Move Over, Canopy Beds—This New Trend Will Give Your Space A Dreamy Edge

Never underestimate the power of an excellent bedroom. Since the average person spends about a third of their life sleeping, it's only fitting to give your space a dreamy design edge. Some might fixate on super-soft sheets or a mattress that's equal parts soft and supportive, but you don't want to discount your actual bed. After all, shouldn't it look cute, too?

Once upon a time, a canopy bed was the perfect mix between form and function—bringing a somewhat regal edge to your bedroom decor. But now? Designers are thinking beyond the typical four-post and building beds into the overall design. You might've heard about built-in bookshelves—and the built-in bed is not too different: These frames are built and fixed into a wall to create an effortless and cozy effect.

Why Built-In Beds Are Practical

As charming as these built-in beds are, designers argue that they're a practical decorating move. "I think builtin beds have everything to do with efficient use of space," says Julie Hayes of Simm Hayes Design. Atlanta-based designer Jamie Krywicki Wilson agrees, noting that she typically adds built-in beds to second or third houses that are designed with entertaining in mind. "It’s great for multi-family houses with lots of kids, or even big groups of adults for guys or girls trips," she explains. "We tend to also do them in those spaces over garages or odd rooms or spaces that might otherwise be wasted space." In fact, many decorating pros double down on this trend with a built-in bunk bed.

For a recent lake house project, Wilson dreamt up a unique take on the typical bunk bed setup by utilizing unoccupied attic space. "We built-in three twin [beds] for their three little girls," she explains. "The beds are located at a loft space overlooking the living room, so we added a heavy velvet curtain for privacy and acoustics."

Tips For Installing Built-In Beds

When bringing the built-in bed trend to your personal quarters, proper measurements are everything. "Give yourself two to three inches on either side to make a bed," Wilson recommends. "We see so many that can’t look neat because the clearances aren't wide enough." Meanwhile, Simms recommends pairing your bed with space-efficient accessories such as small nightstand and wall-mounted sconces. She also recommends double-checking a room's layout before adding a built-in (and unmovable) bed to the mix. "Make sure there are no doors that swing out preventing access to bedside tables," Hayes notes. "My son has had to combat that issue in a tight efficiency!"

Built-in beds can come in a range of sizes, shapes, and styles, making it possible to create a setup that captures your distinct design perspective. That said, there's one reason why Wilson wouldn't recommend adopting this trend for your "everyday bed." "Although the built-in look is beautiful in a picture, they’re not the easiest of beds to make everyday," she explains.

Fortunately, Hayes found a worthwhile solution. For the 2023 Kips Bay Show House in Dallas, the Texas designer dipped her toe into the built-in bed trend by placing an upholstered bed against a lattice divider. "My 'a-ha' moment came when the only obvious bed wall in the room stared into two ho-hum closet doors," she explains. "The gorgeous window facing out to the tree tops beckoned, and the built-in bed wall was born."

Not only did this divider create the look of a built-in bed—minus a laborious renovation—but it also brought some deft duality to the space. "The bedroom half was light filled and felt like a treehouse," Hayes adds. "The opposite side of the lattice built-in wall created a cozy seating area with just enough light spilling in."

Functional and fashionable? Sweet dreams are made of these.