Would not choose an upholstered headboard as it will absorb smells and moisture and dust.

Would not want a "foot board" at all -- much prefer a storage bench or cedar chest at the foot of the bed for seating and blanket storage.

Consider a metal headboard. Prefer the black metal over the brass/brassplated because of longevity -- you could easily repaint (Rust O'leum 2x spray) a black one yourself over the years if you wanted, including changing the color.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&biw=1366&bih=654&tbm=shop&ei=wGzxXpzUBsXF1QHGjIOoAQ&q=black+metal+king+sized++headboard&oq=black+metal+king+sized++headboard&gs_lcp=Cgtwcm9kdWN0cy1jYxAMMgQIABANOgIIADoGCAAQBxAeOggIABAIEAcQHjoGCAAQCBAeUI7LAVi68AFg5v4BaABwAHgAgAG_AYgB6QuSAQM0LjmYAQCgAQGqAQ9wcm9kdWN0cy1jYy13aXo&sclient=products-cc&ved=0ahUKEwictJnN9ZbqAhXFYjUKHUbGABUQ4dUDCAo#spd=13556895794723695324

If you have a small room, consider foregoing a room rug -- a dust mop or swifferlike tool is a actually more practical in a bedroom where bedding inevitably creates dust.

You might consider investing in a pair of runner rugs for use in winter if you step off the bed in the dark on a cold floor in your bare feet searching for your slippers something you could actually wash and roll up to store them during the warmer months.

For your bed side tables, consider choosing those with storage you actually need -- such as would a pair of wood filing cabinets with two file drawers and a top shallow drawer provide much needed storage space for all those papers and documents and pictures and warranty papers, medical records, bills, tax records that we all inevitably acquire over the years.

Thanks so much for the feedback - it’s given me a lot to think about!

Design South Interior: I agree! Spacing is really tricky and limited in this room, despite its overall size, which is why our old furniture didn’t work. We had too many big pieces. Thanks so much for the visual and rug/chest dimensions, they're very helpful! I like the chair and ottoman idea, and I actually have a round table that I haven’t found a home for yet. And I hadn’t thought about, but I agree with, the desk/chair issue in the small dormer. Getting in the chair would be tricky! I’m thinking I’ll leave that area blank for now. The wall slopes on the bed wall and the tv wall, but I could put a piece of furniture to the right of the dormer.

suezbell: I hear what you’re saying about the upholstered bed and rug, and will give it some thought. My goal with both was to soften the room and warm up the floors. I‘ve had a metal headboard and a wood sleigh bed in the past and wanted something different and softer this time. Maybe one that’s slipcovered so I could wash it? I do really like the idea of just a headboard with a bench at the end of the bed. I’ll have to look at pictures. I’m wanting a tailored/tucked-in look, so was thinking I’d need a footboard to accomplish that, but maybe not. As for the dressers, we have a good sized home office with lots of file cabinets and storage, so probably looking to store extra blankets, sheets, etc. in the bedroom.

Thanks again for the different ideas and perspectives!

I have a velvet upholstered headboard that does not trap odor or dust any more than the velvet chair I have in the same room. I love it for reading in bed and I prefer the look to my wooden head board. I vacuum it regularly and it looks good as new.

I have stroke caused damage to my right leg and although love the look of runners around the bed they pose too much of a tripping Hazzard for me. I prefer a full size rug under the bed for safety reasons. I use a canister vac that is able to vac under all my beds so dust bunnies are not at all an issue and the filtration a vacuum offers is so much better for my allergies than a dust mop stirring up debris. I think I would go with 9x12.

I think maybe an antique curio or small china cabinet on legs would look nice by the bathroom to store linens. Or a pretty secretary desk is a nice luxury in a bedroom too.

If storage is not an issue I like round pedastal tables as nightstands.

It is a bright and lovely space. Enjoy it.

Roarah: Thanks so much for your perspective! I hadn’t thought about the tripping issue, but I do get up at night. I also really like the warmth and look of an area rug, so I think I’ll go with it, and I appreciate your recommendation on the size! I also appreciate your experience with an upholstered headboard. I don’t mind vacuuming it and honestly our wood bed required regular dusting too. The more I think about it, I’m more likely to regularly vacuum the headboard than remove, wash and replace a slipcover. I also LOVE the idea of trying to find an antique curio or other unique piece for the linens. I’ll have to investigate stores near me. I don’t mind taking some time to find the right piece. Thanks so much for the idea!

The more tailored look of the bedding pictured below is what I’m hoping to achieve. Could that be done with just a headboard? Are these platform beds? I’m not sure what terms to search. Thanks for any help!

We have an upholstered bed and love it. We did a platform and added a bench at the foot - you would have space for that as well, I think. If you needed additional dresser space, you would have space along the 5'-8" wall for a low boy. Might be nice with a mirror on the wall above it.

anj_p: thanks for relaying your positive experience with an upholstered bed as well. There’s so much wood and hard corners in the room already, and my gut tells me an upholstered bed would help soften things. I do really like the idea of a bench at the foot, so I’ll measure once we find the tv console table to make sure it would leave enough space to walk through. I hadn’t thought about doing a low dresser on just the one wall, to the left of the bathroom door (I think that’s where you mean). My brain always looks for symmetry, but you’re right, I do have space there!

My upholstered beds have had no issue with dust, wear or odor. They have even survived teens. If of great concern you can choose a Sunbrella or Performance fabric for them. I would not do just a head board as they wobble no matter how secure you take them. I would recommend a upholstered frame which gives the look of no foot board and looks lovely with a bench at the end if you choose to have one or without

BRB with some ideas.

