12 Foot of the Bed Ideas (Bench, Chest, etc.)

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When decorating your room, it’s important to create a welcoming and relaxing environment to support your rest and recovery. Sleeping in a well-ventilated, comfortable room with adequate furniture and decoration makes a world of difference and will influence every night’s quality. This is why taking into account the foot of the bed is important, too.

What should you have at the foot of the bed, and what are the best ideas for decorating and allowing enough space there?

Here are 12 foot of the bed ideas:

1. A small bench
2. A small sofa
3. Decorative vase
4. Foot of the bed chest
5. Upcycled crates for storing books
6. A garden bench
7. Your writing desk
8. Built-in storage
9. Your pet’s bed
10. Ottomans
11. A coffee table
12. A TV cabinet

In this guide, we’ll give you 12 foot of the bed ideas and answer the most frequently asked questions on the topic.

What Is the Foot of the Bed?

The foot of the bed is literally the place where your feet go! It’s the bottom of the bed as you lie on it, and the expression is used most often to describe what can be placed just beyond this, i.e., next to the bed on that side of it.

How Much Space Should Be at the Foot of the Bed?

Most people don’t have a lot of space to spare in their bedroom, especially if you’re renting. However, it’s nice to have a bit of additional room so the bedroom doesn’t feel crammed and to avoid feeling like the walls are closing in on you when you go to sleep. In fact, some people may experience feelings of anxiety or claustrophobia if the bed is placed right up against a wall.

According to interior designers, two to three feet is the best amount of space to leave at the foot of the bed. Ideally, you should have 22 inches of walking around space on either side of the bed and at its foot.

Another good tip when considering the space around the bed is that most bedroom doors open into the room, so take that into account before placing your bed too close to the door!

What Are the Best Things to Place at the Foot of the Bed?

Assuming you have the space for it, a foot of the bed bench or chest is great for putting your sheets in or your bathrobes on. Here are 12 foot of the bed ideas.

1. A Small Bench

You can go modern or vintage and find a relatively inexpensive small bench for the foot of the bed, where you can place your cushions or blankets and bed covers before you head to sleep at night.

2. A Small Sofa

If you have a bigger bedroom, why not place a small sofa (a two-seater) at the foot of the bed and create a cozy reading space? You can use the same color scheme as the rest of the room, and the sofa doubles up as the bench above for storing your cushions and blankets on when they aren’t resting on the bed.

3. Decorative Vase

You’d need to be quite careful, so you don’t knock it over, but there are some lovely interior design ideas for the foot of the bed, including a vase. You can have a narrower bench and a vase next to it, too.

4. Foot of the Bed Chest

The classic accessory for traditional bedrooms is a chest placed at the foot of the bed. It can contain all your bedding accessories or extra clothes, or books and memorabilia. The chest should follow the same style and design as the rest of your furniture to blend in the best.

5. Upcycled Crates for Storing Books

Alternatively, why not go more modern and upcycle some wooden crates you can turn into a short bookcase? You can paint them to fit the room’s color scheme, and the top of the crates can be used for storing your bed cover and cushions at night.

6. A Garden Bench

When looking for a small foot of the bed bench, go outdoorsy by reconditioning a garden bench. You can scrub, wax and repaint an old bench, then make it more outdoorsy by storing shoes under it. Bonus: you can sit and read on it, too!

7. Your Writing Desk

For those who need multi-purpose rooms, why not place a desk at the foot of the bed if space allows? There are lots of narrower writing desks you can fit within the same width as the bed. Ensure there’s enough room under it to push the chair out of the way and gain walking space when you’re not using the desk.

8. Built-in Storage

Many furniture companies have designs that allow you to fit a foot of the bed storage solution like a built-in custom-made chest of drawers or something similar. This will look great as it’s made of the same material as the bed and the same color scheme.

9. Your Pet’s Bed

If you have pets, you’ll know how much they love being next to you, especially dogs. Why not place their own bed at the foot of yours? Encourage them to sleep there and keep boundaries without jumping in your own bed!

10. Ottomans

For more flexibility in your bedroom, you can opt for some ottomans that can sit at the foot of the bed or be moved out of the way if you need the space. Go for a pop of color to brighten up the room.

11. A Coffee Table

For a more modern design, go for a sleek glass coffee table with magazines and maybe a vase on as well. This foot of the bed arrangement looks great in minimalist-designed rooms.

12. A TV Cabinet

Probably the least designer option, you can still go for the old-fashioned TV cabinet at the foot of the bed. Nowadays, sleek designs allow you to have the screen lowered when you’re done watching TV, at the touch of a button. This is great for ensuring you don’t knock it over when you’re sleeping, but it’s certainly the most expensive of these ideas!

Conclusion – Enhance the Foot of the Bed to Make the Most of Your Bedroom Space

To summarize, here are 12 foot of the bed ideas once more:

1. A small bench
2. A small sofa
3. Decorative vase
4. Foot of the bed chest
5. Upcycled crates for storing books
6. A garden bench
7. Your writing desk
8. Built-in storage
9. Your pet’s bed
10. Ottomans
11. A coffee table
12. A TV cabinet

Whether you need more storage options or want a good-looking design idea for the foot of your bed, this list should have provided you with some inspiration. When it comes to a good night’s sleep, none of them will really matter, but having the extra elements of décor will put you in a good mood when you walk in ready to relax!