Low Four-Poster Bed Styles

Contemporary Styles

• Contemporary four-poster beds have sleek lines and use few decorative elements, which give the beds a more modern design. A long footboard stretches across the bottom edge of the bed, while a slightly taller headboard outlines the top of the bed. The posts on either side of the footboard sit slightly lower than the two posts flanking the headboard.

Half-Tester Beds

• The half-tester bed style is an historical reproduction that combines the best of low four-poster beds and canopy beds. The base of the bed has a low footboard and posts while the opposite end features a large wooden structure instead of the usual headboard. It sits several feet above the bed and has a shelf-like partition that extends out over the head of the bed. A canopy fits into this structure and frames the head of the bed, resembling the effect of curtains on a window.

Traditional Designs

• Traditional low four-poster beds often have finials on top of the posts that give the bed an old-fashioned design style. Finials may be shaped like balls, acorns, urns or flames. As with contemporary styles, the bed has a short footboard and a taller headboard. The main difference between the two styles is the design. While contemporary styles are streamlined, traditional styles use many types of decoration. The headboard and footboard may have engraved or pressed designs in the wood and the posts may be elaborately carved.

Arched Designs

• For a more decorative approach, consider a low four-poster arched bed. The design features a tall headboard and a shorter footboard that reaches just to the top of the mattress. Posts are set low on either side of the footboard, while taller posts flank the headboard. Both the footboard and headboard are curved to create a soft arched effect.