Protagonist of the sleeping area and undisputed king of the bedroom: the bed represents the furnishing accessory par excellence. There are those who want it high, some low, some retractable … Yet there is a type that – regardless of the time that passes – has been and remains a trendy model: the four-poster bed .
This element has very ancient origins and presents itself as the hallmark of a romantic style, however it is able to adapt in a very versatile way to a series of contexts, even the most modern. So let’s see together some examples of sleeping areas that exploit the beauty and charmof the four-poster bed (in wood, wrought iron, etc.), integrating with original style details rather than classic or rustic, all to create a unique room with perfect furnishings. The four-poster bed in history
The four-poster bed has marked the history of bedroom furniture and, as anticipated, was born in a bygone era. In fact, the term ‘canopy’ was associated with silk drapes and other fine fabrics which, in medieval times, were imported from Baghdad.
Between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the canopy begins to indicate a fabric supported by a loom with different functions: on the one hand, that of protection for important people such as sovereigns and ecclesiastical exponents; on the other, to pay homage to sacred objects.
Over time, then, we arrived at the modern concept of a canopy bed which, widespread among the peoples of the East, was adopted by Christianity which made extensive use of it as a protection for sacred objects of various kinds.
The real wooden four-poster bed, as we know it today, however, dates back to the sixteenth century. Main features were the reduced height and a larger size than the previous ones, in addition to the presence of many cushions positioned in the headboard. This custom, in particular, was linked to purely functional issues: after the long and rich banquets it was in fact necessary to remain in a supine position and as erect as possible, in order to facilitate digestion.
The four-poster bed was covered with a fabric, more or less heavy, supported by four small pillars at the respective corners and usually decorated in an elaborate way.
The functions of the presence of the canopy were different: first of all, to enjoy the serenity of a peaceful sleep, without the disturbance of the servants who used to crowd the large bedrooms. Also a question of privacy, therefore. Last but not least, the primitive mosquito net function .
The transition to the Baroque resulted in a functional loss of the canopy in favor of a purely decorative vision, so it was marked by the influences of this style. In the eighteenth century the dimensions of these furnishing accessories returned to reduce and with them also those of the structure which, moreover, began to take on more particular shapes. These also remained in the nineteenth century, when the French model called ‘lit a la duchesse’ spread, characterized by heavier drapes and supported only in the head part by a rectangular structure that left the lower part free.
With the passage of time, different models begin to appear and from the nineteenth century, with the boom of design, the modern canopy bed becomes the protagonist of countless reinterpretations: particular shapes and fabrics of various kinds are used to revive, to those who rest there, the feeling of a king of the past; at the same time, more minimalist furnishings and structures are widely used for those who want a particular complement but more linked to modern taste. Furnish with a modern or antique four-poster bed
The four-poster bed, made of wood rather than wrought iron or made with various materials, is the ideal complement to add a touch of romantic style in any type of context. Thanks to the variety of models offered on the market it is in fact possible to exploit it in a versatile way, in modern or more classic environments. The ideal is to choose this type of bed for rooms that are quite spacious, in order to ensure that it is enhanced in the best way, reserving the role of the protagonist of the room.
For a bedroom furnished in a classic style, a wooden canopy bed is certainly a choice that allows you to complete the environment with refinement, giving value and romance to the entire room, as well as giving a sense of greater intimacy.
If you want to insert this element in a more current context, however, it is better to orient yourself on a modern canopy bed equipped with iron structures , even painted, enriched or not with any drapes. When inserted, these will consist of various types of fabrics, not necessarily white or neutral but also colored and with original and sparkling textures. Alternatively, the canopy structure can be enriched with all kinds of pendants . Examples of rooms with four-poster bed
For unique bedrooms, furnished in a different way but all characterized by a partly romantic style, here is that the four-poster bed in each of its reinterpretations is a must have.
A furnished environment inshabby chic or Provencal style and the perfect combination of classic and modern. Here the canopy bed can have a white wrought iron structure, while the typical rectangular shape can also be replaced by a more rounded variant.
Lace, embroidery and transparencies but also soft colors and floral wallpaper, jars with bunches of fresh or dried flowers are essential elements to frame a romantic vision.
To demonstrate its adaptability to any type of context, here is a perfect example of a modern canopy bed inserted in an industrial spacewhich incorporates, in the furnishings, the typical features of this very current style. The inclusion of this complement in such a large environment makes it the undisputed protagonist and the choice of white, both for the structure and for the fabrics, emphasizes its beauty even more, as well as making it extremely bright.
A totally different example and represented by a linear furniturewhich can be completed with an elegant four-poster bed with a clean and essential wooden structure. In this sense, it is important to choose neutral colors for the whole room, starting from the walls to the fabrics for the curtains or for the bed linen. The walls could be painted in beige or taupe, while the curtains and linens could have warm tones such as brown, flanked by an ocher yellow for the fabric bed base and cushions (even better if some of the same color as the walls ). A sort of tone-on-tone that, overall, will return a sober and refined environment.
One might think that the true mission of the modern canopy bed is to maintain a romantic style in rooms furnished with totally different guidelines. You just need to adapt the typical features of the style you have chosen to your bed to obtain a unique and at times even a little mysterious result, in any case romantic and elegant.
