Why were colonial beds so high?

Colonial beds are so high to avoid cool drafts that were close to the ground. Typically, the higher the bed off the ground, the closer it would be to the warmer air.

What is the difference between high-back and low-back sofas?

The difference between high-back and low-back sofas is that the former has a taller backrest than the latter. Some people, especially tall men and women, feel that a high-back sofa is more comfortable because the taller back offers more support for the shoulders and neck. Low-back sofas are popular picks for open-plan interiors, as they allow sightlines to be maintained across a space. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of high-back and low-back sofas.

What is a high back office chair?

A high back office chair has a tall backrest to provide support to both your back and neck. It helps minimize the risk of chronic neck and back problems. These chairs also come with wheels attached for ease of mobility. Shop a range of antique and vintage high back office chairs on 1stDibs.

What is a bed called that is high off the ground?

A bed that is high off the ground is called a platform bed. This type of bed dates all the way back to Ancient Egypt and centuries later became common in Scandinavian modern interior design. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of platform beds.

What are the high-backed old-fashioned chairs called?

High-backed old-fashioned chairs are often called wingback chairs. They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s. Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace. Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique, vintage and modern wingback chairs from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.

High Back Beds

Victorian Carved Bed

19th Century Mahogany Bed

Holly Hunt Velvet

Walnut Frame Couch

Wood Side King Size Bed Rails

Palm Bed

Louis Chairs 8 Dining Chairs

Louis Xv Chair And Ottoman

Walnut High Back Bed by MSJ Furniture Studio

$14,800 / item

H 48.5 in W 61.5 in D 82 in

Walnut High Back Bed by MSJ Furniture Studio

By Michael Smith-Jones

Located in Vancouver, BC

Our walnut high back bed is constructed out of North American solid black walnut. The bedside

Category

2010s Canadian Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Antique English Victorian High Back Mahogany & Upholstered Bed

$3,887

H 83.86 in W 54.34 in D 81.5 in

Antique English Victorian High Back Mahogany & Upholstered Bed

Located in Glasgow, GB

A handsome Victorian mahogany and upholstered double bed dating to circa 1880. With a tall half

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Metal

1840s Victorian Mahogany High Back Twin Bedsteads, a Pair

$5,995 / set

H 70.75 in W 41 in D 79 in

1840s Victorian Mahogany High Back Twin Bedsteads, a Pair

Located in Germantown, MD

A rare pair 1860s Victorian Mahogany High Back head board Twin Bedsteads. Good antique condition

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Victorian Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Mahogany

Recent Sales

Bias Queen Bed in Espresso Limed Oak and Holly Hunt Velvet

Unavailable

H 38.5 in W 68.5 in D 91 in

Bias Queen Bed in Espresso Limed Oak and Holly Hunt Velvet

Located in West Hollywood, CA

, hooded, high-back chairs and beds inspired by crystalline structures with bias cut hand paneled

Category

2010s American Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Fabric

Bias Hooded King Bed Faceted Paneling, Ebonized Limed Oak with Holly Hunt Velvet

Unavailable

H 68 in W 88.5 in D 91 in

Bias Hooded King Bed Faceted Paneling, Ebonized Limed Oak with Holly Hunt Velvet

By Alexander Purcell Rodrigues

Located in West Hollywood, CA

, hooded, high-back chairs and beds inspired by crystalline structures with bias cut hand paneled

Category

2010s American Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Fabric

Bias Hooded KingBed Faceted Paneling, Limed Espresso Oak Holly Hunt Taupe Velvet

Unavailable

H 68 in W 88.5 in D 91 in

Bias Hooded KingBed Faceted Paneling, Limed Espresso Oak Holly Hunt Taupe Velvet

By Alexander Purcell Rodrigues

Located in West Hollywood, CA

, hooded, high-back chairs and beds inspired by crystalline structures with bias cut hand paneled

Category

2010s American Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Fabric

Bias Dining High Back Chair, Faceted Contemporary Design with Exposed Wood Frame

Unavailable

H 51 in W 20.5 in D 21.5 in

Bias Dining High Back Chair, Faceted Contemporary Design with Exposed Wood Frame

By Alexander Purcell Rodrigues

Located in West Hollywood, CA

, hooded, high-back chairs and beds inspired by crystalline structures with bias cut hand paneled

Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Amura 'Alice' Bench in Oatmeal Wool by Luca Scacchetti

Unavailable

H 17.72 in W 63 in D 23.63 in

Amura 'Alice' Bench in Oatmeal Wool by Luca Scacchetti

By Amura Lab

Located in GRUMO APPULA (BA), IT

joined by high-wing back and low-back beds. Characterized by slim volumes, this collection stands out for

