Captains Beds Buying Guide | How to Choose a Storage Bed
A captains bed can be a practical choice when you want to combine comfortable sleeping space with useful built-in storage. Our Beds with Storage Buying Guide covers the wider range of storage bed options.
Unlike a conventional bed, a captains bed typically makes use of the space underneath or around the mattress to provide drawers, cupboards, shelves or other storage. This can make it particularly useful in bedrooms where floor space is limited or where you want to reduce the amount of additional furniture needed.
Captains beds are available in a variety of styles and sizes, from children's and single captains beds to larger beds for teenagers and adults. Some designs also incorporate trundle beds, desks, shelving or other useful features.
This guide explains what a captains bed is, the different types available and what to consider before buying one.
What Is a Captains Bed?
A captains bed is a bed that incorporates storage into the bed design.
The storage is often positioned underneath the mattress or incorporated into the surrounding bed frame. Depending on the design, this can include:
- Storage drawers
- Large storage compartments
- Shelves
- Cupboards
- Trundle beds
- Pull-out beds
- Desks
- Additional shelving
The main attraction is that the bed can perform more than one function.
Instead of having:
Bed + chest of drawers + storage unit
you may be able to have:
Bed + integrated storage
This can be particularly useful in smaller bedrooms.
Why Are Captains Beds Popular?
The biggest advantage of a captains bed is making better use of the available space.
The area underneath a conventional bed is often unused or becomes somewhere to push boxes and other belongings. A captains bed turns that space into purposeful storage.
This can help provide somewhere to keep:
- Clothes
- Toys
- Books
- Bedding
- Shoes
- Games
- School equipment
- Seasonal belongings
For children's bedrooms, this can make it easier to keep the room organised without adding another large piece of furniture. Our Children's Storage Furniture Buying Guide has more general storage ideas.
Captains Beds with Storage Drawers
One of the most common types of captains bed is a bed with built-in drawers.
Drawers are particularly useful because the contents are easy to access and can be kept out of sight.
Depending on the design, drawers can be used for:
Clothes
Useful for everyday clothing, pyjamas and sportswear.
Toys
Particularly useful in children's bedrooms.
Bedding
A good place for spare sheets, blankets and duvets.
Books and games
Useful for keeping bedrooms organised.
When choosing a captains bed with drawers, check how far the drawers extend from the bed and make sure there is sufficient floor space in front of them.
Captains Beds with Shelves
Some captains beds incorporate shelves rather than, or as well as, drawers.
Shelves are particularly useful for things you want to access regularly.
They can be used for:
- Books
- Toys
- Decorations
- School equipment
- Games
- Personal belongings
Shelving can also be useful where floor space in front of the bed is limited, because there is no need to pull a drawer out.
Captains Beds with Trundle Beds
Some beds described as captains beds incorporate a pull-out trundle bed. Our Beds with Sleepover Beds guide covers trundle beds in more detail.
This can provide an additional sleeping space when friends or family stay overnight.
A trundle can be particularly useful for children's and teenagers' bedrooms because it can remain underneath the main bed when not required.
Some designs combine:
Main bed + storage + trundle bed
This can provide considerably more functionality than a conventional single bed.
However, check whether the pull-out section is intended as a storage drawer or a sleeping surface before purchasing, as the two can look similar.
Children's Captains Beds
A captains bed can be a practical option for a child's bedroom because children often need considerable storage for toys, clothes, books and games.
A children's captains bed can provide storage without requiring a separate chest of drawers.
When choosing one, consider:
- The child's age
- The size of the bedroom
- What needs to be stored
- Mattress size
- Available floor space
- How easy the storage is to access
- Whether the bed will still be suitable as the child gets older
It can be worth choosing a design that will remain useful for several years rather than one that is aimed at a very specific age.
Captains Beds for Teenagers
Teenagers often need considerably more storage than younger children.
A teenager's bedroom may need to accommodate:
- Clothes
- Shoes
- Books
- Schoolwork
- Gaming equipment
- Sports equipment
- Personal belongings
A captains bed with drawers can therefore be an effective way to increase storage without making the room feel crowded.
If the teenager also needs a desk, it may be worth considering a mid sleeper or high sleeper with storage and a desk instead - see our Mid Sleeper Beds with Desks guide.
Captains Beds for Adults
Captains beds aren't exclusively children's beds.
Larger captains beds and storage beds can also be useful in adult bedrooms.
For adults, storage is often particularly useful for:
- Bedding
- Clothes
- Shoes
- Seasonal items
- Suitcases
- Spare blankets
A larger storage bed can help reduce the need for additional bedroom furniture.
When shopping for an adult captains bed, pay particular attention to the mattress size, dimensions and maximum user weight.
Single Captains Beds
A single captains bed is one of the most practical choices for a child's or teenager's bedroom.
