The best storage bed frame in NZ overall is the Shawnee Storage Bed Frame, a queen gas-lift ottoman bed that turns the whole area under the mattress into one large hidden compartment. Storage bed frames have become a practical fix for New Zealand’s smaller apartments and family homes, where a bedroom often doubles as wardrobe overflow. This guide compares nine bed frames with storage from TSB Living, covering both gas-lift ottoman bases and models with built-in bed base drawers, so shoppers can match the right storage bed frame to their room size, budget and how often they need to reach what is stored.
Testers grouped the range into two camps. Gas-lift ottoman beds lift the entire base on a hydraulic strut for one big cavity, best for bulky, seasonal items. Drawer beds keep the mattress in place and slide storage out from the side or footboard, best for things grabbed often. Neither is universally better, so the picks below flag exactly which job each bed suits.
Quick comparison
| # | Bed frame | Size | Storage type | Finish | Weight capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shawnee Storage Bed Frame | Queen | Gas-lift ottoman | Beige linen | Approx. 300 kg |
| 2 | Harrogate Wooden Storage Bed Frame | Double | Gas-lift (hydraulic) | White wood | Approx. 250 kg |
| 3 | Heloise Bed Frame With Drawer | Queen | 1 footboard drawer | Charcoal velvet | 200 kg |
| 4 | Bass Storage Bed Frame PU | Double | Gas-lift ottoman | Dark brown faux leather | Approx. 300 kg |
| 5 | Wairoa Bed Frame with Drawers | Queen | 2 side drawers | Grey velvet | Up to 300 kg (listed) |
| 6 | Coronado-A Bed Frame With Drawers | Double | 3 drawers | Grey linen | 250 kg |
| 7 | Manolo Bed Frame With Drawer | Queen | 1 footboard drawer | Beige velvet | 200 kg |
| 8 | Rae Bed Frame With Drawer | Queen | 1 footboard drawer | Charcoal velvet | 200 kg |
| 9 | Hernan Bed Frame with Drawer | Queen | 1 footboard drawer | Beige velvet | 200 kg |
How we chose
Every bed here is checked individually. Selections were made on published dimensions, drawer or cavity measurements, stated weight capacity, materials and finish, and the storage mechanism. Picks are ranked in the order requested, each with a distinct role, and the write-ups keep the honest limits in view: shallow drawers, painted finishes that can chip, and the side clearance a drawer bed needs. Prices shift with sales, so this guide sticks to the specs and design detail that stay true.
1. Shawnee Storage Bed Frame – Best Overall
The Shawnee is the best storage bed frame in NZ overall for anyone chasing maximum hidden space without sacrificing floor room. It is a queen gas-lift ottoman: a single lever raises the padded base on a hydraulic strut to reveal one full-size compartment underneath.
The external footprint is 220 x 163 x 101 cm, noticeably longer than the 203 x 153 cm queen mattress it takes, so leave a little clearance at the foot when planning the room. Because the whole base lifts rather than sliding out sideways, the bed can sit flush against walls on all sides, which suits tight rooms. The frame is wrapped in soft beige linen with a padded headboard and rides on an arched slatted base with central struts.
Build is a strong point. The reinforced wooden frame uses heavy-duty metal connectors and carries an approximate 300 kg weight capacity, one of the higher ratings in this list. It ships flat-packed across two boxes at roughly 57 kg, so assembly needs two people and a bit of time with the included manual.
Pros
- Full-footprint storage for bulky and seasonal items
- High approx. 300 kg capacity
- Sits flush to walls, no side clearance needed
- Neutral beige linen suits most rooms
Cons
- Must clear the top and lift the mattress for every access
- Heavy two-box assembly is a two-person job
Key specs: Queen; beige linen; gas-lift ottoman; external 220 x 163 x 101 cm; approx. 300 kg capacity; SKU PR65282.
2. Harrogate Wooden Storage Bed Frame – Best White Wooden Gas-Lift
The Harrogate is the pick for a bright, wood-look storage bed in a smaller double room. It uses the same lift-up approach as the Shawnee, with a hydraulic base that opens to a single large under-bed cavity, but wraps it in a crisp white timber-look finish rather than fabric.
This is a double, measuring 197.6 x 147 x 114.8 cm and taking a standard 190 x 137 cm double mattress. The headboard is tall at nearly 115 cm, giving a solid, upright shape that suits Scandi or coastal bedrooms. The frame is built from solid hardwood with MDF and plywood elements and carries an approximate 250 kg capacity.
