Four Poster Beds
2010s Chippendale Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Antique 17th Century Renaissance Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
2010s Chippendale Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Gustavian Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Revival Beds and Bed Frames
Brass, Iron
Antique 1770s English Chippendale Beds and Bed Frames
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Gustavian Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Gustavian Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Gustavian Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Federal Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany, Poplar
Vintage 1970s American Early Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary English Chippendale Beds and Bed Frames
Wood, Paint, Gesso
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century French Directoire Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Antique 1880s Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Brass, Iron
Antique 1830s American Sheraton Beds and Bed Frames
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Regency Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
20th Century American Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Plaster, Wood, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Antique 1820s Caribbean British Colonial Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed, Wood, Willow
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Silk, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century American Early Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
Antique 1840s English Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Virgin Islands Dutch Colonial Beds and Bed Fr...
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Indian Moorish Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Antique 1650s English Jacobean Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Beds and Bed Frames
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Beds and Bed F...
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Bauhaus Beds and Bed Frames
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Beds and Bed F...
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Beds and Bed F...
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Beds and Bed F...
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Beds and Bed F...
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Beds and Bed F...
Wood
Antique Early 1800s American Georgian Beds and Bed Frames
Hardwood
Antique 1780s English Georgian Beds and Bed Frames
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Beds and Bed F...
Wood
Antique 1760s English George II Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Antique 1810s American American Empire Beds and Bed Frames
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Georgian Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Beds and Bed F...
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Beds and Bed Frames
Fabric
Vintage 1970s American Space Age Beds and Bed Frames
Chrome
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Brass
Antique 1880s English Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Brass, Iron
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Beds and Bed Frames
Poplar, Mahogany
Antique 1820s American Empire Beds and Bed Frames
Cherry, Poplar
20th Century Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Brass
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Four Poster Beds For Sale on 1stDibs
Finding the Right Beds and Bed Frames for You
We find relaxation and solace in our bedrooms, which are often the most cherished rooms of a home. Your antique, new or vintage bed and bed frame are integral to this oasis of personal comfort.
Beds and bed frames have long been an important part of the sanctuary that is the bedroom. For the upper class in countries such as England, the massive, costly beds of the 16th and 17th centuries were decorative and of the poster variety. Some were characterized by large painted wooden headboards, often made of oak, that featured ornate carvings and richly colored curtains affixed to each of the two or four posts — think of today’s sumptuous upholstered headboards as a distant cousin to these luxurious furnishings. The heavy fabric curtains were drawn across a fringed canopy to close out the sunlight that might’ve warmed your grandiose and opulent bedchambers. This feature could also offer privacy as desired, because, as we all know, a bedroom is for more than just sleeping.
Coiled springs didn’t make their way into mattresses until the 1800s, which likely made for a far more comfortable night’s sleep for many. Bed frames of cast iron and brass were introduced during the mid- to late-19th century. Later, the 20th century brought with it marvelous innovations for slumberland, among them daybeds from the likes of George Nelson and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich as well as convertible sofa beds.
Today, you will find a range of beds geared toward your individual personality and preferred style of decor. When shopping for a bed and bed frame, keep in mind that you’ve got options. Sizes range from twin to California king. At 76 inches wide and 80 inches long, a king-size bed is roughly 16 inches wider than a queen-size mattress, and your bed frame will likely add two to five inches to each side. (The California king bed is 84 inches long.)
From dramatic bedroom designs to uncomplicated, minimalist approaches, the bedroom has evolved into the haven that it should be: a peaceful place of respite, where we begin and end every day. Take the time to create your very own oasis — you deserve it. Rest easy with an expansive collection of antique, new and vintage beds and bed frames available on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A four poster bed features four posts, one at each corner. A canopy bed also has four posts, one at each corner, but a canopy bed is covered with a cloth of some sort. They can look similar except for the canopy on top. However, canopy posts are often built differently than four poster beds so they can accommodate the fabric. Shop a collection of four poster and canopy beds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Today, the point of a four-poster bed is largely stylistic. People place them in bedrooms due to their elegant decorative appearance. Historically, four-poster beds featured heavy curtains that blocked light, preserved privacy and provided warmth in the winter. You'll find a selection of four-poster beds on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022References show that in the 14th and 15th centuries, “four-post” was the correct terminology. However, today it is considered correct to say “four-poster”. You can find a range of vintage and antique four-poster beds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The tester on a four poster bed is the canopy over the bed. It was usually made of wood and could be covered with cloth. It provided privacy and helped enclose the bed, making it easier to heat the bed area. On 1stDibs, find an array of vintage and contemporary four-poster beds.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022You can make a four-poster bed modern in a number of ways. Try refinishing it with matte spray paint or covering the headboard with fabric or wallpaper. You can also hang fabric in contemporary prints from the frame as a canopy. You'll find a collection of four-poster beds on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Across the top of older four-poster beds was a wooden rail that was called the tester. The tester often held a rail where curtains were attached that could be pulled closed. Shop a collection of four-poster beds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A bed with four posts is called a four-poster bed. Many attach to awnings called canopies. Historical records trace the beds back to the 3rd century, but they became especially popular during the Middle Ages. Find a selection of antique and vintage four-poster beds on 1stDibs.
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