Canopy Bed & Poster Bed Buying Guide

Canopy and poster bed styles, materials, sizes, and accessories A canopy bed or poster bed creates a very specific kind of atmosphere in a bedroom: dramatic, luxurious, spacious, comfortable. But though their decorative effect is consistently grand, canopy beds are hardly identical. In size, material, and style, canopy and poster beds present the potential buyer with a splendid array of choices. Canopy & Poster Bed Styles Canopy beds first became commonplace in 15th-century Europe. Since that time, the canopy bed has been adapted to the needs of many styles and time periods. Shaker, Mission, country, Empire/Classical, colonial, rustic, modern, Art Deco, French provincial: the list goes on and on. Different types of canopy and poster beds are also available, including more contemporary pencil post beds (so named for their thinner posts). Thankfully, you've probably already decorated your bedroom in a particular style, so narrowing down your bed style options shouldn't be too difficult. But if you haven't, a poster bed should definitely be the first item you select. Four poster beds tend to dominate a room, and will unequivocally set the tone for your bedroom décor. Find a bed you like, and build your bedroom furniture set around it.

Canopy & Poster Bed Materials

Wood canopy beds predominated until the early 1900s, when wrought iron canopy beds attained popularity. Their durability and the ornate scroll work that usually decorated their headboards and footboards gave wrought iron poster beds a unique appeal. French-inspired Gothic elements are often present in their designs, whose curves help to soften the sharp lines and geometrical shape of the bed. Metal canopy beds can thus bring some femininity and whimsy to a contemporary décor or be used as a focal point in a more traditional setting.

Wood poster beds are not without their own unique charm. Carved rails, scrolled moldings, and sometimes brass detailing are featured in their designs. Woods such as cherry, mahogany, and walnut create a warm, traditional - and perhaps even nostalgic - mood, their unshakeable solidity providing an intriguing contrast with the often soft and airy drapery used to decorate the bed. If you want a yin and yang effect, you'll love wood canopy beds.

Canopy & Poster Bed Sizes

Simply put, canopy and poster beds are big - sometimes very big. Their heights can reach up to 8 feet or more. We recommend measuring your bedroom, including its ceiling height, before shopping for wood or metal poster beds. Of course all standard mattress sizes are available, including twin, full, queen, and king canopy beds.

Canopy & Poster Bed Accessories

Finally, you'll likely want to buy decorative canopy bed covers and/or curtains. Look at a wide range of materials and fabrics, and consider adding details such as fringes and tiebacks. A bed canopy is also practical, so you might want to choose a mosquito net for summer and a heavier canopy that can keep you warm in winter.