Are Gas Lift Beds Worth It? 10 Practical Benefits for Australian Bedrooms

A bed takes up more floor space than almost any other piece of furniture in a bedroom. In many homes, however, the large area beneath the mattress does very little.

A gas lift bed changes that.

Instead of leaving the space under the mattress unused, the mattress platform lifts to reveal a concealed storage compartment underneath.

For apartments, townhouses, compact bedrooms and homes where storage is limited, that can turn one piece of furniture into both a bed and a substantial storage solution.

But are gas lift beds actually worth it?

For many bedrooms, yes. The strongest reason is not simply that they provide storage. It is that they provide storage without requiring additional floor space for another cabinet, chest of drawers or freestanding storage unit.

This guide explains the most practical benefits, what to consider before buying, and how the Best Beds gas lift bed range can work in different bedroom layouts.

What Is a Gas Lift Bed?

A gas lift bed is a bed frame with a mattress platform that raises to provide access to storage beneath it.

The lifting system assists the movement of the platform and mattress so the user does not need to lift the entire weight without assistance.

When the platform is lowered, the storage disappears beneath the mattress and the bed looks like a normal upholstered bed frame.

Best Beds currently offers two upholstered gas lift designs: the Cove Gas Lift Bed Frame and Haven Gas Lift Bed Frame.

Benefit 1: You Use Space That Already Exists

The biggest advantage is simple.

Your bed already occupies a large rectangle of bedroom floor space.

A conventional frame often leaves much of the area underneath unused or difficult to access.

A gas lift design turns that same footprint into a storage zone.

This can be particularly useful when there is not enough room to add more furniture.

Benefit 2: No Side Clearance Is Needed for Drawers

Storage beds with side drawers can be useful, but each drawer needs clear space beside the bed to open.

That can create problems when:

• the bed sits close to a wall;
• bedside tables are positioned beside the frame;
• the room is narrow;
• a wardrobe door is nearby;
• another piece of furniture blocks the drawer path.

A gas lift bed opens upward instead.

This can make it particularly practical in rooms where the bed fits comfortably but there is limited clearance around its sides.

Benefit 3: A Large Storage Area

One of the most useful characteristics of full-base storage is that the space is not broken into several small drawers.

This makes it suitable for larger items such as:

• spare quilts;
• blankets;
• pillows;
• seasonal bedding;
• soft storage bags;
• suitcases;
• seasonal clothing.

The Haven, for example, opens the mattress platform to provide access across the base rather than limiting storage to one or two small sections.

Benefit 4: The Bedroom Can Look Less Cluttered

Storage is useful, but visible storage can still make a room feel busy.

Plastic tubs, suitcases, spare blankets and boxes are functional but not necessarily attractive.

A gas lift frame keeps these items below the mattress and out of sight when the bed is closed.

This allows the bedroom to remain visually calmer while the stored items remain relatively accessible.

Benefit 5: You May Need Less Furniture

A storage bed will not replace every wardrobe or drawer in a bedroom.

It can, however, reduce the amount of additional storage furniture required.

For example, seasonal bedding and luggage stored beneath the bed no longer need to occupy valuable wardrobe shelves.

That may free other storage for clothes and everyday items.

Benefit 6: Useful for Apartments and Smaller Bedrooms

When floor space is limited, furniture needs to work harder.

This is why storage beds are often considered for:

• apartments;
• townhouses;
• smaller master bedrooms;
• guest rooms;
• multipurpose rooms;
• new homes with compact bedroom layouts.

A storage bed does not make the bedroom physically larger. It simply makes better use of space already occupied by the bed.

Benefit 7: Useful for Guest Rooms

Guest rooms often become storage rooms when no one is staying.

A gas lift bed can help prevent that.

Spare sheets, blankets, guest pillows and occasional-use items can remain hidden below the mattress rather than stacked visibly around the room.

The room can then remain ready for visitors while still providing useful household storage.

Benefit 8: Cleaner Visual Design Than Loose Under-Bed Boxes

Loose storage tubs beneath a conventional bed can work, but they are visible from some angles and often need to be pulled out individually.

Dust can also collect around exposed containers.

A purpose-built upholstered storage bed creates a more integrated appearance because the storage is part of the bed itself.

