- 1). Place a low wooden bench crafted from a recycled object such as a surfboard, snowboard or salvaged wood at the foot of a bed with a taller wooden frame for a pleasing contrast in height and texture.
- 2). Paint and reupholster an old, medium-sized footstool to place between twin beds in a guest room or a children's room. Try a bright shade of green with a red canvas top for a gender-neutral kids' room; go with a distressed paint job and vintage barkcloth for romantic style. Let kids move this type of bench around when they play; encourage guests to use it as a place to open and unpack suitcases.
- 3). Pair a metal-framed bench with pillows covered to match a quilt or throw on the bed. Beware of being overly "matchy," unless you like the super-coordinated look. Try earth tones in natural woven fabrics covering a handful of accent pillows stacked next to some books on a bench in a bedroom with white linens and a warm, chocolate brown comforter.
- 4). Place a stark, modern Lucite bench beneath a large geometrical print along a wall perpendicular to the bed. A bench that isn't right at the foot of the bed is more likely to get actual use. Let it accumulate magazines and cardigans for some casual contrast. You may find yourself sitting there to chat with a late sleeper or to pull on your socks in the morning.
- 5). Try a trunk as a bench. Let a flat-topped trunk double as seating and storage for blankets and extra pillows. Find vintage trunks covered in nicks and scratches evoking long voyages across the sea to go with an eclectic bedroom with wood floors and plenty of mood lighting. Sleek leather trunks are available for streamlined designs or can work with soft quilts and handwoven rugs in a craft-centric bedroom.
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