Walk into a beautifully designed hotel suite and look at the foot of the bed. There's almost always a bench there. It's one of those pieces you don't consciously notice, yet take it away and the room suddenly feels unfinished, as if the bed is floating in the middle of nowhere.
An end of bed bench is also one of the hardest-working pieces in a bedroom. You sit on it to put on shoes, you drop the decorative pillows on it at night, it holds tomorrow's outfit or a stack of books, and if you choose one with storage, it quietly swallows spare blankets.
But get the size wrong and it looks like an afterthought. Here's how to get it right.
What is the bench at the end of a bed called?
Most people simply call it an end of bed bench, a bed bench or a foot of bed bench. When it has a lift-up lid and hidden storage, it's usually sold as a storage bench or storage ottoman bench. An upholstered, backless version without legs showing is often just called an ottoman bench. The names overlap; what matters is the size, the height and whether you need it to store things.
What about the chest at the end of the bed? A lidded wooden chest in that spot is usually called a blanket chest, hope chest or storage trunk. It does the same job as a storage bench, but is typically firmer to sit on and more traditional in style.
How wide should an end of bed bench be?
The simplest rule: the bench should be narrower than the bed, leaving a little breathing room on each side. A bench that's wider than the mattress looks heavy and gets in the way of the walkway; one that's far too short looks lost.
A good guide is to aim for somewhere between two-thirds and the full width of the mattress, with a few inches of space at each end.
| Bed size | Mattress width | Bench width that usually works |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38" | about 28" to 34" |
| Full | 54" | about 38" to 48" |
| Queen | 60" | about 44" to 56" |
| King | 76" | about 52" to 70" |
| California King | 72" | about 50" to 66" |
If your bed has a substantial upholstered or sleigh frame that sits wider than the mattress, measure the frame instead. And if you're between two sizes, go a little shorter rather than longer. A slightly narrow bench reads as deliberate. A bench that pokes out past the bed frame never does.
How tall should it be?
Keep the top of the bench at or just below the top of the mattress. Most end of bed benches sit somewhere between 16 and 20 inches high, which is also a comfortable sitting height for most adults.
Low platform bed? Choose a lower, sleeker bench so it doesn't rise above the mattress line. Tall bed with a thick mattress and box spring? You have more freedom, and a slightly taller upholstered bench will look proportionate.
How deep, and how much space do you need around it?
Standard benches run roughly 15 to 20 inches deep. In a smaller bedroom, a narrow bench for the end of the bed, closer to 12 to 16 inches deep, keeps the room from feeling crowded.
The number people forget is clearance. Try to leave around 30 to 36 inches between the bench and the nearest wall, dresser or doorway so you can walk past comfortably. If you can't manage that, the room is telling you to skip the bench or choose a slimmer one. A bench you keep bumping your shins on stops feeling luxurious very quickly.
Before you order, try this: cut a piece of cardboard or lay painter's tape on the floor at the size of the bench you're considering. Live with it for a day. It's the cheapest design consultation you'll ever get.
Storage bench or open bench?
This is really a question about how you live.
Choose a storage bench for the end of the bed if you're short on closet space, you like a clear surface, or you want somewhere for extra pillows, throws and seasonal bedding. In a guest room, a storage bench is quietly brilliant: guests get somewhere to sit, and you get somewhere to hide the spare duvet.
Choose an open bench with visible legs if your room is on the smaller side. Seeing the floor beneath furniture makes a space feel lighter and larger. Open benches also tend to look more tailored and architectural, which suits minimalist and mid-century rooms.
One practical tip for storage benches: check how the lid opens and whether it has a soft-close or a support hinge, especially if children use the room.
Choosing the upholstery
The bench is a perfect place to introduce texture, because it's an accent piece that gets lighter use than a sofa.
- Leather ages with real character and wipes clean easily. Cognac and tan leathers warm up a neutral bedroom instantly.
- Bouclé brings that soft, nubby texture that feels calm and modern. A bench is actually one of the smartest places to use bouclé, since it sees far less wear than a sofa.
- Velvet adds depth and a little glamour, especially in deeper tones against crisp white bedding.
- Performance fabric is the practical choice if pets sleep on the bed or the bench doubles as a place to sit with shoes on.
- Wood, cane or rattan keeps things light and natural, and works well in coastal or Japandi bedrooms.
Weighing up fabrics? Our guide to bouclé vs velvet walks through how each one wears.
How to style it so it looks intentional
Match the mood, not the finish. Your bench doesn't need to match the bed frame. In fact, a little contrast usually looks better. A leather bench in front of a linen upholstered bed, or a bouclé bench with a dark wood frame, gives the room depth.
Echo one colour. Pick up a tone from your bedding, rug or curtains so the bench feels connected to the room.
Keep the top edited. A folded throw draped over one end, a small stack of books, or a tray. That's it. A bench piled high with pillows looks cluttered, not luxurious.
Centre it. Line the bench up with the centre of the bed and leave a few inches between it and the bed frame, so the bedding can hang naturally.
A few end of bed bench ideas from our collection
If you're starting your search, these are worth a look:
- The Rebecca Storage Ottoman Bench in saddle brown vegan leather, 48 inches wide, which suits a full or queen bed and hides bedding inside.
- The Sienne Leather Ottoman Bench in tan genuine leather with rib-stitched detailing, 56 inches wide, a confident choice for the foot of a king or a generous queen.
- The Whittaker Leather Ottoman Bench in brown genuine leather with a tufted top and black metal base, also 56 inches wide, for a more tailored look.
- The Ava Mid-Century Ottoman Bench in pebble grey performance fabric, 48 inches wide, a practical pick for homes with pets.
- The Willow Bouclé Storage Bench in retro green, for soft texture and a touch of colour.
Or browse everything in one place: Benches, Storage Benches and Upholstered Storage Benches. If you're furnishing the whole room, start with our Beds and Bed Frames and our guide to buying modern bedroom furniture online.
The short version
Measure your mattress, choose a bench a few inches narrower, keep it at or below mattress height, leave about three feet to walk past, and pick storage only if you'll genuinely use it. Then choose a material that adds something the room doesn't already have.
Get those right and the bench stops being an extra piece of furniture. It becomes the thing that makes the bedroom feel complete.
Frequently asked questions
What size bench goes at the end of a queen bed?
A queen mattress is 60 inches wide, so a bench of roughly 44 to 56 inches usually looks best. It leaves a little space at each end without looking undersized.
What size bench for the end of a king bed?
A king is 76 inches wide. Benches of around 52 to 70 inches work well. Some people use two smaller benches or ottomans side by side for a more relaxed look.
Should an end of bed bench be taller than the mattress?
No. Keep the top of the bench at or slightly below the top of the mattress, so it doesn't block the view of the bed or catch the bedding.
Is a storage bench worth it?
If you need somewhere to keep throws, extra pillows or spare bedding, yes. If you mainly want somewhere to sit and your room is small, an open bench with legs will feel lighter.
Can I put a bench at the end of the bed in a small bedroom?
Often, yes. Choose a narrow bench, about 12 to 16 inches deep, with visible legs, and make sure you still have roughly 30 inches of walking space around it.
Do you need a bench at the end of the bed?
No, but it's one of the simplest ways to make a bedroom look finished and give you a practical place to sit. If space is tight, a pair of small ottomans can do the same job.
Need help choosing the right size for your room? Email our team at support@eloyroyal.com.
