Many bedroom designs revolve around one piece of furniture in particular. While the bed is usually main event, it’s the oft-overlooked supporting cast of furniture and décor that can help to bring out the best in bedroom style. From minimal designs to more layered and lived-in spaces, the foot of the bed is an unsuspecting focal point for most bedrooms. In fact, it’s frequently the first sight you see when you walk in.

A functional space for getting dressed or undressed, a spot for storage, a surface to set things on, or even providing a relaxing moment for morning coffees or the occasional nightcap: When it comes to the foot of the bed, there’s a lot to consider.

PLAY WITH PATTERNS

To make a fashion statement at the foot of the bed, we should focus on two factors: color and scale. In master bedrooms, we like to make a big impact with the bed, but we always like to include large scale seating at the end.

CONSIDER HOW EACH PIECE MAKES YOU FEEL

Selecting the perfect shape for the foot of the bed to maintain the openness of the room: In this case, an ottoman. It allows the room to be uncluttered and streamlined and frames the bed beautifully!

DON'T FORGET FUNCTION

Both fashion and function are important in even the most glam of bedroom spaces. “When it comes to the end of the bed, think seating — a spot to tie your shoes, a place to pop your purse, the perfect site to stash the next day’s sartorial masterpiece,” he suggests. Stools, benches, and tables will all do the trick, but Adler also offers up an even chicer twist: “A small sofa cranks up the glamour,” he shares.

ELONGATE THE SPACE

Designer Jenn Feldman likes to dive into bedroom design foot-first. “We like to think of the bedroom as a calming retreat and the foot of the bed as the beautiful welcome into that rest area,” she explains. “It's the anchor of the bedroom space and the first thing that catches your eye in the room.”

Feldman’s recommendation for a piece with maximum design impact? A bench in an interesting fabric, pattern, or texture that plays off the design of the bed itself for a complementary pairing, like the tufted style in this bedroom. “We love creating benches that waterfall seamlessly off the bed frame, elongating the room and the overall space.”

SHOWCASE THE THINGS YOU LOVE

Benches are a natural choice for furniture to place at the foot of the bed, but for that reason, sometimes it’s a challenge to figure out how to infuse a bedroom bench vignette with your own personality. Interior designer and television personality Jeremiah Brent advises, ”Just because it’s a bench doesn’t mean it’s not an opportunity to showcase the things that you love.” From books to bowls to your favorite boots, this bedroom proves there’s no shortage of ways to personalize the space.

MAKE A SCULPTURAL STATEMENT

The foot of the bed is an ideal spot for a statement piece that brings signature style to a bedroom. Home polish premier designer Orlando Scoria acknowledges that a bench is a classic go-to for this space, so his recommendation is to select something unique (where you can still tie your shoes, of course).

“The more sculptural, the better,” he suggests. “I incorporated this beautiful handmade alligator bench into a preppy Cape Cod-style home I recently designed, and it quickly became my clients' favorite piece in the house.”