A cabin bed is a bed with storage built into the frame underneath it. That's the whole definition, and it covers a wider range of heights than most people realise.
Which matters, because the height determines what a bed is suitable for, and the terminology in this category is genuinely confusing. Retailers use cabin bed, mid sleeper, low sleeper and storage bed almost interchangeably. Here's how they actually differ.
The four terms, and what they mean
| Type | Height to mattress | What's underneath |
|---|---|---|
| Storage bed | Normal bed height | Drawers |
| Low cabin bed | Slightly raised | Drawers and cupboards |
| Mid sleeper | Roughly 70–110cm | Drawers, shelves, small desk |
| High sleeper | Roughly 110–185cm | Full desk, wardrobe or sofa bed |
"Cabin bed" is the loosest of the four. It's often used for anything from a floor-level bed with drawers up to a raised mid sleeper. When you're comparing beds, ignore the label and look at the height to the mattress.
Age suitability
Any bed with a raised sleeping platform and guard rails is for children aged 6 and over. That's set by BS EN 747, the British standard for bunk beds and high beds, and it applies to high sleepers and the top bunk of a bunk bed.
Below that height, suitability varies by product rather than by category. Every bed we sell states its own age guidance on the product page, and that's the figure to work from. The manufacturer sets it based on the specific design, so it's more reliable than any general rule.
If you take one thing from this: the height to the mattress is the number that matters, not the name. Check the height, then check the product page for that bed's age guidance.
Low cabin beds
Storage without the height. Drawers and cupboards built into the frame, with the mattress sitting only slightly above normal bed height.
Because there's no raised sleeping platform, the 6+ rule doesn't apply to these. Check the age guidance on each product page for the specific bed.
- Voyager Low Cabin Bed, £349.00 — the lowest of our cabin beds
- Navigator Cabin Bed, White, £349.00
- Navigator Cabin Bed, Grey, £349.00
- Scandi Toddler Cabin Bed, £415.00 — Cashmere and oak
Cabin beds with fuller storage
More drawers, more cupboards, and usually a slightly higher frame to fit them in.
- Chloe Cabin Bed, £399.99
- Pioneer Storage Bed, £349.00
- Stacker Bed, £349.00
Mid sleepers: the next step up
Higher again, with room underneath for a desk as well as storage. Still well below high sleeper height, so easier to get in and out of and less imposing in a small room.
Heights vary across the range, so check the individual product page for the height to the mattress and the age guidance.
- Harley Metal Midsleeper, £289.99 — the most affordable route
- Cubby Mid Sleeper Bed, £449.99
- Horizon Mid Sleeper with Desk & Drawers, £489.00
- Sacha Storage Midsleeper, £499.99
- Brucey Mid Sleeper with Drawers & Desk, £599.99
- Lucas Midsleeper, £609.00
How much storage do you actually get?
Worth being realistic, because the marketing photos always show a tidy room.
A typical cabin bed with three or four drawers holds roughly what a chest of drawers holds. That's clothes, or toys, not both. If your child has a lot of everything, a mid sleeper with a taller frame gives you more, or you'll still want a wardrobe.
What a cabin bed genuinely does is remove one piece of furniture from the room. In a box room that's the difference between a floor you can play on and one you can't.
What to check before buying
- Height to the mattress. The number that determines suitability, and it's often buried in the dimensions rather than the title.
- The age guidance on the product page. Set by the manufacturer for that specific bed.
- Drawer runners. Plastic runners stick within a year. It's where cheap beds save money.
- Which side the drawers pull out. If the bed goes against a wall, drawers on that side are useless. Some are reversible, some aren't.
- Clearance in front of the drawers. A drawer needs room to open fully, and that floor space has to stay clear.
- Maximum mattress depth. If it has guard rails, there'll be a limit, usually 15 or 16cm. Our 15cm mattress range is built for this.
Common questions
What is a cabin bed?
A bed with storage built into the frame underneath, usually drawers and cupboards. Heights vary from barely above a normal bed to mid sleeper height.
What's the difference between a cabin bed and a mid sleeper?
Height, and what fits underneath. A cabin bed is lower with drawers and cupboards. A mid sleeper is higher, with room for a desk as well.
What age is a cabin bed for?
It depends on the height. Anything with a raised platform and guard rails is 6 and over, set by BS EN 747. Below that, check the age guidance on the individual product page, since it varies by design.
Are cabin beds good for small rooms?
Yes, and it's what they're for. One piece of furniture instead of two, and the floor space back.
Can you use a normal mattress on a cabin bed?
Match the size to the frame. If the bed has guard rails, check the maximum depth first, usually 15 or 16cm.
Is a cabin bed better than a high sleeper?
They suit different situations. A high sleeper gives far more usable space underneath, but it's 6 and over. A cabin bed gives you storage at a lower height.
Do cabin beds come apart for moving?
Most flat-pack beds can be dismantled, but the drawer units are the awkward part. Keep the instructions.
Still deciding? Read our kids' bed buying guide, or browse all cabin beds.
