Ideas for adding storage and style at the foot of the bed
The foot of the bed is a primary spot for adding storage, style, and utility to a bedroom. We asked local interior designers to share their thoughts on how to maximize this high-profile space. From classic to creative, these ideas add the perfect final flourish.
Add interest and character at the end of the bed. This is for practicality and aesthetics. We wanted to continue the vibe of the antique four-poster bed with a more grand and substantial end-of-bed bench. We sourced this cane-back bench from Facebook Marketplace in the Lowcountry. We recovered it with transitional fabric and now it’s useful and beautiful.
Everett Waldrep, Everett King Design
For grandparents, having grandchildren come stay for the weekend is such a joy! This couple renovated a cabin in Travelers Rest to include a separate bedroom for their grandsons. The embroidered canvas sacks at the end of the twin beds catch everything from building blocks, baseballs, and books to dirty clothes. The canvas bags make for a great addition to the end of the bed by keeping the room tidy when the boys come for a visit. The sacks can hold just as much as a small trunk at the foot of the bed. Next time you need extra storage, consider a cute, embroidered canvas bag at the end of your child’s bed.
Jenny Vogel, Designed for Downtown/AJH
We love a settee or a loveseat at the end of a bed—it’s a space-saving way to create a cozy seating area within a bedroom and an opportunity to insert pattern and softness into the space.
Amanda Louise Campbell, Amanda Louise Interiors
We love this question—it’s such an opportunity to layer both function and personality into a bedroom.
We tend to lean toward pieces that feel a bit more collected and intentional. Upholstered benches in a rich or fun fabric or leather are always timeless, especially when scaled appropriately to the bed and the room. We also tend to incorporate a pair of chairs at the foot of the bed to create a more elevated, conversational feel. It adds dimension and can double as a functional seating moment. Ottomans are another favorite, offering flexibility and a softer, more relaxed look.
Kerry Howard, Howard House Interiors
When designing a bedroom, we almost always place the bed so that the footboard faces the entry. This opens up the room both visually and for traffic flow, and also creates an opportunity to place a piece of furniture at the foot of the bed. I love to use a small-scale settee in that spot. It adds both function and personality, offering a place to sit to put on your shoes, stack pillows or blankets, or take a minute to return a text message.
Kathleen Reynolds, Kathleen Reynolds Interiors
The foot of the bed is the perfect opportunity to ground a room’s design while adding a layer of daily functionality. I love a demilune bench for the way its feminine shape plays against the structured, linear nature of the bed frame, or an upholstered rattan version for an easy, organic layer of texture.
For those prioritizing storage without sacrificing style, a vintage or heirloom trunk provides a sturdy, storied place for extra linens and seasonal layers, or toys and such for a child’s room. If you’re going for a high-end, custom feel, you can pair an open-backed bench with an upholstered footboard as this creates a settee effect that feels intentionally layered and transformed.
Caroline Brackett, Caroline Brackett Studio of Design
We have been using small sofas or two low lounge chairs instead of a bench, if the space allows.
