Buying guide for best canopy beds
A canopy bed can be the focal point of your bedroom, not to mention the place where you spend up to a third of your life. If you’re considering investing in this regal four-post luxury, it’s a good idea to learn all you can about your choices first.
Canopy beds are prized not only for their attractiveness but also for the privacy, warmth, and comfort they provide. The majority of canopy beds are also built with a sizable amount of space beneath, a real boon for those in search of storage solutions.
Key considerations
Size
If this is your first bed-shopping experience, you may be surprised at the number of sizes available. Bed sizes are actually based on standard mattress sizes. For example, a twin mattress is 38 x 75 inches; a full mattress is 54 x 75 inches; a queen mattress is 60 x 80 inches; and a king mattress is 76 x 80 inches. Note that a mattress is not typically included with the canopy bed, so you will need to select them separately.
Although some sellers only offer their canopy beds in one size, others offer the full range. Bear in mind that a larger bed takes up more space and also costs more. Also, note that a canopy bed will add several inches to both the length and width of any bed.
Frame material
The sturdier a canopy bed is, the longer it is bound to last. The primary two materials with which canopy frames are made are metal and wood.
Wood: This can be either hardwood or engineered boards. Wood provides a warmer, more traditional appearance than metal, but in some cases, it can be less durable.
Metal: Durable metal can create a sturdy, long-lasting frame. It can also offer more in terms of back support. One type of metal, wrought iron, is often used to create more elegant frames, although they will also cost more.
Durability
The frame is largely responsible for the durability of a canopy bed. Support slats and legs can add to a canopy bed’s strength. For the ultimate in durability, you may wish to choose a metal canopy bed frame. Wooden frames are also available, but some are stronger than others, depending on wood quality. That said, some people simply prefer the look of wood.
A canopy bed should also be able to withstand the occasional scratch or bump. For metal frames, powder coating can help protect the metal and also ward off rust.
DID YOU KNOW?
The slatted base of a canopy bed not only supports the mattress, it also allows air to pass through, keeping the mattress fresh.
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Features
Finish
Paint is a popular finish for both metal and wood canopy beds. A painted frame may fit your décor better than bare metal or wood. If you’re looking for a touch of elegance in your frame, consider a canopy bed made with a copper or bronze finish.
Style
Canopy beds can be found in a variety of styles, but the majority can be classified as classic or modern. When comparing canopy beds, decide whether your tastes run more simple or elegant, while keeping your existing décor in mind.
Classic canopy bed style: These frames are traditional and decorative. Wood is frequently the material of choice, and decorative elements such as raised panels and scrolling add to the aesthetic.
Modern canopy bed style: These canopy bed frames are usually simple and box-like in design. Metal is a common material for modern canopy beds.
Headboard
Canopy beds typically include some form of headboard, and they often (but not always) have a footboard as well. The headboard and footboard are usually where the bed’s decorative flourishes will be concentrated.
Be sure you have enough space for a canopy bed. This type of bed can take up more floor space — and more vertical space — than a traditional bed.
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Accessories
Comforter Set: Madison Park Seven-Piece Comforter Set
With your new bed, you will want a comforter set complete with pillows and decorative shams to dress it up. We love this set from Madison Park. With the right mix of contemporary and classic styling, its design and available colors (you choose from several options) would go well with a number of canopy bed frame styles.
Bed skirt: Fresh Ideas Eyelet Bed Skirt
This crisp white eyelet bed skirt looks great with just about any frame style and bedding. In particular, we think it looks great with a classic-style canopy bed.
Canopy bed prices
Inexpensive: For less than $180, you can find canopy beds for twin mattresses. These beds are often made of metal and are quite simple in design.
Mid-range: Canopy beds for full and queen mattresses are commonly found in the $180 to $250 range. You will find more decorative touches here as well as a better overall build. While many beds in this price range are made of metal, some incorporate wood elements.
Expensive: Canopy beds for king-size mattresses cost $250 or more. These beds often have wood in their design and offer more in the way of decoration. (For example, the bed may have an elaborate headboard.) Beds made from pricier materials, such as hardwood and wrought iron, are found in this range.
DID YOU KNOW?
Canopy beds have a long and regal history. They were originally designed to be slept in by nobility back in the fourteenth century.
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Tips
- If your winters are cold and your canopy bed frame can handle the weight, use the frame to drape heavy material when the weather turns frigid. A heavier cloth can help keep heat in, allowing you to run your thermostat lower.
- If you can’t find a canopy bed in the color you want, consider painting one. Depending on the frame, some canopy bed frames can be easily painted whatever color you wish.
- Canopy beds collect dust along the frame, which should be removed periodically. When you dust, be sure to take down any curtains or other canopy fabric and wash that, too.
FAQ
Q. Do canopy beds require a box spring?
A. Canopy beds usually have enough slats and support rails that they do not require a box spring, but there are exceptions. Some canopy bed manufacturers recommend that you use a box spring with their beds. Some mattresses, such as memory foam and latex mattresses, are more comfortable when placed upon a box spring.
Q. Do I need to use curtains with these?
A. Some canopy bed frames do not really work with curtains; others do. Generally speaking, classic frames lend themselves to the curtain style more than modern frames. If you choose a curtained canopy bed, there are a variety of curtain styles to choose from. Bear in mind that some canopy bed frames can’t handle much weight, though, so if you hope to hang heavy curtains, you will want to make sure the frame can hold the heavy fabric first.
Q. How difficult is it to assemble a canopy bed?
A. The level of difficulty can vary, but generally speaking, a canopy bed is more difficult to assemble than a regular bed. Because canopy beds are bulkier and heavier than traditional beds, you should select the place where the bed will “live” and assemble it in that spot. Be sure you have all necessary instructions, tools, and hardware for assembly. Often, consumers find it helps to have a second pair of hands on deck as well.
