Sleep Easy: Your Guide to Bed Frame Styles

Upholstered, sleigh bed, four-poster, platform — if the hunt for a new bed has you ready to take a nap, this quick guide to 13 popular styles should help sort things out. The bed frame you choose sets the tone for the room; make yours just right.

Canopy bed. Whether fully curtained or simply draped with fabric, a canopy bed makes a strong statement. Full canopies may be attached to the ceiling, with billowing drapes on all sides. Or for a simpler look, try a streamlined version like the one shown here.


Curtains that draw shut around the bed are dramatic, add privacy and can even keep out drafts as you sleep — especially good if winters are cold in your region. And if you want to change the look of your bedroom, swapping out the canopy curtains is an easy way to get a fresh look. Try light, airy cotton voile in summer and thicker, lined drapes in winter.


Four-poster bed. You may find the terms “canopy” and “four-poster” used interchangeably, but for a bed like the one shown here, “four-poster” is more appropriate. A four-poster without testers (rails between the posts) has a classic look that is right at home among traditional antiques.


Tips for tall beds: When you’re choosing a canopy or four-poster bed, measuring your room’s height and the height of the bed is essential. Avoid the heartbreak (and cost) of sending back a bed by measuring twice (or more) before ordering. If you are a renter or are considering moving in the near future, you may want to choose a bed style that has a better chance of fitting into your next bedroom.

9 Ways to Dress a Four-Poster Bed


Low-post bed. With the stately good looks of a four-poster bed but less height, a low-post bed is a good choice when you want something traditional but a bit less imposing than a canopy. Typically made of wood, the posts can be simple and straight or can feature more intricate turned details, like the ones shown here.


French-style bed. With ornate carved wood details and upholstered head- and footboards, the French-style bed is an utterly romantic choice. It’s very comfortable for sitting up to read in bed too. As with other upholstered beds, however, replacing stained or damaged upholstery fabric can be costly.

Similar bed: Sweetpea & Willow



A variation is the French cane bed, as shown here. This type of bed frame has a very straight headboard with a cane back and carved wood details, and often a low footboard or none at all.

Bed: antique


Wrought iron bed. Strong and sturdy but with a romantic vibe, wrought iron beds work equally well in bohemian- and rustic-style spaces. A well-made wrought iron bed is built to last and can take more of a beating than other types — which is great if you move frequently. Those who like to read in bed, take note: You’ll need to prop up on plenty of pillows to make that bumpy metal headboard comfortable.

Bed: Anthropologie


Brass bed. Like the more traditional big brother of the wrought iron bed, a brass bedstead evokes an era of train travel and steamships. Brass beds may be solid brass or brass plate over another metal. As with wrought iron beds, reading in a brass bed can require some extra cushioning.

Bed: antique brass


Sleigh bed. Most often made of solid wood but sometimes upholstered, the sleigh bed is defined by its gently curving headboard and footboard, similar in shape to a sleigh. Because of the curved shape, a sleigh bed can be more comfortable for sitting up to read than other types of wood bed frames.


Upholstered bed. With a shapely headboard and thick, cushioned upholstery, this style of bed frame offers the ultimate in comfort while reading in bed. If you love textiles, picking out a beautiful fabric for a custom upholstered bed can be a real treat — just be sure you really love a bold print before committing to one. If you want more flexibility, go for a solid neutral.

Bedroom Style: A Guide to Upholstered Headboards


Platform bed. One of the most popular bed frame types today, the platform bed consists of a low, solid platform with a mattress resting on it — no box spring needed. The low profile and simple lines make it a natural fit for modern and contemporary interiors, and the slender profile makes it a good choice in compact rooms.

Bed: Room & Board

Platform Beds for Every Style


Storage bed. Also known as a captain’s bed, this is a platform-style bed with built-in storage drawers below. Some versions may include attached bedside tables or bookshelves as well. This bed can be a great help in small spaces or wherever you desire extra storage space.


Woven bed. Made of a natural fiber, such as sea grass, abaca or rattan, woven bed frames have a casual vibe that works well in coastal, tropical and contemporary spaces. With a bit of spring to them, woven headboards tend to be fairly comfortable for sitting up to read in bed; they’re softer than wood but firmer than upholstery. Test one out before buying to be sure you can’t feel the metal frame beneath the natural fibers when you lean back.

Bed: Williams-Sonoma Home


Ornate headboard. Whether made from intricately carved wood, silver or lacquered panels, an ornate headboard is sure to make a grand statement. Just don’t forget to try leaning back on the headboard before committing — some richly carved pieces can be quite uncomfortable to lean against.

Headboard: custom hand-hammered silver


If you spot an antique piece you love (like the temple doors shown here), you may be able to have it made into a headboard.


Daybed. A tailored daybed can work as a regular bed at night and look put together during the day, so it’s ideal for lofts, studios and guest spaces. For extra sleeping space, choose a daybed with a trundle below.

Tell us: What does your dream bed look like?

More: 8 Frame and Bedding Matchups for a Beautifully Made Bed

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