Get what you want. I just wouldn't get something that's thick and hefty.

You might find a bed where the posts can be removed. My grandmother had one and I remember that at least on the foot of the bed, you could remove the posts and just use finials. With something like that, you can use finials in a room that would be overpowered by 4 posts and have the 4 posts when you have a larger space or taller ceiling. I like options.

If it's with you for the next decade or two, consider the fact that you may not be the only one sleeping in it. Visually four posters do take up more space in a room. On the other hand, if this will make you really happy, buy one that is more on the petite side and not too tall but still thrills you.

I had one growing up at my folks house, but then abandoned it due to moving a lot. I compromised by getting myself a nice brass headboard, but then someone gave me a headboard with built in bookshelves and I loved the convenience of that. Now I long for a big enough room to get a four poster bed again, even a canopy, albeit a grown up one this time. Don't know if I'll ever have room for it again. Beds are hard enough to move a lot, even without big heavy frames.

We've had a pencil post bed for over 20 years, and I still love it. Our bedroom is small, and I don't think it's at all overwhelming. Ours does not have a footboard or a canopy, just a low connecting rail between the posts at the foot. It's easy to take apart and move, if you have two people.

I think as long as you don't get an oversized or extremely heavy one, you'll be fine. You'll need a bedskirt with split corners, if you want one.

Just a thought, a traditional four post bed uses all wood side rails with wood slats to hold the box spring and mattress. In time all the joints can loosen a bit and the bed can sway a little. If you don't like the bed to move then it's probably not for you. They are also much higher so if you have a super thick mattress you will be way up there!

I loved our cherry rice tester bed, but we finally got a king. We just kept the pieces and use the headboard with our king. Works and looks fine.

Love my four post bed. My room isn't large but I still think the bed looks fine in my room.

Thank you all so very much! :) I'll certainly keep all this in mind when I go shopping!

Buy the four poster if that's what you want. We have had a four poster "rice bed" for almost 30 years and I still love it. It is all Cherry wood and it is as solid as when we bought it. Of course like everything else, they probably don't make them that sturdy now.

We have a 38 year old King sized Rice bed made of Mahogany. Still sturdy as ever!

I love my four poster rice bed, and have had it for almost 25 years~I think it's Cherry. I have what's probably a vintage croched table cloth, but use it as a canopy, and makes it feel very cozy. It's a no brainer. ;)

Definitely get what you like. I brought my 25 year old Ethan Allen Cherrywood California King sized rice bed from my SoCal house to my apartment in NYC. People would laugh when they walked into my Master Bedroom and call it a "princess and the pea" bed. I'd laugh right along with them. I love that bed!