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Are four poster beds still in style


Why 4 Poster Beds will Never Go Out of Style

4 poster beds might not be the most common out there, but surely it must be the most luxurious! In ancient times, just as in the present, these magnificent beds were a symbol of status. So if you want to expand your bedroom into a lavish, modern-meets-medieval space, a 4 poster bed is simply a must-have. Keep on reading to find out from our experts at The Mattress Warehouse why 4 poster beds won’t go out of style any time soon. (And how you’d benefit from getting one).

History and origin of the 4 poster bed

600 to 700 years ago, when kings reigned supreme and normal people slept around fires in great halls, beds weren’t all that common. However, some noblemen (the rich and famous back then) slept on something like a bed. Consisting of fur-covered boards stacked on tree stumps, it was a shadow of the beds we have nowadays. Now you can imagine that sleeping on cold, stone floors in large, drafty halls was probably not great. People got sick easily and, because they slept so close to each other, that sickness often spread like wildfire!

Thus entered 4 poster beds. Sure, the design went through a couple of iterations and no-one is entirely sure where it came from (some historians say Austria). But by the late 1400’s, the grand four poster bed frame as we know it was in use. What does it have to do with cold and sick people, you might ask? Well, the four posts were used to support a canopy and curtains that enclosed the whole bed. The curtains and canopy served multiple purposes:

But don’t be fooled! Even though it would have been great for commoners to have 4 poster beds, it was only for the elite. Rich families had splendid beds to show off their wealth and power. These grand beds were passed down from generation to generation as an heirloom.

After that brief history lesson you might be wondering…

Are 4 poster beds going out of style?

Simply put, no. Although in most cases, we don’t need them to keep the cold out anymore, 4 poster beds are still very much in fashion! Moreover, with a modern makeover, these beds radiate stylish sophistication that will fit right in with your bespoke bedroom design.

Benefits of 4 poster beds

4 poster beds are synonymous with luxury

Grand and luxe. These two words best describe the modern four poster bed. If these two words appeal to you and you want your bedroom to make a statement… Well, then a four poster bed is what you need. Seeing as it was used as a status symbol in the olden days, why not use it for that exact same reason? Because honestly, if you can sleep like a royal, why wouldn’t you?

Here are some of the benefits of owning a modern four poster bed:

Things to know before you buy a 4 poster bed

Because of its size and grandeur, 4 poster beds look better in some spaces than in others. You can imagine that a large four poster bed frame can make a small bedroom feel and look cramped. So before you start looking around for four poster beds for sale, consider the space you want to put the bed in. You want:

Of course, you can put your dream bed in a smaller space, but then it might be prudent to look for a smaller sized bed so that it does not dwarf the space.

How do you dress a 4 poster bed?

Modern four poster beds are all about clean lines and can fit in with most decorative styles. Gone are the days of gaudy drapes and thick curtains. Designers choose to leave the skeleton of the four poster bare nowadays. But you can still put curtains on your bed if you prefer that old feel… If you want to go with a traditional farmhouse kind of vibe, look for a wooden four poster bed. However, if you want a minimalist or industrial feel, look for an iron-wrought four poster bed frame.

Four poster beds for sale from The Mattress Warehouse

You’ve got the space and you want to show off. So the natural next step is for you to start looking for 4 poster beds for sale. Well, you don’t have to look too far. In fact, getting your dream four poster bed is just one click away. We stock beautiful graphite four poster beds with clean lines that will fit in perfectly in most modern bedrooms. Click here to see what they look like. And then, you can select the size you want and we’ll deliver it to your door, free of charge. Taking your bedroom to the next level of splendour has never been this easy.

Four Poster Beds Aren’t Out Of Style (17 Examples & Images)

Are four poster beds going out of style? For many years, you could only find poster beds in your grandmother’s attic or movies set in Medieval times. The heavy wood, ornate carvings, and billowy canopy just didn’t fit in modern or minimalist design trends—unless you were Christian Grey, and decorating a play room.