It arrives flat-packed in three boxes at about 52.6 kg. The white painted surface is easy to keep looking clean, though painted edges can chip over years of use, and the 250 kg rating and MDF panels sit a step below the all-fabric Shawnee. There is no queen option, so larger sleepers will need to look elsewhere in this list.
Pros
- Bright white wood finish suits light bedrooms
- Full-cavity hydraulic lift storage
- Tall, sturdy headboard
Cons
- Double only, no queen size
- Painted MDF edges can chip
- Lower 250 kg capacity than the fabric gas-lift picks
Key specs: Double; white wood finish; gas-lift hydraulic base; external 197.6 x 147 x 114.8 cm; approx. 250 kg capacity; SKU PR65577.
3. Heloise Bed Frame With Drawer – Best Value Drawer Bed
The Heloise is the best value bed frame with storage for shoppers who want quick access without lifting a mattress. Instead of an ottoman lift, it hides a single drawer in the footboard that slides straight out, so retrieving spare sheets takes seconds.
It is a queen at 212.5 x 163 x 104.5 cm, upholstered in charcoal velvet with a thick padded headboard, a divan-style slat base and fabric-covered legs. The look is soft and hotel-like. The drawer itself measures 129.5 x 43 x 9.7 cm inside, which is wide but shallow, so it is best matched to flat items like folded linen and blankets rather than deep bins.
Construction is chipboard, MDF, plywood and foam over a 12-slat divan base rated to 200 kg, and it ships as a manageable two-box flat pack around 47 kg. It is also the most reviewed bed here, holding a 5-star rating across a dozen owner reviews. The trade-off is capacity: one shallow 9.7 cm drawer holds far less than a gas-lift cavity, and pale marks show on velvet, so it needs the occasional brush.
Pros
- Fast footboard-drawer access, no lifting
- Plush charcoal velvet and padded headboard
- Manageable two-box flat pack
- Strong owner review record
Cons
- Single shallow 9.7 cm drawer holds relatively little
- Velvet shows lint and marks
Key specs: Queen; charcoal velvet; one footboard drawer (inner 129.5 x 43 x 9.7 cm); 12-slat divan base; 200 kg capacity; SKU PR10042.
4. Bass Storage Bed Frame PU – Best Faux-Leather Gas-Lift
The Bass suits anyone who wants a darker, wipe-clean gas-lift bed. It is a double with a gas-sprung lift-up base and a single hidden compartment, finished in dark brown PU faux leather over high-density foam.
The frame measures 204 x 144 x 87 cm and takes a 190 x 137 cm double mattress. Two figures make it easy to plan for: a stated 24 cm storage depth inside the cavity and a 30 cm footboard height. The profile is low at 87 cm, so the headboard is understated rather than dramatic. The faux leather wipes clean quickly, which makes it a sensible choice for a teen or guest room where fabric would mark.
Strong wooden slats sit over the gas-sprung platform, with an approximate 300 kg capacity, and it ships in two boxes around 46 kg. The honest catch is the material: PU faux leather can crack or peel after a few years of heavy use, more so than woven fabric or timber, and this model comes in double only.
Pros
- Wipe-clean faux leather finish
- Clear 24 cm storage depth
- High approx. 300 kg capacity
- Flush-fitting ottoman lift
Cons
- PU can crack or peel over time
- Double only
- Low 87 cm profile means a modest headboard
Key specs: Double; dark brown PU faux leather; gas-lift ottoman; external 204 x 144 x 87 cm; 24 cm storage depth; approx. 300 kg capacity; SKU PR666532.
5. Wairoa Bed Frame with Drawers – Best for Deep Drawer Storage
The Wairoa is the drawer bed to pick when capacity matters most. This queen carries two side rolling drawers, and one of them is genuinely deep, so it bridges the gap between shallow single-drawer beds and full gas-lift cavities.
It measures 219 x 159 x 117.5 cm with a tall padded headboard and a warm wraparound design in grey velvet with fine line detailing. The inner drawer runs 95.7 x 47 x 11.7 cm and the outer drawer 101 x 50 x 23 cm, so the deeper drawer swallows chunky bedding that would never fit a 9.7 cm tray. Because the drawers roll out from the side, you do need floor clearance beside the bed and cannot push it hard against a wall on the drawer side.
The base uses chipboard, MDF, foam and plywood slats. Note one quirk on the listing: the specifications quote up to 300 kg while the description text says 250 kg, so treat the capacity as roughly in that band and load it sensibly. It is also the biggest build here, arriving as a four-box flat pack near 76.5 kg.
