I would skip the underneath the bed storage if you plan on using it for clothes. Imagine having to bend that low or get on your hands and knees every time you want to get a change of clothing or put away laundry.

I'd also like to find a twin bed with drawers underneath, but I don't like the headboard bookshelf--either for utility/comfort (I like a headboard you can comfortably lean against) or style. The problem I've had is that most of the drawer beds I've seen have been rather hideous in a 1980s/90s colonial era knockoff kind of way (I'm mostly searching craigslist, but I'm open to reasonably priced, non-junky retail options). I don't think 2-4 little drawers could *replace* a dresser, but I'll take extra storage anywhere I can get it. As for them being too low to put clothes away in--well the bottom dresser drawers are that low, too, and that never bothered me.

We will be building some from Knock Off Wood this summer. We currently have rolling bins under their beds which are ok, but a tight fit and accumulate a lot of dust and pet hair. They have trouble getting into them because of the tight fit, but do use the space. Something with drawers can be kept cleaner. We have almost no storage space in our house, so underbed storage is a must!

i agree with hyzen-my husband had the bookshelf headboard and it is a clutter magnet. it still is at his grandmothers house the way he left it...

but the drawers seen great to me-especially for toys. search for captains beds. i believe thats what they are called.

We use the drawers for toy and diaper storage, not for clothes and such. My two year old has had his captain's bed for about a year now. He hasn't ever used the bookshelf as a ladder :) One thing that bugs me is that the bookshelf is a separate piece from the bed frame, so he sometimes drops his books and toys down there just to see what will happen, and then it's a pain to move the bed away from the wall to get his stuff out. But the nice thing about it being a separate piece is that for a while, we didn't use the headboard at all. We got our boy's bed at Walmart. It was $159, and it's decent enough quality. We move often enough that I don't want to get something crazy heavy, fancy or permanent as it would probably get scratched or broken.

We don't have built in drawers under my daughter's bed but put three train table drawers. We use them exclusively for toys which works out great and keeps the clutter down. I'm with the previous posters that I don't know that I'd use them for everyday clothes but they are great for toys, dress-up clothes, etc.

My husband built our bed. It's like the bed in the picture with slide out drawers (6). No bookcase headboard, just a lovely padded one.

I'm hugely pregnant and it's still not a bother to dig out my clothes. The bed stores all of my clothes as we don't have room for a dresser. Dh has the closet because he has an insane amount of clothing.

Our nearly 4 year old twins just moved up to twin beds, so we bought them this ikea bed and one for my ten year old, who shares the room with her sister. They use one drawer for linens (quilts, bedsheets and such) and the other one for shoes. It works well for us. Not especially handsome or stylish, but well worth the price. (especially when you have to purchase three of anything)

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40177520

The size of these drawers could easily accomodate a toddlers wardrobe, and I don't find it a problem to bend and put anything in the drawers....besides, at this age, the kids love getting their own clothes.

nycgrrl

I don't have a twin, but a queen (although they did make it in a twin-guess not any more) it's this bed

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/stratton-bed-with-baskets/?pkey=cwood-beds-headboards

I LOVE IT! the 3 baskets on my side are my "dresser" the other 3 hold blankets & extra pillows... it's awesome and really well made!

Ikea makes a twin version with drawers that I'll buy when we have a little one.

I am all about my toddler's new captain bed! Although yes the drawers don't exactly replace a dresser nor does the bookshelf headboard replace shelves...I adore this bed!! I used the extra space between the drawers and the bed frame to store baby items such as a swing, bouncer and infant car seat. I use the drawers to store easy-access items such as toys, shoes and swimming trunks. The shelves are great for storing books and a lamp or nightlight. In my opinion you cannot go wrong with this bed!! And...as a perk...any style can be painted to match your toddler's room! My SIL gave me ours and it was a funky brown...I painted it white and its perfect now! You can see pics and how I painted and used the bed on my blog here: http://easiepeasie.blogspot.com/2010/06/toddler-bed-make-over.html

Good luck in your decision!
Tiffany

VERY helpful - thanks to everyone and the links.
Definitely helped us to make a decision!

Jendra

I second (third/fourth?) the idea that if you do have the drawers under the bed, don't use them for clothes. The bending down and walking around the bed is a pain. But using it for longer-term storage is a great idea!