The right end of bed bench size comes down to width, height and depth. Pick a bench narrower than your mattress (roughly three quarters of its width), with a seat at or below the mattress top, and shallow enough to leave a comfortable walkway. For a queen, that means a bench about 44 to 51 inches wide. For a king, look at 55 to 64 inches. Below are the numbers for every bed size, plus real dimensions from benches we carry.
Standard mattress widths to start from
Your bench is sized to the mattress, not the room, so start there. According to the Sleep Foundation’s mattress size chart, standard widths are:
- Twin: 38 inches wide
- Full: 54 inches wide
- Queen: 60 inches wide
- King: 76 inches wide
- California king: 72 inches wide
A California king is narrower than a standard king but 4 inches longer; our king vs California king comparison covers the tradeoffs. Upholstered frames can add a few inches, so measure your actual bed if it has a wide frame.
End of bed bench size by bed width
There is no official standard, but interior designer Emily Henderson suggests a bench that is around three quarters the width of the bed, leaving roughly 6 to 8 inches of bed showing on either side. Treat that as a guideline, not a rule.
| Bed size | Mattress width | About 3/4 width | Practical bench range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38 in. | 28.5 in. | 28 to 32 in. |
| Full | 54 in. | 40.5 in. | 36 to 42 in. |
| Queen | 60 in. | 45 in. | 44 to 51 in. |
| California king | 72 in. | 54 in. | 51 to 60 in. |
| King | 76 in. | 57 in. | 55 to 64 in. |
The practical range brackets the three quarters figure with widths you can actually buy; our benches come in steps like 36, 42, 48, 51, 55 and 60 inches.
What size bench for a queen bed?
For a 60 inch queen, a bench from 44 to 51 inches wide fits the guideline well. A 48 inch bench leaves 6 inches on each side, within the range Henderson describes. With a chunky upholstered frame, you can go a little wider.
King bed bench size
A standard king is 76 inches wide, so a bench around 55 to 64 inches works. A 60 inch bench leaves 8 inches per side. For a California king at 72 inches, 51 to 60 inches is a comfortable range. Two smaller benches side by side also work.
Real bench dimensions from our store
Listed measurements from each product page. Width is side to side; depth is front to back.
| Bench | Width | Depth | Height | Listed capacity | Best bed fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benzara Aryn | 31.5 in. | 11.5 in. | 17.75 in. | Not listed | Twin |
| Benzara Ben, 36 in. | 36 in. | 16 in. | 18 in. | 250 lb. | Full |
| Benzara Ava, 42 in. | 42 in. | 18 in. | 18 in. | 250 lb. | Full |
| 42 in. Solid Wood Flip Top Bench | 42.38 in. | 22.38 in. | 35.25 in. (18 in. seat) | 300 lb. | Full or queen |
| Benzara Eva, 48 in. | 48 in. | 16.25 in. | 18.5 in. | 250 lb. | Queen |
| Benzara Elias, 51 in. | 51.25 in. | 17.5 in. | 16.25 in. | Not listed | Queen |
| 55 in. Linen Flip Top Bench | 55 in. | 17 in. | 20 in. | 285 lb. | California king or king |
| Benzara Rae, 60 in. | 60 in. | 18 in. | 21 in. | 250 lb. | King or California king |
The same 36 by 16 by 18 inch footprint also comes in a navy velvet Ava. Browse the full range on our Benzara brand page.
Bench height: stay at or below the mattress top
Henderson’s advice is that the seat should not be much higher than the mattress, and ideally a bit lower. A bench that sits below the top of the mattress lets the duvet drape instead of bunching on the bench, and is less likely to catch your shins in the dark.
Measure from the floor to the top of your mattress and compare. The upholstered benches above run 16.25 to 21 inches, so a low platform bed may call for a lower model like the 16.25 inch Elias. A bench with a back, like the 35.25 inch solid wood bench, can rise above the mattress because its seat stays at 18 inches. Our guide to nightstand height uses the same mattress top measurement.
Depth and walkway clearance
Every inch of bench depth comes out of the walkway at the foot of the bed. The Sleep Foundation suggests leaving about 24 inches of space around each side of the bed, which is a reasonable minimum for the foot of the bed too.
Measure from the end of the bed to the nearest wall or dresser and subtract the bench depth. Aim for at least 24 inches left, more if a drawer or closet door opens into that space. Most benches in our table are 16 to 18 inches deep; the Aryn is a slim 11.5 inches, and the solid wood bench with a back is 22.38 inches, better for larger rooms.
Storage bench for end of bed vs open bench
A storage bench for the end of the bed hides blankets and pillows under a hinged or flip top seat. Every bench in our table has storage. Details to compare:
- Lid hardware: the Elias uses pressure hinges for controlled lid movement, and the 55 inch linen bench has a safety hinge that stays open.
- Open shelf vs closed box: the Aryn has an open compartment, an adjustable shelf and a pull out drawer, which leaves items visible.
- Open benches: a bench without storage looks lighter, but you give up the hidden space.
Upholstery and durability
Upholstery options include faux leather (the 42 inch Ava), velvet (the Elias), woven polyester (the Eva) and linen (the 55 inch bench). The Eva, Ava and Ben listings call for spot cleaning. Check the frame too: the Eva, Ava, Ben and Rae use hardwood and plywood, the Elias uses MDF, and the two flip top benches use solid wood legs.
Where listed, weight capacity runs 250 to 300 pounds. The 300 pound solid wood bench and the 285 pound linen bench are each listed as seating two.
Orders under $999 ship at a flat $200 freight rate; orders of $999 or more ship free. See our guide to buying designer furniture online, or call 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Our return and refund policy is posted online.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard end of bed bench size?
There is no single standard. Most benches in our table run 36 to 60 inches wide, 16 to 18 inches deep and 16.25 to 21 inches tall. About three quarters of the mattress width is a common design guideline.
What size bench for a queen bed?
A queen mattress is 60 inches wide, so a bench from about 44 to 51 inches wide fits well. A 48 inch bench, like the Benzara Eva, leaves about 6 inches on each side.
How wide should a bench at the end of a king bed be?
For a 76 inch king, aim for roughly 55 to 64 inches. A 60 inch bench leaves about 8 inches per side. For a 72 inch California king, 51 to 60 inches works.
Should an end of bed bench be higher or lower than the bed?
Lower, or about level. A bench at or below the top of the mattress lets bedding drape naturally and is less likely to catch your shins. Benches with backs can be taller as long as the seat stays low.
How much space do I need between the bench and the wall?
Leave about 24 inches of walkway after subtracting the bench depth, which matches the Sleep Foundation’s general clearance suggestion around a bed. Allow more if a dresser or closet door opens into that space.