Pros
- Two drawers including a deep 23 cm outer drawer
- Tall wraparound velvet headboard
- Side access without lifting the mattress
Cons
- Needs floor clearance beside the bed for the drawers
- Heaviest, most involved four-box assembly
- Listing quotes both 250 kg and 300 kg capacity
Key specs: Queen; grey velvet; two side rolling drawers (outer 101 x 50 x 23 cm, inner 95.7 x 47 x 11.7 cm); external 219 x 159 x 117.5 cm; SKU PR11452.
6. Coronado-A Bed Frame With Drawers – Best Multi-Drawer Bed
The Coronado-A is the choice for the most compartments, with three drawers built into one double frame. That layout suits a small bedroom where every bit of separated storage helps keep clutter sorted.
It measures 202.5 x 155 x 109 cm, takes a 190 x 137 cm double mattress, and is upholstered in grey linen with a horizontal tufted headboard. The three drawers are one on each side plus a large drawer at the footboard: the large drawer measures 133 x 50 x 15 cm inside and each smaller drawer 60 x 50 x 15 cm. A neat practical touch is that the slats and screw kit ship in a zip pocket on the back of the headboard, so nothing goes missing during the three-box assembly (around 63 kg).
The frame is chipboard, MDF, plywood and foam, rated to 250 kg. The honest limits: at 15 cm the drawers are on the shallow side, the side drawers need clearance on both sides of the bed, and it is offered in double only.
Pros
- Three separate drawers for sorted storage
- Large 133 cm footboard drawer
- Hardware stored in a headboard zip pocket
Cons
- Drawers are a shallow 15 cm deep
- Needs clearance on both sides
- Double only
Key specs: Double; grey linen; three drawers (large inner 133 x 50 x 15 cm, side 60 x 50 x 15 cm); external 202.5 x 155 x 109 cm; 250 kg capacity; SKU PR8770.
7. Manolo Bed Frame With Drawer – Best Neutral Beige Option
The Manolo is the pick for lighter, warmer bedrooms. It shares TSB Living’s single-drawer velvet platform but comes in a soft beige, which reads brighter and airier than the charcoal versions and blends into neutral or Scandi schemes.
As a queen it measures 212.5 x 163 x 104.5 cm with a thick padded velvet headboard, fabric-covered legs and a 12-slat divan base rated to 200 kg. Storage is a single sliding footboard drawer measuring 129.5 x 43 x 9.7 cm inside, ideal for flat linen. It ships as a two-box flat pack.
Because it is the same frame as the Heloise, Hernan and Rae, choose the Manolo on colour rather than capacity. The trade-offs are the same shallow single drawer, and pale beige velvet shows dust and marks more readily than a darker tone, so keep a fabric brush handy.
Pros
- Bright beige velvet for light rooms
- Padded headboard and hotel-style divan look
- Simple two-box flat pack
Cons
- Single shallow 9.7 cm drawer
- Pale velvet marks more easily than charcoal
Key specs: Queen; beige velvet; one footboard drawer (inner 129.5 x 43 x 9.7 cm); 12-slat divan base; 200 kg capacity; SKU PR10039.
8. Rae Bed Frame With Drawer – Best Alternative Charcoal Drawer Bed
The Rae is a straight alternative to the Heloise for shoppers set on a charcoal velvet drawer bed. It is built on the identical single-drawer platform, so it is worth considering mainly when the Heloise is out of stock or when its slightly different styling appeals more.
The queen frame measures 212.5 x 163 x 104.5 cm, with a thick padded charcoal velvet headboard, fabric-covered legs and a 12-slat divan base to 200 kg. Storage is the same single footboard drawer at 129.5 x 43 x 9.7 cm, and it ships in two boxes.
Since the Rae and Heloise store the same amount, the sensible decision comes down to which is available and which finish you prefer in person. The trade-off is unchanged: one shallow drawer only, and charcoal velvet needs an occasional brush to lift lint.
Pros
- Deep charcoal velvet for modern rooms
- Same easy footboard-drawer access
- Two-box flat pack
Cons
- Storage identical to the Heloise, so no capacity gain
- Single shallow 9.7 cm drawer
Key specs: Queen; charcoal velvet; one footboard drawer (inner 129.5 x 43 x 9.7 cm); 12-slat divan base; 200 kg capacity; SKU PR13006.
9. Hernan Bed Frame with Drawer – Best Budget Queen Storage Bed
The Hernan rounds out the list as the simplest way into a queen size storage bed frame. It is a no-frills version of the velvet single-drawer platform in beige, aimed at shoppers who want a tidy hidden drawer without paying for a lift mechanism or multiple drawers.
