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If your bedroom has the space for it, a bedroom bench (also known as an end-of-bed or foot-of-bed bench) is one of those pieces that can tie a space together while also being quite functional. They can be used as “a place to set your decorative pillows at night when you need to sleep,” according to interior designer Joshua Jones, or “as a halfway point or ‘step’ for some pets that may have difficulty jumping into bed on their own.” Depending on the size of your pet (and how pristine you want to keep the bench), they can even be used as spots for furry friends to sleep at the foot of a bed, or, of course, for human seating, too. In choosing an end-of-bed bench for your space, you’ll want to consider a couple of things, like material, which we’ll get to below, but the size of a bench in proportion to your bed matters, too. Says Jones: “I would recommend a bench around 45 inches long for a queen bed and between 60 and 65 inches for a king-size bed.” To help you find the right end-of-bed bench for your bedroom, I talked to 16 interior-design experts about their favorites. Read on for their picks.
What we’re looking for
Material
When looking for an end-of-bed bench for your space, think about how a bench’s material will suit your needs. Upholstered benches, for instance, will be more inviting for people to sit on, while wooden benches will often look a little sleeker or, if they have woven seats, more bohemian. You’ll also want to consider what type of bed frame you have when choosing a bench. If you don’t want your bedroom to look too matchy-matchy, interior designer Casey Hardin suggests “contrasting the bench with the material of your bed to ensure that it adds visual interest — for example, if you have an upholstered bed, try a wood bench; alternately, a wood bed would pair well with a fabric bench.”
Size
As noted above, it’s all about getting the proportions right. For queen- and full-size beds, which are typically about 60 inches wide, our experts suggest going for a bench that’s between 45–50 inches. King-size beds are typically around 76 inches wide, which is why Havenly’s managing editor of design content Heather Goerzen suggests looking for an end-of-bed bench no smaller than 60 inches wide (she’s “partial to ones that are closer to 70 inches,” but interior designer Kendall Wilkinson notes that you want to ensure there is some air at either end of the bench to avoid making the setup feel too crowded). I’ve denoted the width of these benches so that you can make your own determination, as it really comes down to a matter of personal taste.
Price
You can find bedroom benches in a range of styles to fit your budget, from more traditional, tufted-and-upholstered benches to sleek modern ones. I’ve included a bunch of options in the $500-and-under range, which I’ve marked with $ in the specs. Benches that fall in the $500 to $1,000 range are designated by $$, and anything above $1,000 will be denoted by $$$.
Best bedroom bench overall
Material: Upholstered, customizable | Size: 58.5 inches | Price: $$
Wilkinson says this modern-looking upholstered bench from West Elm is “clean and classic and works with almost any style of décor,” which is why I’ve dubbed it the best overall bench for the foot of your bed. (Fully upholstered benches will also typically have comfier seats, making them a better option if you have a pet that will use the bench or if you plan to sit on one regularly.) Measuring just under 59 inches, it would work well for full-, queen-, and even king-size beds, according to Wilkinson, and further adding to its versatility is the fact that you can customize its metal-leg finish and upholstery. You can choose from dozens of color and fabric options, everything from durable canvas (great for pet owners) to linen to bouclé, but if you’d rather not wait the six-plus weeks for a made-to-order bench, there is a ready-to-ship option, a pewter distressed-velvet shown here, that I think looks interesting without being too flashy.
Best (less expensive) overall bedroom bench
Material: Upholstered | Size: 42 inches | Price: $
This one, also from West Elm, is much narrower and more petite than the Andes bench, above — and also much more affordable, which is why it’s the next best option if you don’t want to spend too much but still want the comfort and look of an upholstered seat. It’s a favorite of interior designer Lauren Cox: “I love the price point and slim frame” — it’s 42 inches wide — “which allows it to fit in nearly any bedroom.” Covered in a silver twill, the bench has a sturdy hardwood frame, dark wooden legs, and a “high resiliency” foam cushion, according to the retailer; Cox says it will add “a ton of coziness to a bedroom.”
Best upholstered bedroom bench
Material: Bouclé upholstery | Size: 62 inches | Price: $$
If you like the idea of an upholstered bench but want something with a more unusual silhouette and feel, consider the Orleans bench from CB2 that Havenly VP of creative and design Shelby Girard loves for its “funky shape and on-trend bouclé fabric.” It has a squat, rounded base and a low, curving back that she says “makes it extra-comfortable, perfect for a cozy moment sipping coffee in the morning.”
Best (less expensive) upholstered bedroom bench
Material: Upholstered | Size: 50 inches | Price: $
For an upholstered bench that’s a bit more traditional, interior designer Katherine Tlapa likes this bench, whose tufted body is covered in pink linen. She recommends it to anyone looking for one that can also add a pop of color to a bedroom, noting that the piece’s “classic form makes it timeless” and something you can hang onto even if you change décor schemes. It also “makes for a cozy place to sit,” she adds.
