DEAR GAIL: We have a very long and narrow bedroom and have at least seven feet of wasted space at the end of our bed. We don’t know what to put there and with nothing it makes the room feel empty. What are some things that we could do? Carol C.
DEAR CAROL: How wonderful to have the extra space and yes there are a couple different things that you can use at the end of your bed. Since you mentioned that your room was long and narrow, I’m going to assume that first, you have the bed in the only position available to you in the room. Just take a second look and confirm that there isn’t another wall that the bed could go on to change the open space available to you in the room. With your bed properly arranged, let’s look at some of your options.
A luxury item that you might want to consider is a remote control television cabinet. The TV is stored inside and functions as a bench or cabinet when not in use, then "voila" with the touch of a button, the TV rises up out of the cabinet. They are a bit pricey, but you might also get lucky and find a used one at one of the hotel consignment stores in town for a fraction of the cost.
One item that always works well at the end of the bed is a bench. You can have an oversized bench made that you can then use to sit on when getting dressed, as well as a place for your comforter and pillows at night. If you have it made, I would also consider making it into a storage bench for extra linens, change of season bedding or even winter and summer clothes.
You can make this area into an extended lounging area with a pair of upholstered chairs and a small table. Place an accent lamp on for reading and you’re set. Watch the height of the lamp so that it doesn’t look overpowering or odd at the end of the bed. I’ve also achieved this look with a loveseat and then an ottoman or small coffee table. Just make sure you give yourself enough room to get around the bed. Twenty four to thirty inches would be the minimum you’d want to keep the room feeling comfortable.
Do you need any extra desk areas? A decorative writing desk with a comfortable chair is a wonderful look at the end of the bed. Use it for the long gone art of letter writing. I don’t suggest that this is where you will be doing late night work as your bedroom should be your haven. But decorate with some of your favorite items and make this your area for sending cards and jotting notes to yourself.
Depending upon how high your bed is, look for a low decorative chest. You can use it for extra storage or dresser drawer space. Just make sure that if it is higher than your bed that the backside that you see is finished. But again, I wouldn’t want it but at the most a couple inches higher.
Want another place to enjoy your morning coffee and paper? Use a small bistro set and treat yourself by setting with your favorite china.
Have you also considered a great head and footboard? Many times we can’t fit a wonderful sized bed in a room because there is not enough room, but you are fortunate enough to have that extra space, so just another thing to consider.
Along with all of these, you can also add an area rug to the grouping that you create at the end of your bed to bring it together and add additional color and texture into your room.