I Tested All the Bed Risers — And These Are the 5 I Love for Stylish Extra Storage

Lest you think bed risers are just reserved for dorm-room dwellers, think again. The best bed risers have the ability to double or even triple your under-bed storage by increasing the available space below your mattress and, in some cases, completely transforming the function of your bedroom. 

And, as we all know, the more storage opportunities you can create in your bedroom, the better. If you’re anything like me, you have a snug sleeping space with a lot of stuff to manage, from a four-season wardrobe to a spouse’s expansive sneaker collection — and I still want it to feel uncluttered and tranquil in a way that promotes rest and relaxation. Needless to say, striking that balance isn’t easy, which is why I’m always on the hunt for the best bedroom organization. And let me tell you, these (surprisingly stylish) bed risers do just that. 

Below, you’ll find the best bed risers to take your furniture (and space) to new heights. I put these options through vigorous testing to determine which would make for a stylish solution not only in your bedroom, but also throughout your home. From tech-friendly options that give you more plugs for your gear to aesthetic designs that you’ll barely notice, these bed risers are all winners in my eyes. 

Some necessities are universal when purchasing a bed riser, like its ability to actually hold up your bed. However, there are also many factors to consider that can be specific to your bedroom’s needs and furniture design. When shopping for the best bed risers for your space, it’s a good idea to take the following factors into consideration: 

Because bed riser height can vary, you’ll want to shop with a general idea of how much of a lift you’re going to need. If you’re college-bound and hoping to fit stacked drawers beneath your bed, opt for a taller set of risers. If you’re someone who needs a little extra room to store out-of-season sweaters, a lower height will work. Before you buy, do a size test to make sure: Prop up your furniture with books to fake the bed riser height you’re considering. 

It probably goes without saying, but the bed risers you choose should be safe to sleep on. When it comes to stability, look for bed risers that have durable designs and a wide base that will prevent tipping or shaking. The majority of designs are square for exactly this reason, although I did find a few circular ones that were just as durable. 

Some manufacturers list the total weight capacity, while others break it down by individual riser. For example, if the weight capacity is 300 pounds per riser, four risers have a 1200-pound capacity. This sounds like a lot, but when you consider the weight of one to two humans, a pet, a bed frame, box spring, and mattress, the numbers can add up quickly. 

When shopping, make sure your bed risers match the legs of your bed frame, otherwise you might not be able to use them. All bed risers have an integrated top that allows you to nestle the legs of your bed, dresser, table, or chair into it securely. Some bed risers also boast a versatile cutout that’s suitable for square legs, round legs, and castor wheels alike; others cater to just one of those options.

If aesthetics are important to you, know you may have a tougher time with this utilitarian item. When shopping for bed risers, you’ll find everything from tried-and-true plastic designs to mid-century modern-inspired wood styles that can elevate your bed stylistically, too. Stylish bed risers are out there (I should know, I found several!), but you’ll definitely have less of a selection if you’re strict on decor. 

I put all of the bed risers through a series of trials to see how they stacked up in several categories, including stability, durability, and design. This is the process I followed for each set.

• I placed the risers under two different queen-size beds: one with rounded legs and one with square. I also placed risers under other pieces of furniture that may occasionally need a boost around the home, such as desks or shelving units. 
• I slept on each set of risers for two nights and paid close attention to how stable and sturdy they felt when getting on and off the bed. 
• Finally, I observed how much room each riser actually created below my bed, and placed various storage bins beneath the frame to see which freed up the most space.

When it comes to a bed riser set that marries form and functionality, you simply cannot beat Honey-Can-Do’s wood bed lifts. Made from solid wood and boasting a flexible cut-out at the top, this design rose to the top (ahem) of the testing batch, thanks to its durable nature and Goldilocks height. Not too short, but not so tall that I felt like I had to vault onto the bed (although if you did happen to need extra height, you could nest these atop each other with no issue). The sleek wood design was visually unobtrusive and could easily blend in with a bed frame stained in the same shade.

Specifications:

• Size: 4.25 x 4.25 x 3.8 inches
• Material: Solid wood
• Weight capacity: 300 pounds per bed riser

Who it’s best for: Design-conscious homeowners and those who are just looking to give their bed a little boost. 

Good to know: When nestling the legs from a wood bed frame into this riser, you may experience a bit of slipping. Investing in rubber feet to stick on the base of the legs before using this product can help. 

This set of Utopia bed risers earned my rave reviews not only for its affordable price point, but also for the flexible nature of its height adjustments. For under $20, you’ll get eight bed risers (four small and four large) that can raise your bed up to three different heights. Use just the small for a modest 3-inch boost, try the large to raise up your bed 5 inches, or pair the two together for a whopping 8 inches of added height. The sturdy plastic design boasts a slight cone-like shape with a slightly larger base for added stability. They can also fit furniture legs of all shapes, making them an ideal option if you have an ornate bed frame or want to raise up a different piece of furniture. My husband and I used them to morph a standard worktop into a standing desk in under five minutes flat. 

