If you’ve stumbled over to the side of the internet that’s obsessed with cozy, cottage living then you’ve probably come across a charming built-in bed. While they may look like they’re ripped straight from the pages of Beatrix Potter or Brambly Hedge, these beds are very real and very on trend. Below, I’m diving into the craze of box beds, explaining what they are, why they’re suddenly everywhere, and how you can get the look in a way that feels very 2025. Related Stories What Is a Box Bed? Lucy CallDiamond punch outs on this box bed’s doors add rustic flair in this Montana barn, designed by Chris Clay for Miller Roodell.A box bed, as the name suggests, is a bed in a boxed-off space. While there are many varieties of sleeping nooks, true box beds must fully encase the sleeper, either via doors or curtains. Box beds date all the way back to the Middle Ages, when the cupboard-like spaces were designed to offer private—and warm!—sleeping quarters to weary farmhands, travelers, monks, or anyone who wanted privacy in small one-room homes. Today’s interpretations are far more modern than medieval thanks to painted millwork, plush bedding, and hidden storage. Related StoryAre Box Beds Trending? Yes! These cozy cubbies are trending. Built-in beds have long been popular, but this recent iteration feels happily twee in a way that past ones have not. Built-in bed tutorials and IKEA Murphy bed hacks continue to garner millions of views across TikTok and Instagram thanks to social media’s ongoing DIY built-in craze, but these beds, while stylish, feel more utilitarian than unique. Box beds, on the other hand, tap into recent trends that honor timeworn charm and interesting points of view, such as cottagecore, grandma-chic decorating, and collected English-style. As the design world skews further away from the monochromatic sameness that has plagued it for the last few years, whimsical and dynamic features, such as the box bed, will continue to gain popularity. Love Cottagecore?What’s the Difference Between a Box Bed and a Bunk Bed? Sara Ligorria-TrampBuilt-in bunk beds, complete with stained glass windows, add old school charm to this Washington barn home. Annie SchlechterDesigner Phillip Mitchell chose a happy mix of pattern to liven up this guest room’s box bed. Though they are easily confused, two key differences separate box and bunk beds. First, box beds will not have another bed on top of them. Second, while bunks may offer a sense of privacy through small curtains, this privacy is foundational and required for box beds. Below, I'll quickly explain two other beds that are commonly confused with box beds. Box Bed EssentialsLinen Duvet Cover$229 at pigletinbed.comBlock-printed Curtains$99 at West ElmScalloped Sheet Set$199 at The Company StoreLumbar Pillow$59 at kathykuohome.comOther Enclosed Beds Bed Nooks Brent DarbyThis attic bedroom, painted in a calm duck egg blue, shows just how cozy built-in beds can be. Built-in bed nooks are the most likely to cause confusion, but, as they lack doors or any proper enclosure, they’re technically not box beds. These appealing bed nooks can double as reading nooks or day beds, making them a great choice for communal spaces such as the playroom or a guest room. Canopy BedsMatt AlbianiIn this Hamptons cottage, a captain’s bed adds nautical flair. Whether the curtains extend around all sides of the bed or are added to just two corners, like the one seen here, canopy beds offer tons of privacy. But that doesn’t make them a box bed! Box beds require some degree of built-in millwork, even if the doors themselves are made of fabric instead of wood. What to Know Before Getting A Box Bed Where Should You Use It? There are no hard and fast rules to when and where a box bed can be used. Existing architectural elements make them a great option for attics or under the stairs, but box beds can also be recessed into walls or built out as a standalone piece. In a kid’s room, the playful structure can turn a standard sleeping space into a fort or hideaway. “This creates a whimsical, adventurous atmosphere where kids can play, read, or daydream in their own little secret space,” says designer Philip Mitchell. In a guest room, painted box beds transform the space into something special. “It’s not just about providing a place to sleep for your guests—it’s about offering a space that feels both inviting and special, giving them a unique experience they’ll remember,” says Philip. Curtains v. Doors: Which Is Better?This is totally up to you, but design purists would always prefer doors over curtains for a box bed. If you choose a door, louvered or hinged doors are most common. Curtains are great for bringing in an additional layer of pattern. Philip recommends choosing two curtains you like—a breezy one for spring and summer and something heavier, like velvet, for fall and winter. What Kind of Mattress Do I Need? Philip recommends choosing a shallow mattress for your box bed to facilitate easy sheet changes. Avoid overly thick toppers or memory foam mattress as their added bulk can make laundry day more of a hassle than it needs to be. More Bedroom Ideas:Anna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.