Benefit 9: Upholstered Design Adds Bedroom Presence

A gas lift bed is not only a storage mechanism.

It is also the main piece of furniture in the bedroom.

Both Cove and Haven use upholstered designs, allowing the frame and headboard to contribute to the overall bedroom style.

When comparing them, consider:

• headboard shape;
• fabric appearance;
• frame proportions;
• bedroom wall colour;
• flooring;
• bedside furniture.

Benefit 10: One Bed Can Solve Two Purchasing Decisions

If you need both a new bed frame and additional storage, buying a gas lift frame can solve both requirements with one item.

This can be more efficient than buying a conventional bed frame and then trying to fit another storage cabinet into the bedroom.

Are There Any Downsides?

Yes. A gas lift bed is not automatically the right choice for every room.

Consider the following before buying.

Assembly Matters

The lifting mechanism and frame need to be assembled correctly.

Both Cove and Haven are supplied flat packed and require assembly.

Follow the supplied instructions carefully.

You Need to Lift the Mattress Platform

Although the mechanism assists the lift, accessing the storage still requires opening the bed.

For items you use several times every day, a drawer may sometimes be more convenient.

Gas lift storage is particularly useful for items that need to be accessed periodically rather than constantly.

The Mattress Must Be Suitable

The mattress must match the bed size and work appropriately with the lifting platform.

Mattress height and weight can influence how the complete system operates.

Check product-specific requirements before ordering.

Do Not Overload the Storage Area

Storage capacity does not mean the compartment should be filled without consideration.

Do not place items where they interfere with the mechanism, and do not exceed any product-specific usage instructions.

Cove vs Haven: Which Gas Lift Bed Should You Consider?

The two Best Beds designs provide the same main benefit—hidden full-base storage—but their appearance and size availability differ.

Cove Gas Lift Bed Frame

The Cove is a Queen upholstered gas lift bed with a clean-lined neutral design and full-base concealed storage.

It is a strong option when you need Queen size and prefer its more streamlined visual style.

Haven Gas Lift Bed Frame

The Haven is available in selected Queen and King sizes and uses a more substantial upholstered headboard design.

It also provides full-base concealed storage.

Choose between them based on the room, size requirement and preferred design rather than storage alone.

How to Know if a Gas Lift Bed Is Worth It for You

A gas lift bed is particularly worth considering when:

• you need a new frame anyway;
• bedroom storage is limited;
• you have bulky seasonal items;
• there is little clearance for side drawers;
• you want concealed rather than visible storage;
• you want to reduce the need for additional bedroom furniture.

It may be less important if you already have more than enough storage and simply want the lightest or simplest possible frame.

Measure Before You Buy

Do not measure only the mattress.

The frame extends beyond the mattress dimensions.

Check:

• overall frame dimensions;
• headboard height;
• walking space;
• wardrobe clearance;
• bedside-table placement;
• door clearance;
• access for delivery and assembly.

The Best Beds Bed Size Guide can help you start with the correct mattress size before comparing the complete frame.

Compare Gas Lift Beds at Best Beds

Best Beds offers a focused range rather than dozens of near-identical storage-bed designs.

Browse the full gas lift bed collection, compare Cove and Haven, or visit Best Beds in Epping to view selected products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are gas lift beds good for small bedrooms?

They can be particularly useful because the storage opens upward and uses the existing bed footprint rather than requiring extra floor space for another storage unit.

What can you store in a gas lift bed?

Common uses include spare bedding, blankets, pillows, seasonal clothing, luggage and other suitable lightweight bedroom items.

Can any mattress go on a gas lift bed?

The mattress must be the correct size and suitable for the specific frame. Mattress weight and thickness should also be considered.

Is a gas lift bed better than drawers?

Neither is universally better. Gas lift storage provides broad access beneath the mattress, while drawers can be more convenient for items used very frequently.

Are gas lift beds difficult to assemble?

Assembly is more involved than placing a mattress on a simple base because the lifting mechanism must be installed correctly. Follow the supplied instructions carefully.

Final Takeaway

A gas lift bed is worth considering when storage space matters.

Its biggest advantage is not simply that it stores things—it turns space already occupied by the bed into useful concealed storage without requiring another piece of furniture.

For many Melbourne bedrooms, that can make the room more organised, practical and efficient.