Bed Styles: A Primer

So, you are buying a new bed. Yea! Have you decided on what style of bed? Do you know all your options? Once you start looking, you begin to realize that the world of bedroom furniture has many groups and sub-groups. Do you like modern or traditional? Wood or metal? High or low? Confused yet? Here is a brief primer on your options:

Four-Poster Bed

Just like the name implies, a four poster bed has four columns, one at each corner of the bed. They are usually made in a dark, traditional cherry or mahogany-stained wood with carved features and lend themselves to that time-honored style. The clean lines of a Shaker-style four-poster bed, however, can work well in both a country as well as a modern setting, especially if the wood is stained a rich red or black.

Canopy Bed

Not just for a little girl’s room, canopy beds are quite popular with adults as well. This style uses a four-poster bed as its base and builds upon the design with fabric. Sometimes fabric panels are minimal and simply draped along the column while other designs feature miles of lush fabric, drapes that close and a sheltering cover on the overhead canopy rails. Traditional in style and nature, this bed can also work in a more modern setting if the lines are kept clean and simple. Both the four-poster bed and the canopy bed typically sit higher than the average bed. In fact, a small step-stool is customary for both design aesthetic and for climbing up and in at night.

Platform Bed

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the platform bed generally sits low to the ground and appeals to lovers of modern design. The sleek design utilizes a system of bed slats to support your mattress directly, eliminating the need for a box spring. This helps keep the profile of the bed low while reducing overall cost to the consumer. Wood, particularly exotic woods, is the material of choice but platform beds also look fabulous when upholstered in neutral tones.

Sleigh Bed

This transitional bed is designed with both a curving head board and footboard and meant to resemble an actual sleigh. While the look has been around for centuries, in one form or another, sleigh beds fit well in almost any setting. The main consideration you need to keep in mind before you fall in love with one is space. Typically, a sleigh bed can take up more space, both physically and visually, in a small bedroom. There are, however, versions that keep the curve to a minimum to allow the bed to sit as snug to the wall as possible.

Metal Beds

If you are not partial to wood beds, a metal bed may be a better choice for you. A shiny brass bed can liven up a dark guest bedroom while a black wrought-iron bed may be the starting point for an eclectic bedroom re-design. Metal beds can work in many style settings, from cottage to traditional, modern to country.

Day Bed

Typically, a day bed is available in a twin and used in a guest bedroom or office to accommodate overnight guests when space is tight. They often come with a second twin Trundle bed that slides underneath and out of the way when not in use. A unique twist on this bed is that many designers are bringing day beds out of the bedroom and proudly displaying them in the living room for a unique twist on a utilitarian sofa.

There you have it – a rundown on the basic bed styles to choose from for your new purchase. Knowing what material and style you like can make the hunt easier and more enjoyable. Good luck.