As sleigh bed, also known as French bed is a piece of furniture which is rich in its design as well as its history. A common furniture piece of the nineteenth century France, this bed has still retained its charm all these years. This style of bed can be easily matched with the rest of the bedroom furniture- whether the design or the color. Traditional French bedrooms had white-painted furniture pieces, matched with a white French bed, which lent a look of elegance to the room.
History of Sleigh Beds
Folding Bed Table
This bed made its debut in the early 1800s and is considered to be a hallmark of the American Empire, which introduced the sophisticated Victorian style. The first beds of this kind were fashioned with mahogany veneers and were brought to the public around 1810. The original design had the headboard and foot board curved upward with rolls on top.
This style of bed drew its inspiration from the Napoleon's court, which further were fashioned from the antique Roman forms that earned the name of Empire style. The Empire style spread like fire to both France and America. In France, these beds were small and designed for a single person. The carvings on the bed made it resemble a horse-drawn sleigh, and this trend of decorating caught up with the American craftsmen too.While the traditional bed was made from curved wood, there has been shift to steel, iron, and aluminum too over the years. Leather and other upholstered forms of this bedroom furniture have also become fashionable.
Wooden Sleigh Bed
The frames of this type of bed have a strong headboard and foot board, which are curved at the top, resembling horse-drawn sleighs. This style of bed offers both comfort and luxury to the owner. Placed in any room, these become the centerpieces of that room which instantly draws one's attention to them. The wood of the bed will be an important factor when deciding the type of wood bed you choose. The color of the wood should correspond with the rest of the bedroom furniture. There are many choices to pick from when it comes to choosing the frames of these beds- from light to dark.
Metal Sleigh Bed
The metal category of this bed lends a modern look to the room while maintaining the traditional design of the original wooden one. The most striking feature of a metal bed is the curve of the frame. The design provides a warm, welcoming look that blends the modernity of design superbly with the traditional style.
Upholstered Bed
An alternative to the wood or metal bed, this type of bed can also be found with upholstered frames. Upholstery provides the bed with padding, webbing, springs, fabric and covers, making the already comfortable bed even more desirable.
The French bed is a popular choice among many for the perfect blend of rigid frames and warm and inviting covers; it is sure to make a room more welcoming and elegant.