Design Interior South: I’m happy to hear that you’ve also had good experiences with upholstered beds. That’s the look I’m really drawn to, so I think I’ll go for it! And good point about headboards alone - we‘re going to have an adjustable bed so probably not a great idea. The visual you created is so helpful and exactly the look I’m going for - thank you!

One idea might be to choose a headboard with upholstered panels that can be swapped out if sunlight fades the panels or they get torn or absorb smells or you just get tired of them and want a different fabric. Found this interesting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naPaEO30AWg 

Suezbell: I actually saved one picture (years ago, it turns out) of an upholstered bed trimmed in wood, so I do like that look. Thanks for the reminder!

With an adjustable bed, you might actually want to consider hanging a "headboard" on the wall at the head of the bed rather than attaching it to the bed.

For your adjustable bed:

Like the blue color of the wall hung:

https://www.wayfair.com/Winston-Porter--Craighead-Upholstered-Panel-Headboard-X112185482-L18-K~W001074371.html?refid=GX434544101443-W001074371&device=c&ptid=903994860200&network=g&targetid=aud-354999624671:pla-903994860200&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=65566650&fdid=1817&PiID%5B%5D=520154913&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqMPPhZKb6gIV-QiICR36IwiJEAQYASABEgLNtvD_BwE

also comes in green.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&bih=654&biw=1366&hl=en&tbm=shop&ei=yJ7zXrLhAcO5ggfFpY2YDQ&q=faux+fabric+headboards+to+attach+to+the+wall&oq=faux+fabric+headboards+to+attach+to+the+wall&gs_lcp=Cgtwcm9kdWN0cy1jYxADOgIIAFCI8kdYoc5IYMPUSGgAcAB4AoAB_AKIAas1kgEIMi4zNC40LjWYAQCgAQGqAQ9wcm9kdWN0cy1jYy13aXqwAQA&sclient=products-cc&ved=0ahUKEwiy5b7MjZvqAhXDnOAKHcVSA9MQ4dUDCAo&uact=5#spd=3884535241330100188

This one appears to set on the floor against the wall:

https://www.wayfair.com/Brayden-Studio--Perreault-Upholstered-Queen-Panel-Headboard-X112748588-L18-K~W001637477.html?refid=GX434544101443-W001637477_38408891&device=c&ptid=904146785904&network=g&targetid=aud-354999624671:pla-904146785904&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=75020585&fdid=1817&PiID%5B%5D=38408891&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqMPPhZKb6gIV-QiICR36IwiJEAQYAiABEgJB4_D_BwE

There are even floor to ceiling upholstered wall panels:

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&bih=654&biw=1366&hl=en&tbm=shop&ei=yJ7zXrLhAcO5ggfFpY2YDQ&q=faux+fabric+headboards+to+attach+to+the+wall&oq=faux+fabric+headboards+to+attach+to+the+wall&gs_lcp=Cgtwcm9kdWN0cy1jYxADOgIIAFCI8kdYoc5IYMPUSGgAcAB4AoAB_AKIAas1kgEIMi4zNC40LjWYAQCgAQGqAQ9wcm9kdWN0cy1jYy13aXqwAQA&sclient=products-cc&ved=0ahUKEwiy5b7MjZvqAhXDnOAKHcVSA9MQ4dUDCAo&uact=5#spd=10678126863960878312

Do post an after pic. Let us know what you decide.

Suezbell: thanks for all the ideas! A wall hung would be tricky with the wainscoting (it’s pretty thick), but I can see the benefit of one. I’ll definitely update once we make progress. We’re a few weeks out on completing the bathroom and having our mattress delivered, but I’d like to get some things ordered ASAP. Thanks!

We finally finished our remodel and have started trying to make decisions on furniture. Unfortunately, I’m already questioning my first purchase (fortunately, it can be returned). I decided to start with the sitting area because, with everyone working and learning from home, I wanted a comfortable place to escape to where I could make calls, read, search for furniture, etc. I tried out a few different options using furniture we already own, and settled on a settee or loveseat. Chairs weren’t as comfortable (I like to stretch out), and I didn’t like the layouts I tried because two looked crowded and one looked lonely (athough, admittedly, the styles of the chairs weren’t right for the area). I tried out a small child’s sofa we have and although it was too small I liked the look and coziness of it. So, I made a snap decision and bought one online, and now I’m questioning the style and size of it. For reference, the area is 70” wide and the settee is 53” wide. I thought it would look best with some breathing room on each side (and there’s a baseboard heater behind it), but now I’m thinking something almost wall-to-wall might look better. Thoughts? I wasn’t planning on long curtains, but would they help fill in the space and hide the fact that the window isn’t centered in the dormer? The only issue with using curtains is the other dormer window in the room is very small and I’m not sure long curtains would look good there. I was also planning to use a 3x5 area rug to define the sitting area and purchasing either a narrow ~24” wood bench or 1-2 small round table(s) to set things on. Maybe some large art to fill up the wall space on each side? (The pillow in the middle is just a placeholder to see want I would want there).

Here’s what the settee looks like centered in front of the window (lighting is making the color look off - it’s definitely not a perfect match but it looks better in person):

I also tried it angled:

Better picture showing the color:

Possible rug options (I like the organic (?) lines/unevenness of the faux cowhides but not sure about them stylistically with this settee):

The only other furniture in the room is a king-sized bed with an adjustable base. I’m still leaning towards an upholstered bed (probably wingback in style, color TBD and not sure now how it should relate to the color/style of the settee). Was also planning to get a 9x12 rug for under the bed, probably something plain and textural. That’s as far as I’ve gotten ... thanks for any thoughts/help!