We Tested (and Rated!) Every Bed at Blu Dot

A basic bed frame is easy enough to find, but if you’re on the hunt for a more unique, contemporary one then the options are a bit more limited. One of our favorite places to shop for bed frames with unusual silhouettes and clever design details is Blu Dot, which specializes in minimalist, modern furniture that you can’t find elsewhere.

That’s why we took a trip to Blu Dot as part of our Personal Shopper series, where we send editors to test out specific product categories at top retailers. In this edition, we viewed the five beds on display at Blu Dot’s New York City storefront, including storage, wood, and upholstered beds options that will appeal to just about any design need. 

Blu Dot is a Minneapolis-based furniture brand that designs all of its products in-house. Its products have a modern bent and are known for combining good aesthetics with function, sustainability, and quality materials. (Not to mention, each product has a cheeky name that’s immediately memorable.) When it comes to beds, you can expect thoughtful features like hidden storage, customizable headboards, and sleek joinery. We’ve visited Blu Dot for previous Personal Shopper articles, including sofas, desks and sideboards, accent chairs, and coffee tables.    

We judged every Blu Dot 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 Blu Dot bed in this article was tested by editors Zee Krstic and Cullen Ormond. Zee is Apartment Therapy’s senior home editor, and covers decorating ideas, DIY style, and shopping guides. He has been with Apartment Therapy since June 2025, and most recently did content strategy for Country Living, ELLE Decor, House Beautiful, and VERANDA. He has also been on the editorial teams at Good Housekeeping and Martha Stewart Living.

Cullen is Apartment Therapy’s associate home editor, and mainly covers House Tours, Before & Afters, and shopping tips. She has been with Apartment Therapy since 2023 and was previously an editor at Vox Media.

Zee’s thoughts: This one is my favorite! I think it’s one of Blu Dot’s most impressive and thoughtfully designed models; it combines gorgeous design with exceptional functionality. It stands out for its headboard, which is available with or without a leather cushion to allow for better customization. (The bed I saw was finished with the black cushion, which looked sleek and sophisticated.) Either way, the wood frame is sleek and seamless, with nearly invisible joinery that gives the impression of a single continuous piece. I do wish it was available in more than two wood finishes, though. (I saw the white oak option, which feels a bit fresher than the more traditional walnut color.)

The Homecoming Bed has storage drawers, which makes it a practical choice as well as a stylish one. There are four drawers total (two on each side), and they glide out smoothly for easy use. I really appreciated that they are designed not to collide with nightstands, which is one of the biggest cons of a storage bed with drawers. The drawers are also impressively spacious, with ample room for linens, pillows, and clothing. 

It has the tallest platform height of the beds we tested, which makes it super easy to get in and out of no matter your height. (I’m 6’4” and had no issues.) It’s also good for small spaces, as the headboard is narrow and sits flush against the wall — ideal if you’re shopping for a space where every square inch counts. Plus, it feels sturdy and supportive because it doesn’t have a slatted platform, but rather a single, uniform piece of wood (although that may affect the weight limit). 

• Sizes: Queen, king
• Headboard Height: 43 inches
• Underbed Clearance: 3 inches
• Colors: 2
• Box Spring: Not needed

Zee’s thoughts: The best-selling Woodrow Bed stands out for its sleek, architectural silhouette, with both the headboard and footboard set at an unexpected angle that feels modern and elevated. While the headboard design is a bit too minimalist for my taste, the craftsmanship is impressive — the frame appears seamless with no visible joints, giving the illusion of a single continuous piece of wood. It’s smooth to the touch and easy to assemble; it consists of just a few major components and pre-assembled slats, which makes it DIY-friendly for shoppers who are comfortable using basic tools. 

Functionally, the Woodrow offers a balanced profile: Low and modern, yet with enough clearance for slimmer under-bed storage. (One thing to note, though, is that there is a wooden board that sits beneath the support beams, so there is less room for storage than you’d expect.) While I would describe this bed as more low-profile, I’m 6’4” and was able to sit and stand without having to use the side of the bed for support. 

