Your Complete Guide to Every Style of Bed

The four-poster bed is a favorite due to its sense of drama and romance. There’s quite a range of sub-styles: Some have a full set of luxe drapes surrounding them (those are called canopy beds), while others simply have four posts creating a large structure around the mattress. No matter what, you'll need a lot of space (including height!) for a bed like this.

A wingback bed is all about the headboard. Like a wingback chair, it has two perpendicular extensions affixed to its sides that curl slightly around the mattress.

While most traditional beds feature a bed frame and a box spring, a platform bed combines the two into a single piece: The mattress sits directly on the platform frame rather than on a box spring.

Open-frame beds have headboards and footboards that lack upholstery and instead show off their framework. They range in style, from wrought-iron frames that are more industrial or Victorian, to slatted frames that can be anything from Scandi-modern to farmhouse chic.

With a curved headboard and footboard, sleigh beds, as you can probably infer, resemble sleighs! They are typically upholstered or made of wood in any color finish.

A popular choice for kids, bunk beds are simply two beds stacked atop one another, connected by a ladder or a staircase. Twin-over-twin beds are most common, but you’ll also find other combos like twin-over-double and double-over-double.

Ideal for small spaces or rooms that need to be used for multiple purposes, the daybed is essentially a cross between a bench and a bed. It can act as a seat during the day and a place to sleep at night.

Popularized during the 1700s, half-tester beds feature very low feet and two tall posters rising from the headboard corners. The look is ideal if you're going for a glam, royal statement.

Trundle beds are wheeled beds that tuck away beneath another bed, saving quite a bit of space in a room. There are also pop-up trundle beds, which pop up to the level of the bed above them, creating one large bed. They're great for guest rooms and kids' rooms.

Loft beds are the top half of a bunk bed: They’re lifted above the ground and accessed by a ladder or stairs, but instead of having a bed below them, they have open space for a desk, a sofa, or a makeshift closet. They're a great space saver in a small apartment, college dorm, or office.

Ideal for those who need extra storage, a captain’s bed features built-in under-bed drawers. It makes an excellent choice whether you're designing a kid's bedroom or need to save space.

Often used in bonus rooms that double as guest rooms or in tiny studio apartments, Murphy beds rest on hinges that allow them to fold up into a wall, thus saving plenty of space. They can be custom-built or bought ready-made.

Lift beds have a built-in hydraulic or other type of system that allows you to lift the mattress and access the under-bed area, providing ample room for storage.