Add the chest to the bed's full footprint
Measure the frame, including any projecting footboard, then place the chest outline beyond it. Check the remaining route to the door, wardrobe and each side of the bed. A chest that looks proportionate from the doorway may create a tight turn beside the bed every morning.
Include the lid movement and the person using it. Some lids need clearance behind them or a particular opening angle. Follow the product's safety and operating instructions, especially around children. A storage chest should not be used as seating unless it is designed and rated for that purpose.
Decide whether the contents justify the position
Blankets and spare bedding may be suitable if they are dry and the storage conditions suit their care requirements. The box should make retrieval easier than another cupboard would. If opening it means clearing clothes and cushions from the lid every time, it may be acting mainly as an extra surface.
Check internal dimensions before buying. Thick sides, a raised base or a mechanism can reduce usable space. A chest large enough for folded blankets may still not hold a bulky duvet. Measure the actual bundle rather than estimating from the box's exterior.
Compare the lid finish with anything normally placed there. A tray, decorative cushions or folded clothes all have to move before the box opens. If those objects have no other resting place, the chest may be less convenient than a cupboard with a front-opening door. Plan that small transfer as part of the storage routine.
Try a smaller intervention first
A basket elsewhere, a shelf in a linen cupboard or a suitable under-bed container may solve the same storage problem without occupying the foot of the bed. Compare those options in terms of access, not only capacity.
If the chest also provides a place to sit while dressing, test its seat height and stability using the manufacturer's intended use. Leave room for feet in front. The best position is one that supports the morning routine without interrupting the route around the bed. An attractive piece that has to be sidestepped several times a day may belong in another room.