I do wish that there were more customizations for the headboard, as other wood Blu Dot models we saw had the option to add an upholstered cushion. Still, I think that the angled silhouette of the headboard and footboard are truly unique from mass-market options, and the overall aesthetic is minimalist and elevated.

• Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king
• Headboard Height: 36 inches
• Underbed Clearance: 6 inches
• Finishes: 4
• Box Spring: Not needed

Cullen’s thoughts: The Nook Bed lives up to its name: It’s cozy, cocoon-like, and inviting, with a curved headboard that looks like a warm hug. It’s comfier to lean against than a wood headboard, and doesn’t take up too much space — the nightstand was easily accessible despite the curved shape. There are also seven inches of under-bed clearance, so you could easily slide a few storage bins underneath.

The soft, textured upholstery adds to the comfort and charm, and it’s available in the most color and fabric options out of all the Blu Dot beds we saw. The Nook model in the store was outfitted in Edward Navy, which looked great (minus some pilling). That’s not uncommon with upholstered beds — especially considering this one was located in a busy store. 

This bed does sit pretty low to the ground, which gives it a modern, minimalist vibe but makes it less practical for those with knee or mobility issues. As someone who runs a lot and gets sore knees, I could see it being difficult to get in and out of bed after a long run. Another con was the sturdiness — I noticed a lot of wobbling when I threw myself on the bed to test its strength. I do think this is a great bed, though, especially if you’re looking for a cozy, nest-like bed that’s also stylish.

• Sizes: Twin, queen, king
• Headboard Height: 33 inches
• Underbed Clearance: 7 inches
• Colors: 6
• Box Spring: Not needed

Cullen’s thoughts: The Over-Under Bed is Blu Dot’s newest model, and there’s a lot to love about it. I was immediately impressed by the woven cord headboard, which adds a subtle yet unique design detail to its otherwise minimalist form. The frame itself is made from wood that feels super sturdy and smooth, so the textured headboard introduces a bit of tactile interest without overwhelming the neutral palette.

Another thing I loved about this bed was its solid construction. I threw myself on it to test its stability, and it didn’t wobble or move at all. It has the highest under-bed clearance of all the Blu Dot beds we tested, which makes it a great option for those who want to utilize under-bed storage. That height also makes it comfortable for just about anyone — I’m 5’3” and found it very easy to get on and off the bed. While built-in concealed storage would be a welcome addition, I don’t think it’s a big issue, as boxes and bins can easily fit underneath. 

• Sizes: Queen, king
• Headboard Height: 45 inches
• Underbed Clearance: 9 inches
• Finishes: 2
• Box Spring: Not needed

Zee’s thoughts: If you’re looking for an ingenious storage solution, the Lid Bed is for you. Unlike other storage beds that make use of side drawers, the Lid has a hydraulic lift system that raises the mattress a full 90 degrees to reveal a spacious compartment underneath.

You’re also able to use flexible hinges to completely raise the bed above and away from the storage, which gives you even more space and easier access. I was so impressed by how easy it was to use — especially compared to the pull-out systems commonly used in sleeper sofas. The whole process was effortless, and the storage underneath offers much more room to store clothing and linens than a drawer would.

Design-wise, I’m a little less enthusiastic. The bed I saw was upholstered in a bouclé-like fabric called Tait, which feels soft and cozy but highly delicate, and I worry that it could be prone to wear and tear from regular use. It’s also available in the Vesper fabric, which is a wool and nylon blend that I didn’t see in person but appears to be a bit more durable — plus it comes in darker colors that seem more practical.

Although this bed is not exactly low-profile in height, I found it a little bit harder for me to easily get up from it (for reference, I’m 6’4”). Another notable drawback is that there is a visible gap between the mattress and frame, which is necessary for the lifting mechanism but does make it easier for cell phones, remotes, and other items to slip through. As someone who likes to sleep right on the edge of the bed, I also worry that it would be a bit uncomfortable to sleep near. Overall, though, this is a highly clever, streamlined storage bed that prioritizes function and design.

• Styles: Also available with no storage
• Sizes: Queen, king
• Headboard Height: 41 inches
• Underbed Clearance: 1 inch
• Colors: 3
• Box Spring: Not needed