I tried Thuma's first easy-to-assemble upholstered bed. It looks sleek, but I miss my under-bed storage.

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As a home and sleep writer, I prefer to decorate my bedroom with sleep products that are both functional and stylish. For me, the best sheets come in unique patterns, a range of colors, and timeless designs, and I love a throw blanket that levels up my bed with a certain panache. When I saw that Thuma was introducing a gorgeous upholstered bed to their line-up that could be assembled without tools, I knew that I had to give it a try. Looks matter, just as much as I value durability and a hassle-free setup.

Thuma undoubtedly makes some of the best bed frames on the market. In February 2025, Thuma debuted the Signature Bed, a low-profile upholstered bed frame. It's the brand's first fully upholstered design, while also maintaining the easy assembly of the Classic Bed that started it all, a timeless wooden style that we've previously reviewed as a well-made, durable, and customizable option for frequent movers. It's rare to find an upholstered bed frame that assembles easily without tools, so I was eager to test out the Signature Bed. Read on to find my experience living with this stylish bed frame in my home.

Design

Thuma is best known for its simple design using a woodworking technique called Japanese joinery where joints are put together using an interlocking design, rather than using screws, nails, or glue. This construction ensures Thuma bed frames can be assembled without the use of tools. The beds are made of solid wood that undergoes a kiln-drying process for enhanced durability. Whereas the original Classic bed showcases where the Japanese joinery interlock, the Signature hides it for a streamlined, minimalist look.

The Signature Bed is an upholstered platform bed with a low-to-the-ground profile that Thuma describes as "enveloping." The mattress sits cradled within the upholstered bed frame by three inches. The full upholstery sets it apart from other Thuma bed frames, which are made of solid, upcycled rubberwood. Sustainability is still at the forefront. The Signature is available with a stain-resistant linen blend of polyester, viscose and linen that is OEKO-TEX Class 2 certified, meaning it's passed safety tests for the presence of harmful substances, or wool felt, which is made from 100% recycled materials including 70% post-consumer recycled wool. Both are available in four neutral colors like alabaster or heathered oatmeal. The upholstered parts of the bed are padded with foam for a supportive, cushy feel.

The brand advises against using box springs with the bed frame, since the slats are meant to support your mattress. The extra-wide slats are lined with felt for durability and to reduce sound and lock into place to prevent mattress movement. The bed frame can hold up to 1,500 pounds, including your mattress.

The Thuma Signature Bed starts at $1,395 for a queen for the frame; adding a headboard pushes the price nearly $1,000 to $2,200. At launch the bed is available in queen, king, and California king; twin, twin XL, and full sizes are anticipated to be released, as denoted on the website. The bed sits 11.5 inches off the ground, while the headboard raises up three feet. It consists of five main parts: two long edges for the sides, the headboard, the baseboard, and a pack of extra-wide slats. I tested a king-size Thuma Signature Bed with a headboard in performance linen in the natural shade.

Trial and warranty

Thuma offers a 100-day trial for its Signature Bed, during which you can arrange to return it for a full refund at no cost.

The Signature Bed is also covered by a lifetime warranty. If you discover any manufacturing or production flaws in your bed frame after normal use, you can file a warranty claim to have your bed frame repaired or replaced.

Our review of the Thuma Signature Bed

Delivery and set-up

At checkout, Thuma recommended the premium delivery option, which includes in-home setup for an additional $295, or free standard shipping. Quick assembly aside, after trying to lug the four large and unwieldy boxes into my home, I'm inclined to agree.

Since Thuma's main selling point is its ease of assembly, I wanted to set my bed frame on my own as I was also a little skeptical of the claim that the Signature Bed takes one person five minutes to assemble after removing it from its packaging.

When the truck arrived, I could see the delivery driver struggling a bit, so I offered to help. It took about 30 minutes to offload the pallet onto my driveway. By then, the pallet was actually broken from its heft.

I could shimmy two boxes from my driveway to my house on my own, but I needed my partner's help to get the other boxes inside. We then had to navigate our narrow hallways and doorframes with the large boxes. Thankfully, we didn't have to traverse any stairs, which would've been an issue. After getting a box stuck in our hallway and being forced to break it down, we finally succeeded in getting all the pieces into our bedroom.

I carefully used a box cutter to ensure I didn't tear into the bed frame's upholstery, which was wrapped in a protective plastic covering. There wasn't any guidance on which box to open first. I didn't find the instructions until I opened the third box, which was in a thick, black envelope that clearly explained the steps for putting the bed together.

