11 Unusual Sleigh Beds to Make a Bedroom Dashing
Reimagined forms and creative finishes take this classic bed for an exhilarating ride
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
I've always thought of sleigh beds as one of those ubiquitous design classics that nearly everyone knows and loves, like Windsor chairs or chesterfield sofas. Usually crafted of a rich wood, such as mahogany or walnut, and featuring a graceful scrolled shape on the headboard and footboard, they balance a masculine material with a feminine form — one reason they've been popular since the early 19th century. They also have a cozy aura that makes their occupants feel snug (or claustrophobic, I suppose, depending on your point of view).
But even classics can benefit from an update now and then. Here are 11 new interpretations of sleigh bed style, each true to the spirit yet with its own fresh flair. Which one strikes your fancy? Leave a comment and tell us more!
But even classics can benefit from an update now and then. Here are 11 new interpretations of sleigh bed style, each true to the spirit yet with its own fresh flair. Which one strikes your fancy? Leave a comment and tell us more!
by Tucker & Marks
»
Incorporate fabric detailing. A touch of soft blue in the headboard and footboard helps to break up the heavy wood and preserve the room's subdued feel. If you can't find a similar bed style that you like on the market, talk with a furniture pro to find out whether you can retrofit a standard sleigh bed with fabric panels.
Choose an unexpected color. Dove gray harmonizes with the grass cloth and gives this room a serene foundation. Choose white or cream for a classic cottage look or go with a brilliant hue to energize a space that needs some oomph. Choose a high-gloss finish to amp up the wattage and show off the bed's curvaceous form.
Think small. A Biedermeier-style daybed lends this small space the gravitas of a sleigh frame without the visual weight.
Give it a low profile. Minus the typical footboard, this low-slung bed takes on a sleek form that would work nicely in a traditional, transitional or contemporary room. Bonus: It's easier to change the sheets.
Pad it with cushioning. Upholstered in classic white and studded with nailheads that flaunt its curves, this bed appears to float in the middle of the space. Try this tactic if you find it uncomfortable to lean against a solid slab of wood.
| |
| Turn it into a trundle. A sleigh daybed outfitted with a pullout beneath turns this sunny space into a multifunctional marvel. Custom cushions and bolsters add the look of a sofa during the day. |
by Tucker & Marks
»
Glam it up with luxe fabric. Velvet, suede or another plush textile makes a sleigh bed extra sumptuous. Cap it off with a canopy for a double layer of luxury.
| |
| Strip it down to a modern form. This Scandinavian-style interpretation of the sleigh bed lacks the signature curves, but it retains the enveloping feel. A puffy duvet makes it less austere. |
by Amy Lau Design
»
Go bohemian. The bed may be traditional, but the rest of this space is anything but. Amid the exposed brick, kilim and Asian accents, it feels more like a European flea market find than a piece from your grandparents' attic.
| |
| Recast it in metal. Classic iron bed meets classic sleigh bed. The result: a simple shape that works as well in a rustic cabin as in an elegant urban penthouse. |
| |
| Soften it with a slipcover. Sleigh beds don't lend themselves to skirts, so a slipcover is one way to add a touch of softness at the bottom. This is also a cost-effective solution if you're looking to refresh an old bed frame but aren't into paint. |
Ideabook published on Oct. 26, 2012.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
View over a million photos:
CHECK IT OUT! As large as 60x86....perfect at the foot of a bed!
http://fabulousfurs.com/limited-edition-russian-lynx-faux-fur-throws/p/11007RLNX/cn/400/