We Tested (and Rated!) Every Bed at Room & Board

If you’re ready to get rid of the cheap bed you bought a decade ago and replace it with something you’ll actually have forever, then you’re in the right place. As part of our Personal Shopper series, our editors visit the showrooms of our favorite retailers to see, touch, and test out their products in person.

In this edition, we headed to Room & Board to check out its beds, which are known for their high-quality materials and construction, customizability, and timeless style. While not every Room & Board bed was displayed in the brand’s NYC store, we saw six of the most popular models — including quite a few storage beds.

Room & Board is a furniture brand that’s committed to American manufacturing and sustainability. American manufacturers are responsible for over 90% of Room & Board’s products, and the company plans to use 100% sustainably sourced wood by the end of the year.

It’s no surprise, then, that Room & Board is known for its exceptional quality. Its furniture is made to order, which gives you plenty of customization options, and each piece is made from high-quality, durable materials that won’t break down after a few years.

Room & Board’s aesthetic is “trend-proof,” with a focus on versatile, timeless designs that feel neither dated nor trendy. Its bed offerings definitely fit that category, and come with extra features like built-in storage. We took a closet look at Room & Board’s sofas in a previous Personal Shopper, and we’ve also written about the brand’s slim console table. 

We judged every Room & Board 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?

All of the Room & Board beds in this article were tested by editors Emma Dangel and Sarah Everett. Emma is the style editor at Apartment Therapy, and has been covering design, trends, and up-and-coming brands since 2022. Sarah is the home projects editor and covers Before & Afters, DIY projects, and design trends. She started out as Apartment Therapy’s editorial assistant in 2020, and has been with us ever since.

Sarah’s thoughts: Sleek! Bright! Statement-making! These are the words that immediately came to mind when I saw the Ella. The model at the store was upholstered in a lightly textured, bright white fabric, and it definitely grabbed my attention. I think the proportions are perfect: It’s tall enough to fit a good amount of underbed storage (although not too tall), and the angled headboard comes in two heights so you can make it as regal as you’d like. 

The Ella has the lowest price of the beds we saw at Room & Board, but it’s also the only one that doesn’t come with the option to add a storage drawer. Instead, it has the most underbed clearance (7 inches), which should be tall enough to fit low storage bins. Another thing I noticed is that it doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as the other beds (there was some wobbling when I threw myself onto it), although I’m not too surprised because most of the other beds have large, solid wood bases that weigh them down. 

My favorite thing about this bed is that the clean lines and contrasting metal legs are subtly statement-making. I think the style is versatile enough for a variety of decor schemes, and you can just use the upholstery color to make it work for a neutral or bold space. It’s a beautiful silhouette, but it won’t compete with the other furnishings in your bedroom.

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available in leather 
• Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, California king
• Dimensions: 64 x 89 inches
• Material: Hardwood
• Box Spring: Not needed

Emma’s thoughts: This is my favorite of the bunch! It’s definitely the most design-forward bed we saw, thanks to the curved headboard and chic velvet upholstery. It’s gorgeous in person and also has warm and cozy vibes, which makes it perfect for a bedroom that’s sophisticated but still inviting. It’s definitely not for small spaces, though — at 69 inches wide and 99 inches long, it’s the largest of the beds we viewed at Room & Board.

If your bedroom isn’t small but does lack roomy closet space, you’ll appreciate that the Loxley does come with the option of adding a storage drawer in the footboard. It’s the same size as all the other footboard drawers we saw (aka, it’s roomy enough for shoes, sweaters, pillows, and more). The drawer also blends in really nicely with the rest of the bed, so it doesn’t look like a clunky storage bed — especially because the entire frame itself seamlessly connects with the headboard.

It doesn’t come with different headboard options, but the 40-inch height fits well with the bed’s overall aesthetic. It’s not too tall, but works with the sheltered design to create a cozy, sheltered feel. Plus, it’s nicely cushioned to provide plenty of support for hours of reading or watching TV. Overall, I have zero complaints about this bed, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for both style and comfort.

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also with or without storage 
• Sizes: Full, queen, king, California king
• Dimensions: 69 x 99 inches
• Material: Hardwood
• Box Spring: Not needed

Sarah’s thoughts: Testing out the Wyatt was a unique experience because Room & Board had it in the store in both headboard heights (36 and 48 inches). Both Emma and I were really struck by how the different heights dramatically changed the overall look of the bed! I’m 5’2”, and the 36-inch bed came to about shoulder height, while the 48-inch bed was about level with my head.

The shorter look of the 36-inch bed felt a bit more modern — especially because it was displayed with other low-profile furniture. The taller version, on the other hand, looked more classic and traditional. I preferred the lower height for that reason — it felt a little more unique than other beds on the market. Of course, the upholstery choice plays a role in the overall styling too, so you could make the 48-inch bed feel more contemporary (and vice versa).

