Bench by the Bed: Sizes That Fit a Small Bedroom

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A bench by the bed is a short seat at the foot of the bed, for putting on shoes, laying out clothes or holding extra bedding. In a small bedroom, depth matters most, because the bench sits in the walkway. Measure from the foot of the bed to the wall, subtract the bench depth, and keep about 36 in free as a walking path. The three benches compared here are a 30 in by 13 in by 13 in storage ottoman bench, a 47.2 in by 17.7 in by 17.7 in storage bench, and a slim 31.5 in solid wood bench only 10.2 in deep. Then check the length against the width of the bed.

Quick compare: the products in this guide

Sizes come from the Amazon listings as we read them; check the product page for the current details before you buy.

Product	Listed details	Link
30-INCH Ottoman with Storage, Footrest Storage Bench, End of Bed Bench Coffee…	30 x 13 x 13 in; 9 lb	See details on Amazon Affiliate link
47.2″ End of Bed Storage Ottoman Bench Chenille Dark Gray (brand FUBHOMEY)	47.2 x 17.7 x 17.7 in; 36 gal storage per the listing	See details on Amazon Affiliate link
Wooden Bench Indoor, Rustic Farmhouse Narrow Entryway Bench, 31.5in Length…	31.5 x 10.2 x 17.7 in; 1.97 in thick seat	See details on Amazon Affiliate link

Why a bench belongs at the bed

Most small bedrooms have no sofa and no armchair. The edge of the bed becomes the place to sit, and that is awkward for putting on socks or tying shoes. A bench gives you a firm seat at the right height without a full chair.

A bench also gives the bed a visual edge. A storage version adds a place for spare blankets, seasonal sweaters or shoes, which matters when there is little closet space. The listings we read describe it this way: one says its ottoman fits at the foot of the bed, by the wardrobe, beside the sofa or in the entryway, and another says its bench is perfect at the foot of the bed for putting on and taking off shoes.

Three shapes of bedroom bench

Small storage ottoman bench

The Snuvid model is 30 in wide, 13 in deep and 13 in tall. Its listing describes a split lid that opens on one side while you sit on the other, a linen-look fabric cover and sides that fold flat when it is empty. It is low and compact, so it suits a narrow gap at the foot of a bed.

Large storage bench

The FUBHOMEY model is 47.2 in wide, 17.7 in deep and 17.7 in tall. The listing says it has a storage capacity of 36 gal (138 L), with a removable divider, and two flipping lids. It also notes that the four sides are not solid walls and are covered only with double-layered fabric, so it is soft-sided storage. It is the biggest of the three and the one that needs the most floor.

Slim wooden bench

The ZPrestiCraftbl model is 31.5 in long, 10.2 in deep and 17.7 in tall, in wood. The listing says the seat is 1.97 in thick, and describes the bench as a narrow design for small spaces. It has no storage, but it takes the least depth of all three.

The measurements that decide the fit

Depth: how far it sticks into the room

For a bench at the foot of the bed, depth is the distance it reaches into the walkway. A 10.2 in deep bench takes 7.5 in less depth than a 17.7 in one (17.7 in minus 10.2 in equals 7.5 in). In a narrow room, that difference can decide whether you can walk past the foot of the bed.

Length: against the width of the bed

A bench at the foot of the bed looks best when it is somewhat shorter than the bed is wide. Standard US queen mattresses are 60 in wide by 80 in long, according to the Amerisleep size chart. A bench of 47.2 in or shorter sits comfortably inside that width. A bench wider than the bed will stick out past the sides and catch your shins.

Height: lower than the mattress

A bench is for sitting on and for resting things on, so it should not be taller than the top of the mattress. Measure the height of your own mattress top from the floor. Our planning suggestion is to choose a bench at least a few inches lower, so that the bed still looks like the main piece. Our listings give heights of 13 in and 17.7 in, so there is some range.

Worked example: a queen bed in an 11 ft bedroom

This is our own planning example, with the arithmetic shown. Say the bedroom is 10 ft wide by 11 ft long, which is 120 in by 132 in. A queen bed, 60 in by 80 in, has its head against one end wall and runs along the 132 in length. The bench sits at the foot, centered on the bed.

Along the 132 in length (the walkway at the foot of the bed).