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Benches

Materials

Wool

Bias Sled Slipper Chair, Contemporary Faceted Lounge Chair, Walnut, White Fabric

Unavailable

H 25.5 in W 25.5 in D 30.5 in

Bias Sled Slipper Chair, Contemporary Faceted Lounge Chair, Walnut, White Fabric

By Alexander Purcell Rodrigues

Located in West Hollywood, CA

, hooded, high-back chairs and beds inspired by crystalline structures with bias cut hand panelled

Category

2010s American Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Bias Hooded Lounge Chair, Faceted Wingback Inspired by Louis XV Sentry

Unavailable

H 57 in W 32.5 in D 28 in

Bias Hooded Lounge Chair, Faceted Wingback Inspired by Louis XV Sentry

By Alexander Purcell Rodrigues

Located in West Hollywood, CA

, hooded, high-back chairs and beds inspired by crystalline structures with bias cut hand paneled

Category

2010s American Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Bias Hooded Dining Host Chair, Inspired by Louis XV Sentry, Faceted Wood Frame

Unavailable

H 55 in W 28.5 in D 25 in

Bias Hooded Dining Host Chair, Inspired by Louis XV Sentry, Faceted Wood Frame

By Alexander Purcell Rodrigues

Located in West Hollywood, CA

, hooded, high-back chairs and beds inspired by crystalline structures with bias cut hand panelled

Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Bias Lounge Chair, Contemporary Faceted Armchair with Walnut Frame

Unavailable

H 28 in W 52 in D 32 in

Bias Lounge Chair, Contemporary Faceted Armchair with Walnut Frame

By Alexander Purcell Rodrigues

Located in West Hollywood, CA

, hooded, high-back chairs and beds inspired by crystalline structures with bias cut hand paneled

Category

2010s American Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Bias Ottoman & Trays 2 Match Sofa, Faceted Upholstered Sofa Table, Walnut Frame

Unavailable

H 15.1 in W 100 in D 30 in

Bias Ottoman & Trays 2 Match Sofa, Faceted Upholstered Sofa Table, Walnut Frame

By Alexander Purcell Rodrigues

Located in West Hollywood, CA

, hooded, high-back chairs and beds inspired by crystalline structures with bias cut hand paneled

Category

2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Bias Ottoman to Match Lounge with Tray in Walnut, Faceted Upholstered Sofa Table

Unavailable

H 15.1 in W 52 in D 29.5 in

Bias Ottoman to Match Lounge with Tray in Walnut, Faceted Upholstered Sofa Table

By Alexander Purcell Rodrigues

Located in West Hollywood, CA

, hooded, high-back chairs and beds inspired by crystalline structures with bias cut hand paneled

Category

2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Bias Sofa, Contemporary Faceted Design with Walnut Frame

Unavailable

H 28 in W 100 in D 38.5 in

Bias Sofa, Contemporary Faceted Design with Walnut Frame

By Alexander Purcell Rodrigues

Located in West Hollywood, CA

, hooded, high-back chairs and beds inspired by crystalline structures with bias cut hand paneled

Category

2010s American Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Antique Renaissance Revival Foliate Carved Walnut High Back Bed C1880

Sold

H 87.5 in W 65 in D 85 in

Antique Renaissance Revival Foliate Carved Walnut High Back Bed C1880

Located in Big Flats, NY

Renaissance Revival Foliate Carved Walnut High Back Bed with Cartouche and Flanking Turned Finials C1880

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Renaissance Revival Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Coastal Carved Bamboo and Cane Queen Bed Frame

Sold

H 50 in W 64 in D 61 in

Vintage Coastal Carved Bamboo and Cane Queen Bed Frame

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A fantastic vintage Costal queen bed frame. A beautiful high back bed frame with carved bamboo and

Category

Late 20th Century North American Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Bamboo

Antique R. J. Horner Carved High Back Acanthus Carved Oak Full Size Bed

Sold

H 79.75 in W 59.75 in L 79.75 in

Antique R. J. Horner Carved High Back Acanthus Carved Oak Full Size Bed

By R.J. Horner & Co.

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique R.J. Horner full or double bed frame offers oak construction with tall back having

Category

20th Century American Victorian Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Oak

Late 20th Century Vintage Coastal Rattan High Back Queen Headboard

Sold

H 55 in W 59.5 in D 2 in

Late 20th Century Vintage Coastal Rattan High Back Queen Headboard

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A fantastic vintage Coastal Queen headboard. A chic spindle rattan design with a glamorous high

Category

Late 20th Century North American Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Gustavian Day Bed

Sold

H 37 in W 72.5 in D 26 in

Gustavian Day Bed

Located in Washington, DC

High Back Gustavian Sofa/Day Bed with beautiful carving all around. There is a drawer below

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Daybeds

Materials

Wood

Early 1900s Antique Italian Renaissance Revival, Set of 3, Dining Room Set!!

