Old beds were primarily designed to be high off the ground for several practical reasons, most notably to capitalize on warmer air and provide protection from drafts and pests.
Key Reasons for High Beds in Historical Homes
Historically, homes lacked modern heating and insulation, making conditions, especially near the floor, quite cold and drafty. The design of elevated beds was a clever solution to many challenges faced in pre-modern living.
- Warmth: In unheated or poorly heated homes, the air closest to the floor was significantly colder. By elevating the bed, sleepers could access warmer air circulating higher up, leading to a more comfortable and less chilling night's rest. This was a crucial factor for comfort and health, particularly during cold seasons.
- Protection from Pests: Higher beds offered a degree of separation from ground-level pests such as rodents (mice, rats) and various insects. Keeping the sleeping area elevated reduced the likelihood of these unwelcome creatures sharing one's bed.
- Draft Protection: Floors, especially those in older homes, were often susceptible to cold drafts. A high bed helped to lift the sleeper above these chilling currents, contributing to a warmer and more comfortable sleeping environment.
- Storage Space: The substantial space beneath a high bed was invaluable for storage. It was common to store trunks, boxes, or even other, smaller "trundle beds" (also known as pull-out or truckle beds) underneath, which could be rolled out for children or servants. This was especially useful in homes with limited floor space.
- Privacy and Status: In grander homes, the height and elaborate nature of beds, often featuring canopies and drapery, could also signify wealth and status. The elevated position, combined with curtains, offered a sense of privacy in multi-functional rooms where sleeping might occur alongside other activities.
- Ease of Access: While seemingly counter-intuitive given the need for bed steps, a higher bed could sometimes be easier for certain individuals, such as the elderly or infirm, to get into and out of without excessive bending.
To facilitate getting into these tall beds, bed steps or small stools were commonly used, making them an essential piece of bedroom furniture.
Here's a summary of the main advantages:
| Reason | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Warmth | Access to warmer air higher off the cold floor. |
| Pest Control | Reduced exposure to rodents and insects crawling on the floor. |
| Draft Prevention | Elevated sleepers above cold drafts that often lingered near floor level. |
| Storage Maximization | Provided significant under-bed space for trunks, storage, or trundle beds. |
| Status & Privacy | Could denote wealth and offered an enclosed, private sleeping area, especially with canopies. |
These practical considerations collectively explain why beds in previous centuries were often built significantly higher than modern beds.
