Your Guide to Bed Styles
From modern to rustic, the options are endless!
The bed is the focal point of any bedroom, so it's important that you choose a bed that sets the tone for your bedroom aesthetic. A coastal-style bed creates a different vibe than an industrial or glam-style bed, so be sure to select the right one. Keep reading to learn more about which factors to look for when choosing between bed styles and review each style to help in your decision.
Factors That Influence Bed Styles
A lot of factors go into the creation of a bed that's modern, coastal, traditional, industrial, or glam. The frame materials, frame colors or finishes, and the overall frame design each contribute to the creation of a bed that matches your design scheme. Review these factors to determine what to look for when deciding on a style for your bed:
Materials
The materials used to construct bed frames and headboards have a big impact on the bed's overall appearance. Wood, metal, upholstery, and wicker are common materials that shape your bed's style. Wood or upholstered beds are commonly paired with traditional, glam, or modern styles, while metal lends itself to farmhouse or country designs, and wicker adds a woven look that's perfect for coastal or boho beds.
Manufacturers also pair frame materials together to add to the style of the bed. For example, wood-and-metal bed frames hint at industrial style, while wood-and-upholstered or upholstered-and-metal combos can translate to modern, traditional, retro, country, or farmhouse designs.
Colors & Wood Tones
The color filter on product pages allows you to browse for metal, wood, or upholstered beds in colors that match your room's style. However, you can also search by wood tone to find wood beds in a style and finish you love. Wood beds with gray, light, or white wood tones are commonly used for coastal, boho, country, or farmhouse bed designs. Light, espresso, and medium-toned wood beds typically have modern, rustic, or industrial styles. Red wood tones typically pair with traditional bed styles.
Design Configurations
Bed styles are available in a wide variety of bed configurations. However, there are certain bed configurations associated with specific styles. For example, four-poster and sleigh beds usually pair with traditional, coastal, or rustic styles, while canopy beds pair with coastal, boho, traditional, and glam styles. Functional bed designs (think: Murphy beds, storage beds, trundle beds, or bookcase beds) are used more for modern bed styles. Panel, slat, and open-frame beds are popular configurations for farmhouse, boho, and modern styles. Wingback beds pair well with glam and modern styles too.
The good thing is, you have a lot of flexibility when deciding on the best bed configuration for your style!
Tip!
Learn more about bed frame styles in Bed Buying 101: Types of Beds to determine the best design for your aesthetic and room size.
Beds by Style
Now that you understand which factors go into choosing a style for your bed, it's time to review your options.
Modern
Modern bed styles usually feature low-profile, streamlined designs like the one pictured above. Headboards and bed frames can be upholstered, wooden, metal, or a combination of each, and come in a variety of colors as long as it looks clean-lined and pared-back. The goal with modern-style beds is to create a clutter-free, relaxed space to sleep. A lot of modern beds have functional storage or adjustable features to help manage clutter and make your life easier.
Similar to modern beds, mid-century modern-style beds have a pared-back, low-profile design. They usually have tapered or splayed legs. A lot of mid-century beds are made from wood to give your space a warm, natural feel. Leaning towards upholstery? Mid-century beds can also have upholstered head and footboards for added comfort and softness.
The main elements to look for when selecting a traditional-style bed is the wood tone and the bed configuration. Dark wood tones dominate traditional-style beds. Add warmth by opting for a cozy wood tone like the bed pictured above. Traditional beds also usually have a four-poster silhouette, canopy configuration, or an ornate headboard and footboard design to add character and interest.
When it comes to country- or farmhouse-style beds, there are two main designs to choose from. Wooden beds with light, white, or gray wood tones (like the one above) work in farmhouse aesthetics when you want to achieve a bright, airy room. Look for beds with distressed wood and metal for a blend of farmhouse and industrial style. Metal beds with an open-frame design also demonstrate a traditional take on farmhouse-style beds.
Rustic-style beds feature statement wood designs and open-frame headboards and footboards to allow wood details to stand out. Medium, gray, or espresso wood tones work best to create a rustic, distressed vibe. Look for beds with carved wood details or live edges for the best results.
Industrial style is all about distressed or repurposed wood and metal materials, so you should aim for styles of bed frames that pair wood and metal together to achieve the vibe your room deserves. Consider industrial-style beds with rich wood headboards or footboards and black metal frames for a repurposed aesthetic.
Coastal beds come in a variety of styles so you can choose the one that fulfills your version of beach-living. Opt for light or white wood beds with a weather-worn vibe, or add cozy texture with a wicker bed frame and headboard. Transform your bedroom into an island retreat with a coastal-style canopy bed. The possibilities are endless!
When it comes to boho bed styles, it's all about the details. Boho beds can be made of wood, metal, wicker, rattan, or patterned upholstery, giving you a wide selection to choose from. Any headboard or footboard designs with natural texture or botanical patterns are a plus.
Glam beds usually feature a mix of sleek metal and luxe upholstery. Think of jewel tones, tufted velvet, dramatic silhouettes, or a mirror-like metallic finish when browsing for the right bed to complete your glam bedroom. When in doubt, opt for beds with a blend of gold or silver metal and button-tufted upholstery for the ultimate glam sleeping experience.
Tip!
Reference the product styles filter to the left-hand side of the product page for additional style options that you can tailor to your aesthetic.
