Canopy beds, also known as four-poster beds, typically feature a tall, upright post at each corner that supports an overhead covering fashioned out of netting/any other type of material. The covering forms an enclosure around the bedding, and can be drawn back whenever you wish to do so. This particular piece of furniture is a highly sought-after household accessory amongst consumers worldwide. What’s more, it is also hugely popular in resorts and hotels for its significant romantic appeal. Having said that, the history of this now ubiquitous item, is unglamorous to say the least.
You see, during the Middle Ages, the thatched roofs of houses were often times the nesting place of caterpillars, mice and other insects. These species frequently fell from the roof on to the sleeping people below, causing all sorts of unnecessary problems. As a quick solution to this dilemma, posts were set up at all corners around the canopy beds and a large sheet thrown over the top to catch any wayward pests. They would then be tossed out first thing in the morning. Simply put, canopy bedroom sets were absolutely essential back in the day, in order to obtain a good night’s sleep!
On the other hand, rich landlords who resided in majestic stone castles did not face this problem; however, they did have another. To elaborate…in the early century, the Head of the castle, his family and their hired help all slept in a single, spacious room which used to be referred to as the ‘great hall.’ Canopy beds, with their heavy curtains all round, proved to be ideal, in terms of providing individuals with a measure of privacy. Later, when the castles contained separate sleeping chambers in them, the above-mentioned accessory was not discarded and instead, was retained along with the rest of the furniture in the room.
They came in useful for plenty of other reasons as well, especially in humid climates like South America. Rather than heavy draperies, breathable netting was utilized to prevent flying insects from passing through. And while this feature may no longer be a necessity, beds that are available with netting still sell briskly in many parts of the world. Canopy beds can be crafted out of various materials including oak, ornate cast iron and carved wood. The canopy itself could be manufactured from muslin or chintz. During the 1970′s, ad hoc models were all the rage – high school students used to purchase defunct parachutes and set up billowing canopies over their beds.
Oh, and in case you were wondering…the term ‘canopy’ is derived from ‘conope’ (meaning bed curtain), a word that was common in 14th century France. This can be traced back to the Latin version ‘conopeum,’ and before it, the Greek word ‘konopeion,’ which translates into ‘couch with mosquito curtains.’ All of these terms are variations of the root word ‘konops,’ meaning gnat or mosquito.
Canopy Beds
Granted, these insects cause us no end of trouble. However, we have to keep in mind that the canopy style was introduced due to this very reason. Today, we can enjoy privacy, intimacy and a peaceful sleep on comfortable canopy beds – all thanks to the gnats and mosquitoes! Well, that brings us to the end of this article. If you would like to obtain more info on canopy bedroom sets and everything related to this product, feel free to check out the rest of the pages on this site!