• Floor from the foot of the bed to the far wall: 132 in minus 80 in equals 52 in.
• With the 13 in deep Snuvid bench: 52 in minus 13 in equals 39 in left.
• With the 17.7 in deep FUBHOMEY bench: 52 in minus 17.7 in equals 34.3 in left.
• With the 10.2 in deep ZPrestiCraftbl bench: 52 in minus 10.2 in equals 41.8 in left.

The US Access Board gives 36 in as the minimum clear width of an accessible route. A home does not have to meet that rule, but this guide uses it as a yardstick for a comfortable path. The small and slim benches stay above it: 39 in minus 36 in equals 3 in, and 41.8 in minus 36 in equals 5.8 in. The large bench is 36 in minus 34.3 in, which equals 1.7 in below the yardstick. In this room, the large bench would make the path at the foot of the bed a little tight, so it suits a longer room.

Across the bed (the bench length against the 60 in bed width).

• The bed is 60 in wide. The FUBHOMEY bench is 47.2 in long. 60 in minus 47.2 in equals 12.8 in of bed width left over. That is a total for both sides, so each side is 12.8 in divided by 2, which equals 6.4 in.
• The Snuvid bench is 30 in long. 60 in minus 30 in equals 30 in, or 15 in on each side.

Height against the mattress. Say the top of your mattress is 24 in off the floor (our estimate, so measure yours). The 17.7 in bench sits 24 in minus 17.7 in, which equals 6.3 in below it. The 13 in bench sits 24 in minus 13 in, which equals 11 in below it.

All three work in this room. The one to avoid is the deepest, unless you have extra length or are willing to give up some walking room.

Storage: soft sides and lids

If you pick a storage bench, read how the storage is built.

• Lids. The Snuvid has a split lid that lets you open one half while seated on the other. The FUBHOMEY has two flipping lids and a divider that you can remove.
• Walls. The FUBHOMEY listing says its sides are fabric only. That is light, but it does not hold a shape the way solid sides do, so fill it with soft items such as blankets and pillows.
• Collapsible design. The Snuvid listing says it is collapsible, which helps if you move often.

Check the lid opening against the bed. A lid that lifts toward the bed can hit the mattress, so leave a gap or choose a lid that opens sideways.

Who should skip a bench by the bed

• Anyone with a very short walkway. If the floor at the foot is under about 40 in, a bench may make it too tight.
• Anyone whose bed has a footboard. A footboard takes the same space and leaves little room.
• People who want storage but have a bed with drawers. The bed may already do the job.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Measuring only the bench. Measure the floor in front of it too.
• Choosing a bench wider than the bed. It will stick out at the sides.
• Forgetting the lid swing. A storage lid needs space.
• Choosing one that is too tall. It will look odd and block your view of the bed.
• Skipping floor protection. Check the feet for felt or rubber pads.

Keep reading

These guides cover related picks and sizing checks for a small space.

• How to Fit a Desk in a Small Bedroom: 9 Layouts That Work
• Nook Breakfast Table: Sizes That Fit a Small Corner
• Recliners That Turn Into Beds: Angle, Length and Fit

Frequently asked questions

How long should a bench at the foot of a bed be?

It should be a bit shorter than the bed is wide. For a queen bed that is 60 in wide, the benches we read are 30 in to 47.2 in long, so all of them fit.

How deep should a bench by the bed be?

Choose the least depth that you are comfortable on. The three we read are 10.2 in, 13 in and 17.7 in deep. Subtract the depth from the floor you have at the foot of the bed.

Can I sit on a storage bench?

The listings say you can sit on them. The weight limits are not in the listing data for these three, so check each listing before you sit.

Does a bench have to match the bed?

No. A bench in a similar tone or fabric looks tidy, but a wood bench against a fabric bed is a common contrast.

What if the bed has no room at the foot?

Place a slim bench along the side of the bed, or use a small stool instead.

Products worth checking

We have not tested these products. Sizes and features come from the Amazon listings as we read them; where a listing does not say, we say so.

Sources checked

• US Access Board, Chapter 4: Accessible Routes
• Amerisleep: mattress sizes and dimensions chart

Specifications come from the Amazon listings as we read them for this guide. Product details and availability can change, so confirm on the product page before you buy.

How we research our guides