Best Canopy Beds – 2022 Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Buying Guide – Shopping for the Best Canopy Bed

The canopy bed may initially give the impression of regalness or extravagance. In actuality, these beds are designed with more practical needs in mind. They provide sleepers a great source of warmth during winter months. Also, some enjoy the private nature of a canopy bed. With the curtains closed, these beds can make it easier to get a good night’s sleep.

There are quite a few things to know about canopy beds before making a purchase. This guide will walk you through understanding essential information ranging from bed frame materials to popular canopy design styles.

Why Choose A Canopy Bed?

It’s hard to look anywhere else when one enters a room containing a canopy bed. It’s often referred to as a “statement piece” of furniture. But despite its stylish nature, it’s often relied upon for its sturdiness and durability. The canopy beds that contain curtains are a popular source of warmth. However, some canopy beds are specially made for a cooling effect.

There are many reasons to choose a canopy bed, but before you do, read on to learn a bit more about why you should consider buying one for your bedroom.

History

It’s common for us to immediately associate the canopy bed with a sense of centuries-old luxury. Despite its association with European nobility stretching back into the Middle Ages, the bed’s origin is one of practicality rather than mere elegance.

It wasn’t uncommon for a few servants to sleep in the same room as their lord or ladies. The curtained canopy beds allowed for a sense of privacy, even when literal privacy wasn’t possible. As times and tastes changed, the ornate wood beds of the past gave way to more modern, bare structures.

Practicality

As stated, the canopy bed is a stylish piece of furniture often associated with practicality and essential sleep function. With curtains, a canopy bed is excellent for a sense of privacy, intimacy, and warmth.

Beds that lack the classic canopy roof and curtains are often built to be cooling, with plenty of under-bed space for storage purposes. Some canopy beds are even designed in such a way that the mattress is able to last longer, which saves money over time.

There is a regalness about the canopy bed, but it can also be a very frugal-friendly purchase.

Make A Statement

If you’re looking for a statement piece of furniture for the bedroom, then the first choice is almost always a canopy bed. Of course, it’s important to think about the type of statement you want to make based on your personal style.

If you want a more modern, trendy look, a metal or mirrored canopy bed free of draping is probably best. If you want a more traditional look but wish to steer clear of curtains, then wrought iron canopy beds are ideal. It’s possible to go both modern and traditional with wood frame canopy beds.

It ultimately comes down to the design of the bed, the materials used, and how well you can style the canopy bed to fit in with the overall theme of your bedroom.

What to Know when Buying a Canopy Bed

After settling on buying a canopy bed, it’s wise to find out as much as possible before purchasing. Some beds aren’t right for curtains. Other materials are too old-fashioned to provide a modern look but may be just right if you’re after a classic style.

Below you’ll find a set of considerations to keep in mind when making a canopy bed purchase.

Material

Although several materials are popular for use in the construction of a good canopy bed, some materials cost more or are more desired in making durable bed frames.

• Wood – Wood is good for a more traditional, homely atmosphere and warming up a room. The most common woods for bed frames include oak, pine, mahogany, and walnut.
• Metal – Along with offering a sleek, shiny finish, a metal canopy bed is typically built to be sturdy and long-lasting. It’s fairly common for metal canopy bed frames to have additional legs and central support, which is very good for your back support as you sleep.
• Wrought Iron – This type of metal material is among the most sturdy options because there is no give or bending once set. As a canopy bed frame, it is often embellished with memorable shapes and decoration that make the bed beautiful even without the use of drapery or curtains. Because of the workmanship and detail involved, wrought iron beds can cost more than other metal canopy beds.
• Mirrored – Mirrored canopy beds are a fairly recent design, as other materials tend to be preferred for construction or practicality reasons. Mirrored materials tend to be found in modern and contemporary beds, but it is possible to find a traditional bed structure with a mirrored look.
• Painted – While you might want to look into buying pre-painted frames to fit the current look of your bedroom, you shouldn’t forget that it’s entirely possible to make this a DIY option. Before doing so, it might be best to find out what types of wood or metal are easiest to paint and repaint.
• Fabric – Common fabric choices for canopy headboard upholstery include linen and leather, however many canopy bed frames are made of embellished wood or metal, free of any type of fabric. The inclusion of fabric is usually ideal for a warmer bed, while many modern canopy beds lack fabric and are built to be cooling. An important consideration for fabric choices, if any, will likely be the time of year and which fabrics are most comfortable.

Design

Aside from materials, the design is another important consideration for buyers. Any canopy bed has the potential to be a strong centerpiece, but certain designs work best with a specific aesthetic.

• Modern – Modern canopy beds are free of a top covering, with four linked bedposts. The outcome is a solid rectangular structure that is simple but stylish.
• Classic – A more traditional style that features ornate decorations and uses deep warm wood tones. Likely borrows from 18th and 19th-century designs and includes the use of luxurious fabrics and leather.
• Romantic – These designs tend to borrow from specific areas of Europe, particularly France and Italy, although Mediterranean designs are often referred to as romantic.
• Gothic – It was during the Gothic era that canopy beds rose to prominence, particularly through the use of fabrics to hide the bedposts. These designs will likely be the most traditional.

Curtains and Fabrics

Even though curtained canopy beds are among the most easily recognized versions, quite a few styles are noted for the absolute lack of curtains and fabrics. That’s no accident as some canopy beds place a greater emphasis on the sturdiness provided than compatibility with curtains and other fabrics.

Before settling on a canopy bed, it’s a good idea to check that it’s made specifically to support curtains, especially heavier fabrics made to keep out the cold. It might be that a canopy bed can support lighter weight fabrics but not others.

Don’t despair if you’re not a fan of fabrics; many modern canopy beds work just fine without any curtains. Still, they are no less lovely to look at. Usually, the ability to find curtain-friendly or curtain-free canopy beds will depend on the design of the bed (more old-fashioned and traditional style canopy beds vs. modern canopy beds) and possibly even the material involved in construction.

Durability

Aside from looks and style, durability is often a very important part of choosing the best canopy bed. The durability relies on a few key components. For instance, how much weight can it support? A sturdier metal frame might support far more weight than lightweight wood materials.

It’s also possible that a well-made canopy bed can last for a long time, allowing you to save money on having to spend on a future bed. A bed that is timeless in terms of style and can hang on a long time because of great construction is an ideal buy.

You should look into which materials are known to be the most durable and research customer reviews to learn which bed styles they found lasted the longest.