Your partner might not be Prince Charming, but you can still feel like royalty in the bedroom in a four-poster bed, writes Gabrielle Fagan Once confined to stately homes and royal palaces and something most of us could only daydream about, they are now so much more affordable that many of us are choosing to transform our bedrooms into sanctuaries and indulge night-time fantasies with these grand beds.

Whatever the vision - a seductive, regal bedchamber of the past complete with carvings and swagged curtains, hotel chic' with today's sleeker contemporary versions, or maybe just a simple country look with a wrought-iron frame and muslin curtains - there is something for everyone.

"A four-poster is the ultimate romantic bed," according to bed expert Andy Hills.

Andy is managing director of And So To Bed, whose collection of traditional beds, starting from around £3,000, has such detailed hand carvings and sumptuous hangings that the designs look like illustrations from the pages of a history book.

"These beds are popular because people increasingly want to spoil themselves at home and create a bedroom that is not just luxurious and opulent, but also glamorous.

"We hear some lovely romantic stories from our customers. Some of them have always promised themselves a four-poster bed and have saved up to treat themselves.

"One chap said he proposed to his wife in a four-poster and wanted to surprise her on their 30th wedding anniversary, while others have slept in four-posters in hotels, often on honeymoon, and want to replicate that experience in their own home," Andy added. "The appeal is growing because there are so many styles on offer to suit both contemporary and traditional homes.

"We now have a white-painted version of our traditional Georgian four-poster which is incredibly popular as it is equally at home in a modern room or a period setting."

While four-posters, which probably originated around Tudor times, have a long history there is no longer any need to pay a king's ransom for one.

Most of the major companies include one in their collections, and if you shop around there are smaller companies who can also offer something special at competitive prices.

You can get a basic model for just over £150, or you can splash out for the bed of your dreams and spend thousands more dressing it in rich fabrics.

So wake up, there is no need to daydream. Find the perfect four-poster in our guide and sleep in right royal style.

FAIRYTALE FANCY 8 If you want to feel like a queen or (or king) and sleep in stately style, a traditional wooden, carved, draped four-poster should grace your boudoir. These really are the stuff of dreams, but be aware that dressing these beauties in the luxury fabrics they deserve - silks, velvets and brocade - is an expensive business on top of the price of the bed.

Andy Hills advises: "These are large and dominating beds and need space around and above them so their grandeur can be properly appreciated.

"They shouldn't crowd the room or scrape the ceiling. Displayed properly and lavishly draped with side curtains and a ceiling canopy they turn any bedroom into an indulgent romantic sanctuary."

His tips? The height of a room needs to be above ten feet to comfortably accommodate a traditional, classic four-poster, and ideally the bed should be set in a 15ft square room space.

TOP CHOICE: And So To Bed's most popular bed is its mahogany Georgian four-poster, which starts at £2,995 for a 5ft double frame. A range of sizes are available METAL WORKS 8 These have a less dominating presence than wood, are generally a cheaper alternative, and would suit a feminine, girly bedroom or French chateau style boudoir.

TOP CHOICE: OKA's St Simon bed, £750, is inspired by France and painted in subtle Oyster Grey. A clever, versatile choice which you can change to suit your mood. Use it as a straightforward frame with head and footends, put on the style with simple upright posts or complete the picture with its overhead canopy. There are also linen curtains available, £280 a pair.

SIMPLY STATELY 8 New four-posters have stepped into the 21st century and been given a hip twist.

They are slimmer, sleeker and more simple than their historic counterparts and are the ideal way to make a statement in a modern bedroom. They are generally not as tall as more traditional models.

Lucy Engwell, Habitat's marketing and visual communications manager, said: "Four-poster beds not only give off a sense of luxury but add beauty and style to a room.

"The premise of waking up like royalty and having such a beautiful piece of furniture in the bedroom are just some of the key factors in their popularity this season. People want to spoil themselves and their home."

TOP CHOICE: Habitat's Hana four-poster, £899, is in natural or dark stained oak and would blend with any decor.

DAYDREAM BELIEVER 8 If you desire a bedroom that lifts your spirits and your heart, then you will yearn for an inspiring four-poster that embodies classic style and light, bright looks.

TOP CHOICE: The White Company's Berkley four-poster, £750, only comes in a generous king size - after all if you are having one you might as well go for broke! There is a rosewood finish, but we love it in the painted white.

MODERN ROMANCE 8 What could have more pulling power than a four-poster bed? Even the boys will be tempted by a handsome, streamlined model that just oozes luxury, confidence and upmarket seduction. It could be ideal to put va-va-voom into that romance.

TOP CHOICE: A leather clad, Maxalto four-poster from B&B Italia (from £5,523) could do the business. There's a choice of a wide range of fabrics, and it has style and street-cred - and is available from Armani/Casa.

ROMANCING THE BED 8 Kylie Minogue's new bedding range makes it easy to create a sumptuous, sensual sanctuary. The pop diva says she was inspired by a collection of vintage fabrics, and a silk and crystal-studded, panelled wall in her Art Deco bedroom.

Kylie said: "The range has been designed to make bed linen an accessory, like shoes and handbags. There is lots of sparkle, faux silk, sequins and rhinestones."

There are seven designs in the range - Deco, Vintage, Tiger, Wild Flower, Sequins, Chandelier and Sicily.

The Kylie Minogue At Home range starts at £14.95 for a beaded boudoir cushion to £125 for a throw. It is available nationwide at a variety of stores including Beales, Debenhams, House of Fraser, and Littlewoods.

And So To Bed celebrates tenth anniversary And So To Bed's Oxford showroom first opened its doors in April 1998. From the very beginning the quality of the products and high standard of customer service were recognised and the showroom quickly became a destination for anyone seeking beautiful beds, bedroom furniture, mattresses, bed linen and accessories. Ten years on, it is a landmark Oxford shop.

Situated in St Clements Street, the franchise is a family business, owned and run by Patrick and Sandra Clacy. The couple each have more than 20 years' experience in bed retailing. To celebrate its tenth anniversary this month, And So To Bed Oxford is holding a charity raffle to support Helen and Douglas House, which provides respite and hospice care for children and young adults.

Patrick Clacy said: "We have long admired the wonderful work that Helen and Douglas House does and see this anniversary as an opportunity to support their work and at the same time return something to the community."

The first prize in the raffle is a bedframe from the exclusive And So To Bed range with an Elite mattress and base from the luxury Vi-Spring collection, together worth almost £4,000. Other prizes include a luxury Tempur mattress, sumptuous bed linen and meals at local restaurants. All proceeds of the raffle will be donated to Helen and Douglas House.

Tickets are on sale at the And So To Bed showroom priced at £2 each or £10 for a book of five. The draw will take place on April 17.

For more information call And So To Bed Oxford on 01865 204202 or visit the website: www.andsotobed.co.uk