Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

Simple, smart and streamlined, we were instantly impressed with Habitat’s four-poster bed – not least for its affordable price tag. The pale pine frame, complete with integrated headboard, offers a laid-back Scandi vibe, while its sprung wooden slats are reliably sturdy and supportive. We loved the way the legs are slightly tapered and the fittings cleverly concealed, so as not to upset the bed’s clean contemporary lines. This one assembles easily and feels perfectly solid – a snip at just £450.

Best: For low ceilings

Rating: 10/10

Proving that you don’t have to have high ceilings to enjoy the grandeur of a four-poster bed, this one cleverly saves on available height with its low-lying frame. It is indeed a practical solution but beyond that, it awards the bed a wonderfully laid-back aesthetic. Without legs, the four-poster is pleasingly cubic in shape, making it a striking design-led piece.

The bed frame, either in solid pine or hardwood, is available in a comprehensive range of finishes, from the rich and warm coffee bean to the chic and fashion-forward black. There’s an impressive range of sizes to choose from, too. Prices start at £679 for a small single, and go up to £1,399 for a whopping 9 ft super Caesar. There’s also the option to add extras of such as a floating shelf (£59), drape (£58) and curtains (£29).

Best: Quality craftsmanship

Rating: 9/10

You know you’re getting a quality bed from Raft, whose raison d’être is beautifully handcrafted wooden furniture pieces. True to form, the milbrook frame is a lesson in superior woodwork. In a beautiful dark stained and sustainably sourced teak, the natural patina of the wood remains visible, awarding the bedroom a wonderfully rustic feel.

What we loved most about this one was its timeless quality. The simple, chunky wood frame could be from any era. Drape it with floaty voiles to up the romantic look or keep it clean lined and fuss-free for a more contemporary feel. This one isn’t cheap but it’s certainly made to last.

Best: For smaller spaces

Rating: 7/10

Whether you’re furnishing a guest room with limited floor space, or giving your teen’s bedroom a grown-up makeover, a single sized canopy bed can work wonders. This one marries industrial stylings with warm, honey-toned manufactured wood, and we loved that contrast of materials. We also loved the way the frame forms a continuous rectangle at either end of the bed – as opposed to four legs – which plays to the design’s contemporary, cubic form. This also makes it reliably sturdy and wobble-free. The single Suzanne is pleasingly purse-friendly, too.

Best: For an industrial twist

Rating: 8/10

You wouldn’t usually associate a four-poster bed with industrial chic but this one proved a welcome surprise. The frame is made from steel with a black powder coated finish and boasts a curved canopy top to soften the hard-edged aesthetic. In king, it is an imposing statement piece that demands some space – but if you have it, flaunt it. And get creative with industrial style festoon lighting for the full effect. Solid in feel and easy to assemble, we loved this unusual piece that turns the traditional fairytale four-poster on its head.

Best: For eco-warriors

Rating: 9/10

Crafted from FSC-certified solid eucalyptus wood with acacia veneers, West Elm’s canopy bed frame gets our top marks for sustainability. Simple and streamlined, it makes for an impressive statement piece. We loved the bed’s subtle mid-century stylings – think tapered legs and a fuss-free rectangular headboard that allows the natural wood grain to shine. This one isn’t cheap but its quality is palpable. And in a warm, honey tone it manages to be both chic and utterly homely. A beautiful bed.

Best: Open topped four-poster

Rating: 9/10

If you’re concerned about a four-poster bed taking up too much space, or you’re dealing with low ceilings, it’s worth considering a piece like this one. The posts award the bed a sense of grandeur but without a canopy overhead, it feels light and open. We loved the fairytale-like shaping of the turner, with its sizable, curved headboard and its decorative turned wood tips. This is a beautifully crafted, and beautifully finished bed. It comes in white or a warm and rich dark cherry with a choice of sizes from single up to super king (£1,099). The turner is made to order but well worth the wait.

Best: For romance

Rating: 10/10

Our most romantic bed hints at classic Louis XVI shaping with its four posts leading up to a crown-like centred circle via undulating curves. But the shaping is where the similarities end. The iron frame feels light and modern, while the upholstered head and footboard offers a chic and streamlined contemporary twist. This one comes in sizes single up to super king (£1099), a range of metal finishes from satin black to silver, and a choice of fabric colours, including the vibrant sunflower, which adds a contemporary colour pop. The Waterloo offers big impact yet it boasts a slender silhouette, meaning it won’t overwhelm a smaller space.

Best: For a laid-back feel

Rating: 7/10

We loved this boho-inspired number from Urban Outfitters, which puts an entirely new slant on the romantic four-poster. It’s crafted from a mix of rattan and mahogany wood, and while it looks somewhat delicate in makeup it feels reliably sturdy – you’ll find strong foundations in the hard wood underside of the bed and also in the slats. For an added feeling of security, this one has a caged top, keeping it nice and secure – and of course these extra poles are perfect for hanging fairy lights or indeed draping floaty textiles to complete the bohemian aesthetic.