Interior Design and Decor: The Evolution of the Canopy Bed
What memories does the term canopy bed evoke for you? For me it takes me back to being an 8 year old self-proclaimed princess gazing at a Strawberry Shortcake themed drape hung above my off-white bed frame. Although, I don’t proclaim to still be a princess, I actually was on to something. Canopy beds partly have their origins in the Medieval age of nobility.
Around the 13th century, king, queens, noblemen and their servants would sleep in the same area for convenience and security reasons. This resulted in very little privacy. By adding four to five foot high posters on each corner of the bed and draping fabric above and around it, nobility could count on getting some much desired warmth and privacy, while their attendants slept on pallets on the floor.
However, as luxurious as the canopy bed may seem, it actually evolved for practical reasons. Since roofing was still in its infancy, materials, such as thatch, were not dense enough to prevent mosquitoes and other things from entering the home at that time. The canopy bed, with its ability to capture any unwanted droppings, was the key to a good night’s sleep for laypeople and their lords.
Today canopy beds aren’t used for functionality, but rather have evolved as a statement piece. Often seen in little princesses’ rooms or in over-sized master bedrooms, the canopy bed can really focus the eye in a good way. Here are some canopy beds that blew us away….
Source: Horchow
Besides the fact that I a total sucker for the motif on the headboard, this bed is just the right ratio of bling and wow. By adding the clean lines, this bed dodged a bullet, going from overstated to perfection.
Source: Horchow
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Ok seriously folks, whomever thought of using intersecting beams instead of parallel ones on this bed is a genius! I love the edginess yet total simplicity of this design.
Source: Horchow
Who wouldn’t feel like soon to be Princess Meghan Markle in this luxurious bed? Distinctly ornate, if you are looking for the “OMG where did you get that effect”, you found it here.
Source: Horchow
Well this contemporary channel tufted bed has Karina written all over it! The small details like the gold brass on the posts of this canopy bed take it from ordinary to just my cup of tea!
Source: Hooker
The combination of iron and wood make this stunning canopy by Hooker Furniture perfect for a transitional bedroom. The iron has an elegance to it while the tufted upholstery speaks to what’s trending now.
Personally, I think canopy beds are gorgeous and cozy feeling. My only caveat when it comes to these types of bed, is that they should be relegated to rooms with very high or pitched ceilings. This way the bed doesn’t overtake the entire room.