Best wooden bedroom bench
Material: Birch wood | Size: 44 inches | Price: $$
We’ve written a lot about Alvar Aalto’s furniture, particularly the designer’s minimalist stools (and their dupes), which are beloved by small-space experts. This wooden Aalto bench, which comes recommended by interior stylist and photographer Tommy Lei, has the same sort of pared-down aesthetic of the stools — which is one reason why Lei simply calls the birch piece “timeless.” At 44 inches wide, it would also be a good choice for smaller bedrooms, according to Lei, who adds that the bench’s birchwood is “naturally very calming” to look at.
Best wooden bedroom bench with storage shelf
Material: Solid walnut or white oak | Size: 59 inches | Price: $$$
This bench, which you can get in oak or walnut, comes recommended by Melissa Wagner, who works in creative and design at Havenly. It has a super-simple look that reminds us of the Aalto bench, with a seat you can “toss your throw pillows on top of when you crawl into bed each night” and a bottom shelf that offers space to store stuff you might also want to show off, like “your collection of throw blankets and slippers,” according to Wagner.
Best wooden woven bedroom bench
Material: Acacia wood, rattan | Size: 48 inches | Price: $$
Here’s another wooden bench inspired by an iconic chair, namely, Swiss architect Pierre Jeanneret’s lounge chair. It comes recommended by interior stylist and creative director Karina Lameraner, who says that the piece’s natural materials make it especially striking. Indeed, with its chunkier acacia-wood frame and woven rattan seat, this may be even more interesting to look at than the Aalto bench. It’s definitely an investment piece, though — and likely a bench you’d use to temporarily stow pillows or other lighter things; while the rattan seat is supportive, it’s not exactly designed for heavy use (or for pets).
Best wooden woven bedroom bench with backrest
Material: Wood, seagrass | Size: 64 inches | Price: $$
This wooden bench with a seat and back woven from seagrass has what Goerzen describes as an “organic, artisan appeal.” Its construction suggests it may be best used for sitting, though because it has a back, you’ll want to make sure the top of the bench is lower than your bed.
Best colorful woven bedroom bench
Material: Teak wood, woven nylon rope | Size: 59.5 inches | Price: $$
For those looking to incorporate a bit of color into a woven bench, interior designer Victoria Adesanmi recommends this checkered nylon rope bench from Anthropologie for the way it adds both “texture and color to any bedroom.” She thinks the checkered pattern that mixes peach, ivory, black, green, and teal would look especially nice against white bedding, adding “an extra element of style.”
Best wood-upholstered bedroom bench
Material: Wood, linen upholstery | Size: 47.5 inches | Price: $
Havenly interior designer Christina Manzo and Jessie Yoon, co-founder of interior-design firm Casa Nolita, both told us that this end-of-bed bench from Safavieh would make a good option for those who like the look of a wooden bench but seek a bit more comfort when it comes to seating. While predominantly made of wood, the bench has an upholstered velvet seat that both experts say give it a bit more comfort and an antique-y appearance. Yoon calls it Parisian, while Manzo describes its look as modern vintage, noting the bench “feels found and collected.”
Best striped wood-upholstered bedroom bench
Material: Wood, cotton upholstery | Size: 59 inches | Price: $$
Another upholstered bench with a wooden frame, this one from Anthropologie, comes recommended by Goerzen for its “coastal vibes with a folklore feel.” The cushion’s perfectly faded stripes make it seem more found (at a supercool thrift store) than bought brand-new, and she says the print makes the bench “easy to mix with solids and patterns alike” when it comes to bedding. But the cushion, according to the brand, should be professionally cleaned — meaning this may not be the best for pets.
Best sculptural wooden bedroom bench
Material: Elm | Size: 60 inches | Price: $$$
If you’re looking for a wooden bedroom bench that can double as a sculptural statement piece, consider the Laney bench from Lulu and Georgia that Adesanmi also recommends. “While it’s simple in shape, the silhouette is both sculptural and modern,” she says, adding that it’s a great way to incorporate natural elements into a room. Because of its blocky wooden shapes, she says that it would work well with an upholstered bed, “bringing juxtaposition” in a space.
Best leather bedroom bench
Material: Leather upholstery, made to order, 41 options | Size: 57 inches | Price: $$$
For a bench upholstered in leather, you can’t get any more classic than this reproduction of Florence Knoll’s Relaxed bench that has tufted seating and piping detail. It’s recommended by interior architect and designer Lauren Ashley Allan, who calls it “a defining example of modern design.” It has “a spare, geometric profile” that makes it great for placing at the foot of the bed — “simple yet elevated.” You can customize it in a number of fabrics and colors (41 different options, to be exact), but if you prefer to get it right away, you can buy the ready-to-ship version that comes in a gray aniline leather.
Best (less expensive) leather bedroom bench
Material: Leather upholstery, nine colors, made to order | Size: 46 inches | Price: $
Here’s a much less expensive leather option from Crate & Barrel. It’s another favorite of Wilkinson, who promises that it’s “so durable.” That leather, she adds, can come in nine different colors, making this an option you can truly customize for most any space. (Because each bench is made to order, though, they can take between 10 and 14 weeks to produce, according to the retailer.) Crate & Barrel says the 46-inch wide bench is made to accommodate two seated adults.
