The Sleigh Bed

      
   Mahogany Flame Sleigh Bed                               Memphis Leather Sleigh Bed

Everything You Need to know about Sleigh Beds
www.charlesprogers.com

   Sleigh beds refer to bed frames that have a headboard and foot board defined by an outward curl at the top of each end. Sleigh beds resemble a sleigh, hence their name. Though sleigh beds can be made in different metals, they are more typically made of carved wood. The more expensive variants of sleigh beds may feature hand carved curls and exotic woods such as flame grained Mahogany.

   The first sleigh beds were designed and made in France. Often such a bed would have been made for a single person and might have also been used as a daybed or as a child's bed. The headboard was almost always taller than the foot board.

   Americans loved the look of sleigh beds and first began to modify the design in the early 19th century and they became extremely popular by the mid-century. Many American designs originated in the studios of Charles P. Rogers in New York, an American original still hand making beds in the internet age. In furniture design terms, sleigh beds come from the American Empire period, from 1800-1820.

   Early sleigh beds curled either inward or outward. Today's versions are almost totally outward curled. It is considered more comfortable, and one doesn't risk hitting one's head on the curl when quickly sitting up in bed. Some hybrids of modern sleigh beds do not even feature a curled headboard. Instead they offer a flat headboard and a curled footboard.

   Some Modern sleigh beds are also covered in leather as seen when Charles P. Rogers married the contemporary to the classic with the Memphis leather sleigh bed .

   Many designers became re-interested in sleigh beds in the 1980's; they are now popular throughout U.S. and Europe. Much of this popularity is attributed to the many magazines and television shows that focus on interior design.

   When choosing a sleigh bed for one's bedroom, be aware that the outward curl at the top of the headboard will require a little additional space. The headboard will not be flush with the wall as it would be with a flat headboard design.