Four poster beds have been a staple in the bedroom for well, as long as any of us can remember — which is exactly why their resurgence isn't exactly a comeback. It's more of a "oh hey, did you forget about me?" thing. Well, they're back and surprisingly welcomed with open arms.

It hasn't been until recent years when I got my first apartment that I really started appreciating four poster beds. Of course I always knew of them, much like a folklore, but seen them done well in only a handful of occurrences.

I realized what makes this new wave of four poster beds so successful is the fact that they've been stripped down to the essentials. No more thick and meaty posts that suck the life out of rooms, now there's sleek and trim posts that draw your attention to them without completely overwhelming the space.

There are a plethora of ways to enhance the beauty of a four poster bed. Hang curtains at each post, get rid of the posts all together and hang fabric from the ceiling to look as if posts are being hidden or go au natural and let the posts be seen in all their glory. Here are some great examples of four poster beds done exceptionally well:

• Kara Mann
• Delysia Style
• Coastal Living
• The Skirted Round Table
• Me and Alice