7 beautiful four-poster beds

Q. I'm looking for a canopy-style four poster bed with a difference for our country bedroom. Any ideas?

A. ‘The Etien four poster bed with its clean, curved lines and geometric design will look eye-catching in a country scheme,' says Carolyn Kimpton, owner of Leporello. ‘The handcrafted bed is topped with an open, circular canopy and has intriguing design details like twisted upright posts and inset panels defined with V grooves. The bed comes in a choice of paint colours including French Grey as shown here and the headboard can be upholstered in your choice of fabric or caned.'

Q. How should I dress my four poster bed?

A. ‘There are two main approaches to dressing this type of bed,' says Brent Cooper, Managing Director, Simon Horn. ‘You can either choose the formal ‘tailored' look and have traditional sets of hangings made, or you can, more simply, just drape it in lengths of fabric. The good thing about draping fabric is that it's easy to change the drapes with the season. In summer, you can swathe the bed in sheer muslins and in winter change it to a richer, warmer look with light brocades or velvets.'

Q. I'm looking for a dark wood four poster that won't dominate my scheme. Any suggestions?

A. ‘This traditional mahogany four-poster sits happily in both a modern and a classic setting as it comes without a canopy, which could dominate a room - particularly one with smaller proportions,' says Jamie Cooper, Managing Director, Titchmarsh & Goodwin. ‘The lines are simple and bold and because it takes its inspiration from the Georgian period, it blends elegantly rather than shouts. The foliate carved, reeded posts and flame mahogany panels give it plenty of visual interest and show the traditional furniture-making skills of our Suffolk workforce.'

Q. Will a four poster bed suit our modern country scheme?

A. ‘A four-poster is a show-stopper in any setting and understated styles such as this create an appealing focal point and will anchor a modern rustic scheme,' says Sue Jones, Director, Oka. ‘The solid weathered Acacia frame is elegant without appearing too formal and features carved and turned posts with floral detailing at each corner of the bed. The headboard and footboard are upholstered in a Natural and Off-White wide striped linen, however, as tastes or décor change these can be re-upholstered in a different fabric.'

Q. Can you suggest a white-painted four poster for our Scandi-style bedroom?

A. ‘A simple paired back design with clean lines and a lightly distressed off white finish lends itself to Scandi style schemes, which focus on functional, comfortable and elegantly styled interiors,' says Emily Wynne-Jones, Senior Buyer, Lombok. ‘Vertical wooden wall panelling behind the bed helps enhance bed's height and layering it with textiles contrasts against the angular shape. The bed is handcrafted from solid mahogany and there are matching storage pieces including a wardrobe and blanket chest.'

Q. We're looking for a statement four poster for our main bedroom. Any suggestions?
A. ‘A grand four-poster bed with a canopy makes an elegant centrepiece in a large country bedroom,' says Wayne Clarke, Creative Director, And So To Bed. ‘Heavy, carved wood designs are giving way to graceful, romantic pieces that are stylish and versatile. A hand applied, antiqued silver leaf finish gives this traditional Georgian design a striking modern twist and the canopy has finely carved Prince of Wales Feathers and a highly decorative clover leaf ceiling to create the perfect hideway.'

Q. Can you help me find a single four poster bed for my daughter's room?

A. ‘A bed with a canopy has a fairytale appeal for a girl's bedroom and a classical design that grows with her, rather than anything too childish, is a good option,' says Wayne Clarke, Creative Director, And So To Bed. ‘A pretty white painted finish, hand-carved poles and a canopy, adorned with delicately hand-carved ribbons and flower, gives this bed a modern country feel. Beautiful on its own or embellished with pale pink drapery for that extra girly touch, this bed is what dreams are made of.'

Like this? For more ideas and inspiration visit the Country Homes & Interiors homepage.

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