The Thuma Bed and 7 Frames With the Same Calm
If you have watched a bedroom tour in the last few years, you have probably met it already. A low wooden frame. Soft, rounded corners. A cushy headboard leaning against the wall. Not a single screw in sight. That is the Thuma Classic Bed, and it has quietly become the unofficial uniform of the calm, minimalist bedroom.
Below, we break down what actually makes a Thuma a Thuma, then round up seven platform beds that share its look, its tool-free spirit, or both.
Part of the Thuma's appeal is how little it asks of you. There's no hardware bag to lose and no headboard to bolt to the wall, and the clean shape looks just as at home in a studio apartment as in a primary suite. That pared-back style has caught on well beyond one brand, so you can now find joinery-style frames, softened corners and quiet slats in a range of woods, finishes and headboard styles. Whether you're furnishing a first place or refreshing a guest room, one of these is likely to fit your space.
What makes the Thuma bed the Thuma bed
Thuma started with one product, now called the Classic Bed, and it is still the one everyone means when they say "the Thuma bed." Here is what sets it apart:
- Japanese joinery, no tools. The pieces slot together like a puzzle. Thuma says setup takes about five minutes, though first-timers in reviews report anywhere from ten minutes to an afternoon.
- Upcycled rubberwood. The frame is made from repurposed wood, so every bed has its own grain and knots.
- Rounded corners and a low profile. The frame sits close to the floor, with about 9 inches of space underneath for storage bins.
- Quiet by design. Felt-lined joints and cushion-coated slats keep it from creaking.
- Finishes: Walnut, Natural, Oak and Espresso.
- Headboard options: frame only, the padded Pillowboard (sold separately, $375 in queen), or a solid wood headboard.
- Peace of mind: a lifetime warranty and a 100-night trial.
A queen Classic Bed frame runs about $1,095 before you add a headboard. Thuma has also added two newer frames: the Essential Bed, which stands taller with more room underneath, and the Signature Bed, which is fully upholstered.
How we picked
We looked for frames that share at least three of the Thuma's signature traits: solid wood, tool-free or joinery-style assembly, softened edges, a low silhouette, and slats built to stay quiet. Some picks nail the overall look. Others nail one specific detail, like the Pillowboard headboard.
Under each pick, you'll find a quick spec check against the Thuma Classic Bed. Specs come from each maker's or retailer's listing and can vary by size, so check the listing for the size you need.
The picks
1. The closest twin: Flexispot Kana Japanese Joinery Platform Bed
If you want the Thuma silhouette with as few changes as possible, start here. It uses Japanese joinery, a solid wood frame and slat support, and it comes in a deep dark walnut that looks great against crisp white bedding.
How it compares: The closest overall match. It has a little more room underneath, and the legs sit inward so the bed fits snug against the wall.
2. For the rounded corners: NFusion Gaia Mid-Century Platform Bed
The Gaia gets the detail most frames miss: those soft, rounded corners. It is also made from solid rubberwood, the same wood Thuma uses, with slats built right in and no box spring required.
How it compares: Same wood and the same soft corners, with a slightly more retro feel.
3. For the natural-wood purist: BRINTAVO Japanese Joinery Platform Bed
A light, natural finish and joinery-style construction make this one a strong match for Thuma's Natural colorway. Pair it with linen bedding and a jute rug for the full Scandi-meets-Japandi effect.
How it compares: Nearly the same build and height, in a light natural tone.
4. For the Pillowboard look: Upholstered Platform Bed With Corduroy Headboard
$731.16 on sale at Bed Bath & Beyond
Love the Pillowboard most of all? This queen frame pairs a solid rubberwood base in a light walnut finish with a padded headboard, so you get the whole look in one box. Corduroy instead of linen adds a cozy, slightly retro twist.
How it compares: The frame-plus-Pillowboard look in one box, with corduroy instead of linen.
5. For a wood headboard: Union Rustic Japanese Joinery Platform Bed
If you prefer Thuma's solid wood headboard to the padded one, this queen frame comes with a matching walnut panel headboard and joinery construction. No separate headboard to shop for.
How it compares: Like a Classic Bed with the wood headboard already attached, in a deeper walnut.
6. The handmade one: busywood Low-Profile Japanese Joinery Bed
From $535 at Etsy (queen floor version; slats sold separately)
Made by hand by a small woodworking shop, this frame leans even more into the Japanese influence. It sits lower than the Thuma, closer to a tatami-style floor bed, which works well in rooms with low windows or sloped ceilings.
How it compares: Much lower than the Thuma. The listed price is for the floor version, and slats are sold separately.
7. The simple starter: VanAcc Tool-Free Solid Wood Bed Frame
This queen frame uses traditional mortise-and-tenon joints (one piece slots into a carved opening in the other), so it goes together without tools. It is a great fit for a first apartment or a guest room.
How it compares: Same wood and the same no-tools idea, in a plainer frame.
Which one is right for you?
The bottom line
The Thuma earned its fan club by doing a few simple things very well: solid wood, a frame that goes together in minutes, and a shape that makes any bedroom feel calmer. Those same qualities show up across every bed on this list, each with its own twist. Some stay close to the original, while others swap in a corduroy headboard, a handmade frame or a lower, floor-hugging profile.
Start with the detail you care about most, whether that's the rounded corners, the padded headboard or the five-minute setup, and let that guide your pick. Add crisp linen bedding and a pair of simple nightstands, and you'll have the whole serene look, whichever frame you choose.
Prices reflect listings at the time of writing and may change. Dupe may earn a commission when you shop through links on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Thuma bed made of?
The Classic Bed is made from upcycled solid rubberwood, so every frame has its own grain and knots. It comes in Walnut, Natural, Oak and Espresso.
- How long does it take to set up?
Thuma says about five minutes with no tools, though first-timers often take longer. Most of the picks above also use tool-free joinery. The NFusion Gaia and the corduroy bed go together like a standard bed frame.
- Does the Thuma bed come with a headboard?
No. You can add the padded Pillowboard ($375 in queen) or a solid wood headboard. If you want one in the box, the corduroy bed and the Union Rustic frame both include a headboard.
- Do these beds need a box spring?
No. Like the Thuma, they are platform beds, so your mattress goes right on the slats. The one exception is the busywood floor bed, where slats are sold separately.
- Will my mattress work?
Most foam, hybrid and innerspring mattresses work on a slatted platform frame. Check the slat spacing your mattress maker recommends before you buy.
- Can I store things under the bed?
The Thuma leaves about 9 inches underneath, enough for low storage bins. The Flexispot Kana and BRINTAVO leave about the same. The busywood bed sits on the floor, so it has no space underneath.
- Which pick is the closest match to the Thuma?
The Flexispot Kana. It shares the solid rubberwood, tool-free joinery and low, softened silhouette, and it offers a matching headboard.
- Is the Thuma bed worth it?
If you plan to keep your bed for many years and move often, the lifetime warranty and quick setup are real perks. If you mainly want the look, the frames above get you there.