I wish all furniture was as simple to build and nice to look at as the Thuma Classic Bed

CNN

26-07-2025

Chances are you've heard of Thuma beds before, even if you're not in the market for a new bed frame. I don't know what your social media algorithm looks like, but my Instagram feeds have been flooded with Thuma ads for what feels like years. Not that I'm complaining; every time I came across one, I would think to myself, 'Seems like a nice bed!'
That's probably because I actually did need a new bed. I spent about six years sleeping on a very basic, now-discontinued Ikea bed I bought used on Craigslist for $100 (it actually looked pretty similar to the Thuma bed in hindsight, except much more complicated to assemble, as Ikea furniture often is), before purchasing a Wayfair bed a couple years ago. This bed, while costing a couple hundred dollars, was hardly an upgrade: The headboard creaked and wobbled around, and when it came time to move into a new apartment this past spring, I knew I didn't want that bed to come with me.
Armed with my newfound realization that cheap furniture is usually, well, cheaply made, it seemed like the right time to finally give Thuma a try — and find out, once and for all, if its proliferation on social media (and high price tag) was actually warranted. I opted to try the Thuma Classic Bed and Headboard in a queen size and put it through its paces from build to bedtime.
Thuma Classic Bed and Headboard
Made from upcycled wood, the Thuma Classic Bed is available in four neutral finishes and three headboard configurations — Headboard, Headboard and Cushion, and Pillowboard — or without a headboard at all. Sizes range from twin to California king. Incredibly easy to build
Thuma touts its use of Japanese joinery — a technique for assembling furniture using wood joints instead of nails — as one of its biggest selling points, and I'm here to say it is indeed a total game changer. After assembling many, many pieces of furniture as a result of my move, I felt like I was drowning in a sea of Allen wrenches, differently shaped screws and complex diagrams. That wasn't the case with the Thuma Classic Bed, though. Yes, there were still quite a few components to the bed, but they were all clearly labeled in the boxes they arrived in and in the provided instructional manual.
No tools were provided with the bed since no tools are needed to put it together — what a concept! Instead, all the pieces slide together seamlessly. In fact, assembly was more akin to doing a giant 3D puzzle than the hard labor of building a piece of furniture I was going to sleep on. The frame pieces were especially satisfying to connect, while the headboard (which is comprised of only two pieces) easily slid into place by matching up pegs with their holes.
Other pieces, like the bed's center leg, easily screwed into its base. The few provided screws, which were much larger (and thus, harder to lose) than a traditional metal screw, easily screwed into their designated holes by hand.
After the frame and headboard are constructed, the final step is to unroll the slats onto the rails. Then you're ready to add your mattress and bedding.
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All in all, the entire build took me about 45 minutes — but I was filming the whole process and working alone. I estimate it might take someone who isn't worried about capturing content about 15 to 20 minutes to assemble, and probably even less than that if you have a second pair of hands to assist.
I have to give extra points to Thuma for its extremely clear, easy-to-follow instruction booklet. It may seem like an insignificant detail, but the manual was printed on thick, high-quality paper — a welcome change from the assembly instructions from big-box stores that are often just a diagram on a single piece of printer paper, no words included. Thuma's directions boasted both a diagram and description for each of its 15 assembly steps, leaving nothing to chance and providing me with peace of mind that I was actually doing the process correctly.
Classic, minimalist design and sturdy construction
I mean, just look at it! The Thuma Classic Bed is an attractive piece of furniture. There aren't too many bells and whistles here, but that's part of the appeal. Its minimalist looks and clean lines are timeless and work well with most design aesthetics.
This bed is a low-profile style, with 9 inches of under-bed storage space. That's plenty for my beloved Open Spaces soft under-bed storage containers (and most other under-bed storage solutions) but not an excessive amount. Plus, the height will work for those who might have mobility issues that cause difficulty getting in and out of bed.
