Back-to-school season is here, and before you know it, so will the end of summer. And like every change in the season, there’s also a change in wardrobe. You may swap your t-shirts and swimsuits for sweaters and coats and your sandals for boots. If you’re a college student, then chances are you’re on the lookout for items to store under your dorm bed. To make the most of that area, we consulted organizing experts on what to keep in mind when buying under-bed storage, and compiled a list of recommendations with their guidance in mind.Want more from Jattvibe Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.The best under-bed storageTo find the best under-bed storage, we asked three experts for recommendations: Rachel Winkler, owner of home organizing service Tidyspot, home organizer Pia Thompson and Nancy Meck of Meck Organizing.Our list also includes options that have at least a 4-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon or at least 50 reviews on their brand sites.Best under-bed storage with handlesDimensions: 33 x 17 x 6 inchesWhat we likeHas space for a labelHas a lot of handlesClear on topThis under-bed storage option comes recommended by former Jattvibe Selected page Riley Atkinson, who says she they’re perfect for storing clothes of all sizes. “Two of these containers store my entire winter wardrobe,” she says. “I love the thick gray and white striped fabric because it looks nice, so I don’t need to cover the containers with a bed skirt.” They’re also easy to maneuver from under the bed thanks to the handles on all of the sides, according to Atkinson. Plus, they also have a small space on the side to put a label and stay organized. Best tall under-bed storageDimensions: 28.5 x 19.6 x 15.2 inches (27 gallon)What we likeExtremely durableMany sizes availableIdeal for shelf stable foodThis tall and waterproof storage option is ideal for home and under- bed storage, mainly if you have a tall bed or one with risers. Many dorm bed frames are designed to be taller so they are suitable for storage. This particular option is ideal for storing school supplies, toiletries, books, blankets, some food items, sports equipment, coats and much more. They also come in many other sizes, including 7-, 9-, 14- and 17-gallon options. Best for shoe storageDimensions: 29.3 x 23.6 x 5.9 inchesWhat we likeClear on topHas handles on sideDustproofIf you don’t have room for a shoe rack or simply prefer to keep them out of the way, this under-bed shoe storage option is the answer. It holds 12 pairs of shoes at once and is best for running shoes, sandals, flats, slides, boat shoes and more. It’s dustproof, according to the brand, and it has a divider for each of your pairs of shoes.Best sustainable under-bed storage Dimensions: 28 x 17.9 x 7.9 inchesWhat we likeBreathable materialFine to steam cleanBest for clothes and blanketsThompson said she appreciates storage that’s both sustainable and aesthetically pleasing, and this set of two from Open Spaces, each with a single handle, is a favorite of hers. “They’re made of recycled plastic bottle fibers, come in a beautiful color and are perfect for storing off-season clothing,” she explained. You can spot or steam clean each bin, according to the brand, and you can put up to three of them under a full, queen or king mattress, according to Open Spaces. Best under-bed storage setDimensions: 40 x 20 x 6 inchesWhat we likeStackableWear-resistantDamp-proofSomething to noteNothing to note at this timeThis set of two Foldable Underbed Bags from Onlyeasy — which are made from polypropylene and designed to be both wear-resistant and damp-proof — include a transparent top window, metal zipper and four handles. Conveniently, Onlyeasy says you can fold these bags flat whenever you’re not using them.Best wheeled under-bed storage Dimensions: 35 x 19 x 7 inchesWhat we likeHas wheelsClearHas snap lidsSomething to noteNothing to note at this timeYou should also prioritize snap lids and wheels when it comes to storage boxes, like these 60-Quart ClearView Latch Wheeled Underbed Boxes from Sterilite which come with clear lids and bases, so you can see your items from every angle. Even more convenient, you can stack the boxes atop each other, if your bed is elevated at all.Best foldable under-bed storageDimensions: 40 x 17 x 7 inchesWhat we likeEasy to foldInternal board is removableHas label pocketIf you care less about seeing the inside of your under-bed storage containers — and simply want them to sit easily and subtly underneath your bed — this lidded linen box might be a good option. It has two zippers, six handles on four different sides and a transparent label pocket for marking what’s inside. You can take away its structure by removing its internal board, making it easy to fold up and store. It currently comes in three colors.Best vacuum