Specifications: 

• Size: 4.7 x 4.7 x 3.2 inches (small); 6.2 x 6.2 x 4.8 inches (large)
• Material: Plastic
• Weight capacity: 1300 pounds

Who it’s best for: Homeowners looking for flexible heights; someone shopping for a budget-friendly option. 

Good to know: The brand suggests furniture legs used with this product be no thicker than 2.75 inches to ensure the best fit and safest use. 

Lofting your bed on a set of risers is basically a collegiate rite of passage — after all, dorm rooms are notoriously short on storage space. These durable polypropylene risers from The Container Store will loft your bed frame by 5.5 inches, which I found to be plenty of room for two stacked drawers. Bonus: One of the risers is outfitted with two power outlets and two USB ports (a hot dorm commodity) for late-night study sessions. 

Specifications: 

• Size: 6.5 x 6.5 x 5.875 inches
• Material: Polypropylene
• Weight capacity: 300 pounds per bed riser

Who it’s best for: Tech-lovers, college students, or anyone who occasionally uses their laptop in bed.

Good to know: Only one of the four bed risers includes outlets and ports. Additionally, the cord to the one power-enabled riser is only 6.5 inches long, so you will likely need to use it near a wall outlet or in conjunction with a power strip. 

Upon first glance, these wooden bed risers look more like a geometric stacking sculpture. But don’t let their sleek mid-century modern aesthetic fool you — they’re actually super sturdy and boast the ability to raise your furniture one, two, or three inches. This set won big points in my testing for its sleek, design-forward appeal. In fact, they nearly resembled an extension of the furniture. Each set comes with eight risers, as well as 8 small and large connectors, offering up numerous ways to nest them all together to achieve the height —and look — you want. 

Specifications: 

• Size: 3.4 x 3.4 x 1.8 inches
• Material: Solid wood
• Weight capacity: 1000 pounds

Who it’s best for: Shoppers who want an unassuming, aesthetically appealing riser, or those who want to raise their furniture in smaller height increments. 

Good to know: These bed risers come in five different wood stains and offer the most design flexibility on my list. 

Whether you want to boost your bed, raise up your sewing table, or lift your couch so your robotic vacuum can slide beneath, these bed risers will get the job done — all without calling much attention to themselves. Made from durable (yet inconspicuous) clear plastic, the Slipstick Clear Stack-Its are designed to work with nearly any piece of furniture, from bed frames and nightstands to wire garden chairs and coffee tables. During my testing, this design fared the best with castor wheels and was the only one that included a protective rubber ring at the base to safeguard against scratches or etches. You can also stack up to three risers together, which gives you the option to increase the height of your furniture in one-inch increments. 

Specifications: 

• Size: 4 x 4 x 1 inches
• Material: Plastic
• Weight capacity: 1000 pounds per riser

Who it’s best for: Homeowners who want the flexibility to use their risers around the home and with an enormous variety of furniture. 

Good to know: These bed risers are not recommended for use on pile carpets, which can cause them to become unstable. 

Although they didn’t earn top honors on my list, I still consider these bed risers to be reliable — and worthy — investments, should you want a few more options. 

• iPrimio Aluminum Bed Risers
• Home-it 5 to 6-inch Bed Risers
• iPrimio Bed Risers 
• DormCo Suprima Ultimate Height Bed Risers
• MIIX Home Bamboo Bed Risers

Yes, with a few considerations! Bed risers are safe, as long as your bed frame is sturdy and your risers fit securely with the legs of your furniture. Do not force or wedge the leg of your furniture onto your risers. If you experience shaking, wobbling, or tilting when using the bed risers, you should remove them immediately. 

When using bed risers, be sure they are distributed evenly throughout all four posts of your bed (no raising your head higher than your feet, etc.). Only utilize them according to the manufacturer’s instructions and always adhere to the weight capacity. 

Because bed riser weight limits can vary, it’s important to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions before installing and using them. All of the sets included here are capable of handling at least 1,000 pounds, with some maxing out even higher. 

While many bed risers are designed with function at the forefront, there are several options on the market that bring aesthetic appeal to the table. If you’re concerned about choosing bed risers that look good, shop for a style that matches as closely as possible to your current bed frame’s color and material. Alternatively, you can invest in an extra-long bed skirt to hide your bed risers, plus anything you choose to stash underneath. 

Like many design conundrums, the answer depends on your personal preference. While most standard beds sit around 25 inches tall, that number can vary greatly depending on the bed frame style, mattress thickness, and more. When it comes to boosting a frame with bed risers, your ideal height will depend on what you’re hoping to store beneath it.