However, four poster beds have made a comeback, thanks to fresh reinterpretations of its classic shape. You can still see its familiar four posts, and a curtain that can keep out sunlight and protect privacy, but the modern poster bed looks nothing like an antique.

Look at these creative examples of how four poster beds are being used in today’s trendiest homes. It’s living proof that it is still very much in fashion—and can be used in any kind of theme or color scheme.

Minimalist metal frames

The sleek metal posts at home-designing actually frame the bed’s geometric headboard. It’s the perfect focal point for a minimalist room. Observe how all the elements have very sleek, elegant lines—the lamps on the wall, and a simple black chair—that complement rather than compete with the poster bed’s shape.

Tiled backgrounds

The simple four poster bed, which also comes from home-designing, is positioned against a built-in cubby hole, which stores books and other knick-knacks. (By the way, if you’re looking for an affordable way to customize your bedroom wall, steal that idea of a colorful tile background. While quality tiles aren’t cheap, they cost far less than a painting.)

The poster bed design itself is worth mentioning. Unlike traditional poster beds, the frames are not joined to the actual bed. This has a convenient purpose: you can push the headboard flat against the wall, and it also creates a sense of space.

Dainty details

The white four poster bed is a charming addition to this very feminine bedroom. The frame’s notched design softens the lines and suits the aery, delicate vibe of the room.

Take note of how the interior designer keeps the room from looking too much like a Victorian dollhouse by adding organic decorations, like the wooden lampshade and bucket seat. That’s one way of making sure that your poster bed doesn’t look dated—break a design stereotype with one or two unexpected design elements!

East meets West

This is a brilliant example of the fusion of culture and eras. It retains the canopy or curtain of the traditional poster bed but foregoes heavy carvings for a sleek and minimalist shape. Instead of a mattress, it also uses a Japanese-style futon.

This is a great way to use a four-poster bed in a modern apartment or condo unit, which has limited space. A low-lying mattress, combined with the height of the poster bed, can help make a ceiling look higher—which, in turn, makes a room look bigger.

And if you use your bedroom as a work area in the daytime, you can draw the curtains to completely hide the bed from view. That’s very useful for taking Zoom calls in your “office” — or hiding the fact that you’re too lazy to make the bed. 

Minimalist drapery

Aside from thinner and simpler lines, minimalist poster beds trade the usual heavy brocade or scalloped canopy for simple, free-flowing fabric. Large swathes of soft cloth can add subtle drama to a room, and create beautiful curves that can echo other elements in the room.

For example, in this modern Oriental bedroom, the fabric adds to the organic, graceful feel of the hanging lamps and bonsai. 

Old and New

The four poster bed has a stainless steel frame, which balances the 1950s-style sofa fabric and vintage-style hand-embroidered beddings. 

This is an excellent example of how you can still use traditional elements in a fresh, modern, and very stylish way. A wooden bed would have made this room look like your grandmother’s guest bedroom, but thanks to the industrial material of the bed frame, the effect is very contemporary and cool.   

Frames and fairy lights

This bedroom has a soft, dream-like quality, from the soft drapery of the four-poster bed and the soft fabrics used for both the beddings and the area rug. The designer also made good use of the bed posts, hanging fairy lights and tassels for a whimsical touch.

Function and Form

Many poster beds, coming from livinginashoebox, have a bookcase built into its base for convenient bedtime reading, but this model is practically a home entertainment center. The ample shelves can hold several books, knick-knacks, and speakers. It extends to a work table, and the “ladder” lets you hang bags for additional pocket storage.

This is the idea bed for a one-room unit, and proves that it’s not true that “I don’t have room for a poster bed.” A multi-functional bed like this can actually give you more room, by replacing other furniture.

Wood and White

This is one of the most popular modern design themes: wooden furniture, with a mostly white or cream color scheme. Not only does it look fresh and clean, but it’s also easy to do with a small decorating budget. (Hello, Ikea.) 

Take this basic wooden four-poster bed, which you can find in almost any bargain furniture store.  Dress it up in classic white bed linens and a white lamp, and the rooms look as classy as a five-star hotel.

