Gas Lift vs. Drawer Storage Beds: Which One Actually Works for Real Life?

Gas Lift vs. Drawer Storage Beds: Which One Actually Works for Real Life?

Posted by Luxo Living on

I'll be honest. When I first started looking at storage beds, I thought they were all basically the same. You know, beds with space underneath where you can shove stuff. Job done, right? 

Wrong. 

Turns out, there's a massive difference between gas lift and drawer storage beds. And picking the wrong one? That's how you end up with a bed frame you never actually use, collecting dust while your winter coats still live in garbage bags under the stairs. 

So let me save you the hassle. I've tested both (yes, really), talked to mates who swear by each type, and I'm going to break down which one actually works for real Australian life. No marketing fluff. Just honest chat about what you actually need. 

What's the Actual Difference? 

Alright, quick crash course. 

Gas lift beds: The whole mattress lifts up like a car boot (hydraulic hinges do the work). Underneath is one massive storage cavity. Think of it like a giant toy box that happens to have a bed on top. 

Drawer storage beds: Pull-out drawers built into the base, usually on one or both sides. Like a chest of drawers, but horizontal and under your mattress. 

Both give you storage. But how you use them? Completely different. 

Gas Lift Beds: For the "Set and Forget" Crew 

Best for: 

  • Bulky stuff you don't need every day (suitcases, camping gear, winter doonas) 
  • People who hate clutter and want everything hidden 
  • Small bedrooms where you can't have drawers sticking out 
  • Anyone who moves house a lot (renters, I'm looking at you) 

Why it works: 

My mate Sarah lives in a one-bedder in Newtown. She's got a queen gas lift bed and swears it saved her sanity. 

"I used to pay $90 a month for a storage unit in Marrickville," she told me over coffee. "Now everything fits under my bed. Ski gear, Christmas decorations, that box of uni textbooks I can't let go of. It's all there." 

The beauty of gas lift? You use the entire space underneath. No wasted gaps. No awkward corners. Just one big cavity that swallows everything. 

Plus, if you're in a tight bedroom, there's no drawers poking out that you'll stub your toe on at 2am. The bed sits flush against the wall, and you've still got full access to storage. 

The downside: 

You've got to lift the mattress every time. Which sounds fine until you remember that mattresses are heavy, and you've piled bedding, pillows, and probably a cat on top. 

If you need something from under there daily? It gets old fast. 

Also, you need clearance. If your bed is shoved right up against a wall with no room to stand beside it, lifting the mattress becomes a yoga pose. Not ideal. 

Drawer Storage Beds: For the "I Actually Use My Stuff" People 

Best for: 

  • Everyday items (clothes, shoes, kids' toys, gym gear) 
  • People who like things organised and compartmentalised 
  • Families with kids who need quick access to pyjamas, school uniforms, spare sheets 
  • Anyone who doesn't want to wrestle a mattress at 7am 

Why it works: 

My cousin has a king bed with drawers in her Newcastle townhouse. Three kids under ten. Chaos levels: maximum. 

"I've got one drawer for each kid's spare clothes, one for bedding, and one for the random stuff they insist on keeping but never actually play with," she says. "I can pull them out while they're still asleep. No lifting. No waking anyone up." 

That's the magic of drawers. Everything's sorted, labelled (if you're fancy), and easy to grab. You don't need to move the mattress. You don't need to dig through a giant pile of stuff to find one thing. You just pull, grab, done. 

If you're someone who rotates clothes seasonally, or you've got kids who grow out of pyjamas every three months, drawers are a lifesaver. 

The downside: 

Drawers take up floor space. If your bedroom is already tight, having drawers sticking out 30 to 40cm can make the room feel even smaller. 

Also, you've got less total storage than a gas lift. Drawers have dividers, sides, and mechanisms that eat into the space. A gas lift bed uses every single centimetre underneath. Drawers? Maybe 60 to 70% of that. 

And if you've got carpet? Good luck pulling those drawers out smoothly. Some glide like butter on floorboards, but on carpet they can be a bit stubborn. 

So Which One Should You Actually Get? 

Here's my take, based on real life (not some glossy magazine spread). 

Get a gas lift bed if: 

  • You're a renter and can't install extra storage 
  • Your bedroom is small and you need the bed against the wall 
  • You're storing big, bulky stuff (luggage, camping gear, seasonal bedding) 
  • You don't need to access what's under there more than once a month 
  • You want maximum storage capacity 

Top pick: A boucle gas lift bed in cream or grey. Looks expensive, hides a tonne of junk. Very Sydney inner-west energy. 

Get a drawer storage bed if: 

  • You've got kids and need daily access to clothes, toys, or spare sheets 
  • You like keeping things organised in separate compartments 
  • Your bedroom has space on at least one side of the bed 
  • You've got a bad back and don't want to lift a mattress 
  • You prefer everything labelled and easy to see 

Top pick: A timber bed frame with drawers in natural oak or white. Classic, clean, and the drawers glide like a dream. 

