When I first heard this idea I cringed. I was NEVER going to be one of “Those” people! Yes, I’ve encouraged others with space issues to embrace this idea, but it was unthinkable for me. After visiting a friend and being inspired by her supply of food, I decided I wanted to bulk mine up some more, but the only problem was, I had NO more room! At least that is what I thought…
I’m not crafty in any way! In fact I despise crafts, they take time and money I don’t care to spend. The talent I loathe most though, is Decorating. I’ve tried hiring professional decorators to help me, but I must be difficult to work with, because they never call me back. Then, I was introduced to Pinterest! Countless of wasted hours later, this room was born…
Even though the decorating process was pure misery, I was pretty happy with the end result. Sorry, it’s a little overkill on the teal and coral color, but I’m a novice in this department and could care less. At this point it’s staying the way it is!
When gazing at the guest room one day (because it’s the only room that manages to stay clean), it occurred to me I did have room for more food… under the BED! Immediately I ripped the box springs off the bed, stuck a bunch of buckets in its place, and wha-la, I was more excited than a kid on Christmas Day!
My husband immediately put his stamp of disapproval on my idea, whining that it would be uncomfortable, look dumb, hard to get to, etc. I reminded him maybe he should buy another gun (this solution solves most problems), and instantly my idea was ingenious!
I couldn’t believe I was able to stick 19 buckets under the bed (well over a year supply of food for one person)! I could have put 5 more if I ditched the bed frame.
To measure, just stick buckets on top of the bed, or inside the bed frame to see how many will fit. Or you can just trust my math ;)
# of Buckets Under a Bed:
- TWIN – 3 rows x 6 in each column = 18 Buckets
- FULL – 4 rows x 6 in each column = 24 Buckets
- QUEEN – 5 rows (maybe) x 6 in each column = 30 buckets
- The Queen shape is a little off, so staggering might be best.
- KING – 7 rows x 6 in each column = 42 Buckets
My husband maybe had ONE point… it will look dumb. I couldn’t let all those hours on pinterest go to waste, so I thought for a minute and remembered I had some thin boards I could use. I put my bed skirt over the boards and buckets, threw the mattress back on, and quickly solved the ugly problem.
OTHER ISSUES:
My husband probably isn’t the only one with a list of complaints so let me address some of them here:
- UNCOMFORTABLE – It’s very supportive if you make sure not to leave any gaps, so it shouldn’t be any different then using a box spring! I used the guest/baby room for it so it doesn’t matter, since I don’t have to sleep on it :)
- HARD TO REACH– I would recommend putting long-term food, and things you don’t need often under the bed. Regardless of what is hidden underneath, I would much rather lift a mattress up than drag 4 kids to the store ANY day!!!
- LOOKS BAD – See above! You can’t even tell the difference, at least that is what I tell myself!!! Plus it keeps the monsters from hiding under there!
Maybe you need to sleep on this idea first, but in the meantime, we’ll be sleeping on ours :)
I LOVE this post! Just today I was contemplating the bed frame/bed skirt issue and wondering what to do with our guest bed and TA-daa!! I received this email from Preparec Housewives! It was meant to be! Thank you so much! By the way, I LOVE this room of yours! When we were there for Abby’s blessing I was so wanting to snap a few pics for how beautiful it was, but never got around to asking/taking the pics. So glad you shared them on here!
You’ll have to let me know how it goes! I want a king bed, but now I’m debating just using buckets and mounting a headboard on the wall. Love your comments, keep them coming :)
I think this is a great way to do it! But, you’re right, it’s a choice. You have to determine how important having food storage is; if it’s important enough there are ways to make it work. The sacrifice of storing it is minimal when you consider that you can’t feed your child a bed if he’s hungry one day.
Totally agree! I believe people have the Money, Time, and Space for what they want! It might not be what they need, but that’s a choice they have to make!
I couldn’t stop laughing about how you appeased Paul!! Love the room…Gorgeous!!! And it really is a great place for storage!
You know it’s true :) I’m so excited to have a little extra space for stuff!
I’m not sure about the math and how much weight each bucket would bear, but I’d still build a frame that could allow one bucket to slide out and still use the bed. I know, it’s probably not a problem if your guest isn’t obese, the cylinder is a very strong support form.
That would be ideal, especially to have the buckets somehow slide out without having to rip the bed apart! Someone should make furniture that can hide food storage, I would totally buy it :)
Have you looked into a murphy like bed? My husband is building me one this summer.
The ones that come out of the wall?
You could stash #10 cans (like from the cannery) under your bed and still keep your box springs. It you leave the boxes (of 6 cans) intact but cut out the end and face those toward the edges of the bed you could probably get by without having to lift the mattress as well. I like your idea of the bedskirt to hide the buckets.
I think this is a good idea, and a lovely room! No, not overkill on the teal and coral – I think the limited palette makes the room feel serene. Speaking of which, would you mind sharing the name of your paint color (the taupe/gray hue) and your source for the curtains? Especially the curtains! Thanks in advance :)
You’re so sweet! I got the curtains from overstock.com and the color I painted the room is Sherwin Williams – 6107 (Nomadic Desert)
This is brilliant I am going to try it only not take the base off but build buckets underneath each bed on a pull out trolley like one of those trundle beds! and try to store for each person in my household! thinking might even ditch the drawers and put clothing under them thank u very much cant seem to find storage! O 4 Awesome! (giggles best start with my bed and see how I go before I demolish the kids rooms roflmao) thank u again
Hey Haki, let me know how it goes! You’re nice, I always start with the kids best first ;)