Summary: After years of dealing with a secondhand bed frame that was literally held together by wires, transitioning to Thuma‘s sustainably crafted bed frame has been a dream. With its eco-friendly materials, easy setup, and stylish underbed storage, it has transformed our bedroom into a more functional and serene space. Over a month later, it’s still one of our favorite pieces of furniture.

Pros:

  • Sustainable & Durable Materials: Made with upcycled wood and a commitment to environmentally responsible design, Thuma’s bed frame is both eco-conscious and built to last.
  • Tool-Free, Easy Assembly: The intuitive, no-tool setup takes about 30 minutes and is straightforward enough for two people to complete with minimal stress.
  • Stylish Underbed Storage: The optional drawers are sleek, minimal, and surprisingly spacious — perfect for linens, books, or bedtime essentials without compromising aesthetics.

Cons:

  • Higher Price Point: Thuma’s pieces are an investment ($1995 for a Queen), which might not fit every budget — even though the longevity and quality help justify the cost.
  • Heavy Delivery Boxes: The bed frame arrives in several large, heavy boxes, which can be difficult to move without help.

For years, my approach to bed frames was decidedly frugal. Scouring thrift stores and online marketplaces, I always opted for secondhand pieces, convincing myself that function outweighed form. My most recent iron bed frame was a testament to this mindset — held together by a bunch of wires and reinforced with mismatched scrap wood to prevent the mattress from sagging through the gaps. Each night, as the frame creaked and groaned beneath us, my husband and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was time to invest in something more reliable.​

The tipping point came when we moved this winter. Having to take our old bed frame apart and put it back together was enough work, and we knew it was time to get something new. We needed a bed frame that offered both stability and style, one that aligned with our growing commitment to sustainability. Enter Thuma, a sustainable brand renowned for its eco-friendly practices and minimalist designs.​

About Thuma

Founded in 2018 and based in San Francisco, Thuma has carved a niche in the furniture industry by emphasizing quality craftsmanship, environmental responsibility, and thoughtful design. The company’s mission revolves around creating bedroom essentials that are both functional and sustainable, ensuring that each piece not only enhances the living space but also minimizes environmental impact.​ 

“Thuma has carved a niche in the furniture industry by emphasizing quality craftsmanship, environmental responsibility, and thoughtful design.”

Thuma’s commitment to sustainability is evident in their choice of materials and manufacturing processes. Opting for furniture crafted from sustainable wood is not only an aesthetic choice but also an environmentally responsible one. Wood has a smaller environmental impact compared to materials like steel or concrete, as it is renewable, biodegradable, and requires less energy to produce. Additionally, trees absorb carbon dioxide, and wood products continue to store this carbon, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. 

Thuma’s bed frame is constructed from upcycled rubberwood — sourced from rubber trees that have reached the end of their latex-producing lifecycle, typically around 30 years. By repurposing this wood, the brand reduces waste and gives new life to materials that would otherwise be discarded.​

In terms of certifications, Thuma’s bed frames boast the GREENGUARD Gold certification, indicating they have undergone rigorous testing for chemical emissions, ensuring cleaner indoor air quality. Additionally, Thuma commits to planting a tree for every bed sold through a partnership with One Tree Planted, further solidifying its dedication to environmental stewardship.​

Setting up Thuma’s bed frame

But how is the actual bed frame, you may be wondering? Upon arrival, the Thuma bed frame was delivered in several substantial cardboard boxes. We chose the Classic Bed frame in Walnut (it also comes in Natural, Espresso, and Gray). Enlisting my husband’s help, we embarked on the assembly process, which, to our delight, was straightforward and efficient. Thuma’s innovative design employs Japanese joinery techniques, allowing the frame to be assembled without tools. The clear instructions that we were able to pull up via QR code on our computer guided us through the process, and within approximately 30 minutes, we had a sturdy and elegant bed frame ready for use.​

Disassembled bed frame parts on a wooden floor next to a mattress, dresser, lamp, and nightstand in a dimly lit room.
Person wearing a cap assembling wooden furniture pieces on a hardwood floor.
Thuma’s clear instructions and brilliant design made assembly fast and painless.

