The Best Four Poster Beds

Ever wondered how it feels to be a king or queen? You do not have to be a royalty to experience it! To have a luxurious sleep and a stately appeal in your bedroom, all that you need is to invest in a four poster bed.

With too many options, however, which four poster bed will work best for your needs. From the design to the material, there are different considerations. That said, read on, and we’ll discuss some of the things that you have to know, making it easier to come up with the right decision.

What is a Four-Poster Bed?

To begin with, let us first discuss what exactly a four-post bed is, in case it is not yet obvious for you. As the name implies, it is a traditional bed style that comes with four vertical columns in every corner. Often, there is a tester or upper panel, which is usually rectangular in shape. These testers can have rails for the placement of curtains or drapes.

It is a style that has been popular in as early as the 16th century, with some claiming that it has been around even earlier. Historically, the four poster bed was a symbol of wealth. Royals and nobles, during the medieval times, were coveted for having four-poster beds. Four poster beds have been popular during a time when bedrooms were communal. The latter is the case even amongst rich people. The servants and the masters are sleeping in the same room. For privacy, the master sleeps in a four-poster bed that is covered with drapes.

More than privacy, these beds were also used in ancient times for practical reasons. Bedchambers during those times are known for being chilly, and hence, a curtain at night will be good for a restful sleep. This was when the beds started to have four posters as part of its design.

Today, four poster beds are no longer exclusive to the Royals. They are made affordable and accessible to everyone. It has also evolved in terms of design and materials. Most of the early designs have ornate details and vintage appeal. In recent years, however, they are available in a variety of materials other than wood and are available even in minimalist and contemporary styles.

Top Sites to Buy a Four-Poster Bed

Now that you know what four-poster beds entail, some of the best websites where you can buy four poster bed include:

 

Amazon

If you are an avid online shopper, you will surely agree with me that this is one of the best websites to check out. They carry some of the best brands available. They also have resellers, and you can buy used items if you want to save money. Meanwhile, with Amazon Home Services, you can rely on the help of a professional for the installation of the bed.

eBay

Compared to Amazon, most of the four-poster beds that we have seen at eBay seems to be traditional in terms of design using wood as the main material. They can go for as slow as $150 for a simple bed frame to as high as $2,500 for those who do not mind going on a splurge.

Walmart

One thing that we love about Walmart is that they have the option to pick up the bed on your own, which is a great way to save from shipping cost. You can shop by the size of the four poster bed, material, finish, or price range, among other parameters.

Wayfair

Their selection may be limited compared to the three options above, but they offer free shipping on many of their items. Whether you want one that has a vintage design or a bed that is upholstered for a more contemporary appeal, you can find a bed that is sure to make you smile.

What to Look for in a Four Poster Bed

Aside from where to buy a four-poster bed, there are other important factors that you have to take into consideration, including those that are mentioned below.

Material

The four poster bed frame is usually made of two materials – wood and metal. Wood is preferred by many because of its vintage appeal, which is exactly the reason why a lot of people choose a four-poster bed. Metal, on the other hand, is durable and contemporary.   

Design

To evaluate the design, it is important to look at its different parts. One of the most important is the headboard. Attached to the back, this is the main decorative element of the bed. There are two main types – upholstered or extended. Upholstered is wrapped with fabric, including leather and can be quite hard to maintain. Extended headboard, as the name implies, will extend beyond the width of the bed.

Speaking of the design, you should also consider the shape of the headboard. There are four main types of headboard shapes – square, camelback, scalloped, and cut-out. Square is good for a modern bedroom with geometric elements. If you want the headboard to be curved, camelback will be a good choice. Scalloped, on the other hand, is a subtler curve compared to camelback. With cut-outs, they usually have a net-like design.  

The design of the base is also important as it will complement the overall look. Some of the most popular choices are slatted bases, sprung edge divans, and platform divans. You can even have a base that provides additional storage space.

Size

A lot of the four-poster beds are known for being large, hence, if you have space limitations in the bedroom, you might want to reconsider.

Why Do You Need a Four Poster Bed in your Room?

There are many reasons to consider buying the best four poster beds available. Among others, it is a great way to have a stately and luxurious bedroom. Being around since the 16th century, it makes a good choice to give the room a traditional feel. It perfectly complements medieval or Renaissance-era décor. Buy this bed for your room if you want to feel like a queen or a king. However, this type of bed is usually best only for rooms with a large space to spare.

What is the Best Style of Four Poster Beds?

Some of the most popular styles that you might want to take into account while in the hunt for a four poster bed include:

Traditional

When you mention a four poster bed, this is what most people have in mind. Often made of wood, it has four columns, one in each corner.

Half-testers

This bed comes with a low foot and a small canopy that projects from the bed.

Pencil Post Beds

It is a bed with a typical colonial style, which does not come with a tester or a canopy. The top rails of this bed can be arched or straight. It adds style and elegance to the bedroom.

