1. Sleigh beds first emerged in the early 1800s and were originally known as French beds. As part of the neoclassical Empire style that idealized Napoleon's reign through interpretations of Roman and Greek architectural and furniture forms, French beds had a shape and style similar to the chairs, settees, and Grecian couches of that era.
2. The sleigh bed became popular in the United States around 1815. Its distinctive shape reminded Americans of the horse-drawn sleighs that were becoming commonplace at the time. The name stuck (though some people still prefer its other shape-inspired name: gondola bed).
3. Though sleigh beds can have a very imposing physical presence, they're actually a simplification of the often ornate canopy and poster beds that predated the Empire style. If you want a highly decorative bed that'll fit into a lower-ceilinged bedroom, then a sleigh bed may be your best option.
4. Some of our low-profile sleigh beds are basically platform beds with a little more dramatic flair. A sleigh bed with a leather or upholstered headboard and no footboard would fit in very well with most contemporary bedroom furniture ensembles.
5. If you're shopping for an entire bedroom furniture set, make sure to browse the bottom of our individual sleigh bed pages to find matching dressers, nightstands, and armoires.
6. If you find a bed style that you like and want to view similar models, look up the brand on that page's Specifications tab and then perform a site-wide search for that brand name via the search box found at the top of any page on our website.
7. Wood sleigh beds are not only fun for kids, but they may also be the closest your child ever gets to a "one-horse open sleigh." Our selection of children's sleigh beds includes gorgeous twin and full/double models with French- and Victorian-inspired designs, among others.
8. Some of the particulars to consider when choosing a sleigh bed include headboard and footboard height and style (solid, slatted, headboard only), high or low profile, side rails or no side rails, and wood frame or metal frame.
9. Sleigh beds can have a relatively large frame, so make sure to check the measurements of your sleigh bed before purchase and compare them with your available room space. Standard or platform beds may be more practical for smaller bedrooms.
10. One of the appealing qualities of sleigh beds is how warm and inviting they look. Consider enhancing this quality by surrounding your bed with lamps that produce a rich, natural light and end tables, cedar chests, decorative benches, or other furniture pieces that exude comfort and traditional craftsmanship.
