A standard in furniture style, wood sleigh beds will always be popular. They are known for their large headboard and footboards. Headboards can be as tall as 98" and foot-boards 68" tall. The headboard and footboard are connected by low wood rails giving the whole unit a sleigh like appearance. The side rails were used to tie off the rope mattresses that were used in the day.

Full Size Bed Rail

European antiques have been the template for modern sleigh beds. In order to look like European antiques, they often have a cherry finish. The tops of the headboard are curved outward. The more modern ones often have a high gloss finish and modern style.

Full Size Bed Rail

Examine your bedroom carefully to understand how a large piece of furniture like this will affect the room. The bedroom that will comfortably accommodate queen or king wood sleigh bed should be rather large. Queen sizes are 60"wide and king sizes are 72". Obviously, there is more sleeping room but they also take up much more floor space and seem larger due to the features that are unique to the style. Is your room large enough to accommodate a large wood sleigh bed with a tall headboard and footboard? If the answer is yes, then it can pull your room together and make a statement. Use a shorter headboard and foot-board for a smaller room. Full (double) size are 54" wide and twins are 39".

Dark or light finishes offer a very different presence in the room. A bed with a tall headboards can dominate the room.

Wood Sleigh Bed - A Primer

Full Size Bed Rail