You can purchase this bed with a drawer located in the footboard, but the two we saw in store came without storage. If you do want the storage drawer, it’s the exact same size as the drawer we saw in the Avery, which was super roomy and definitely large enough to fit an entire quilt or a good number of winter sweaters or shoes.

I personally think the under-bed storage is worth the splurge (the storage version is a few hundred dollars extra). The non-storage bed has the same base, which almost touches the floor and feels kind of clunky — especially for a small space. If you’re going to have that space be filled anyway, you might as well make it useful!

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available in leather and kid size 
• Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, California king
• Dimensions: 67 x 88 inches
• Material: Hardwood 
• Box Spring: Not needed

Sarah’s thoughts: After seeing quite a few upholstered beds, I immediately fell in love with the wood construction of the Hudson. The model I saw in the store was made of walnut (yes, real solid wood), and I appreciated the appearance of the nice grain and the smooth feel. Because it’s made from real wood, each bed looks slightly different — no uniform plywood here.

This bed takes up a good amount of visual space, thanks to the thick base (which you can purchase with or without storage drawers). If you purchase without drawers, you’ll still get a footboard that goes all the way to the ground, which gives it the appearance of a low-profile bed from the front. The sides, however, are open and airy, which gives you plenty of room to slide things underneath.

I saw the storage version at the store, and loved the roomy drawers. There are four total (two on each side), so you’ll have tons of space to store clothes and linens. They’re easy to use and glide out smoothly, but just keep in mind that you’ll need plenty of clearance on the sides to open them. So if you have a narrow bedroom, you should opt for no storage. 

If you’re not a fan of the dark walnut finish, you can choose from eight other options. All of the picks are made from different hardwoods, including lighter options (white oak and maple) and some that are finished with a stain (like maple with charcoal stain). No matter what, you’ll end up with a super-solid, classic bed that’s both stylish and practical.

Specifications: 

• Styles: Available with or without storage 
• Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, California king
• Dimensions: 63 x 85 inches
• Drawer Dimensions: 36 x 23 x 5 inches
• Frame Material: Hardwood 
• Box Spring: Not needed

Emma’s thoughts: This bed looks so luxe! I loved the combination of the mauve-y brown color and the bouclé fabric — in my opinion, the color added a fresh twist to a fabric that is getting a little tired. The channeled headboard is classic and could go with anything, and adds some extra style to an otherwise simple design. 

As with a few of the other beds we saw, the Hartley comes in two headboard heights — neither of which looks too tall or too short (both were displayed in the store). And again, the Hartley is available with or without a built-in storage drawer in the footboard. The drawer is huge, so there is a lot you can do with it — especially because it’s so easily accessible at the foot of the bed. You could store all your shoes if you’re lacking closet space, or all your towels if you don’t have a linen closet. The world is your oyster!

If you don’t want a storage drawer and prefer a more airy look, the Hartley is also available with legs, which gives you just over 7 inches of under-bed space. The legs give the bed a more modern look, and are the same height as the frame on the original bed, so you don’t lose (or gain) any height by opting for this style. 

Overall, I really like this bed and don’t have any complaints. It feels solid and has a versatile design, so I think pretty much anyone could be happy with it. Plus, the large storage drawer and overall compact design make it suitable for smaller spaces.

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available in high-leg style, kid size, or high-leg style for kids
• Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, California king
• Dimensions: 67 x 89 inches
• Material: Hardwood 
• Box Spring: Not needed

Emma’s thoughts: If you like a tall, statement-making headboard, then you’ll love the Avery. It has the tallest headboard of all the beds we saw at Room & Board, measuring either 48 or 64 inches (your choice). I saw the 64-inch model in the store, and thought that the extra height offered plenty of support — great news for anyone who likes to read in bed. I also really liked the subtle tufting, which looks a bit more modern compared to more traditional tufting.

This bed is another option that comes with or without storage. Unlike most of the other models I saw today, the Avery comes with a storage drawer at the foot of the bed instead of on the sides. This design is great for narrower spaces, as you don’t have to worry about hitting the walls when opening the drawers. I was surprised at just how roomy the drawer is, although I did find it to be a bit heavy and difficult to pull out at first. I suspect, though, that this is something that will get easier once you get the hang of it.

As with all Room & Board beds, you have tons of upholstery options. I saw the Sumner, a plain-weave fabric that felt like linen, in the ivory color. While ivory does run the risk of getting dirty, the performance fabric is family-friendly and resistant to staining. And of course, you could always choose a darker color (there are over 200 to pick from!). 

Overall, I think this is a regal-looking bed that is perfect for larger spaces. The extra-tall headboard and thick frame make it really stand out — especially because it’s paired with grid-like tufting. Unlike more traditional button tufting, the tufting on the Avery is more subtle and modern. If I had high ceilings, this would be my choice!

Specifications: 

• Styles: Available with or without storage 
• Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, California king
• Dimensions: 67 x 88 inches
• Frame Material: Hardwood
• Box Spring: Not needed