We Tested (and Rated!) Every Bed Frame at Avocado

If you’re someone who prefers to shop with sustainability in mind, then you’ve probably heard of Avocado. The retailer is best known for its eco-friendly mattresses, but it’s also branched out to furniture for the bedroom and beyond — including bed frames.

All of Avocado’s bed frames are made from FSC-certified wood that is not treated with laminates or veneers, and constructed in one of Avocado’s North American factories. And even if sustainability isn’t your number-one concern when shopping for furniture, Avocado’s bed frames are still worth checking out for their solid wood construction, easy assembly, and minimalist style. 

Because Avocado only has 15 stores nationwide, it might not be possible for you to check out its bed frames in person — and that’s where we come in. As part of our Personal Shopper series, we visit the storefronts of our favorite brands to test out their products ourselves and ultimately give you our opinions on what we saw. For this edition, we headed over to Avocado’s New York City store, where we saw a variety of its bed frames and mattresses.

Avocado was founded in 2015 with a focus on selling mattresses made from eco-friendly materials and with sustainably minded production practices. Its products have a bevy of certifications, including GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), Made Safe, Greenguard, and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). It’s one of the most popular retailers to shop at if you take sustainability seriously, and the product selection keeps expanding. 

In 2021, Avocado launched furniture (bed frames, nightstands, dressers, and even rugs), all of which are made with eco-friendly, sustainably harvested materials. The brand also sells organic bedding and pillows, so you can easily outfit your entire bedroom in one place. Avocado has been on our radar since its launch, and we’ve tested a variety of its products, including mattresses, mattress pads, and mattress toppers.

We judged every Avocado bed frame based on the following criteria:

• Customizability: Does it come in different varieties? How many colors, finishes, materials, or sizes is it available in? How granular can you get when customizing the bed frame? Does it require a box spring?
• Space needs: How much space does the bed frame require? Does it have a canopy or an extra-wide frame? Is it particularly bulky or does it stay close to its appointed mattress size?
• Platform height: How high off of the ground is the bed frame? Would it generally require bending down or reaching up to get into?
• Storage capacity: Does the bed frame include drawers? Does it have space underneath for under-bed storage? Does its headboard have storage capacity?
• Appearance: What style of decor does the bed frame suit best? Does its design lean warm and rustic or sleek and modern? Is it classic with upholstery and detailing or contemporary with clean lines and versatile minimalism?
• Sturdiness: Is the frame made from durable, high-quality materials? Does the bed wobble or creak when you’re on it?
• Assembly: Does the bed require tools for assembly? Can it be taken apart and put back together fairly easily?

Each Avocado bed frame was tested at Avocado’s New York City store by Lifestyle Editor Lizzy Francis and Home Projects Editor Sarah Everett. Lizzy has been with Apartment Therapy since 2024, and covers real estate, lifestyle, cleaning, and organizing. She is a big fan of Avocado, and selected the brand’s original Green mattress for herself after months of research. Sarah started out as an editorial assistant at Apartment Therapy nearly five years ago, and now covers Before & Afters, DIYs, home projects, and design trends.

Sarah’s thoughts: I love the rounded corners on this bed! It’s a simple design choice that’s just a little bit more interesting than the usual sharp edges, and gives the bed a more youthful, contemporary vibe. I can see where it gets its name — this bed definitely makes sense in a city apartment. Even if you do opt for the headboard (it’s optional) the overall vibe is streamlined, which makes it a good pick for smaller spaces.

Avocado’s beds are all made from solid wood (no MDF here), and the City bed is specifically made from either walnut or a blonde wood like beech or alder. The wood is very flat and smooth, which contributes to its sleek appearance and makes it more sophisticated than rustic. And if you really love the style, Avocado also sells a matching nightstand for a cohesive bedroom look.

