Antique Beds

Many home decor enthusiasts who begin to add antiques to their decorating pallet begin with antique beds. There are hundreds of bed styles that classify as antique but only three stand out in the minds of many new and old antique collectors. Those three styles can be seen not only in antique stores but also as influential designs into modern furniture design.

 19^th Century French and Italian Beds

Each furniture style adds to the next generation. This is seen clearly in the designs of the French and Italian furniture designers of the 19^th century. Using elements from not just previous decades but previous centuries, designers created a look that captivated a century and is still a widely favorable choice for antique bed collectors today.

These amazingly crafted and ornately beautiful beds have several distinguishing features that set them apart from other antique bedroom decor designs. One of the first things collectors will notice about the 19^th century French and Italian style is that they are larger than previous bed designs with the capacity of double size mattresses.

This century of furniture design was captivated by the Louis XVI era and that signature design is unmistakable with fluted leg patterns, scroll work, carved leaves, and raised wooden garland patterns. For the French or Italian décor the Louis XVI antique bed design is usually the first and last stop for a lasting and memorable addition to the bedroom.

Victorian Iron Beds

During the middle to late 20^th century a move to a shabby chic and simple design decor became increasingly popular. This design held it’s signature with the iron beds that graced the Victorian era furniture market. These iron beds were generally made of a heavy cast iron or in some cases brass. Though they made their way into a style of simple and refined beauty they did not start out that way. In fact Victorian era iron beds started as a bedding option for soldiers. They were also used as a preventative rather than decorative option due to their ability to avoid infestations of bed bugs. These beds began fading out of furniture and home decor designs with the rise of the 19^th century French and Italian bedding options. 

Windsor Murphy Beds

The early 1900’s began to see a rise in simplicity and a lack of space. William Murphy had a solution in a design that allowed for a fully functional bed that took up little to no room in small spaces. The Murphy bed, or hideaway bed, was born. This bed could be hidden within a wall, wardrobe, or closet during the day and simply unfolded at night. In fact the Murphy bed is what started the phrase “turn the bed down,” that is still used in hotel housekeeping to this day. Murphy beds can be found in many antique stores and usually are encased in ornately designed wardrobe style compartments. They are a beautiful touch to any small space and a wonderful conversation piece.

There are several styles of antique beds not mentioned here and the bed styles mentioned here have hundreds of variations. There is truly an antique bed for every taste and style. Prices for the beds can range from $100 in a flea market or consignment store to $10,000 for original pieces in higher end antique stores across the world. For the special touch and quality the price is worth it.