Sold

H 30.25 in W 70.75 in D 37.15 in

Early 1900s Antique Italian Renaissance Revival, Set of 3, Dining Room Set!!

Located in Austin, TX

is its imposing scale and architectural design. It features high-backed beds, lavishly carved tables

Category

20th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Dining Room Sets

Materials

Wood

Settee, Sofa, Double-Chair Back, Brussels Tapestry, X-Stretcher, Walnut, 1700

Sold

H 49.22 in W 49.22 in D 24.02 in

Settee, Sofa, Double-Chair Back, Brussels Tapestry, X-Stretcher, Walnut, 1700

Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK

would match the hangings on the bed. High-backed furniture was ideal for showing off expensive

Category

Antique Early 1700s English Baroque Settees

Materials

Walnut

Elegant Antique American Walnut Bed

Sold

H 78 in W 78 in D 60 in

Elegant Antique American Walnut Bed

Located in Vancouver, BC

Elegant antique American high back walnut East Lake style bed. Comes with original side rails (74

Category

Early 20th Century American Beds and Bed Frames

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Vintage Modern Marble Coffee Table

$3,300

H 17 in W 55 in D 28 in

Vintage Modern Marble Coffee Table

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Interesting marble coffee table featuring a full marble construction including the base. The top sits on without latches or fasteners. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ).

Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Sublime Bookmatch Olivewood Extension Dining Table by Arthur Umanoff, c 1975

$29,500

H 29.5 in W 108 in D 38 in

Sublime Bookmatch Olivewood Extension Dining Table by Arthur Umanoff, c 1975

By Arthur Umanoff, Dillingham Manufacturing Company

Located in Atlanta, GA

This magnificent dining table is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. An excep...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Organic Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Olive, Hardwood

Pair of Italian Cut Silk Velvet Pillows

$1,950 / set

H 23 in W 23 in D 5 in

Pair of Italian Cut Silk Velvet Pillows

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Pair of Italian cut silk velvet pillows with floral basket motif. The pillows are backed in silk velvet and have silk tassel trim.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pillows and Throws

Materials

Velvet

Melia Made to Order Customizable Modern Sofa

$3,600

H 25 in W 87 in D 32 in

Melia Made to Order Customizable Modern Sofa

By Dwell Floor Five

Located in Studio City, CA

Sleek and midcentury scaled the Melia sofa is stylish and hip. The sofa can be customized to your liking with plenty of fabric colors and options to choose from. It can also be...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Chrome

Panoplie Petite Iron Tripod Lamp

$925 / item

H 11.5 in Dm 6.25 in

Panoplie Petite Iron Tripod Lamp

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Petite iron tripod lamp with slender legs and tapered feet. New wiring and new oyster linen shade. Multiple available, sold individually. Takes one E12 base bulb, up to 25 W or highe...

Category

2010s Table Lamps

Materials

Iron

Diana Armchair in Blue Soft or Black Soft Velvet

$2,722 / item

H 29.53 in W 31.11 in D 29.53 in

Diana Armchair in Blue Soft or Black Soft Velvet

Located in Paris, FR

Armchair Diana upholstered in blue soft velvet with structure in solid wood. Feet in steel in gold finish. Also available in yellow or black soft velvet.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Rare Pierre Cardin Pop Art Futuristic Ambiance Phone

$750Sale Price|40% Off

H 8.25 in W 3.5 in D 3 in

Rare Pierre Cardin Pop Art Futuristic Ambiance Phone

By Pierre Cardin

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Rare and highly collectable Pop Art futuristic Ambiance phone.

Category

Vintage 1980s Taiwanese Futurist Scientific Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Fun Orange Slice 1960s Dining Table Four Chairs Probber Style Mid-Century Modern

$4,500 / set

H 36 in W 16 in D 21 in

Fun Orange Slice 1960s Dining Table Four Chairs Probber Style Mid-Century Modern

By Harvey Probber

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Gorgeous fun set of four dining chairs with matching orange slice flower dining table. All the metal frames have been freshly powder coated in the same exact color they originally we...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets

Materials

Metal

12 Antique English Dessert Plates, Cobalt Blue and Hand-Painted Florals Tiffany

$700Sale Price / set|43% Off

H 0.75 in Dm 8.1 in

12 Antique English Dessert Plates, Cobalt Blue and Hand-Painted Florals Tiffany

By Cauldon

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A classic pattern by Cauldon of England which was custom ordered through Tiffany's in many different color ways. We have had the pleasure of offering this beautiful pattern in cobalt...

