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

$3,780

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 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

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

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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Antique circa 1880 French Hand Painted Duck Blue Pine Kitchen Sideboard Buffet

$2,025

H 43.51 in W 40.16 in D 17.33 in

Antique circa 1880 French Hand Painted Duck Blue Pine Kitchen Sideboard Buffet

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer this very nice antique, made in France, hand painted duck egg blue, antiqued sideboard or buffet cupboard in pine A good looking and well made piece tha...

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Antique 1880s French High Victorian Sideboards

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Pine

Restoration Period Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Sofa Bed, 19th Century

$6,474

H 49.22 in W 77.56 in D 33.86 in

Restoration Period Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Sofa Bed, 19th Century

Located in Paris, FR

Restoration period mahogany veneered boat-shaped bed with a slightly overturned bedside. The front is soberly dressed with an ormolu plaque with scrolls and flowers framing a female ...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Restauration Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

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Four Louis XV Style Gilt-Wood Chinoiserie Bergères, Jansen Attr., 1890

$42,500 / set

H 34.25 in W 24 in D 23 in

Four Louis XV Style Gilt-Wood Chinoiserie Bergères, Jansen Attr., 1890

By Maison Jansen

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A Fine and Rare Assembled Set of Four French Louis XV Style Gilt-Wood Carved and Japanned-Chinoiserie Lacquer Decorated Bergers Armchairs, attributed to Maison Jansen (House of Janse...

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Chinoiserie Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Giltwood, Lacquer

Rare Princess Diana's Althorp Estate Living History Collection Library Bookcase

$16,200

H 91.74 in W 65.75 in D 19.89 in

Rare Princess Diana's Althorp Estate Living History Collection Library Bookcase

By Brights of Nettlebed, Theodore Alexander

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare, now discontinued, Thomas Chippendale Library bookcase which is an exact authorised copy of one from Princess’s Diana’s family home,...

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20th Century English Chippendale Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Circa 1880 Italian Large Gilt wood LXV Style Confidente Sofa

$11,394

H 18.9 in W 112.21 in D 33.47 in

Circa 1880 Italian Large Gilt wood LXV Style Confidente Sofa

Located in London, Park Royal

A rare antique find from Tuscany Italy. This 'Confidante' sofa, circa 1880, is in beautiful condition. The large frame is finely carved in the LXV style, with its original water gild...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Louis XV Sofas

Materials

Gold, Gold Leaf

Antique Tiffany Studios Adjustable Lamp Base with Later Stained Glass Shade

$40,501

H 28.35 in W 30.32 in D 12.21 in

Antique Tiffany Studios Adjustable Lamp Base with Later Stained Glass Shade

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Tiffany adjustable bronze lamp base, stamped "Tiffany Studios, New York, 7984", circa 1915. The base was acquired with its current Tiffany Style stained glass shade with Dragonfly mo...

Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

Pair 18th Century Antique French Four Poster Tester Canopy Cherry Twin Beds

$8,995 / set

H 87 in W 48 in D 80 in

Pair 18th Century Antique French Four Poster Tester Canopy Cherry Twin Beds

Located in Portland, OR

A good pair of antique 18th century French Provincial cherry four post tester beds, circa 1780. This very near identical pair of antique French four poster beds, both are full teste...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French French Provincial Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Cherry, Damask

Hand Carved, Louis XV Style Sofa Made By La Maison London

$8,352

H 31.11 in W 66.93 in D 36.62 in

Hand Carved, Louis XV Style Sofa Made By La Maison London

By La Maison London

Located in London, Park Royal

Louis XV style, hand-carved, curved back, freestanding, sofa. Hand finished in antique white and lightly distressed. Upholstered in a Lelievre, damask, fabric with deep filled, feath...

Category

2010s British Louis XV Sofas

Materials

Hardwood

Ancient Empire Period Bed, Large and Completely Original

$6,474

H 69.69 in W 85.83 in D 77.17 in

Ancient Empire Period Bed, Large and Completely Original

Located in Cesena, FC

Antique Empire Bed, Large and Original This large and original antique Empire bed dates back to the early 1800s. It is an important Empire bed that has never been restored and is com...

Category

Antique 1810s European Empire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Metal

Antique 19th C. American Empire Flame Mahogany Claw Foot Parlor Sofa Couch 85"

$3,710Sale Price|30% Off

H 32.5 in W 85 in D 28 in

Antique 19th C. American Empire Flame Mahogany Claw Foot Parlor Sofa Couch 85"

Located in Dayton, OH

Fine American Empire parlor sofa / couch with classical form and masterful carvings. Made of flamed mahogany featuring carved back crest and flared rolled arms accented with carved f...

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Classical Sofas

Materials

Mahogany, Burl

Henredon Georgian Carved Mahogany Queen Size Poster Bed

$3,595

H 91.5 in W 64.75 in D 88 in

Henredon Georgian Carved Mahogany Queen Size Poster Bed

By Henredon

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style four poster queen Size bed By Henredon USA, circa 1980s Carved solid mahogany, with brass accents. Measures: 64.75"W x 88"D x 91....

Category

Late 20th Century American Georgian Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Pair of French Louis XVI Style Belle Époque Bergère Attributed to Jansen

$19,450Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 39.25 in W 29.5 in D 29.5 in

Pair of French Louis XVI Style Belle Époque Bergère Attributed to Jansen

By Maison Jansen

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A very fine and rare pair of French 19th-20th century "Belle Époque" Louis XVI style mahogany and ormolu-mounted bergéres armchairs, each with an arched-back gilt bronze-mounted fram...

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs

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Ormolu

Tobey Furniture Antique Georgian Carved Solid Mahogany Twin Size Poster Beds

$2,995 / set

H 53.25 in W 43.5 in D 83.5 in

Tobey Furniture Antique Georgian Carved Solid Mahogany Twin Size Poster Beds

By Tobey

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous pair of antique Georgian or Federal style carved solid mahogany twin size poster beds By Tobey Furniture USA, Circa 1900 Each measures: 43.5"W x 83.5"D x 53.25"H. Very...

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Antique Early 1900s American Georgian Beds and Bed Frames

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Mahogany

Late Victorian 19th C. George Henkels Attributed Walnut + Burl Bed Frame

$15,000Sale Price|75% Off

H 81 in W 62.75 in D 85.88 in

Late Victorian 19th C. George Henkels Attributed Walnut + Burl Bed Frame

Located in Round Top, TX

Walnut and burl bed. Purchased in Philadelphia, in 1970, from an antique dealer who informed the buyers that it was from a mansion in the Dupont Circle area of Washington D.C.. The...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Beds and Bed Frames

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Walnut, Burl

Welsh Oak Dresser

$7,500

H 83.88 in W 70.25 in D 16.25 in

Welsh Oak Dresser

Located in Essex, MA

Rectangular crown molding over a scalloped apron and three shelves. The conforming base with seven drawers with brass bail handles raised on turned legs with lower pot shelf. Block f...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Welsh Georgian Dressers

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Oak

Antique French Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Bed, Circa 1860-1880

$13,800

H 56 in W 66 in D 84 in

Antique French Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Bed, Circa 1860-1880

Located in New Orleans, LA

Antique French Ormolu mounted mahogany bed, circa 1860-1880 Measurements: Headboard: 56 inches high x 66 inches wide Exterior Dimensions: 84 inches long x 65 inches wide Interio...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Ormolu

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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.