A storage bed frame is the easiest way to get a whole cupboard’s worth of space back in a Singapore bedroom. The real decision is how the storage opens: a hydraulic lift-up base gives you the most space, while pull-out drawers give you the quickest everyday access. This guide compares the two, explains storage height and bed height, and lists what to check before you buy.
Hydraulic vs drawer storage beds: the quick answer
| Hydraulic lift-up storage bed | Drawer storage bed | |
|---|---|---|
| How it opens | The whole mattress base lifts up | Drawers slide out from the side or foot |
| Storage space | The entire area under the bed | Only the drawer boxes |
| Best for | Bulky items you use now and then: luggage, spare bedding, seasonal clothes | Things you reach for every day: towels, clothes, kids’ stuff |
| Room needed | Space to stand beside the bed | Clear floor space where the drawers open |
| Good examples | Mica, Lucy, Jayce | Kassa, Aube |
If your bed is pushed against a wall on one side and you mostly store bulky things, go hydraulic. If the bed sits in the middle of the room and you want daily access without lifting anything, go with drawers.
How hydraulic storage beds work
The mattress rests on a padded top board. Gas-assisted lifts on either side do most of the work, so you can lift the base, mattress included, with one hand. On our hydraulic storage beds, the German hydraulic lifts come with a lifetime warranty, and a safety lock holds the base open while you reach in, even with a heavy mattress on top.
You can also choose an electric version that opens with a remote, which helps if you’d rather not lift at all. Jayce and Mica both offer manual or electric lifts.
Storage height: 11, 14 or 16 inch?
Most of our hydraulic storage beds come in three heights. The figures already include the 2-inch top board your mattress sits on, measured from the floor.
| Storage height | Total height (top board included) | Storage depth inside |
|---|---|---|
| 16 inch | 40.5cm | 34cm (13.5 inch) |
| 14 inch | 35.5cm | 29cm (11.5 inch) |
| 11 inch | 28cm | 23cm (9 inch) |
Measurements for the Mica storage bed; other models are similar, so check each product page.
The 16 inch base gives the most room, enough for a cabin suitcase on its side. The 11 inch base keeps the bed low, which suits rooms with a low window ledge or older family members who prefer a lower bed.
To get your final bed height, add your mattress thickness. A 16 inch base with a 28cm mattress puts the top of the bed at about 68.5cm. A 20cm mattress such as the Nuloft Lite on an 11 inch base comes to about 48cm.
Drawer storage beds: easy access, no lifting
Drawer beds suit the things you use every day. With the Kassa fabric drawer bed frame you choose where the drawers face (foot, left, right or both sides) and how high the divan sits, so the layout works around your wardrobe and bedside tables.
For Japan-size mattresses, the Aube wooden drawer storage bed has two large drawers on castors and a headboard shelf with built-in power and USB sockets.
Before you choose drawers, measure the floor beside the bed. You need roughly the drawer’s depth plus room to kneel or stand in front of it.
What to check before you buy a storage bed frame
- Your mattress size. Measure the mattress, not the old bed frame. Singapore, Japan and UK sizes differ by a few centimetres, and a mismatch leaves gaps or won’t fit. See our mattress size guide.
- Mattress thickness. Our hydraulic storage beds suit mattresses up to 12 inches (about 30cm). Thicker mattresses can be accommodated through customisation; just let us know when you order.
- Where you’ll stand to open it. A hydraulic base needs space at the side or foot. Drawers need clear floor space where they open.
- What’s inside. Look at how the storage compartment is finished. On the Mica, for example, the inside walls are upholstered in the same fabric as the outside rather than plain black cloth, which is neater and frays less.
- Family safety. Rounded corners, like those on the Mica, mean fewer knocked shins in homes with young children.
- Fabric. If you have pets or young kids, choose a water, stain and scratch-resistant fabric like the one on the Hannes pet-friendly storage bed or Jayce’s Kisa Velvet.
- Getting it into the room. Measure the lift, corridor and bedroom door. Storage beds arrive in parts and our team assembles them in the room.
Fabric, leather or wood?
Fabric storage beds are the most popular choice for Singapore bedrooms: soft headboards to lean on, plenty of colour options, and pet-friendly fabrics if you need them. If you prefer a natural look, the Koda American oak tatami storage bed gives you full under-bed storage in a low, Japandi-style solid wood frame.
Most storage beds can be customised
Many customers don’t realise this: most of our storage bed frames can be made to suit your room. You can change the upholstery and colour, adjust the size to fit an awkward space, change the legs, or have the headboard adjusted to sit flush against a wall with floor skirting. Customisation is quoted separately before any work starts. Ask us on the product page or by chat.
Pair it with the right mattress
A storage bed works with any mattress that matches its size. If you’re replacing both, the Nuloft Hybrid is our best-selling mattress, and the slimmer Nuloft Lite keeps the overall bed height down and the base light to lift. Nuloft mattresses in Singapore sizes come with a 100-night trial. You can also browse our bed frame and mattress bundles.
Short on space in general? Our HDB small bedroom ideas has more layout tips.
Shop storage bed frames
Browse all storage bed frames. Every order over $300 comes with free delivery and assembly, and you can spread the cost with 0% instalments. Replacing an old bed? Add our furniture disposal service and we’ll take the old one away.
FAQ
Are hydraulic storage beds safe?
Yes, when they have a locking mechanism. Our hydraulic storage beds have a safety lock that holds the base open while you reach inside, and the lifts carry a lifetime warranty.
Is a hydraulic storage bed hard to lift?
No. The gas lifts take most of the weight, so you can lift the base with the mattress on it by hand. If you’d rather not lift at all, choose the electric option that opens with a remote.
What is the best storage bed height?
The 16 inch base gives the most storage (34cm deep inside on the Mica). Choose 11 or 14 inch if you want a lower bed or use a thick mattress. Add your mattress thickness to the base height to get the final bed height.
Can I put any mattress on a storage bed?
Any mattress that matches the bed’s size and is up to about 12 inches (30cm) thick. For a thicker mattress, tell us when you order and we can customise the bed.
Hydraulic or drawer storage bed: which is better for an HDB flat?
Hydraulic gives you more storage in the same footprint, which suits most HDB bedrooms. Drawers are better if you need daily access and have clear floor space beside the bed.