Find the Bed Design That Fits Your Style
Get cozy your way.
The most important piece of furniture in your bedroom is your bed – not only is it the focal point of the room, but it sets the tone for your aesthetic and serves as a piece you can build off when selecting nightstands, lighting, decor, etc. Find the bed design that suits your style best with the help of our in-depth guide. Keep reading to learn more about bed types, materials, and styles that fit your room's aesthetic.
Everything to Know About Different Bed Types
Choose the Right Bed Material
Match Your Bed Style to Your Bedroom Aesthetic
Everything to Know About Different Bed Types
Panel
Panel beds are one of the most common bed designs. This type of bed is typically made with four legs, a platform, and a flat panel-shaped headboard. Panel beds often are made from wood or upholstered with a range of colors to choose from. A tufted panel bed adds comfort and softness, while a wood panel bed brings a natural feel to the space.
Wingback
Wingback bed frames are statement pieces with a headboard that curves in on the sides. This design is versatile and can serve as the focal point in a minimalist space or a statement piece for a traditional, glam, or contemporary room.
Canopy
Originally designed for warmth and privacy, canopy beds have four posts that fabric can be draped over for a classic look. A more modern take leaves the posts bare for a sleek and structural silhouette. This style works best for a traditional, modern, or rustic space.
Open-Frame
An open-frame bed is a metal frame that leaves space in the headboard and footboard for a sleek and light look. A black open-frame design is great for a modern or traditional space and a white open-frame fits better in a coastal or farmhouse-inspired space.
Slat
Slat beds are designed with vertical or horizontal slats that support the frame of the headboard. Wood slat beds are great for sleek rustic bedrooms, while metal slat beds bring a streamlined feel to modern bedrooms.
While the range of bed frame materials isn't too large, choosing the right material to fit your aesthetic will elevate your space. The most common types of materials are wood, metal, and upholstery. For a cozy traditional or contemporary space, try an upholstered frame; metal fits a modern or glam space, while wood is perfect for rustic, traditional, or modern rooms. For a transitional space, consider a hybrid of the three, like metal and wood, wood and upholstered, or metal and upholstered.
Match Your Bed Style to Your Bedroom Aesthetic
From sleek and modern to cozy and rustic to timeless transitional, we've got bedroom styling inspiration to help you find your perfect bed frame style.
Modern
Modern bed designs are simple, sleek, and functional. These low-profile pieces add clean lines to a space and can almost look like they're floating with their skinny or nonexistent legs. Metal, wood, and fabric materials all work for this bed style, just make sure to keep the silhouette smooth and uncomplicated. This metal canopy bed makes the perfect modern statement: It's bold without being over-designed and plays well with the other modern pieces in the room. For a softer option, a wingback bed in a neutral tone adds a plush element without compromising on contemporary style.
Pro Tip:
Not sure which nightstands match your aesthetic? Read our guide How to Choose a Nightstand Design for some easy tricks to find the perfect bed-and-nightstand pairing.
Traditional
Traditional beds are known for their classic, elegant details. Think wood frames with intricate carvings, scalloped head and footboards, a statement wingback frame, or a detailed canopy design. Pair these styles with patterned throw pillows and a colorful duvet or quilt, and anchor the bed with a vintage-inspired area rug.
Combine a timeless bed and modern accents for the perfect transitional look. To master the mix of transitional style, start with a classic option like an upholstered panel bed or a slim canopy silhouette. We love the subtle curves in the bed design above paired with the exposed wood legs for a modern touch. Top the nightstand with a modern table lamp to juxtapose a vintage-inspired rug. The lamp’s rounded cement base and simple fabric shade add just the right amount of contemporary style to your space.
Rustic-style beds are primarily made of dark wood, often with heavy distressing. This style is all about creating a nature-forward space that feels "lived in" and comfortable. Choose a slat bed made from pine, cherry, or hickory and cover it with a cozy duvet and a woven throw blanket to complete the look. For a variety in texture that adds depth, choose a wood bed frame with iron or metal hardware.
Keep your space bright, light, and airy with a coastal bedroom design. With clean lines and simple silhouettes, panel and slat-style beds work best for coastal bedrooms. These bed styles are sophisticated yet relaxed and typically made from unfinished wood pieces, light tone upholstery, and woven rattan accents. Coastal style spaces get their seaside feel from color palettes that include sand, beige, or other warm neutrals and some shade of light or mid-tone blue. A light wood bed frame with slight distressing is a perfect choice – don't forget a blue throw pillow or blanket to finish the look.
A glam bed style should look sophisticated, luxurious, and plush. A upholstered panel bed or a tufted wingback bed are the ideal addition to glam bedrooms. The mix of upholstery and metal brings a bit of lavish style. We love how the silver or gold elements add some shine to the space. If you're going for a neutral bed frame, choose a luxurious black or white as a base. Looking to add color? Choose a jewel-tone, velvet-upholstered headboard or add rich color through a coverlet or decorative pillows.
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