To assemble the bed, I first connected the four main pieces using the brand's signature Japanese joinery technique. Connecting the pieces was intuitive. I slotted the joints together and they stayed together firmly. Then I unrolled the wooden slats on top. I secured the slats with two large screws that I hand-turned. Voila: I had a finished, sturdy bedframe.

The bed was easy to put together, but saying that it takes five minutes for one person to assemble is a stretch. After removing the pieces from the boxes, it took me and my partner about 15 minutes to put them together. Including the time it took to get the boxes inside and unboxed, the entire process took over an hour. I'm glad I tested out the assembly process for myself, but if you're able to, I would recommend spending a little extra for the in-home delivery and setup. There was quite a bit of schlepping involved, and lots of large packaging to break down, similar to another contributor who reviewed Thuma's modular dresser.

What it's like to use

My partner and I are both heavy people, so I'm always a little worried that a bed frame won't be able to support our weight. Our old bed frame consistently squeaked and creaked at every little movement throughout the night. With our new Thuma bed, we felt supported by its sturdy and durable frame. The bed never squeaks, so I sleep soundly in the night even when the dog jumps on our bed.

I love the upholstered feel of the Signature bed. The headboard is comfortable to lean against while reading before bed. The padding is thick and supportive, with no sharp edges to bump your head or stub your toe on.

The real draw of the Signature Bed is its attractive design. The bed has a modern design that fits well with your existing bedroom decor because of its neutral tones and soft edges. My bedroom is decorated in green-blue shades with wide walnut nightstands, gold-edged mirrors, and an antique writing desk that I use as a vanity. I like how it helps pull my room together.

One aspect I noticed is how the thickness of your mattress can also influence how pronounced the design of the headboard is. I changed mattresses while using this bed frame. My previous mattress was about 10 inches tall, whereas my new mattress is over 15 inches tall. My thin mattress highlighted the headboard, but my taller mattress blends seamlessly into the bed's design.

I'm also used to a bed frame that sits higher off the ground, so this bed has been an adjustment. The first night, it took a while for me to get used to being so close to the ground. If you have mobility problems, this may not be the best bed for you. My partner and I both agreed that it was giving "sleepover vibes."

Another consideration, in exchange for the clean lines and aesthetic, you will sacrifice storage space underneath the bed. We used to keep our extra linens under the bed, but as there is no under-bed clearance we've since had to relocate them. The bed frame is also significantly wider than our mattress, so keep that in mind if you have tight space in your bedroom. We had to relocate one of our nightstands because the bedframe took up extra space in our room.

After using this bed, I've noticed that there are two-inch-long gaps between the mattress edge and the upholstered edge, which leaves slats exposed. When I first put the bed together, I was actually worried that we had ordered a California king instead of a king. This feature provides space to tuck in your bedding, but the exposed slats also seem gaping enough for a phone to fall and get trapped.

In styling, I've found that tucking in the sheets and blankets provides a cleaner and more streamlined look than letting it hang or drape.

Cons to consider

While I love the look of the Signature Bed, I miss my under-bed storage. I'm also not a fan of sleeping so low to the ground, but that's based on personal preference.

If you have limited space in your bedroom, keep in mind that this bed frame is about two inches wider than your mattress. The extra four inches can have a serious impact on your layout if space is already tight in your room.

Lastly, there are gaps between the edge of the mattress and the upholstery. The exposed slats aren't attractive, and phones and other small objects are prone to falling through.

What are your alternatives?

Thuma's other bed frames depend on the look you are trying to achieve while offering easy assembly and high-quality materials. The original Classic Bed is available in four wood finishes and has an airy design with nine inches of clearance underneath. The Essential Bed has a similar low-profile platform design to the Signature but is made of solid wood. Both are available as a frame and with a headboard.

Several brands have tried to replicate the success and ease of Thuma's interlocking bed frames, such as Silk and Snow, whose Wooden Bed Frame is available in two finishes with several headboard options. When we tested Silk and Snow's bed frame, we were impressed with its durability and lower price points, but it offers fewer customizations.

We've yet to identify more upholstered bed frame options that offer the same swift tool-free assembly.

Check out our best bed frames guide for interior designer recommendations, including upholstered and low-profile options.

The bottom line

If you love a modern look in your bedroom, you'll love the Thuma Signature Bed. It is perfect if you prefer a minimalistic aesthetic that's low to the ground. Once unboxed, it's easy to put together thanks to Japanese joinery. I didn't love the lack of under-bed storage or the exposed slats, but I was impressed by its durability. It also comes with a 100-night trial and lifetime warranty.