Luxury Bed Buying Guide: Bed Types, Sizes & Styles

Although beds and headboard styles often overlap, the two are distinguishable by a few key features. Generally, a bed (sometimes referred to as a bedstead to clarify) is a complete piece whilst a headboard requires a divan base (an upholstered platform for your mattress).

From vintage wrought iron to industrial designs, metal beds offer a less spatially and visually weighty alternative to wooden beds – ideal for smaller spaces.

An upholstered bed is one which has had its frame either fully or partially padded and covered in a fabric or leather. Many bed designs can be realised in an upholstered option, including sleigh and wingback.

A canopy bed is similar to a four-poster in that its posts extend upwards beyond its frame. The addition of a horizontal bar, which connect each of the four posts to its neighbour, adds a spin on the four poster. Traditionally curtains would have been hung from the bars, creating a canopy; modern examples are typically left bare or swathed with sheer drapes.

Characterised by an outwardly scrolling head and footboard, this design typically comes in wooden or upholstered varieties. The design was originally a product of the French Empire period.

Originally designed with side hoods which blocks draughts (much like its chair counterpart), a winged bed has become a timeless classic. Its handsome character is often enhanced with button tufting.

A surviving favourite from the Modern era, a platform bed is a low-profile, usually angular bed design whose mattress is surrounded by a protruding perimeter, often giving the appearance that the bed is floating. Available in either upholstered or wooden options.

Some beds are designed with a built-in storage functionality, allowing seasonal bedding, clothing and other personal items to be stored away safely when not in use.

The two most popular types of storage bed are: drawer storage or ottoman storage. Drawer storage comes in many configurations (depending on the size and make up of the bed) but most common is either two or four drawers. Options include pull out or sliding formats. An ottoman design is an open storage space underneath the divan’s sprung base and is typically operated by a hydraulic hinge system.

Like an upholstered bed, an upholstered headboard is one which has been padded and covered in a fabric or leather. Headboards of this style can be realised in varying shapes and patterns, as well as offering the ability to reupholster for a different look in the future.

An extended headboard design is one which extends beyond the width of the divan to incorporate bedside tables – often crafted of the same material (if wooden). A staple of the Art Deco era and one which reoccurred throughout the 20th century, the look was grand and bold, requiring a lot of space. Nowadays, low profiles, clean lines and floating cabinetry shelves extended headboards thoroughly modern.

Many contemporary bedroom design schemes incorporate an oversized, fitted headboard which is typically secured to the wall. These designs are taller than regular headboard designs and might be included as part of fitted cabinetry or even cover the entire wall (usually when combined with mirrored or upholstered panels).

A true/firm edge divan is similar to a sprung edge divan but, instead of the coil unit covering the entirety of the divan, to the edge, it is enclosed within a wooden-sided frame. This helps it retain its shape and gives a greater sense of security as sides don’t dip. You won’t have that failing-out-of-bed sensation with a true/firm edge divan.

The predominant choice for open-base bedsteads as well as many divans, slats are made of laminated soft woods. Flat slats should be avoided as they offer very little support to the movements of the bed. Opt for sprung/flexible slats instead – their bow will support your movements as you sleep much better. One thing to remember is that the closer slats are together, the more tailored support they will give.

Simple piping smartens up any upholstery piece and a bed is no exception since it outlines a headboard’s shape beautifully. Opt for a contrasting colour for a fun look.

Usually shallow (and, thus, reminiscent of Modern design – think Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair), square quilting is a decorative technique which isn’t terribly decorative at all. Stitching is very rarely applied in a contrasting colour so the result is ever-so-subtle. A very similar diamond version has since appeared in contemporary bed designs.

The sleek simplicity of vertical or horizontal channelling is notably modern which is why the technique is used regularly for custom-made, full-height headboards.