Sleeping on the Thuma bed frame

Of course, furniture can look pretty without delivering on functionality, but that wasn’t the case with Thuma. Our first night of sleep was nothing short of transformative. The sturdy construction eliminated the creaks and groans we had grown accustomed to, providing a silent and supportive foundation for our mattress. Additionally, as I’m currently pregnant and have to get up multiple times in the night (iykyk), I appreciate the rounded corners of the frame, which means there is no bumping my shins in the dark.

“Our first night of sleep was nothing short of transformative.”

An added benefit of the Thuma bed frame is its thoughtful underbed storage options — we opted for two of the minimalist and chic storage drawers, which seamlessly integrate with the frame’s design. Unfortunately, these are not included and cost an additional $590 for a set of two. But at 35 inches wide and 19 inches deep, they provide ample space for extra linens, clothing, or nighttime essentials (I’ve been using mine for my weighted blanket). This feature enhances the bed’s functionality and contributes to a clutter-free and serene bedroom environment — a literal dream.

Over a month has passed since we set up the bed frame, and it has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives. It has become one of our favorite pieces of furniture, not only for its functionality but also for its aesthetic appeal. No joke, last night my husband said (as we brushed our teeth before bed), “I really, really love this bed frame.”​

Wooden bed frame with an integrated drawer partially pulled out, on a hardwood floor.
Bedroom with a wooden bed frame and white bedding, a wooden dresser with a lamp and items, wooden floor, ceiling fan, and window with blinds partially open.
The Thuma frame was sturdy and silent, and our two new storage drawers are chic and functional.

Exploring Thuma’s product line

Beyond bed frames, Thuma offers a range of thoughtfully designed furniture pieces that maintain the brand’s commitment to sustainability and minimalist aesthetics. Their collection includes the Nest Nightstand, a sleek bedside table crafted from solid wood, featuring intuitive organization and generous display space.

“Thuma offers a range of thoughtfully designed furniture pieces that maintain the brand’s commitment to sustainability and minimalist aesthetics.”

Additionally, the Pillar Bookshelf offers airy, open shelving with wide pillars, providing versatile storage and display options. These pieces echo the clean lines and functional elegance that Thuma is known for, allowing for a cohesive and environmentally conscious bedroom setup.

Final thoughts

Transitioning from our squeaky secondhand iron bed frame — held together with rogue wires and some seriously questionable scrap wood — into Thuma’s beautifully crafted masterpiece has been nothing short of dreamy. It’s one of those upgrades where you wonder why you waited so long. The thoughtful design, sustainable materials, and clever storage make our bedroom feel like an actual retreat instead of a temporary setup.

“The thoughtful design, sustainable materials, and clever storage make our bedroom feel like an actual retreat instead of a temporary setup.”

What’s especially refreshing is how easy the whole experience has been — from the intuitive, no-tool assembly to the way it just works in our space. The underbed drawers are sleek and practical (finally, a stylish home for extra linens and those nighttime reads I swear I’ll finish), and the frame itself feels sturdy in that quiet, solid, built-to-last kind of way.

Yes, Thuma is an investment, but I’d make it again in a heartbeat. For anyone looking to level up their sleep setup with a piece that’s as functional as it is environmentally conscious, this is it. I know we’ll be sleeping on this frame for decades, and honestly, that peace of mind feels more than worth it.

Kayti Christian is a Senior Content Strategist at The Good Trade. With an MFA in Nonfiction Creative Writing, her work has appeared in TODAY, Shondaland, and The New York Times. Since 2017, Kayti has been uncovering and reviewing the best sustainable home brands and wellness products. Her personal journey through four years of fertility treatments has inspired her to write extensively about women’s healthcare and reproductive access. Beyond her work at The Good Trade, Kayti is the creator of Feelings Not Aside, a Substack newsletter with 6,000 subscribers, and the cohost of the FriedEggs Podcast, which delves into IVF and infertility.