Canopy Beds

One thing that makes this different is that there is a canopy. The drapes will add a decorative touch to the bed and will make it feel cosy. It will make you feel like a royalty when you sleep.

Maisons Du Monde Coconut four-poster bed: £648.50

Want to create dreamy beach hut vibes in the bedroom? The Coconut four-poster gets you halfway there. This tropical-looking bed is made from bamboo and has a floaty, fabric canopy that softens the overall look of the frame.

Self assembly is required and the many separate bits do need mulling over, so note that the process takes longer than the 40 minutes stated in the instructions. Our tip? Buy or borrow an electric screwdriver (with Allen key capability). With over 80 screws to turn, your palms and wrists will thank you.

Once erected, the bed stands at 210cm. It’s king sized so there’s plenty of space to spread out, and it’s a good-priced pick for a bohemian, rather than traditional, style of bed.

 

Tikamoon Rafael Mango double bed: £1,215

Making the most of the interiors trend for all things rattan, the Rafael Mango is a beautiful, contemporary four-poster bed – with a range of furniture pieces to match. The light, painted frame looks clean and contemporary with any bedroom’s colour scheme, and there’s just enough space underneath to slide some storage.

At 195cm high, we found it slightly shorter than other four-posters, so this bed could work well if you have lower ceilings. It’s self-assembly so expect to flex your screwdriver, although we found the bed’s simple design and straightforward instructions easy to follow.

 

Cuckooland Vox 4 You 4 poster king bed: £945

If clever storage solutions get you excited, the Vox 4 You 4 bed will surely delight. It has a huge, dominating frame – standing proud at 238cm in height, and a king-sized space to sleep. With the cubby shelves above the secret-cupboard headboard, plus alcoves all around the base, it’s a space-saving sleeping pod – despite its big footprint.

We loved the cool customisable options that add to this bed’s appeal. Go for the ottoman style and you get more space under the mattress. Use the add-on ladders for hanging and draping stuff, or slot storage boxes into the shelves. There’s even a projector screen to create a bedtime cinema.

If you can’t face the task of assembling this big bed, there’s the option to have it installed on delivery for an additional cost.

 

Lombok Seba four-poster bed: £1,646

The grand seba is a top-end four-poster, made from solid teak and handcrafted in Indonesia. It’s a handsome offering with strong, solid posts ­– we loved how the frame doesn’t wobble or creak.

A visible wood grain adds to the authentic east-meets-west feel and you can go for the super-king size if you have the space. If you’re not a fan of DIY, you’ll be grateful for Lombok’s installation service – always appreciated with a hefty piece of furniture such as this. To keep the bed in tip-top shape you’ll need to apply beeswax to the frame roughly every three to six months. Look after the teak and this investment buy will last you forever.

 

Perch and Parrow Botticelli: £1,400

If you’d love a four-poster bed but lack the ceiling height, consider Perch and Parrow’s Botticelli bed the perfect compromise. Mid-sized posts offer the four-poster feel and its air of opulence, plus a shiny ash and walnut finish makes for a sophisticated piece of furniture.

When it comes to delivery, it’s a similarly classy affair. We were won over by the company’s white glove delivery service that leaves your bed all ready to sink into.

 

Nights In Iron Charlotte four-poster bed: £1,721

If traditional iron is your thing, this family-run company is a go-to for a good range of four-posters – from simple rectangular shapes to Bedknobs and Broomsticks-style frames. The Charlotte is a classic, hand-forged bed that is engineered to last. There are four colour finishes – including options for the balls on the posts, and you can choose a high or low footend. For a little extra outlay, go for the solid base, rather than the slated, as it gives more comfort.

We tested the double, but the Charlotte can be bought in sizes from single to super king, with bigger/smaller price-tags accordingly. You do have to assemble it yourself at home, but there’s a handy video on the website that walks you through it.

 

Revival Beds Orleans four-poster bed: £1,488

Perhaps this is the kind of bed Kate and Wills wake up in every morning? Who knows? What we do know is that this slightly regal, but oh-so romantic bed would suit anyone wanting an heirloom piece. The Orleans is a sturdy four-poster that will last for decades.

Carved from Quebec yellow and Scandinavian redwood, it has traditional turned posts and an open canopy that lets in the light. Optional floaty drapes can complete the princessy feel and it’s available in different muted-paint finishes. When it comes to sizes, you can choose from a single, right up to the majestic emperor that has a width of 227cm. And the bonus? There’s no assembly bother as Revival’s fit-for-royalty service includes a two-man installation.

 

The verdict: four-poster beds

As a stylishly simple crowd-pleaser, the beaumont from The White Company gets our vote. It’s a four-poster bed that will suit most bedroom decors and won’t overpower smaller spaces. As well as being elegant and easy to make, we approve of the under-£1k price tag, too.

IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing.