Furniture is not a small investment because it's a once-in-many-years purchase. If you're going shopping, know how to choose furniture, especially beds, as they're the most used and contribute to restful nights.

In keeping with modern trends, certain beds feature minimalistic designs. They're also popular with the young and old alike owing to the lower cost compared to intricately decorated styles.

Platform bed: An old style in actuality, platform beds have nevertheless evolved into contemporary pieces to make them cheaper and trendier. They have a clean, uncluttered look with no headboard and footboard. The platform allows for easy placement of mattresses as there's no need for box springs.

To meet the need for storage, many platform beds now feature drawers large enough to store bedding. Modular design also allows them to be installed at a later time if you can't have them just yet.

Canopy beds: Despite being expensive and no longer as widely used, canopy beds are nonetheless beautiful works of art. They tend to feature ornamentation on the four posters which is made all the more opulent with drapes of cloth cascading from the crossbeams.

Unlike with platform beds, headboards and footboards are standard and add to the decorative appearance. If you like this style, try to play it up with embroidered bed covers in rich colors and maybe even brocaded upholstery to complete the grand appearance.

If all this seems a bit too much for your senses, choose a contemporary canopy bed that has no ornamentation, just the beams, posters and headboard. You can underplay it further by using simple bedding.

Four poster beds: These are a step down from canopies with no connecting crossbeams, just the four posters. Even so, they're very stately and are perfect for people looking for a stylish bed but without the means to afford a canopy.

To allow the bed to take center stage, choose one whose headboard and footboard are highly decorated. Side rails add to the grand effect as does plush bedding.

Sleigh beds: Sleigh beds can look whimsical, traditional or a combination of both. They're usually solid wood and the curved headboards and footboards add to the weight. When viewed in profile they resemble horse-drawn sleighs which help create a focal point in bedrooms and eliminate the need for decorative elements frequently found in canopies and four posters.

To bring out the majesty of sleigh beds, try to keep the design traditional and stick with solid wood. It'll cost and will be a pain to move but you can be assured excellent durability.

Panel beds: Panel beds are another grand style with their tall upholstered headboards and matching footboards. You won't find them at small stores because the cost is afforded only by wealthier folk. If upholstered ends seem too opulent you can stick with plain paneled boards or those with simple carvings. Almost all are built of solid wood.

Daybeds: Intended for guests, daybeds still look at home in master bedrooms. Because they double up as sofas and beds they take up very less space which is why you'll also find them in small bedrooms. Purchase one if there's no space for a standard bed and a sofa or use it as a guest bed.