Last Updated on October 21, 2024 by Silvy
7 Items You Should Never Store Under Your Bed: Essential Storage Tips
Under-the-bed storage is a popular space-saving solution, but not everything belongs there. Certain items can suffer damage, neglect, or become forgotten when tucked out of sight.
To maintain organization and protect your belongings, it’s essential to know what should never be stored under your bed and where to store them instead.
Let’s explore seven common items you may unknowingly be stashing in this space and why they need a better home.
Shoes: Why They Don’t Belong Under the Bed
Many people slip their shoes off at the end of the day and kick them under the bed for convenience. However, this is a bad habit that can damage your footwear and contribute to clutter. Shoes stored under the bed can accumulate dust, dirt, and even moisture, leading to damage over time.
According to Tina Priestly, owner of Ready, Set Refresh, “Shoes tucked beneath the bed can gather dust and debris, making them less hygienic and harder to clean.”
Instead, consider keeping your shoes in a designated area, such as a closet shoe rack or near your entryway. This way, they remain visible and accessible, which helps prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
Important Documents: Don’t Let Them Deteriorate
It might seem like a clever idea to store important documents under your bed, but this dark, stuffy space is not ideal for paper preservation.
Documents stored under the bed are prone to damage—they can deteriorate due to moisture or simply be forgotten, leading to frustration when they’re needed.
Sarit Weiss, certified professional organizer, suggests storing important papers in a secure drawer or filing cabinet instead. This will help ensure they stay safe, dry, and in good condition.
Unused Electronics: Avoid the Tech Tangle
Do you have old phones, tangled cords, or random gadgets under your bed? While it’s tempting to stash electronics there, it’s not a good idea. Old electronics and loose cables can create clutter and make the space look untidy.
Melanie Summers, founder of I Speak Organized, recommends placing unused electronics in a dedicated tech storage box elsewhere in your home. This keeps your under-bed area neat and allows you to find these items easily when needed.
Seasonal Items: Out of Sight, Out of Mind
While the space under your bed seems like a convenient place to store seasonal items, this can quickly lead to a cycle of neglect.
Clothes and décor for specific times of the year are often forgotten about until the next season rolls around, and by then, they may have collected dust.
Melanie Summers advises storing seasonal items in eye-level bins in a garage, closet, or basement. This will make rotating your seasonal items easier and more efficient.
Frequently Worn Clothing and Accessories: Keep Them Handy
Clothes and accessories you wear often should never be hidden under your bed. “Out of sight, out of mind” is a reality—once these items are out of your immediate view, they’re likely to be forgotten.
Sarit Weiss advises keeping your frequently worn items in your closet or on easy-to-access shelves. This allows you to grab your favorites quickly and helps you maintain a streamlined wardrobe.
Sentimental Items: Protect Your Emotional Space
Storing sentimental items like old journals, letters, or mementos under your bed can clutter both your physical and emotional space.
According to Melanie Summers, storing emotionally charged items in such a low-energy space can affect your mood and mindset. Instead, devote a special area in your home for these items, such as a memory box or a dedicated shelf in your closet.
You might even consider digitizing photos and documents to save space while preserving memories.
Leather Goods: Keep Them Safe From Dust and Damage
Leather items, such as jackets, shoes, and handbags, should never be stored under the bed. This area is prone to dust, bacteria, and moisture, which can severely damage leather over time.
Tina Priestly advises that leather items are best stored in a hall closet or other space where they’re better protected. Leather can crack, mold, or lose its luster if not stored properly, so be sure to take care of these valuable pieces.
Where to Store These Items Instead
- Shoes: Keep them in a closet or shoe rack near the entryway for easy access and to prevent dust accumulation.
- Documents: Store important papers in a filing cabinet or secure drawer to protect them from damage.
- Unused Electronics: Place gadgets and cords in a tech box or designated storage space to avoid clutter.
- Seasonal Items: Store in labeled bins in a garage, basement, or closet for organized rotation.
- Frequently Worn Clothing: Hang or store these items in your closet or on shelves for quick access.
- Sentimental Items: Keep mementos in a dedicated memory box or on a closet shelf to preserve your emotional space.
- Leather Goods: Store in a dry, dust-free closet to protect from mold and damage.
FAQs
What should I store under my bed instead?
Under-bed storage is great for items you don’t need frequently, like extra bedding, luggage, or long-term storage containers. Make sure these items are clean and well-organized to avoid clutter.
Is it okay to store shoes in plastic containers under the bed?
While plastic containers can protect shoes from dust, it’s still best to store them in a closet or on a rack for proper ventilation. This helps avoid any potential moisture build-up that can damage your footwear.
Can I store off-season clothes under my bed?
Yes, as long as they’re stored in airtight containers or garment bags to protect them from dust and moisture. However, closets or storage bins in other areas are usually better for off-season items.
What happens if I store leather items under my bed?
Storing leather items under the bed can expose them to dust and bacteria, which can cause the leather to crack, mold, or deteriorate. It’s better to store leather goods in a well-ventilated closet.
How can I keep my under-bed space organized?
Use labeled storage bins and only store items that you don’t need on a regular basis. Regularly declutter this space to keep it tidy and functional.
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