The short answer: a bedroom bench should be a little narrower than the bed, sit slightly below mattress height, and be upholstered in a fabric that matches the room's softness. For most UK king and super king beds, a bench of around 120–150cm long is the right proportion.
What a bedroom bench is for
A bench at the end of the bed does three quiet jobs: somewhere to sit while dressing, somewhere to put things that are not going in a wardrobe, and a visual full stop that makes the bed look finished. Hotels use them for exactly this reason — the room looks considered rather than simply furnished.
Outside the bedroom, the same piece works in a hallway, beneath a window, at a dining table opposite chairs, or in a dressing room.
Step 1: Size it to the bed
As a guide, a bench looks best at roughly two-thirds to the full width of the bed, never wider. UK mattress widths are typically:
- Double — 135cm wide: a bench of around 90–120cm.
- King — 150cm wide: around 110–150cm.
- Super king — 180cm wide: around 130–160cm.
Bed frames, especially upholstered ones, are wider than the mattress, so measure the frame itself. Leave at least 60cm of clear floor between the bench and any wardrobe or wall so you can walk past comfortably.
Step 2: Check the height
A bench that sits slightly below the top of the mattress looks intentional; one that sits above it looks like an afterthought. Check the bench height against your mattress height before ordering — both are usually on the product page or the bed's specification.
Step 3: Choose the upholstery
- Textured weaves and bouclé bring softness to a calm, neutral bedroom and pick up light beautifully. See bouclé furniture.
- Velvet adds depth and suits richer or darker schemes. See velvet furniture.
- Tonal matching — choose a bench a shade lighter or darker than the headboard rather than an exact match. It looks more designed and less like a set.
If you have pets or children, choose a tighter weave and ask about fabric care before you order. Our bouclé care guide covers day-to-day upkeep.
Benches at Araco Interiors
Araco Atelier: made to order in your colourway
Araco Atelier benches are made to order (approximately 8–12 weeks) and offered across ten upholstery colourways — Laurel, Mistral, Porcini, Spindle, Vanilla, Speckle, Ashlar, Cinder, Pebbles and Wicker — so the bench can be matched to a headboard, sofa or armchair from the same family.
- Araco Atelier Mode Bench — £329. Compact and clean-lined; a good fit for doubles, hallways and smaller rooms.
- Araco Atelier Velour Bench — £489.
- Araco Atelier Luma Bench — £499. A softer, more generous profile for king and super king beds.
Use code ATELIER10 for 10% off Araco Atelier.
Tommy Franks
The Tommy Franks Eliza Bench (1500mm, neutral upholstery, £400.50 with the 10% Tommy Franks reduction already applied) is long enough to anchor a super king. Check current availability and lead time on the product page.
See the full range in luxury benches.
Finishing the scheme
A bench pulls the end of the bed together; a pair of bedside wall lights does the same at the head. Natural alabaster wall lights from Araco Lumière, such as the Frozen Aura (£189), free up bedside table space and give a soft reading glow. Browse luxury beds and bedroom furniture for the rest of the room.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a bench be at the end of a king size bed?
Around 110–150cm works for a standard UK king (150cm mattress). Measure the frame, which is often wider than the mattress.
Should a bedroom bench match the bed?
It should relate to it rather than match exactly. A tonal shade or a shared texture usually looks better than an identical fabric.
How tall should an end-of-bed bench be?
Slightly lower than the top of the mattress, so it reads as part of the bed rather than competing with it.
Can I choose the fabric on an Araco Atelier bench?
Yes — Araco Atelier benches are offered in ten colourways. Samples can be requested where available via our sample request page.
Do you supply benches for hotels and show homes?
Yes. Araco Interiors supports hotels, developers and interior designers with project-led pricing. See Trade & Projects.