Timeless Appeal Invited: Antique Beds You Have Been Waiting For!

Here is a quick guide on antique bed designs to help you make an informed purchase during your next bedroom makeover project.

Antique beds are vintage furniture pieces with replications reflecting the aesthetics of the 17th and 18th centuries and are known for their elegant craftsmanship. They have come back in fashion these days, whether in their original form or a more modified version, owing to reasons like:

• It is more expensive than other types of bed designs and increases the resale value of your home.
• It gives the bedroom a timeless vibe, as you can pair the antique bed frame with a modern mattress.
• It can bear excessive load through storage features like pull-out drawers and hydraulic/box storage.
• It requires mattress sizes that are different from the standard full, twin, king, and queen beds.  
• It is easy to clean and maintain as it only requires a small restoration over the years.     
• It is suitable for the elderly who face difficulty getting up from a lower position.
• It reflects true sustainability by allowing you to recycle, repurpose, and reuse, thereby saving tons of money (environmental sustainability).

Antique beds can be broadly grouped into two categories – custom sizes and standard sizes. These sizes may differ from modern standards, so it is essential to measure them correctly to avoid making the wrong decision. The types of antique bed frame types are:

Single Beds/Twin Beds – Smallest size | Ideal for children | Little lower footboard and headboard

King Beds – Largest size | Popular for master bedrooms | Available in different designs

Double Beds – Bigger in size | Tall footboard and headboard

You can follow some steps to take an accurate measurement for the antique bed which are:

• Remove all the bedding, mattresses and pillows to get accurate dimensions of the antique bed frame.
• Measure the length and width of the bed frame and mattress, indicating the overall bed size.
• Measure the height of the footboard and headboard to ensure they fit into the bedroom.  
• Measure the ‘clearance’ around the bed to ensure there is enough space to move around.
• Take into account the age and height of the people sleeping on it.  

 When it comes to selecting antique bed frame designs in wood, you have many options to choose from:

• Mahogany – Reddish-brown hardwood | Highly durable | Exudes an opulent vibe | Lustrous texture 
• Oak – Light tan hardwood | Resilient | Sturdy | Adds distinctive character | Can be easily stained 
• Walnut – Dark-brown hardwood | Lends a sophisticated look | Extremely versatile | Moderately coarse texture 
• Pine – Yellowish-white softwood | Easy to work | Lightweight | Prone to splitting | Smooth texture 

Let’s dive into the latest antique bed designs doing the rounds in the modern interior design market. We are sure that something will catch your attention.

Antique Bed Design in Wood With Storage

This antique bed design in wood comes with a storage option with front drawers to store your clothes and personal accessories. It is the ideal option for those who do not have a big budget to create visual drama on a large scale and want to free up floor space. The side tables, large area rug and wooden side stool, complement the antique bed design and tie the entire look and feel of the space together. 

Antique Bed Design With Seater

If you want to have an additional seating area alongside your bed to accommodate your family members and close friends, then this antique bed design with a cushioned seater is your go-to option. It matches well with the understated maroon and beige colour theme of the bedroom, and the natural light from the French windows elevates its beauty.

Antique Double Bed Design

This antique bed design doesn’t have storage, but the bed frame and headboard underscore the typical vintage aesthetic. The bedding, large area rug, abstract art decor, and playful fusion of colours around the bedroom lend it a very modern and sophisticated look and feel. The green plants also bring nature indoors.

Antique Bed Design Without Storage

This antique bed design without storage looks simple yet beautiful because it has a rustic and minimalist vibe. The off-white walls and the light wood flooring soften the ruggedness of the antique bed design. The bedding and lighting, be it through natural or artificial sources, add a sense of warmth and comfort, too.

Antique Wooden Poster Bed With Canopy

This antique wooden poster bed with a canopy instantly gives you a ‘straight out of a Hollywood movie’ feel and appearance. The brick wall cladding, matte-finished wooden flooring, and exposed wooden shafts further highlight the intricacies of the antique bed design, while the white drapes around it make it a stunning centrepiece.

Well, now that you have enough information on antique bed designs, we hope you will be able to make the right purchase for your home based on your personality, needs, and preferences. Contact the interior design team at DesignCafe for any further guidance. You are just one online consultation away!

FAQs On Antique Bed

1. Can you use a modern mattress with an antique bed frame, or are there some compatibility issues?

Yes, you can absolutely use a modern mattress with an antique bed frame. Antique beds are usually narrower than modern standard mattresses. However, ensuring that your mattress and bed frame are compatible is critical, as some mattress types require specific support systems and some don’t. For example, when used with box springs, innerspring mattresses work well to distribute the weight evenly. Memory foam mattresses work well with antique beds as they put slight pressure on the side rails. You can also use your old bed frame with a new mattress, provided the old bed frame is in good condition, and the new mattress is not overly sized. 

2. What Are The Steps To Ensure That The Antique Bed Design Is Properly Supporting Your Mattress?

Inspect the antique bed frame for any signs of damage, wear and tear or weakened areas.

1. Check the bed’s side rails to ensure that they are securely fastened to the headboard/footboard.
2. Examine the bed slats carefully to ensure they are evenly spaced and have gaps no larger than 2-3 inches.  
3. Add centre support to the antique bed frame if it does not have it already to incorporate additional stability. 
4. Reinforce the joints (if they are wobbly or loose) with corner braces or metal brackets so that they prevent the bed frame from collapsing under medium to heavy weight.

3. What are the factors that you need to consider when selecting a mattress for an antique bed?

• The dimensions of the antique bed frame (length, depth and width).
• The thickness of the mattress is the same as that of antique beds, which have lower side rails. 
• The type of mattress for your bed frame (latex, memory foam, innerspring, hybrid).

4. How can you mix and match antique bed frames with modern bedroom furniture?

• Focus on a unifying element (~common colour palette/recurring design motif) that binds everything together.  
• Embrace eclecticism to create a diverse yet cohesive look, such as pairing an antique bed frame with a modern dresser.
• Consider how each furniture piece contributes to the overall functionality of your modern bedroom. 
• Follow the 80/20 design rule when mixing modern bedroom furniture and an antique bed design.
• Play with the light settings and the light reflection using a glass chandelier, glass globe pendant light, etc.
• Vary the scale of your modern bedroom furniture around the antique bed design to add visual/dynamic interest. 
• Experiment with colour/texture by using accent pieces like throws, pillows, decor pieces, etc.