History of Sleigh Beds

The distinctive and popular sleigh bed dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, although the design was actually based on elements found in Roman remains, which at the time were being excavated in Europe.

Napoleon liked the design and this led to the so called "Empire Period" in France which lasted from around 1800 to 1820. The design spread to the United States and by 1815, sleigh beds were popular with designers and craftsmen, who took pride in carving the trademark curves.

Early sleigh beds were designed for one person and were more like day beds - they were also finished on each side and designed to stand alone in the centre of a room.

They had mahogany veneers rather than being carved from solid wood and were known for their detail and scrolled headboard.

Sleigh beds became particularly popular in grand old homes, found in the Southeast. In the United States, they are often found in better bed and breakfast inns and there are still a few manufacturers who excel at the craft - the oldest company is Charles Rogers who has been making sleigh beds since 1855.

Today, sleigh beds are also known as French beds and are manufactured from leather, metal and upholstery as well as traditional wood. They still make an elegant addition to any bedroom - just as they did 200 years ago.

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