Thuma The Bed Review

I never trust the Instagram ads in my feed that attempt to lure me into buying another product, but The Bed by Thuma (available at Thuma) drew me in. The Thuma bed is a chic platform bed frame made of wood that requires no tools to assemble.

When shopping for a bed frame, sometimes it feels like the only affordable options are flimsy particle board or solid wood options that cost more than my monthly rent. Plus, no matter which one you buy, bed frames usually come in what feels like a million pieces, taking hours to build.

I put the bed frame together by myself, and while I found it hard to move because of the heavy size, this is one of the best pieces of furniture I own. Here's why I love it.

About The Bed by Thuma

Thuma is a direct-to-consumer online furniture retailer. Primarily focusing on bedroom furniture, Thuma launched in 2018 with its signature platform bed.

The Bed by Thuma is a popular, platform-style frame made of solid wood with a pillowboard or a wooden headboard. The frame comes in three different wood stains, and the pillowboard comes in several neutral colors. The pillow board does not physically attach to the bed frame but instead sits between the wall and the mattress.

The design uses Japanese joinery techniques that interlock together without needing to be secured by screws or bolts. Thuma claims the wood is harvested sustainably and Greenguard Gold certified, a third-party testing process that ensures the products contain no dangerous chemicals.

The base of the Thuma bed features wooden slats for use without a box spring.

If you prefer a solid wood headboard, you can purchase one from Thuma that attaches to the frame.

What we like

It’s easy to assemble

Beyond its beautiful design, the main draw of the Thuma bed is how easy it is to assemble. The bed frame consists of nine pieces plus two hand-tightened screws. Each beam slides into one of the four legs to create a sturdy interlocking system.

I had a vague understanding of how to put it together based on watching online videos. The paper instructions spelled out each step clearly and suggested laying out the pieces in a certain order before starting.

I ordered a king-sized bed frame from Thuma, and as someone of average strength, I successfully put it together with little headache. Each piece fits together flawlessly, and I loved how quickly and easily it came together without any hardware.

The most difficult part of putting together the bed is laying the slats across the built frame. I did this solo and found it cumbersome because the slats are long and heavy. I highly recommend getting a second person to help with this step. Otherwise, most people will be able to put this frame together alone.

The Thuma bed is crafted from sturdy, high-quality materials

My partner and I wanted this to be an investment piece that would last us decades, not just years. We knew a solid wood frame like Thuma's, which can support up to 1,000 pounds, would be sturdier and prolong its life.

The Bed by Thuma is made from repurposed, solid wood and comes in three different shades: natural, walnut, and espresso.

I ordered the bed frame in walnut and was immediately impressed by its gorgeous stain and smooth wood. Each piece has natural wood variations like knots that add character.

The Japanese joinery technique that interlocks the pieces together makes it exceptionally strong. Even with the added weight of a mattress, plus my partner and I sleeping on top, the frame does not move or shake.

It’s the perfect height

I usually avoid platform beds because they are low to the ground and don’t offer much under-bed storage. However, the frame of the Thuma bed is nine inches off the ground, leaving plenty of room for bins.

I also found the height ideal for climbing in and out of bed, and when I sit on the edge, my feet touch the ground.

What we don’t like

It ships in different pieces

Once you purchase the Thuma bed, Thuma provides thorough instructions on how it will ship and arrive on your doorstep. The frame arrives in two boxes, and the headboard arrives in a third. The two boxes the bed frame arrives in are each about 60 pounds.

Thuma also warns you that each piece could get separated in shipment and arrive at different times—and the latter happened with my shipment. I received two boxes at first, one containing half of the bed frame and the other containing the pillow board. The third box didn’t arrive until two days later.

This was a little frustrating because we had two large boxes hanging out in our small apartment that we had to wait to assemble.

It’s heavy and difficult to move

The Thuma bed is heavy due to its solid wood frame.

While I’m lucky to live in a first-floor apartment, carrying the boxes up a set of stairs would be difficult.

Additionally, the individual beams of the bed frame are weighty. While I did find I could lift them on my own, it felt like a workout organizing the pieces.

My biggest advice with the Thuma bed is to build it in the exact spot you plan on using it because moving it after the fact is strenuous.

I assembled the bed in my bedroom. After building it, my partner and I moved it a few inches to the left, which was easier said than done. We had to push at the same time to move it successfully.

Warranty

The Bed by Thuma includes a lifetime warranty that covers the bed frame and slats.

If the bed becomes damaged through normal usage, Thuma will send a replacement piece or product of similar value.

Should you buy The Bed by Thuma?

Yes, this is a thoughtfully designed and well-crafted bed frame

The Thuma bed frame is well-made and crafted from beautiful, solid wood. Despite being so heavy, it is easy to put together.

I also like that there are no tools needed for assembly. The final result is a sturdy piece of furniture that will last years.