It’s been lovely to see the return of the box-bed as an interiors trend in recent months – a beautifully enclosed sleeping nook framed by walls on three sides, with an opening screened off by a heavy curtain or door. It’s a style of bed that we’ve incorporated into our huts from the very beginning at Plankbridge and aligns perfectly with our passion for keeping countryside heritage alive.
In the days before central heating and radiators, the enclosed design meant that box-beds made an excellent insulator from night-time drafts and were a common sight in rural houses in much of Western Europe until the 20th century. Often carved and decorated, they would be the pride of their owners. Nowadays, whilst our shepherd’s huts and cabins are all fully insulated and are often fitted with cast-iron electric radiators and wood burners, the box-bed design can add to that feeling of cosiness, harking back to times gone by.
In an open-plan hut, even that little bit of extra wall can help to separate the sleeping space from the living area, without having to increase the footprint of the shepherd’s hut, making it an excellent space-saving solution. Customers can even opt for a beautiful lined curtain if they want that extra-sumptuous, cocooning feel, although most choose to keep the opening as it is. For those with a creative touch, a painted mural around the edges of your box-bed – such as these examples by the talented Tess Newell (see below) – can turn it into a work of art.
- Find more interiors inspiration for your shepherd’s hut or cabin, here
- View our Gallery page for more inspiration