Best metal bedroom bench
Material: Iron, leather upholstery | Size: 43 inches | Price: $$
The parson-style metal cage of this bench can add heft to the foot of a bed while still maintaining an airiness. “This bench brings in a subtle, contemporary touch, and I love the addition of darker leather,” says Havenly design manager Brady Burke. “The ebony leather paired with the antique brass base marries masculine and feminine sensibilities in an effortless way that I really appreciate.” He notes that the bench “feels contemporary,” while the button tufting of the cushion “adds a timeless touch, making it relevant for a wide range of styles.”
Best (less expensive) metal bedroom bench
Material: Aluminum, Dhuri fabric upholster | Size: 47.5 inches | Price: $$
If you like the idea of a metal frame but one that feels a bit lighter (and is also slightly cheaper), Burke also recommends this one from Pottery Barn. He “loves how the soft ivory fabric softens the bronzed aluminum frame.” Its white cushion “has a bit of texture,” he adds, but the color means it will be harder to keep clean, making it a better option for pillows or blankets than four-legged friends. The bench is plenty sturdy, though, with a metal frame that can support the weight of two adults, according to Pottery Barn.
Best small-space bedroom bench
Material: Wood, metal, padded PVC seat | Size: 39 inches | Price: $
And here’s another (faux) leather and metal option with an even more petite footprint. Incorporating wood, metal, and upholstery, it comes recommended by two experts: Yoon and Devin Shaffer, the lead sales designer at online interior-design service Decorilla. Yoon says its “interesting details like the slim, black-finished legs and cushion top” definitely make this sleeker-looking than the above bench, noting that the cushioned-leather seat makes it a bit more comfortable for sitting (though it’s probably not the best material for pets). Shaffer says the bench feels like something out of “an industrial loft,” adding its low profile makes it an ideal spot to stack your decorative pillows come bedtime. At 39 inches wide, it’s among the smallest on this list, but it’s still suitable to plop at the foot of a queen bed, according to the folks who recommended it.
Best bedroom bench with storage
Material: Upholstered, storage | Size: 50 inches | Price: $
While the end-of-bed benches we’ve shown thus far offer de facto storage in the form of their seats, Shaffer points out that you can also get styles designed to stow even more stuff, like this upholstered bench with a base that lifts to reveal an interior storage bin. He says a bench like this is ideal for those “struggling to know where to store off-season clothing and accessories.” Shaffer thinks that the bench’s fabric complements its polished-steel legs, adding that its charming cutouts in the armrests make the bench look far more sophisticated than something used to store last season’s clothes. “You would never know that the main purpose of this bench is to hide things,” he promises.
Best (less expensive) bedroom bench with storage
Material: Upholstered, storage | Size: 48 inches | Price: $
Lameraner agrees that a bench designed with hidden storage can be even more functional: “Not only will it add an extra seat, but also a great space to tuck away pillows or extra clutter.” More affordable than the bench above, her recommendation from Living Spaces has a streamlined shape that she says makes it suitable for lots of different bedrooms. In addition to the gray color shown, the bench is also available in sand.
More bedroom benches we like
Material: Steel, cotton upholstery | Size: 43 inches | Price: $$
The most design-y upholstered bench of the bunch, Lei calls this a “Danish beauty with dashing curves.” The asymmetrical iron frame makes the bench rather sculptural, and its seat is upholstered in a cotton-blended cushion that should be comfortable enough for sitting (but the bench’s biggest appeal is clearly its unique look). At 43 inches, Lei describes the bench as moderately sized and says it would look best at the foot of a “platform or levitating bed frame that is streamlined.”
Material: Steel, oak, upholstery | Size: 59 inches | Price: $$$
Even though this bench combines oak, stainless steel, and upholstery, there’s something pleasingly simple about it. “Industrial chic with a touch of mid-century” is how Wilkinson describes the 59-inch bench, adding that the “mixed materials and soft gray cushion make it an interesting piece” to look at. The upholstery is a sturdy polyester-acrylic blend, suggesting the cushion can withstand some wear and tear.
Some more bedroom benches we’ve written about
Our experts
• Victoria Adesanmi, interior designer
• Lauren Ashley Allan, interior architect and designer
• Brady Burke, Havenly design manager
• Lauren Cox, interior designer
• Shelby Girard, Havenly VP of creative and design
• Heather Goerzen, Havenly managing editor of design content
• Casey Hardin, interior designer
• Joshua Jones, interior designer
• Karina Lameraner, interior stylist and creative director
• Tommy Lei, interior stylist and photographer
• Christina Manzo, Havenly interior designer
• Devin Shaffer, Decorilla lead sales designer
• Katherine Tlapa, interior designer
• Melissa Wagner, managing editor of design content at Havenly
• Kendall Wilkinson, interior designer
• Jessie Yoon, co-founder of Casa Nolita
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