It measures 212.5 x 163 x 104.5 cm and pairs a thick velvet-wrapped headboard with a divan slat base of 12 roller slats rated to 200 kg. The hidden sliding drawer at the foot of the bed measures 129.5 x 43 x 9.7 cm, enough for a spare set of sheets or a folded throw, and the bed ships in two boxes for straightforward assembly.
As an entry option it does the basics well, but the ceiling is clear: a single shallow drawer is the whole storage story, so anyone needing to stow bulky duvets or suitcases should step up to a gas-lift or multi-drawer bed above. Beige velvet also marks more visibly than darker fabrics.
Pros
- Simplest, most affordable route to a storage bed
- Padded velvet headboard
- Easy two-box assembly
Cons
- Only a single shallow drawer
- Beige velvet shows marks
- Not suited to bulky storage
Key specs: Queen; beige velvet; one footboard drawer (inner 129.5 x 43 x 9.7 cm); 12-roller-slat divan base; 200 kg capacity; SKU PR10045.
How to choose a storage bed frame in NZ
Gas-lift or drawers? A gas-lift ottoman turns the entire under-bed area into one large cavity, best for bulky and seasonal items you rarely reach. Bed base drawers keep the mattress in place and slide out for quick, everyday access. Frequent access favours drawers; maximum volume favours a lift.
Measure the real footprint. A queen mattress in NZ is 153 x 203 cm, but frames add to that. Padded headboards and side rails on these beds push the external length past 210 cm and the width past 160 cm, so measure the room and doorways before buying.
Mind the clearance. Gas-lift beds sit flush to walls, while side-drawer beds like the Wairoa and Coronado-A need open floor beside them to pull the drawers out fully.
Check the weight rating and mattress. Capacities here run from 200 kg on the velvet drawer beds to about 300 kg on the Shawnee and Bass. Gas-lift beds also work best with a mattress heavy enough to help the base close; a very light mattress can leave an ottoman base sitting proud.
For a spare room that only needs the occasional guest, a dedicated sofa bed can make more sense than a full storage bed. For rare visitors, a good air mattress stores flat inside one of these drawers until it is needed.
Once the frame is set, comfort comes down to what sits on top: a supportive mattress topper can refresh an older mattress, and an electric blanket takes the edge off cold winter nights.
Verdict
The Shawnee Storage Bed Frame is the best storage bed frame in NZ overall, combining a full-footprint gas-lift cavity, an approximate 300 kg capacity and a neutral linen finish. For quick everyday access on a budget, the Heloise leads the drawer beds, while the Wairoa wins on drawer depth and the Coronado-A on the sheer number of compartments. Match the mechanism to how you store, measure the room first, and any of these will claw back space most bedrooms waste.
FAQs
Are storage bed frames worth it?
For most New Zealand homes, yes. Storage beds reclaim the dead space under the mattress, which is valuable in smaller apartments and family rooms short on wardrobe space. They cost a little more than a plain frame, but can replace a drawer unit or free up a cupboard, so the space saving usually justifies the outlay.
Which is better, a gas-lift bed or drawers?
It depends on what you store. Gas-lift ottoman beds open the whole base for one large cavity, ideal for bulky, seasonal items and beds pushed against walls. Bed base drawers give quick side or footboard access for everyday items but need floor clearance to open. Choose a lift for volume and drawers for convenience.
Do storage beds need a special mattress?
No special mattress is required, but weight matters on gas-lift beds. The struts are tuned to lift the base plus a typical mattress, so a very light mattress may leave an ottoman base sitting slightly open, while an extremely heavy one strains the mechanism. A standard queen or double mattress in the normal weight range works fine.
How much weight can a storage bed hold?
It varies by model. Among these picks, the velvet drawer beds are rated to 200 kg, the Coronado-A and Harrogate to about 250 kg, and the Shawnee and Bass to roughly 300 kg. That figure covers the mattress plus occupants, evenly distributed, and is separate from what the drawers or cavity themselves should carry.
What are the standard queen bed frame dimensions in NZ?
A queen mattress in New Zealand measures 153 cm wide by 203 cm long. The frame is larger: storage beds in this guide sit around 212 to 220 cm long and 159 to 163 cm wide once headboards and rails are counted. Always measure the external frame size, not just the mattress, when planning a room.
Are gas-lift ottoman beds safe?
Ottoman beds from reputable makers are engineered with gas struts and safety catches and are fine for everyday use. Most problems trace to cheaply built beds or overloading. To stay safe, distribute weight evenly in the cavity, avoid stacking heavy items to one side, and lower the base in a controlled way rather than dropping it.