A bedroom bench ottoman is one of those pieces of furniture that most people notice in a well-styled bedroom but few buyers plan for in advance. It is a practical item: it provides a surface to sit while putting on shoes, a place to set clothing before bed, and in the case of storage ottomans, additional space to keep bed linen, seasonal items, or spare pillows.
Choosing the wrong size or placing it in the wrong position creates more inconvenience than having none at all. This guide covers the measurements, placement decisions, and style choices that determine whether a bedroom bench ottoman works in your space.
What Size Ottoman Suits Your Bed
The most common sizing mistake is buying an ottoman that is wider than the bed. An ottoman wider than the bed frame extends into the floor space on either side, which interrupts movement around the room and makes the furniture look out of proportion.
The standard recommendation from Australian interior designer Bec Judd’s interior practice and confirmed by CHOICE’s home furnishing guide is that a bedroom bench ottoman should be 50 to 70 percent of the bed width.
| Bed Size | Bed Width | Recommended Ottoman Width |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 92cm | 50 to 65cm |
| King Single | 106cm | 60 to 75cm |
| Double | 138cm | 80 to 96cm |
| Queen | 153cm | 90 to 107cm |
| King | 183cm | 100 to 128cm |
For example, a 110cm bedroom bench ottoman can suit many larger bedroom layouts, provided the overall bed width and surrounding clearance are considered.
The most common sizing mistake is buying an ottoman that is wider than the bed. An ottoman wider than the bed frame extends into the floor space on either side, which interrupts movement around the room and makes the furniture look out of proportion.
The standard recommendation from Australian interior designer Bec Judd’s interior practice and confirmed by CHOICE’s home furnishing guide is that a bedroom bench ottoman should be 50 to 70 percent of the bed width.
Placement: Where It Goes and Why
The foot of the bed is the standard placement position for a bedroom bench ottoman. This placement works for three functional reasons:
- It creates a natural transition point when entering or leaving the bed. Sitting on the ottoman to put on shoes or socks at the foot of the bed uses the space that would otherwise be empty floor.
- It provides a horizontal surface at the right height (45 to 50cm) to lay out tomorrow’s clothing without placing items on a chair or the floor.
- It visually anchors the bedroom by creating a horizontal element at the foot of the bed that balances the vertical height of the headboard.
The clearance between the foot of the bed and the ottoman should be 60 to 90 centimetres. Less than 60cm makes the bedroom feel crowded and makes it difficult to make the bed. More than 90cm and the ottoman looks disconnected from the bed, sitting in empty floor space without a clear relationship to the other furniture.
Should You Choose a Storage Ottoman?
A storage ottoman has a lift-up or removable top that reveals a hollow compartment underneath. The storage capacity varies by size but a queen-sized storage ottoman (approximately 100cm wide, 40cm deep, 45cm high) holds roughly 30 to 40 litres of folded bed linen, spare pillows, or seasonal items.
Storage ottomans work particularly well in Perth bedrooms where wardrobe space is limited or where the bed does not have under-bed storage. If the bedroom already has a gas lift storage bed, a standard (non-storage) bench ottoman is sufficient, as the under-bed compartment already covers the additional storage need.
The trade-off with storage ottomans is that the lid must be fully openable, which requires the ottoman to be positioned at least 30 to 40cm from the foot of the bed. Factor this into your clearance measurement.
Choosing the Right Style
The three most common bedroom bench ottoman styles available in Australia are:
Upholstered Bench Ottoman: A padded top surface covered in velvet, linen, or leather. The most common style. Pairs well with velvet or fabric bed frames.
Tufted Ottoman: An upholstered bench with button-tufted detailing on the top surface. The tufting creates a more formal, classic look. Suits French provincial and Hampton-style bedrooms.
Storage Box Ottoman: A rectangular storage box with a padded lid. Prioritises function over visual detail. Suits contemporary bedrooms where storage is the primary goal.
Perth Furniture & Fun’s benches and ottomans range includes upholstered and tufted styles in velvet and linen finishes. These are sized for queen and king bed configurations and are compatible with the velvet bed frame range in matching colour options.
Matching the Ottoman to the Bedroom
The simplest approach is to match the ottoman fabric to the bed frame upholstery. If the bed frame is dark grey velvet, a dark grey velvet ottoman at the foot creates a deliberate matched set. If the bed frame is timber or metal, an upholstered ottoman in a complementary colour (cream, charcoal, sage) adds texture without visual conflict.
Avoid upholstered ottomans in pale cream or white in Perth bedrooms where the foot of the bed is a high-traffic area. Light fabric picks up marks from shoes and bags quickly in that position.
Conclusion
Size the ottoman to 50 to 70 percent of the bed width. Allow 60 to 90 centimetres of clearance between the bed and the ottoman. Match or complement the fabric to the existing bed frame upholstery. If additional storage is needed and the bed does not have under-bed storage, choose a storage ottoman. Perth Furniture & Fun’s benches and ottomans are available at perthfurnitureandfun.com.au/benches-ottoman with delivery across the Perth metro area. Visit the Midvale showroom open 7 days to compare styles and fabrics in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a bedroom bench ottoman be used as a seat for dressing?
Yes. A standard ottoman height of 45 to 50cm is the correct seated height for putting on shoes and lower garments. This is one of the primary functional uses of the piece.
What material is easiest to clean for a bedroom ottoman?
Performance velvet or linen blend fabrics wipe clean with a dry cloth for surface marks. Leather is the easiest to clean for liquid spills. Standard velvet requires a dry-brushing method and dry-cleaning foam for stains.
Should the ottoman match the bed frame exactly?
No. A matching fabric and colour creates a coordinated look, but a complementary colour or contrasting texture (for example, a cream linen ottoman against a charcoal velvet bed frame) also works well and avoids a matchy-matched appearance.
How much should I spend on a bedroom bench ottoman?
Quality upholstered bedroom bench ottomans in Australia range from $150 to $600. At Perth Furniture & Fun, the benches and ottomans range provides mid-market options with quality upholstery and solid frame construction suitable for daily use.
Does a bedroom need a bench ottoman?
No. However, in a bedroom where the floor space at the foot of the bed is currently unused or where seating while dressing is inconvenient, a bench ottoman is a low-cost, practical addition that improves the room’s daily usability.
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