This bed feels medium-high to me — I’m 5’2” and the headboard comes to my stomach when I’m standing. There’s about five inches of under-bed space, which means that there’s not enough room for storage bins. I think you could do compression bags if you were really short on storage space, but that’s about it. I personally would prefer a higher profile because I like using storage bins under the bed, but anyone looking for a low-profile bed will be pleased.

• Styles: With or without headboard
• Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, Cal king
• Material: Beech/alder or walnut
• Box Spring: Not needed

Lizzy’s thoughts: If you love mid-century modern style, then this is the bed for you. It’s clearly well-made — I noticed zero wobbling or creaking, and the wood construction feels (and looks) quite solid. It’s made from either maple or walnut, but I would go with the walnut for a true MCM aesthetic. Either way, you’ll get the tapered legs and streamlined design that are associated with mid-century furniture, as well as a smooth wood feel.

This bed has the most height of the four we saw, with 10 inches of under-bed clearance. Getting in and out of the bed was easy, thanks to the extra height, and I appreciated the ample room for storage underneath. You could easily slide bins under, and probably suitcases as well. Or you could always keep it clear for an airy, floating appearance.

Like most of the other Avocado beds, this one has an optional headboard. The no-headboard look is super simple and doesn’t read quite as “mid-century” as the bed with the headboard does, but it’s still pretty stylish, thanks to the tapered legs. While it’s not personally my style, I can see the appeal for those who love the MCM look. Just keep in mind that that extra style comes at a price: This is the most expensive Avocado bed we tested. 

• Styles: With or without headboard
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
• Material: Maple or walnut
• Box Spring: Not needed

Lizzy’s thoughts: Like all of Avocado’s beds, the Malibu is minimalist in design but certainly not boring. It has the lowest profile of all the Avocado beds, with just three inches of clearance due to the thick rounded legs. Therefore, there’s no storage space under the bed — and because it’s a platform bed that doesn’t require a box spring, I recommend getting a tall mattress so you don’t feel too low to the ground.

Another thing I like about this bed is that there are two headboard height options (or you can opt for no headboard at all). I saw it with the lower headboard, which felt average to me. If you want something more eye-catching or formal, or have a super tall mattress, then the taller headboard is best. Either way, the wood feels smooth with some light texture — the walnut option is a bit more rustic, while the maple feels fresher and more modern.

The Malibu bed I saw in store was outfitted with the Eco Plus Adjustable Base, which allows you to adjust your mattress’s position (or even turn on the massaging feature) via a remote or app. I was surprised at how quiet it was when in use, and I love that it can be added to any of Avocado’s bed frames. Most adjustable beds leave a lot to be desired style-wise, but this one doesn’t sacrifice style for function.

• Styles: With or without headboard
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
• Material: Walnut or maple
• Box Spring: Not needed

Lizzy’s thoughts: You can’t get more natural than this solid wood bed frame, which is made from reclaimed wood (typically Douglas fir) from sources local to Avocado’s Los Angeles headquarters. Unlike the other beds I saw in store, this one doesn’t have a smooth finish — instead, the wood is mostly untouched, with cracks and natural weathering. Therefore, each one is a bit different in terms of texture and color variation, so the bed you end up with is totally unique.

Keep in mind, though, that you don’t get the customization options that you do with the other Avocado beds. The headboard is not optional, and you can’t choose a specific wood color. Instead, you get a true statement piece that is solidly built and guaranteed to last a long time. I noticed zero wobbling or creaking, and I would absolutely be comfortable throwing myself on this bed. If your last bed was made from cheap materials, you’ll notice a major difference.

It sits about five inches off the floor, which is pretty average, but the Luxury Ultra Plush mattress it was paired with was so tall (15 inches) that my feet didn’t fully touch the ground. That being said, I’m not quite 5 feet tall, so not everyone will have that issue. Overall, this is a great option if you want something classic, solid, and simple. While it’s not personally my style, I can see how it would appeal to someone who loves the look of dark wood and the use of natural materials.

• Styles: With headboard
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
• Finish: Natural
• Frame: Solid reclaimed wood
• Box Spring: Not needed