Wood and Steel

Contrast can make a room more interesting. The stainless steel for poster bed actually work very well with the wooden furniture and ethnic prints of the pillow and rug.

A heavy wooden frame would have been a cliché—and made the room look smaller, too. But the sleek and subtle metal finish allows the wall décor to be the room’s focal point and works really well with the modern lines of the sofa and lamp.

Unique frame shapes

Furniture designers add a new twist to the traditional four-poster bed shape. The metal rods are shaped to look like tree branches, which perfectly complement the earthy colors and materials used in the other parts of the room.

Two toned bed frames

As you have guessed from looking at these images, modern four poster beds now use a variety of materials ranging from metals like iron and industrial steel to woods with different finishes.

But it doesn’t stop there. Two-toned bed frames—like this dark gun-metal and copper beauty—add visual interest, and give a simple answer to the question, “What color should I get?” If you can’t decide on just one color, then get a poster bed that already has both.

Naked frames

Stripped of the canopy, the curved bed frame of this four poster bed actually looks like very sculptural — and acts as an instant focal point for a small room that doesn’t have a lot of space for other furniture or decor. You could also dress it up with fairy lights, and turn even a small attic room into a dream bedroom for a teen.

Matching furniture

The carving in the posts and the bed frame are similar to the dressing cabinet and the vanity. It automatically creates a harmonious design and makes a very clear design statement.

Lush fabrics

If you don’t want to have a bare frame, you can go to the other end of the spectrum: a full set of drapes, made from an eye-catching heavy fabric.

The key to pulling off this look is to keep all the other elements in the room very muted and stick to a very consistent color scheme. In this example, you can see how the walls and the carpeting pick up from the colors of the drapery.

So it doesn’t compete with the drapery, the beddings are kept white and simple–except for an accent pillow in the same color scheme as the rest of the room. 

Bright and Bold

The bright yellow four poster bed adds a colorful punch to this eclectic room. Don’t be afraid to work with bold colors and patterns, or break “design rules” to get the look you want.

Just repeat a few elements to unify the design. In this case, the yellow poster bed is the center point: it has the same color as the rug’s peacock feather pattern, and the strong lines of the frame are similar to the exposed beams on the walls and ceiling.  

Ethnic charm

The beautiful, hand-carved accents on this four-poster bed are perfect for the colorful prints used for its pillows and upholstery. We love the poster bed’s exceptional craftsmanship! The details on the headboard, the knobs, and even the legs—and the natural hues and grain of the wood adds an interesting dimension. This bed will only look even more beautiful as it ages.

Canopy beds in classic and modern interiors

Canopy - a medieval attribute of royal luxury, today has become a rare decorative accessory. Is it possible to fit it into a modern interior and what canopy beds can be purchased today - read our article.

Is a canopy bed suitable for the bedroom?

In this matter, the style of the interior does not play a decisive role. It is not difficult to choose a suitable four-poster bed from the range of Italian, French or Belgian factories both for furnishings in the spirit of past eras and for a dynamic modern interior. A sufficient ceiling height is much more important.

The height of a four-poster bed usually varies from 220 to 250 cm. Adding to this value a margin so that the bed does not visually rest against the ceiling, we obtain the desired ceiling height for installing a four-poster bed of at least 300 cm.

In the photo: a four-poster bed Bizzotto Rebecca, height 225 cm.

Ready-made canopy beds

Choosing a ready-made solution is the easiest way to realize the dream of canopy sleep. The modern range offers both luxurious solutions in historical style and interesting design interpretations.

Classic

French bed - this is what people usually think of when they hear the phrase "canopy bed". In the classic version, it is a wide double bed with a "frame" in the upper part. Textiles can be fixed on it in different ways - loosely thrown over or rigidly fixed and draped.

Classic canopy beds differ little from historical designs, both in form and materials. An elegant silhouette, natural wood, decorated with carvings and gilding, expensive silk, satin and tapestry fabrics, inlay with precious metals and stones - these attributes of luxurious furniture remain relevant today.