The standard UK single mattress size is generally 90 × 190cm, although some European-style children's beds require a 90 × 200cm mattress. Our Children's Mattress Buying Guide explains mattress sizes for every bed type.
Always check the individual product specifications rather than assuming all single beds use the same mattress size.
A single captains bed can be particularly useful where you need to maximise storage while keeping the bed footprint relatively compact.
Double Captains Beds
A double captains bed provides additional sleeping space while incorporating storage.
Double storage beds can be particularly useful in adult bedrooms, guest rooms and larger children's or teenagers' rooms.
Because a double bed has a larger footprint, check the room dimensions carefully and consider how much space remains around the bed.
Don't forget to measure the area required to open drawers or cupboards.
Captains Bed vs Standard Bed with Storage
A conventional bed with separate storage underneath can perform a similar function to a captains bed.
The difference is generally in the design.
A captains bed is designed around the concept of integrated storage, whereas a conventional bed may simply have drawers or storage added underneath.
Neither is automatically better.
Consider whether you prefer:
- A more integrated furniture design
- Maximum storage capacity
- Easy-access drawers
- A conventional-height bed
- Additional features such as shelving or a trundle
Captains Bed vs Day Bed – What's the Difference?
The terms captains bed and day bed can sometimes overlap, but they generally describe different priorities.
A captains bed is primarily focused on sleeping plus storage.
A day bed is designed to work as both a sleeping area and a daytime seating or lounging area.
For example:
Captains bed:
Bed + drawers/storage
Day bed:
Bed + seating/daytime use
Day bed with trundle:
Bed + seating + additional sleeping space
If storage is your main priority, a captains bed may be the better choice.
If you want a bed that can also function as a sofa or seating area, look at day beds.
See our guide to Day Beds for more advice
Captains Beds for Small Bedrooms
A captains bed can be particularly useful in a small bedroom. Our Best Bed for Small Bedrooms guide has more comparisons.
Instead of using valuable floor space for a separate chest of drawers, the bed itself can provide storage.
Before buying, however, measure more than just the bed's footprint.
Consider:
- Where the drawers open
- Where doors open
- Where wardrobes are positioned
- Where windows are located
- Walking space around the bed
- Access to other furniture
A bed that fits on paper may not work well if its drawers cannot be opened properly.
How Much Storage Do You Need?
Don't automatically choose the bed with the greatest number of drawers.
Think about what you actually need to store.
If you mainly need somewhere for clothes, drawers may be ideal.
If you need somewhere for books, shelves may be better.
If you need to store bulky bedding, larger compartments may be more useful.
Make a list of the items you want to store before choosing your bed.
What Mattress Does a Captains Bed Need?
Always check the manufacturer's mattress requirements before buying.
Children's and teenagers' beds may use different single mattress dimensions.
Common examples include:
- 90 × 190cm UK single
- 90 × 200cm European single
Larger beds may require:
- Small double
- Double
- Other specified mattress sizes
Also check the maximum mattress depth specified by the manufacturer.
This is particularly important if the bed incorporates safety features such as guardrails.
What Should You Check Before Buying a Captains Bed?
Before ordering, check:
- Mattress size
- Mattress depth
- Overall bed dimensions
- Storage dimensions
- Number of drawers
- Drawer opening direction
- Available floor space
- Maximum user weight
- Recommended age
- Assembly requirements
- Whether the bed is reversible
- Whether the mattress is included
- Whether storage is included
- Whether a trundle is a storage drawer or an additional bed
Captains Beds Buying Checklist
Before you buy, ask yourself:
- What do I need to store?
- Do I need drawers or shelves?
- Do I need a wardrobe as well?
- Would a trundle bed be useful?
- Does the bed fit the room?
- Can all drawers open fully?
- What mattress size does it require?
- Will the bed still be suitable in a few years?
- Is it suitable for the user's age?
- What is the maximum weight?
- Does it require assembly?
- Is the storage accessible enough for everyday use?
Are Captains Beds a Good Choice?
For many bedrooms, yes.
A captains bed can be an excellent way to combine sleeping space and storage in one piece of furniture.
They can be particularly useful for children's and teenagers' bedrooms where floor space is limited and there are plenty of belongings to organise.
The most important thing is to choose a design based on the room and your actual storage requirements rather than simply choosing the bed with the most drawers.
Final Thoughts
A captains bed can provide a practical combination of comfortable sleeping space and integrated storage.
From single children's beds with drawers to larger beds for teenagers and adults, there are designs to suit a wide range of bedrooms.
If storage is your priority, look carefully at the amount and type of storage provided. If you also need a desk, wardrobe, sofa or additional sleeping space, consider whether a more multifunctional bed such as a mid sleeper or high sleeper would provide a better solution.