{"id":34661,"date":"2025-03-05T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-staging.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/?p=34661"},"modified":"2025-02-19T18:47:27","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T18:47:27","slug":"do-you-need-a-footboard-on-a-bed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/do-you-need-a-footboard-on-a-bed\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Footboard\u2014and Do You Need One?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are so many elements that go into the perfect bed set-up: a foundational headboard, comfortable linens, and of course, a supportive\u00a0mattress<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s another feature you may want to include in your bed set-up as well\u2014a footboard. While a footboard is certainly functional, it\u2019s something that can also be quite stylish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaving a footboard adds a beautiful finishing touch to a bedroom,” says Sherry Schmidt, interior designer and owner of Form & Function<\/a>. “It anchors the bed within the space.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, if she just uses a headboard in a project, she\u2019ll oftentimes add an ottoman<\/a> or bench<\/a> at the foot of the bed to visually finish the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what is a footboard on a bed, exactly? If you\u2019re considering refreshing your sleep space, it\u2019s something you might want to consider. Ahead, we\u2019ll walk you through everything you need to know about footboards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"saatva
A footboard creates an overall polished appearance for your bed. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is a footboard?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A footboard is designed to hold together the side rails of a bed, Schmidt explains. \u201cThis adds stability to the furniture rather than having a headboard only with a metal frame,\u201d she says. \u201cA footboard is used at the base of the bed and functions as a way to make the furniture stable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A footboard is something that needs to be ordered with a matching headboard and side rails. \u201cThat way, all of the connection points work together,\u201d Schmidt says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of a footboard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One main benefit of a footboard is its functionality. If you have a king-size bed frame<\/a>, it\u2019s necessary to use a footboard for stability, says Schmidt.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then there\u2019s the visual value it adds to a sleep space. \u201cI personally love the aesthetic of a footboard that is just below the top of a mattress,\u201d Schmidt says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A footboard can also help you make the bed more quickly and easily, creating an overall polished appearance, she adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawbacks of a footboard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There’s one potential downside to be aware of when it comes to footboards. They take up a bit more floor space\u2014so it\u2019s important to be mindful of your measurements, especially if your bedroom is on the small side, notes Schmidt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"saatva
Upholstered bed frames with footboards can be a stylish option. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to choose the best footboard for you<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several material types you can choose from when picking out a footboard for your bedroom. While the material choice depends on your unique space, you can go with one that\u2019s fully upholstered, a combination of wood and upholstery, entirely wood, or even metal, says Schmidt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re wondering about the height and size of the footboard, Schmidt personally prefers a lower-profile footboard, which is also called a \u201cEuro style\u201d footboard. \u201cThese fall under the top of the mattress and have a nice, clean look,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The design of the footboard is really up to your style preferences. Schmidt generally gravitates toward footboards that show off a combination of upholstery and an elegant wood frame, adding that a great bed frame truly can make a room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need some bonus storage in your bedroom, know that storage can be added on the sides of the footboard or even within the footboard \u201cto make a smaller space more efficient,\u201d Schmidt says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for safety considerations, Schmidt says she avoids frames that have sharp edges, something that wouldn\u2019t be ideal if a person tripped into it at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Footboard alternatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, do you need a footboard on a bed? Although it does act as a stabilizing element for your bed set-up, it\u2019s not totally necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t want to commit to a footboard, Schmidt recommends a platform bed<\/a>, something that still provides a \u201cslat-pack,\u201d or the wooden slats that provide support, for your mattress to sit on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other alternatives can include ottomans or storage chests, pieces that can be placed at the foot of the bed and will also make the space look put together.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

Choose a stylish bed frame with a footboard from Saatva<\/p>\n \n \n \n

\n \n \"saatva\n <\/a>\n\n \n

\n Calais Bed Frame<\/a>\n <\/h4>\n\n \n

Like the charming coastal town in the South of France from which it derives its name, Cassis boasts a relaxed yet refined comfort. Its organic, sculptural lines and low profile invite you to spend more quality time in bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n Shop Now\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n \"saatva\n <\/a>\n\n \n

\n Milan Bed Frame<\/a>\n <\/h4>\n\n \n

The Milan bed frame strikes the same balance of fashion-forward and timeless design as the Italian metropolis from which it takes its name.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n Shop Now\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n \"saatva\n <\/a>\n\n \n

\n Marseille Bed Frame<\/a>\n <\/h4>\n\n \n

An elegant bed frame with a fine attention to detail. With its clean lines, squared-off edges, and crisp details, Marseille lends any bedroom an elegant touch.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n Shop Now\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What is a footboard used for?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A footboard serves a couple key purposes, such as adding stability to a bed frame and acting as a grounding, visual accent to add to a bed set-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does a footboard prevent?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Do you need a headboard and footboard? While a headboard provides support and comfort to sleepers, a footboard can prevent bedding from slipping off the bottom of the bed, \u201cgiving you a more sound sleep,\u201d Schmidt says.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s up to you if you want to include one or both of these elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find the best footboard for you at Saatva<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Saatva offers stylish bed frames<\/a> with a footboard, such as the Calais<\/span>, with wood that borders the upholstery, and the Milan<\/span>, with wood that frames only the edges of the upholstery, making for a more minimal, modern look. Saatva also carries ottomans and benches<\/a> that can be placed at the end of the bed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are so many elements that go into the perfect bed set-up: a foundational headboard, comfortable linens, and of course, a supportive\u00a0mattress. There’s another feature you may want to include in your bed set-up as well\u2014a footboard. While a footboard is certainly functional, it\u2019s something that can also be quite stylish. \u201cHaving a footboard adds […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":34662,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[407,392],"tags":[],"coauthors":[418],"guest":[],"host":[],"class_list":["post-34661","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bedroom-furniture","category-bedroom-style"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34661","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/70"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34661"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34661\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34672,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34661\/revisions\/34672"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34661"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=34661"},{"taxonomy":"guest","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guest?post=34661"},{"taxonomy":"host","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/host?post=34661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}