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LA Good Question: Inexpensive Modern Bed?

051308_bed.jpgDear AT -

Help! I need a bed. I've been searching high & low for a new bed for my recent move
and seem to be turning up empty on anything under $1200. I'm looking for something low,
wooden (not crucial), and modern. Yes, there is IKEA, but I don't know if I can stomach
it. I love the "Lowry" from Room & Board, but it seems like a bit much. There is also the "Laguna" from the Ty Pennington collection at Sears, but it seems like some readers don't think the quality is very good.

Can anyone recommend good local places or anything they know of to help me?

Thanks!
Scott

 
 

Hi Ted,

We know you're wary of Ikea, but their Malm series can be very unobtrusive and clean. Also, check out our post on More Cheap and Chic Headboard Ideas. Otherwise, since you like modern lines, have you considered making your own bed? Check out these links for some diy projects:


Look! DIY Scrap Digital Art Print Bed

What are your ideas?

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Comments (22)

I'd either go to one of the West Elm beds...
...or look on Craigslist.

posted by bepsf on May 13th 2008 at 8:49am
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The beautiful LAX platform is within your budget, though the wall-mounted headboard is sold separately:
http://www.designpublic.com/shop/mash-studios/6098

Also, don't fear IKEA. I've had two IKEA beds (previously a Malm, which I used for 5 years and moved with it at least 4 times; and now the Anes, which I bought as a size upgrade from full to queen) and they've been GREAT. As long as you buy the more expensive slats, the quality is really quite good.

posted by Anna at D16 on May 13th 2008 at 8:53am
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Crate and Barrel also have several beds in your pricerange...

posted by bepsf on May 13th 2008 at 8:53am
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i would look at z gallerie. i really like the alto bed. i looked at the platform bed by west elm, but didnt like it as much in person. plus the alto bed just dropped in price by $200.

http://www.zgallerie.com/pc-3682-66-alto-bed.aspx

posted by poliakva on May 13th 2008 at 8:57am
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i had a similar dilemma last year. we ended up going with the low frame from west elm. it's held up much better than our previous ikea frame, and the price was right. not as sleek as the room & board frame, but hey, you pay for what you get. sigh.

posted by scmorgan81 on May 13th 2008 at 9:01am
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CB2.com (Crate and Barrel's sister site) has some really fantasitic beds for under $1000; they have a few mid-century inspired wood bed/headboards, and a couple fantastic upholstered beds as well. Great options start at $500 (plus shipping) and all of their offerings look far more expensive and are of Crate and Barrel quality.

Take a peek : http://www.cb2.com/bedroom-furniture/bedroom/1

posted by SpanishOlives on May 13th 2008 at 9:03am
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We have an Amisco platform bed [seen here], which is in your price range but probably too tall and also not wood. It came from the aptly named PlatformBeds.com, which has a good selection of wooden beds. The Pecos bed is simple, low, and only $240 for a queen.

posted by visualingual on May 13th 2008 at 9:04am
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Have you looked in the clearance section of Room and Board, they have several beds...this one is only $599. Its not as modern as the one you posted but it still has clean lines and a simple frame

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product.do?method=get&id=354731&coll=377372&cat=6

posted by designerny on May 13th 2008 at 9:07am
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Scott, do you have an EQ3 near you? You should check out their NEST bed.

http://eq3.com/cat-eq3/process/locale/en_US/currency/en_US/3080-405 415.html

posted by sparkle on May 13th 2008 at 9:14am
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Does anybody know what the bed is that's shown above?

posted by MelissaDC on May 13th 2008 at 9:20am
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Have you looked at Ethan Allen? You might like the Morgan bed or the Horizontal slat bed. Both are $900 for a queen size, which is not cheap, but the quality is good. You might also be able to get free delivery depending on where you live.

I have heard some really disappointing things about the west elm beds. It's not a good deal if the bed breaks, ruins your mattress, and voids your manufacturer's warranty. I would put my mattress on the floor and save up for a sturdy frame instead of buying a cheap bed.

posted by raven on May 13th 2008 at 9:20am
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I'm in the process of making my own platform bed, this will be to replace my previous homemade platform bed.

I'll have spent under $200 when all is said and done on the second version.

posted by plasticorange on May 13th 2008 at 9:23am
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Can anyone ID the bed in the post?

posted by pvett on May 13th 2008 at 9:29am
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Last summer I got the Ellis Bedroom Set from Crate and Barrel. The queen size bed is only $599 and the quality is great.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1011&f=12287
I also got the matching nightstand, 2 four drawer dressers, and 2 mirrors. All of the pieces are reasonably priced and made very well. I also love how the drawers automatically close.

posted by heather lauren on May 13th 2008 at 9:33am
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The bed in the photo is the Lowry bed from Room & Board that's mentioned in the post.

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=4088943&cat=45

posted by Liana on May 13th 2008 at 9:39am
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We got a beautiful, high quality bed made by hand for 2/3 the cost of a bed we liked at Thomasville. We just took a picture of the bed to a local craftsman, and asked if he could design something similar. We live in Philadelphia, so the actual shop name wouldn't be of use, but perhaps there is something similar where you live? What was really great was that the same person we worked with at the store made the bed and delivered it -- no middleman!

posted by clancy on May 13th 2008 at 9:42am
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We had a glorious four-poster from Crate and Barrel (around $1600 - king size) but the two dachshunds could not possible reach it and we found our toes didn't even touch the floor when we sat upright to get up in the morning. We replaced it with a platform bed from CB2 ( around $600, also a king) and not only is it far more appropriate for the space, but we're very happy and the dogs? They're ecstatic!

A final note: the folks at CB2 are outstandingly helpful.

posted by Marco on May 13th 2008 at 10:21am
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I lust LUST for the lowry bed . . .I've wanted it for so long, and have even gone as far as checking at my local art and design college to see if some furniture design student would make a replica on the cheap for me. . .sigh. . .

posted by ivegots on May 13th 2008 at 11:13am
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It is a Lowry bed from Room and Board


http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=4088943&cat=45

posted by mjr on May 13th 2008 at 11:53am
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We have this bed. $300 for real solid wood, I don't think it can be beat.

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Simple-Platform-Queen-size-Bed/846622/product.html?

posted by PDX01 on May 13th 2008 at 12:11pm
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Here is a craigslist post for the LAX bed in birch for $500 (apparently including headboard...) Might be worth investigating.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/fur/674693138.html

posted by RichardinLA on May 13th 2008 at 1:47pm
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This isn't going to help, but I have the Lowry bed and love it. My wife and I decided that we might as well spend a little more and get what we will want to keep around for a long time to come. We ended up not giving eachother Christmas gifts in lieu of the bedroom furniture (we have the Lowry suite, probably much to the chagrin of those that loathe matching furniture :) ).

posted by zach_f on May 13th 2008 at 7:49pm
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