Four-poster beds: why they're not only for hotels and castles

There's no denying that when you walk into a bedroom and are greeted by an epic four-poster bed, you can't fail to be wowed by it. The more vocal of us may even let out a little gasp, while quieter types will walk around it, eyeing up the detail, touching the posts, testing the bedding.

Four-poster beds still have the same standing as they did when they first came about - way back in the 15th century. Originally elaborately carved and gilded, the more luxurious the bed, the more wealthy the person sleeping in it. In the Norman and early Saxon period, beds were pretty basic, but they gradually progressed, evolving into beds with canopies, with curtains (to shut out light and draughts, and keep illness inside), and finally the four-poster bed.

Four-poster beds are the epitome of elegance and, just like they did all those centuries ago, they still make a statement you simply can't ignore. As far as luxury beds go, these have to be the king of all beds - the ones we all aspire to, dream of, and look to as the ultimate possession for our bedrooms.

What's more, luxury beds like the four-poster aren't the soul reserve of hotels and castles. Yes, they look magnificent in a Gothic pile, trussed up to the nines with elaborate bedding - and of course they help justify the price tag of a night in a 5* hotel (that and the chocolate on the pillow) - but four-poster beds look equally as wonderful in your very own bedroom.

These days, four-posters come in so many different styles and sizes that whether you're living in a sprawling country house, or a more compact townhouse, you'll find a style that fits the bill. And if - unlike those 15th-century folk - you're not particularly partial to overly carved wood, you need not fret because bed designers have a finger on the pulse of what's hot and what's not. So you love the idea of a four-poster bed but think it's going to take over your space with all its 'fussiness' and big posts? Think again. Modern four-poster beds keep the detail neat and clean, while the posts are slender, and can be half-height so they don't overly dominate a space.

Modern life has a habit of being hectic, stressful, and short on time. So when it comes to relaxing, it's important that you have a bed that leaves nothing to be desired. If you've ever had the misfortune of sleeping on a lumpy mattress on the floor, you'll know exactly what we're talking about. A rickety bed that feels like it could fall apart whenever you turn over is just as bad. Nothing is more important than a good night's sleep - it helps keep you positive, ensures you can tackle whatever the day throws at you, and even helps keep your relationships healthy.

When sleep is so important, you deserve to do it in style - in the bed of your dreams.

Written by: Amy Rich
Photo credit: Turnpost

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