Photo: Romantic bed from the Volpi Doge bedroom furniture series. An elegant canopy does not weigh it down thanks to a thin frame made of carved wood and well-chosen textiles.

Pictured: Savio Firmino 3010 canopy bed.

In some classic models there is only a hint of canopy - high posts at the corners of the bed. These decorative elements give the bed an antique touch.

Photo: bed with columns Patina B18 - Bernini Bed.

Modern Canopy Beds

If you have a modern style bedroom, don't rush to give up a canopy bed. In a modern interpretation, this piece of furniture looks very interesting.

Pictured: Flou Ari's minimalistic canopy bed.

Pictured: Valdichienti Ginevra bed. The design provides for various drapery options - from an open frame to textile trim on all sides.

Pictured: Matteograssi's designer Twice canopy bed.

Pictured: Modern canopy bed by Gervasoni.

Pictured: Flou Canopy Canopy Bed.

The canopy bed is the perfect purchase for the terrace. Most luxury garden furniture manufacturers offer models made of teak or artificial rattan, complemented by rain and sun resistant textiles.

Pictured: The Smania Amalfi patio bed creates privacy and can be used as a pergola.

Modular solutions

Almost any classic or modern bed can be completed with a separately mounted canopy. It can be either a custom-made solution or a removable canopy.

In the photo: Savio Firmino rectangular hanging canopy will fit any factory bed.

Pictured: Silik Baldacchino luxury canopy fits all factory King Size beds.

A canopy in the form of a half ring, which is mounted on the wall above the bed, will be appropriate even for a modest-sized bedroom.

In the photo: a canopy bed Savio Firmino 1911.

In the photo: a canopy with a Silik Asea lambrequin. Available in any finish and can be combined with all Silik beds.

Canopy beds in IB Gallery

The IB Gallery catalog contains dozens of Italian canopy beds. Among the bottom there are models in classic and modern style. If among them you did not find a suitable one, send us a request by e-mail or via the feedback form. Salon IB Gallery specialists will select for you the bed of the desired configuration according to the catalogs of more than 700 factories in Europe. You can also order from us the production of a bed according to an individual sketch at a factory in Italy.

Canopy bed - Furniture maker's blog

Canopy - a canopy made of fabric, fixed on a frame above the bed. It was very popular with the medieval nobility, who traditionally suffered from the drafts and dampness of their family stone strongholds.

Modern comfort has leveled the practical use of this wonderful invention, but my God, how beautiful it is! You just feel like a royal person, meditating before going to bed on the exquisite folds above your bed.

A bit of history

The first mention of the canopy (literal translation - silk from Baghdad) is found in the third millennium BC. Initially, they, like an umbrella, sheltered the royal people of Assyria and ancient Babylon from the sun and rain when they went out “to the people”. The fashion for such a device first spread throughout the Middle East and Asia, and then came to Western Europe.

In a cold climate, you can't cover yourself too much from the rain with silk, but if there is a strong breeze in the bedchamber and mosquitoes, then it's quite a thing, especially if it's made of velvet or brocade. And so it happened.

Photo: Pinterest.ru

On the territory of European countries, in the 16-18 centuries, canopy beds became an invariable attribute of rich bedrooms. A sort of room in a room is expensive, cozy, warm, and you can hide from curious servants for important marital affairs.

In Russia, a light cotton canopy in the manner of a tent was hung over a baby's cradle so that the baby would not be blown away and insects would not annoy. It was also used as an element of luxury. In cathedrals and churches over altars, in palaces - as a symbol of royal power and greatness.

Modern canopies

To be honest, in our time a four-poster bed is a symbol of prosperity, if not luxury. The time has passed when the famous canopy designer of the Middle Ages, Daniel Marot, made covers from brocade and heavy velvet, sheathing it all with feathers and gold with stones.

The current fashion is much more modest. Heavy and expensive textiles gave way to light fabrics - tulle, silk, chintz, linen. In any case, it is advisable to take into account the climate and features of the area in which you live.

The canopy over the bed can still be used to protect from cold autumn and winter nights, or vice versa, from the bright sun of early and bright southern dawns.

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