Category

Vintage 1920s Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

Marvin E. Newman, Art Edition Broadway, Believe It, 1958

$2,000 / set

H 17.3 in W 12 in D 2 in

Marvin E. Newman, Art Edition Broadway, Believe It, 1958

By Marvin Newman, Lyle Rexer

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A stately Art Edition presenting the first major career restrospective of Marvin E. Newman, with some 170 featured images as well as signed photographic print Broadway, Believe It, 1...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Books

Materials

Paper

Rare Sergio Rodrigues Cantu Dining Chairs

$10,890 / set

H 40 in W 19 in D 20 in

Rare Sergio Rodrigues Cantu Dining Chairs

By Sergio Rodrigues

Located in Oosterbeek, NL

Set of 4 Brazilian rosewood dining chairs design 1959 by Sergio Rodrigues The chairs are in good vintage condition.

Category

Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

30:30 Landscape Architecture Book

$75 / item

H 11.38 in W 9.88 in D 2 in

30:30 Landscape Architecture Book

Located in New York, NY

30 internationally renowned landscape architects showcase their own work as well as that of 30 of the best of a new generation of forward looking and innovative designers. This up-t...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Books

Materials

Paper

Giant Crocodile Fossil Wall Plate, Germany. 180 Million Years Old.

$451,238

H 70.87 in W 125.99 in D 2.17 in

Giant Crocodile Fossil Wall Plate, Germany. 180 Million Years Old.

Located in London, GB

This outstanding fossilised skeleton is that of the ancestral crocodile species Steneosaurus bollensis that lived during the early Jurassic period. The skeleton, complete with armour...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier German Decorative Art

Materials

Other

Vintage Leather Butterfly Chair by Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy for Knoll

$1,900

H 34.25 in W 32.5 in D 32 in

Vintage Leather Butterfly Chair by Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy for Knoll

By Knoll, Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy

Located in Atlanta, GA

Sculptural Butterfly Chair, designed by Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy for Knoll, American, circa 1960s. This example retains it's dark chocolate brown leather sling and the black iron base ha...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Iron

Large Russian Neoclassical Malachite and Ormolu Urn or Vase, 19th Century

$26,250

H 21 in W 17.5 in D 15.5 in

Large Russian Neoclassical Malachite and Ormolu Urn or Vase, 19th Century

Located in New York, NY

A large Russian neoclassical malachite, Campana shaped urn or Vase, the ormolu twin handles modeled with acorns, on a circular spreading foot with square stepped plinth, 19th centu...

Category

Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Vases

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Jacques Adnet Daybed, 1950s France

$36,000

H 35.5 in W 87.5 in D 40.5 in

Jacques Adnet Daybed, 1950s France

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Exceptional leather and oak daybed by Jacques Adnet. The entire frame is wrapped in dark green leather with signature Adnet contrast stitching and brass hardware. Cane style paneling...

Category

Vintage 1950s French Daybeds

Materials

Brass, Steel

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High Back Beds For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of high back beds is available at 1stDibs. Each of these unique high back beds was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and fabric. We have 107 antique and vintage high back beds in-stock, while there are 83 modern editions to choose from as well. High back beds have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. modern, mid-century modern and Scandinavian Modern high back beds are consistently popular styles. There have been many well-made high back beds over the years, but those made by Berber Tribes of Morocco, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance and De Sede are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are High Back Beds?

High back beds can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $3,482, while the lowest priced sells for $189 and the highest can go for as much as $275,000.

Questions About High Back Beds

Why were colonial beds so high?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
Colonial beds are so high to avoid cool drafts that were close to the ground. Typically, the higher the bed off the ground, the closer it would be to the warmer air.
What is the difference between high-back and low-back sofas?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024
The difference between high-back and low-back sofas is that the former has a taller backrest than the latter. Some people, especially tall men and women, feel that a high-back sofa is more comfortable because the taller back offers more support for the shoulders and neck. Low-back sofas are popular picks for open-plan interiors, as they allow sightlines to be maintained across a space. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of high-back and low-back sofas.
What is a high back office chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
A high back office chair has a tall backrest to provide support to both your back and neck. It helps minimize the risk of chronic neck and back problems. These chairs also come with wheels attached for ease of mobility. Shop a range of antique and vintage high back office chairs on 1stDibs.
What is a bed called that is high off the ground?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
A bed that is high off the ground is called a platform bed. This type of bed dates all the way back to Ancient Egypt and centuries later became common in Scandinavian modern interior design. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of platform beds.
What are the high-backed old-fashioned chairs called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
High-backed old-fashioned chairs are often called wingback chairs. They may not offer structural support, but the wings on antique and vintage wingback chairs certainly do have a purpose or did, when the design was first conceived in England in the 1600s. Back then, the armchair protrusions were meant to protect the sitter from drafts and from the strong heat radiating from the large fireplaces that were popular at the time. This explains why the wingback is so strongly associated with cozying up by the fireplace. Although the functional aspect of a wingback may be obsolete in the 21st century, the chairs have maintained their popularity over the years and have seen waves of revivals. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique, vintage and modern wingback chairs from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.