The exact date of the first bed used as a piece of forniture is unknown, however, ancient Egyptian paintings decipt a wide range of beds. The Greeks slept in high beds with wooden framwork. Later the Romans would lay on great big oriental beds piled high cushions stuffed with wool, feathers and other soft materials.

By the XII century beds were adorned with canopies wich were joined by rods to the ceiling and walls. From these rods hung long luxurious drapes that served to separate the bedroom from the rest of abode. These beds were so high that footstools were necessary to reach them.

In the XIV century we begin to see elevated bedheads whose panels display artistically carved designs, and bedspreads embroidered in gold and silver, all of which enriched the general appearance of the sleeping chamber. During this period the use of two sheets becomes a custom.

In the XVI century we see the culmination of the most elaborate canopies and draperies. The arched or balustrade bed marks the XVII century and during the XVIII century, the Imperial Italian bed becomes fashionable.

The invention of springs and mattresses saw the end of great big wood framed beds and today, paradoxically, our own beds are not too different in form from those used way back when by the people of primitive cultures in ancient villages.

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