What Style of Bed Should I Select?

There are some types of beds, like the sleigh bed and the four poster bed that we immediately identify with the traditional style because of their silk finishes, graceful curves and flowing lines. Traditional styles are inspired by the fashions, trends and social customs of the past, ranging from the elaborate fussiness of Victorian times to the less complicated ideals reflected in Colonial, French Country and Neo-Classical designs. It is probably for this reason that traditional-style pieces like an armoire or vanity can make a room feel informal or formal, depending on the time period that has been used as the source of inspiration.

Largely associated with contemporary architectural design, a modern style bed is characterized by its geometric, minimalist feel. Typical materials for modern bedroom furnishings are metal, glass, plastics and woods with lighter or natural finishes.

Contemporary bedroom furniture is known for its simplicity of line, shape and form. Emerging from the second half of the 20th century, contemporary style reflects traditional and casual styles, but is more subtle and understated, underplaying the ornate lines and rich textures of the more traditional. Geometric forms are often softened by rounded corners. By merging natural elements with bold color, a contemporary bedroom set mixes well with a variety of other styles.

Casual style minimizes elaborate detail, while featuring textured elements like clean lines, underscored by leather or metal accents. Additional elements such as rectangular insets and softly curved corners and legs contribute to the overall casual feel. This style of furniture tends to be larger in scale, emphasizing comfort and utility. A platform bed in the casual style is ideal for those who want their bedroom to posses the comfortable, relaxed look of contemporary but infused with traditional warmth.

Simple style is even more pared down and leaner than casual furniture. Characterized by clean, uncomplicated lines, casual furnishings are inviting, warm and comfortable. Finishes are generally lighter than traditional furniture. If you would like to decorate your bedroom using a mix of styles, simple style furnishings such as a nightstand and dresser, are ideal as one of the choices, since they possess minimal individual design elements that don’t fight the eye for attention.

Country furniture combines more formal traditional stylings with rustic charm, and are recognized for being comfortable, cozy and welcoming. They contain a distinctive period flavor like Colonial, French Country or Mission. Country style furnishings are almost always constructed of wood, ranging from light to medium finishes. Some of the more common types of finishes are grainy, painted or distressed. Country furniture can include whimsical details like hand-painted stenciling, hand-carved insets and soft, graceful curves.