Also, as soon as you're in a room with the Thuma bed or any of its components, you'll be able to tell that they're high quality. The frame is made from 100% upcycled rubberwood with a protective finish and, according to the brand, built for longevity. I've managed to crack or ding plenty of pieces of furniture during the assembly process (what can I say? I'm not the most coordinated), but with the Thuma bed, this doesn't even seem like a remote possibility. The pieces are durable enough to withstand a drop or two during construction and, of course, years of use.
Useful customizations and add-onsA post shared by CNN Underscored (@cnnunderscored) The Thuma Classic is available in all the usual sizes — twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and California king — and in four stain-, scratch- and moisture-resistant wood finishes: Walnut (the color I opted for), Natural, Espresso and Grey.
But the headboard options really make the Thuma standout from other beds. You can choose between a plain headboard, the plain headboard plus a cushion, a pillowboard or no headboard at all, if you just want the frame on its own. The pillowboard and headboard cushion are available in either performance linen or Italian wool felt and come in four neutral colors each. I personally decided to forgo the fabric add-on to the headboard, since I know my cat would mistake it as a very expensive scratching post.
The price of the bed varies based on the configuration you choose, with the no-headboard option being the least expensive. The pillowboard in linen adds an additional $200 (in the felt, it's an extra $50 on top of that). The plain headboard is $800 more than the no-frame option, and if you opt for the cushion add-on, the price increases anywhere from $190 to $240.
While the Thuma Classic is a study in minimalism, it's not lacking when it comes to helpful add-ons. You can opt to upgrade your bed with a set of integrated under-bed drawers or a floating side table. If you didn't originally add on the cushion to your headboard (or the headboard, period), you can purchase one separately. The brand also offers bolsters to add height to your pillowboard, a felt sleeve to be used in lieu of a nightstand, a felt underbed storage bin and even a matching dog bed.
You may have noticed that the Thuma bed doesn't exactly come cheap. While I may have written this bed off as too expensive back in my Ikea bed days, having assembled and slept on my share of cheaper beds over the years has shown me the light. The Thuma bed is an investment, but it's a worthwhile one. The high quality of the materials and construction more than justify the higher price tag, and so does the fact that this will probably be the last bed you ever buy — unless you want to graduate to a new size, that is.
The only other downside that comes to mind may not be an issue for most. The Thuma Classic Bed ships in three boxes, which isn't a huge deal. However, my boxes didn't arrive all together (Thuma notes this is a possibility on its website), and unluckily, one of my boxes got lost by the shipping company. Thuma was kind enough to send me a replacement, and I imagine this is a rare situation that won't happen to most people. It might be a slight inconvenience not to be able to jump right into assembly if your boxes happen to arrive separately, but by no means is this a deal breaker.
The Thuma Classic Bed is undoubtedly a splurge. But when you take into account the quality of the materials, timeless design and plentiful add-on options, it's well worth the high price tag. This isn't the kind of bed that squeaks and creaks, and you have to replace in a couple years; it's the kind that you buy once and you never really have to think about it again because it's working exactly as it's supposed to. Personally, I have a strong feeling that this Thuma bed is going to be with me for many years — and moves — to come.
Is the Thuma Classic Bed worth the price?
Is the Thuma Classic Bed worth the price?
After assembling and sleeping on the Thuma Classic Bed for more than two months, it's well worth its high price tag, in my opinion. While cheaper beds are definitely widely available, none are as simple to put together. The bed is also extremely sturdy, and its wood finish is attractive and should suit most bedroom decor aesthetics. I plan to use this bed for years to come and will be taking it along with me the next time I move.
Does the Thuma Classic Bed squeak?
Does the Thuma Classic Bed squeak?
No, in my experience, the Thuma Classic Bed does not squeak or make any other noticeable sounds. According to the brand, its double-strength slats are lined with felt made from recycled plastics, which contributes to sound reduction.
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best in our product reviews and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, editorial director Chelsea Stone assembled and tested the Thuma Classic Bed, and now she sleeps on it every night.