choosing the right bed for your space

Everything you need to know to complete your sleepy retreat.

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country swedish


Delicate but unpretentious. Straight or curved high-head- and footboards, with panels sometimes upholstered or caned.

modern plaform


Low, minimalist, masculine. Substantial, but works well in small spaces because it has no footboard.

sleigh


Wood versions hail back to the Roman Empire. Contemporary upholstered ones are more comfortable.

baroque


Style dates back to 17-century Europe. Intricately carved wood headboard. Opulent and majestic. Consider keeping other furnishings spare and modern.

four-poster


This form dates to the 15th-century, but there are very modern options. Tall and commanding it can make ceilings seem higher.

iron canopy


Style dates back to 19th-century France. Feminine, grand. Floats nicely in the middle of a room. With a canopy of fabric, it’s even more romantic; bare, it’s architectural.

upholstered


Glamorous and luxurious, yet handsome. The padded back is comfortable for reading in bed. Nail-head trim and piping can be used to accentuate the shape.