We Tested (and Rated!) Every Bed Frame at Thuma — Here’s How They Stack Up

When shopping for a bed frame, you want something that’s sturdy, stylish, and, if possible, not a nightmare to put together. While that might seem like a tall order, it’s not if you shop at Thuma, which launched in 2018 with one product: The Bed. It stood out for its simple assembly (which required no tools, thanks to its Japanese joinery system) and was marketed as the ideal furniture piece for renters and minimalists. Since then, Thuma has launched two more beds, as well as a mattress, bedding, storage furniture, and even decor. 

Although Thuma is based in San Francisco, its only showroom is located in New York City, just a few blocks away from the Apartment Therapy office. So we decided to check it out as part of our Personal Shopper series, where we visit the showrooms and stores of the best home brands to see their goods in person. Read on for all of our opinions on all three of Thuma’s beds — all of which come with the easy assembly that Thuma is known for. 

We’ve written about Thuma’s products a lot since its launch, and are big fans of its minimalist furniture pieces, including its nightstand, dresser, and credenza. All of Thuma’s beds utilize the same Japanese joinery system, and are made of upcycled wood (no plywood or MDF), which makes them exceptionally sturdy and high-quality.

Unlike other furniture brands, Thuma doesn’t force you to utilize white glove delivery, as the easy assembly makes it simple enough to put together without professional assistance. Just be prepared for it to arrive in two to four boxes depending on the size and configuration you choose — or opt for premium delivery to get it assembled for you.  

I judged every Thuma bed frame at the brand’s New York City showroom 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?

Every Thuma bed was tested by me, Lizzy Francis, Apartment Therapy’s lifestyle editor. I have worked at Apartment Therapy since 2024, where I cover real estate, cleaning and organizing, and other lifestyle categories. To test Thuma’s beds, I spent several hours at the brand’s NYC showroom, evaluating each bed on its design, construction, assembly, and customization. 

Thuma’s Classic Bed is the brand’s original product, and remains its most popular. Its claim to fame is its Japanese joinery technique, which results in an incredibly easy, 5-minute assembly, with no tools needed. Plus, no creaking! We first wrote about this product in 2023, but it’s gone through some updates since then, including even more customization options. That’s why I think this is Thuma’s most versatile bed (and one of the most versatile bed frames on the market overall).

You can choose from three different headboard options (or opt for no headboard), as well as four wood finishes. Two of the headboard choices have a comfy “pillowboard” that can be upholstered in either performance linen or Italian wool felt for an extra-luxe touch. The one I viewed in store had the headboard and cushion, and I loved the extra coziness that it added to the plain wood headboard. It definitely looked inviting! The wood itself felt super smooth, and I liked the “natural” finish — it gave the bed more of a Scandi vibe.

If you’re looking for storage, this frame has nine inches of under-bed storage, which is plenty of room for typical under-bed storage bins. You can even add on matching storage drawers for an extra fee. The bed I saw in the store had two storage drawers, and I was impressed by their construction and roomy design. They looked pretty deep, and could definitely provide enough room to store bed linens or extra clothes. If you’re someone who wants a more streamlined appearance, the matching drawers will definitely make your bedroom look and feel less cluttered.

Specifications: 

• Styles: Headboard, headboard + cushion, pillowboard, no headboard
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
• Colors: 8 upholstery colors, 4 frame finishes
• Frame: Wood
• Box Spring: Not needed

For something a bit more substantial and stylish than the Classic, check out the Essential Bed. This is a newer launch from Thuma, but it utilizes the same no-tool assembly as the Classic — a feat considering how different the frame is. The result is a low-profile bed that has a super-sleek, continuous design, which makes it ideal for any contemporary bedroom that’s big on aesthetics. Personally it’s my favorite of the bunch, style-wise, because I love the continuous wood-bed-to-wood-floor look.

It has fewer customizations compared to the Classic, but there are still some: You can opt for no headboard or a pillowboard, which comes in eight fabric/color combinations. The bed I saw had the pillowboard upholstered in Italian wool felt, which I preferred over the linen because it feels extra soft and has a more luxurious vibe. I do wish there was an option for a wood headboard, though, as the frame itself is wood and not everyone will be a fan of the mixed material design.

One thing this bed lacks is storage, which won’t be an issue for everyone, but is still something to consider. It sits flush to the ground, which gives it a dose of modern style that will fit right in with a mid-century aesthetic, but that means that there’s no under-bed storage to take advantage of. On the other hand, this is a super-sturdy bed that won’t creak or wobble — especially because of the Japanese joinery. 

Another feature I love is the option to include a floating side table, which can be attached to both the Essential and Classic Beds. The Essential Bed I saw in store had the side table attached, and I was impressed by its sturdiness and versatility. Even though it’s not very big, it’s perfect for storing the essentials. Assembly for the side table is easy and, of course, doesn’t require any tools (you just have to fasten it in place using the included bracket).

Specifications: 

• Styles: Pillowboard, no headboard
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
• Colors: 8 upholstery colors, 4 frame finishes
• Frame: Wood
• Box Spring: Not needed

Thuma’s newest bed frame is the Signature Bed, which has all-over upholstery for a cozy yet chic appearance. Plus, the entire bed is padded with foam, which makes it even more cloud-like. (It actually feels pleasantly squishy!) The Signature Bed is Thuma’s largest bed, with a slightly wider and longer build compared to the Essential and Classic. Its size (plus the lack of under-bed storage) makes this Thuma’s least suitable bed for smaller spaces. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a statement piece, this is the bed for you. 

Similar to the Essential Bed, the Signature Bed is available either with an upholstered headboard or without, and comes in eight different fabric and color combinations. I saw the performance linen in the store, and found it to look and feel very high-quality — although ultimately I do think the Italian wool is my favorite of the two. 

This bed also sits flush to the ground, which limits the storage options but enhances the contemporary vibes. Thanks to the upholstered design, though, it’s not lacking in warmth. I think it falls somewhere in between traditional and contemporary, which makes it suitable for lots of different decor tastes. And once again, this bed comes with super easy, tool-free assembly, thanks to the durable Japanese joinery. 

Specifications: 

• Styles: Headboard, no headboard
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
• Colors: 8 upholstery colors
• Frame: Wood
• Box Spring: Not needed