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.
