The Benefits of Four Poster Beds

When you think of a classic bed frame from a period drama, the first style that usually comes to mind is a four poster bed. 

These beds have been used for centuries, but their resilient and iconic design has allowed them to stand the test of time to still be used today as a fashionable, functional bed frame. 

But, where exactly did the four-poster design come from, and why are they still popular? We’ll answer both of these questions, here.

What Is a Four Poster Bed?

Four poster beds, also known as canopy beds, get their name due to the four vertical pillars placed on the four corners of the frame. 

These pillars are usually used to support an upper section, called a tester, that enclose the bed frame. The tester will then have drapes or curtains that can be drawn at night time to help the bed frame retain heat and privacy throughout the night.

The History of Four Poster Beds

While exact timelines are hard to find, it is thought that the four poster bed was developed somewhere around the 13th-15th century. At this time, beds were a luxury reserved solely for affluent individuals. Those same individuals lived in lavish properties, usually castles.

Castles often come with large rooms, brick walls, and barely any insulation. This meant that, especially in colder climates, staying warm throughout the night was quite a challenge.

This prompted the invention of a bed frame that would retain heat while continuing to remain practical – hence the creation of the four poster bed. Early iterations of this style of bed frame relies upon testers being suspended via walls behind the bed frame. This of course meant that bed frames needed to be placed directly next to or in front of a wall – leaving little room for creativity or style.

Later versions were much more akin to what we have today, where testers were suspended via columns on all four corners of the bed frame. This meant that the bed could be moved around the room all while retaining this new-found invention.

Benefits of Four Poster Beds

Although four poster beds were invented to solve a problem of the best, the benefits they brought are still relevant in modern times:

Heat Retention

The most immediate benefit of a four poster bed revolves around its ability to keep the heat in and the cold out. While your traditional bed frame, when adorned with a range of accessories like throws and comforters, will do a good job at keeping you warm; nothing can quite compare to the effectiveness of a four poster.

Privacy

Prefer some privacy at night? Maybe you like sleeping in total darkness? If so, a four poster bed will certainly be your preferred choice. Although your blackout curtains will keep out the majority of light through the night, a four poster bed adds yet another layer of darkness to your surroundings.

Decoration

With their unique style, there’s nothing that quite matches the look of a four poster bed. While you can get larger, and even extra large bed frames in some places, a four poster bed helps dominate your room and acts as a strong focal point to draw attention.

Underbed Storage

 Thanks to their increased height, four poster beds permit access to a large amount of underbed storage. This helps maximize the usefulness of your glamorous bed frame, and prevents the need for new furniture taking up precious floor space. This can be seen above with our Moroccan four poster canopy bed. The space left underneath the bed frame leaves the perfect amount of room for pull-out storage. 

Read more: Creative Storage Options For Your Bedroom

Luxurious Bed Frames, From Get Laid Beds

If you’re looking for a touch of class in your bedroom, Get Laid Beds is here to help. We’ve got a variety of bed frames in a wide range of styles, including four poster canopy beds, that will provide a good night’s sleep, and stylistic flair.