m² or under, if you have no separate storage space at home, or if your seasonal textiles are taking up wardrobe space, a bed with a storage base is clearly the sensible choice: it turns the nearly three square metres under the bed into usable storage. A normal (baseless) bed frame is lighter, cheaper and looks airier; because you can sweep underneath, it does not collect dust. In Selishome bedroom sets the standard bed is a 160x200 with storage base; some models also offer a version without one.
What is a storage bed, and how does it differ from a normal one?
A normal bed frame consists of a frame carrying the mattress and legs that leave a gap beneath. In a storage bed, the space under the mattress is an enclosed box body; the mattress sits on that body and the inside becomes storage.
The difference is easier to see as a number: the area under a 160x200 cm bed is 3.2 m². Depending on the base height, that means roughly 250-400 litres of volume. We are talking about the volume that fits inside a medium wardrobe — and it takes up no extra space in the room plan at all.
| Bed with storage base | Normal (baseless) bed | |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | The whole area under the bed is usable | None; the space stays empty |
| Cleaning | The lower part is enclosed, no dust gets in | Can be swept underneath, stays open |
| Visual effect | A fuller, more solid body | A lighter, airier stance |
| Weight and moving | Heavy; has to be dismantled when moving | Light, easy to move |
| Price | Higher, because of the mechanism and body | More economical |
↔ Scroll the table sideways to see all of it.
Types of base: box, gas-lift and drawer
A "base" is not one single thing; there are three main types according to how the lid opens:
- Box (classic) base: the bed platform lifts on hinges. It is the simplest and most economical solution. The drawback is that the lifting is done entirely by your arms; together with the weight of the mattress, that is a serious load.
- Gas-lift base: gas pistons take on the lifting. The platform rises with one hand, holds itself open and comes down under control. If it will be used daily at home, this is the type to look for. At Selishome the bed in the Larin bedroom set is made with a gas-lift base.
- Drawer base: works with drawers pulled from the side. It gives access without lifting the platform, but needs clear space at the side of the bed to open the drawer; in a narrow room that space usually does not exist.
On a gas-lift base, quality lives directly in the piston. If the platform starts to drop by itself when open, the piston is weak; if it falls hard when closing, it is worn. Opening and closing it two or three times in the showroom tells you immediately.
The direction the base opens should not be overlooked either. Bases that open from the front (the foot end) need about 70-80 cm of clear space in front of the bed. In the Massimo bedroom set and the Granada bedroom set the whole area under the base becomes storage; that opening allowance has to be counted in when planning the room.
Why does a base matter even more in a small room?
The crowding in small bedrooms usually comes not from the bed but from the storage furniture you are forced to place around it. A four-door wardrobe takes about 1 m² of floor. You can see how many doors fit your wall length in the table in our article on how many doors a bedroom wardrobe should have. If the base covers part of that storage need, you can drop the wardrobe by one module and gain walking width in the room.
A base is ideal for:
- Winter duvets, blankets and pillows
- Seasonal clothes (vacuum bags halve the volume)
- Spare bed linen sets
- Suitcases and travel bags
- Boxes you rarely use but need to keep
There are also things that should not go in a base: paper documents that take up damp, food, and everyday items you need regular access to. A base is an enclosed volume with limited ventilation, so what goes in should be dry, and it is worth leaving the platform open for a while now and then.
You can find which arrangement fits your room size in our article on how many m² an average bedroom is, and the dimensions of the pieces in bedroom set dimensions.
You will find the exact layout plans we prepared for rooms in the 10-12 m² band in our article on how to fit a bedroom set into a small room.
The 160x200 standard and other sizes
In Türkiye the effective standard for a double bed is 160x200 cm. Because the mattress, bedding and protector market is built around that size, spare items are easiest to find for it. The standard bed in Selishome bedroom sets is likewise specified as 160x200 with a storage base.
Two alternative sizes are also common:
- 180x200 cm: makes a noticeable difference in comfort for couples with broader shoulders and for families who take a child between them. A room at least 3.5 m wide makes things easier.
- 200x200 cm: suited to large bedrooms; the room plan needs drawing first so you can leave walking space at the sides.
In the Massimo and Granada sets a 180x200 bed can be chosen, and in Massimo a 200x200 as well. As the size grows the base's storage volume grows too, but because the platform gets heavier, the gas-lift mechanism matters even more.
You can look at all the sets on the bedroom set page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, a storage bed or a normal one?
It depends on the need. If you are short of storage and your room is small, a storage bed is a clear gain. If you want an airy look, prefer to sweep underneath regularly and do not need storage, a baseless bed is lighter and more economical.
What is the difference between a gas-lift base and a box base?
On a box base you lift the platform entirely yourself. On a gas-lift base the pistons take the load; the platform rises with one hand, stays open and comes down under control. In daily use the difference is large.
What should and should not go in a base?
It is ideal for winter duvets, seasonal clothes, spare bed linen and suitcases. It is not suitable for paper documents that absorb damp, food, or things you need to reach every day.
Do base pistons weaken over time?
With heavy use their spring can fade. The piston is a standard part and can be replaced when needed; there is no need to renew the whole bed.
Is a storage bed dismantled when moving?
Yes. The base body is heavy and bulky; for transport the headboard, body and platform are usually separated and reassembled at the address.
