Footboards: Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks
Bedrooms may not be the first spaces homeowners renovate, yet opinions remain divided on whether a bed needs both a headboard and a footboard. Some insist a bed feels incomplete without them, while others question their usefulness or appeal. As with any design choice, adding a footboard comes with both advantages and disadvantages.
By Hayden Ward
Not having a footboard makes way for other decorative elements.
Bedrooms are frequently among the last spaces in a home to get a redesign, but that doesn't stop people from disagreeing about design conventions within them. Some people feel a bed simply isn't finished without a headboard and footboard, while others question the purpose or aesthetics of such pieces. Just like any other design choice, putting a footboard on a bed carries both upsides and downsides.
Advantage: A Classic Look
Adding both a headboard and a footboard gives a bed a traditional, finished appearance. Leaving off the footboard doesn't violate any design rules, but the room does take on a more conventional feel right away.
Advantage: Tidy Appearance
Imperfections from a bed made in a hurry can be concealed by a footboard, and it also helps keep a comforter from shifting.
Advantage: A Spot for Decoration
For those who enjoy it, the rails of a footboard work well as a place to display decorative items. A light summer hat could be draped over a rail, or a collection of playful, unconventional necklaces could be hung from it.
Advantage: Keeps the Mattress in Position
From a practical standpoint, the footboard is what stops the mattress from sliding off the box springs. Keeping everything in its proper place contributes to the room's overall tidiness.
Drawback: Risk of Injury
People who are tall or move around a lot during sleep can easily stub a toe. Another chance of stubbing a toe comes when navigating around the footboard to make the bed or when getting back into bed after a nighttime trip to the bathroom.
Drawback: Obscures the Bedspread
If you own bedding you find especially beautiful, a footboard might get in the way and block its full decorative effect. Beyond that, properly arranging a bed skirt or bedspread can be quite tricky when footboard rails are in the way.
Drawback: Dated Appearance
A footboard can look old-fashioned, even overly ornate. A more contemporary decor style often calls for a simpler design approach. By leaving out a footboard, you free up space to place another item, such as a bench or an attractive trunk.
