How to Disguise Bed Risers for Extra Space in a Small Apartment

Remove the mattress — get help if it's heavy. Center the bed skirt on the box spring and adjust it so it hangs to the floor to cover the bed risers. Fold any extra fabric at each corner on top of the box spring. Safety pin the folded material to keep the bed skirt in place, if needed.

Create your own bed skirt with a flat sheet or other hemmed fabric such as an Indian bedspread or large curtain, if you prefer. Center the material on the box spring or bed platform and adjust it so that it reaches the floor and conceals the risers. Replace the mattress. A solid sheet or sheet with a subtle pattern works well to keep the room looking spacious and conceal the under-bed storage.

Add a larger quilt, comforter or Indian bedspread to your bed. The risers can make bedding made for the bed's original size appear undersized. Handmade quilts, such as a vintage quilt, offers an attractive solution because you can find them in unusual sizes. Covering the bed with a larger spread disguises the risers and keeps the bed's appearance in proportion; thus, you succeed at adding storage space in your small apartment without the risers being obvious.