storage bagsDimensions: 40 x 30 inchesWhat we likeWorks for low and high bedsStackableSomething to noteBest for long-term storageThese vacuum sealable options are ideal long-term storage, since packing the bags and sucking the air from the bags can be more of a process. That said, they give you a lot more space than the other options on this list. This pack from Spacesaver contains six bags. Each bag comes with a double-zip seal and triple-seal turbo valve to get all the air from the bag in the suction process, reducing the volume of the bag by 80%, according to Spacesaver.How we picked the best under-bed storageThere are a few important factors to remember when choosing the best under-bed storage option for your living space. Here’s everything our experts recommended keeping in mind to make this list: Bed height: Whether you are a college student, recent grad or are just looking for a set of under-bed storage containers, you must consider how tall your bed and bed frame will sit above the floor, especially if you have risers. This will determine the best height for the containers that you get. If you have a bed frame with a specific height, such as ones common in dorm rooms, then it’s best to go with tall containers since you’ll have to use more vertical space. If you have a bed frame that only sits above the floor a foot or less, then you should opt for flat under bed storage options that optimize surface area instead of height.What you’ll be storing: You should also keep in mind that different under bed storage containers are best for different types of clothing, accessories and other items. For example, a storage container that is tall rather than flat is best for items that are stackable or won’t get damaged when piled on something, such as first aid kits, toiletries, folded clothes and books. A flat and wide under bed storage container is best for items that aren’t tall or ones that are compatible with lying flat, such as a blanket, some types of shoes and sandals, office supplies and more. Features: Another important part of looking for under bed storage is prioritizing ones that have features that make them easy to maneuver and remove from under the bed. Examples of this include ones with handles on the top and sides, wheels on the bottom and divers for shoes. I made sure to include options with these features and more. How to shop for under-bed storageBefore buying under bed storage — whether it’s plastic bins, boxes or fabric containers — you should determine your ideal measurements and preferred materials.MeasurementsFirst and foremost, you probably want to take out a tape measure, suggests Winkler and Thompson. “Before purchasing under-bed storage, you must measure the area under your bed, taking into account the height as well as the location of any support beams,” says Winkler. “All beds are different, so you want to ensure what you buy will fit.”If your bed is lower to the floor, bed risers could be an option for added height. “These have come a long way since the ones from our college days,” says Thompson. Instead of ones made from plastic that can clash with the rest of your bedroom’s design, retailers like Walmart and Wayfair offer them in wood, metal and more.Materials and featuresUnder-bed storage itself is usually made from plastic, canvas or felt. Deciding between them depends on how much you have to pack away. Winkler recommends canvas for storing bulkier bedding and jackets since the material is more “malleable than a standard under-the-bed plastic storage box.” But that doesn’t mean you should completely cut off plastic — clear plastic can be helpful for knowing exactly what’s inside a container, she added. For special items like a wedding dress or a vintage, unique piece, Thompson advises looking for archival garment bags. These bags are designed to keep clothes preserved and protected from humidity and other potential damage.For everyday items, search for storage that’s designed to repel dust and dirt since both are more likely to gather underneath a bed, Thompson suggests. Accordingly, seek out containers with closed lids or zippers to avoid finding dusty items once you open an under bed storage. And wheels “allow you to easily access what you need, especially if they are heavy and help you avoid using your arm strength to pull out storage,” according to Thompson.Meet our organizing expertsAt Jattvibe Selected, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.Rachel Winkler is the owner of home organizing service Tidyspot.Pia Thompson is a home organizer at Sweet Digs.Nancy Meck is the owner of home organizing service Meck Organizing.Why trust Jattvibe Selected?Ambar Pardilla Ambar Pardilla and Justin Krajeski are former editors at Jattvibe Selected.Catch up on Jattvibe Selected’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.