What About a Mix? 

Plot twist: some beds have both. 

I've seen storage beds with gas lift on one side and drawers on the other. Or gas lift with a shallow drawer at the foot of the bed for quick-grab items like phone chargers or books. 

If you can't decide, look for a hybrid. Best of both worlds. 

Real Talk: What I'd Choose 

If I'm being completely honest? I'd go gas lift. 

I'm a renter. I move every couple of years. I don't have kids. And I've got way too much camping gear and ski stuff that I use twice a year but refuse to get rid of. 

A gas lift bed means I can cancel my storage unit, keep my bedroom looking clean, and still fit everything I own in a one-bedder. That's worth the occasional mattress-lifting workout. 

But if I had kids? Or if I was someone who needed daily access to a rotating wardrobe? Drawers, 100%. No question. 

The Stuff Nobody Tells You (But You Need to Know) 

Gas lift beds are heavier to move 

That hydraulic mechanism adds weight. If you're doing the classic "mates with a ute" moving strategy, be warned. You'll need an extra set of hands. 

Drawer beds can be noisy 

Cheap drawer runners squeak. If you're a light sleeper or have a partner who's in and out of drawers at odd hours, invest in a quality frame with soft-close runners. Your future self will thank you. 

You still need a mattress that fits 

This sounds obvious, but I've seen people buy a queen storage bed and then try to shove a king mattress on top. Doesn't work. Measure twice, buy once. Check out our mattress collection to find the perfect match. 

Assembly is different 

Gas lift beds usually come flat-packed with the hydraulic system pre-installed. Drawers? You're building those too. Budget an extra 20 to 30 minutes if you're assembling yourself (or just pay for assembly and save your sanity). 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Which type of storage bed holds more stuff? 

Gas lift beds offer significantly more storage capacity because they use the entire underbed space. You're looking at around 1.0 to 1.2 cubic metres for a queen. Drawer systems give you about 60 to 70% of that capacity due to drawer mechanisms and dividers taking up space. 

Can I use a gas lift bed if my bed is against the wall? 

Yes, but you need enough space on at least one side to stand and lift the mattress. Most gas lift beds need about 15 to 20cm clearance. If your bed is boxed in on all sides, drawer storage beds are the better choice. 

How often can I lift a gas lift bed before it wears out? 

Quality gas lift mechanisms are rated for thousands of lifts. With normal use (accessing storage once or twice a week), you're looking at five to seven years minimum. Premium hydraulics can last 10+ years with proper maintenance. 

Are drawer storage beds good for kids' rooms? 

Absolutely. Kids can access their own stuff without help, drawers keep things organised, and there's no heavy lifting involved. It's perfect for storing clothes, toys, school supplies, and spare bedding. Just make sure drawers have stoppers so kids don't pull them all the way out. 

Do I need special tools to assemble storage beds? 

Most storage beds come with all necessary hardware and just require basic tools like an Allen key (usually provided) and a screwdriver. Gas lift mechanisms come pre-installed, so you're mainly assembling the frame. Expect 1 to 2 hours with two people. 

Will storage beds work on carpet? 

Gas lift beds work perfectly on carpet. Drawer storage beds can be slightly more challenging as drawers may not glide as smoothly on carpet compared to hard floors. Look for quality metal runners and consider placing furniture sliders under the bed frame for easier drawer operation. 

Can I fit a thick mattress on a storage bed? 

Most storage beds accommodate mattresses up to 30 to 35cm thick. However, thicker mattresses add weight, which can strain gas lift mechanisms. Check your bed's specifications and consider a medium-thickness mattress for optimal performance. 

What happens if the gas lift mechanism breaks? 

Quality gas lift struts can be replaced individually without replacing the entire bed. Most manufacturers offer replacement parts. Regular maintenance (annual lubrication of hinges) significantly reduces the chance of failure. 

Are storage beds more expensive than regular beds? 

Storage beds typically cost $200 to $500 more than equivalent non-storage frames. However, they eliminate the need for separate storage furniture like dressers or wardrobes, often saving money overall while freeing up bedroom space. 

How do I organise items in a gas lift storage bed? 

Use vacuum-seal bags for bedding and seasonal clothes to maximise space and keep items dust-free. Fabric storage boxes or bins help compartmentalise items so you're not digging through one giant pile. Label everything so you know what's where. 

My Final Answer 

There's no "best" storage bed. There's just the one that suits your life. 

If you're a minimalist who wants everything hidden and hates visible clutter, go gas lift. 

If you're a busy parent, a chronic outfit-changer, or someone who genuinely uses their storage daily, go drawers. 

And if you're still not sure? Walk into a Luxo Living showroom and actually test them. Lift the mattress. Pull the drawers. See what feels right. 

Because the best storage bed is the one you'll actually use. Not the one that looks good in photos and then becomes a glorified clothes horse six months later. 

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