I Finally Tested Every Article Bed I’ve Seen Online for Years — Here are the Best for Every Need

Choosing a bed frame is a big deal (it’s the foundation of your bedroom!), and the stakes are even higher if you’re buying one online. It can be tough to gauge the sturdiness and scale of a model through a computer screen, and no one wants the fuss of returning furniture. That’s why our Personal Shopper series is so useful. I do the research for you by visiting stores to test furniture IRL. We’ve visited big-box stores like Room & Board, Crate & Barrel, and Ashley, but Personal Shopper really shines when we get to review brands like Article, the modern DTC (direct to consumer) furniture and decor brand that primarily sells online. 

If you’ve been as curious about Article furniture as I have, I flew over six hours from NYC to spend the day at the brand’s only flagship store and test every bed on the showroom floor. Now I’m back to report on the best Article bed frames for your space and needs. 

Except for Article’s flagship store in Vancouver, it’s an online-only business — which means you likely won’t get to touch and feel their products before purchasing (unless you live nearby). And if you’ve seen Article furniture online as often as I have, you’re probably tempted to make a purchase, because the brand makes some of the most stylish mid-century modern and Scandinavian-inspired furniture I’ve seen. That’s why I did the field work for you by checking out Article beds IRL. 

Article has over 100 bed frame options, so you’re bound to find a model that fits your personal style, whether it’s mid-century modern, Scandinavian, contemporary, or boho. And because Article works directly with manufacturers, it’s able to make high-quality, high-end pieces at a more reasonable price point than its luxury competitors. Even better, you can always choose white-glove delivery (for $199) at checkout for the ultimate experience. Article offers inside room delivery ($119), too, which means the delivery person will bring your order to the room of your choosing (without assembly), sparing you from lugging a heavy box up your stairs or through a tight apartment hallway. 

I judged every Article bed frame in-store based on the following five criteria to help determine which bed is best for your specific needs. 

• Customizability: Does it come in different colors, finishes, and sizes? What materials does it come in? 
• Space needs: How much space does the bed frame require? Does it have a canopy or need high ceilings? Is it bulky or does it stay close to its appointed mattress size?
• Platform height: How high off the ground is the bed frame? Would it generally require bending down or reaching up to get in? Is it difficult to get out of? 
• Storage capacity: Does the bed frame include drawers? Does it have space underneath for under-bed storage? Does its headboard have storage capacity?
• Appearance: What decor style does the bed frame suit best? Is it sleek and modern or casual and coastal? Is it classic with neutral upholstery or boho with natural textures? 

Every Article bed was tested by me, Alexa Casanova. As Apartment Therapy’s shopping writer, it’s essentially my job to test, review, and recommend products, whether they’re bed frames, modular sofas, coffee tables, or anything else you may be looking for. I’ve covered them all, so I know what makes a piece of furniture worth buying. I was previously the commerce editor at Design Milk and Well+Good. 

I traveled to Article’s flagship store in Vancouver to evaluate the brand’s bed frames for their design, storage capacity, and customizability. 

What impressed me: The Cooper bed nods to mid-century modern style while keeping a sleek footprint, which makes it a perfect fit for small studios and apartments. The angled headboard and legs give this ornament-free silhouette an understated vintage look, and the warm walnut finish only adds to the effect.  

It’s a platform bed with a lower profile, but I was still able to sit down and get up comfortably (I’m around 5’5”, for reference). And while the Cooper bed doesn’t have any built-in storage, it does give you about 7 inches of clearance, which gives you plenty of room for a few slim underbed storage bins. It does require some assembly, but the folks in-store assured me that it’s on the lower end of the difficulty scale. 

Specifications:

• Styles: The Cooper line includes a nightstand, 6-drawer dresser, and 5-drawer chest   
• Materials: Solid beech, plywood, walnut veneer
• Sizes: Queen, King 
• Finishes: Walnut or Natural Oak  

What impressed me: The Lenia bed proves that you don’t have to compromise style for storage. It has four 21.75-inch-deep, soft-closing drawers that offer more than enough space for off-season clothes, spare blankets, and more. It also looks straight out of a Scandinavian cottage with its tapered legs and curved drawer pulls. I saw the Lenia in the white oak finish, but interestingly enough it takes on a more MCM look in the walnut — so it’s a bed frame that will agree with various decor aesthetics. 

Even better, the bed felt solid and sturdy. It didn’t wobble or creak at all when I threw myself onto it in-store (which looked as awkward as you’re envisioning). It’s also a standard height compared with the Cooper, and I was still able to get in and out of it with minimal effort. In terms of assembly, the Lenia bed is a little more involved due to the storage drawers, but the drawers themselves arrive preassembled, so it’s not too bad compared with other storage bed models I’ve seen elsewhere. One more thing to note about the drawers, though, is that the drawers at the head of the bed may bump into a nightstand — thankfully Article sells a matching floating nightstand to solve this. 

Specifications:

• Styles: The Lenia line includes a daybed, spindle headboard bed, panel bed, an upholstered bed, a 9-drawer dresser, 6-drawer dresser, 4-drawer chest, floating nightstand, and more
• Materials: Solid and veneered oak, engineered wood, steel, plastic
• Sizes: Queen, King 
• Finishes: Walnut or White Oak 

What impressed me: Don’t have the space for a nightstand? Then this bedroom bundle is for you. It includes Article’s best-selling Kouva headboard — which features two built-in shelves on either side and a flat top for displaying decor — and the Basi platform bed frame. I was pleasantly surprised by how deep the headboard shelves were. There’s more than enough space for a small lamp, your phone, and a stack of books, too. 

Let’s take a minute to appreciate the fluted finish on the front of the headboard. It gives the space-savvy silhouette a Scandi-cool style. The headboard comes in two finishes, while the Basi frame is available in five. If you want the two pieces to match, you really only have two options (but don’t worry, they’re both gorgeous). The smoked oak model I saw in-store had a homey look to it that would add instant warmth to any bedroom. It’s also lower than other models I saw, which adds to its relaxed Scandi look. 

Specifications:

• Styles: The Kouva line includes a 6-drawer nightstand, nightstand, and a 5-drawer chest
• Materials: Headboard: Solid and veneered oak, MDF; Frame: Rubber wood, pine, MDF, oak veneer, metal
• Sizes: Queen, King 
• Finishes: Smoked Oak and Natural Oak  

What impressed me: Looking at the Faydra bed, I immediately loved its round trim and curved corners; they give the silhouette a soft laid-back look befitting of a seaside bungalow. The natural ash finish adds to its easy-breezy aesthetic (though there’s also an all-black finish on clearance right now), and is lightly textured for that rustic look. I saw the bed in a twin size styled in a kids’ bedroom layout. It fit in perfectly and would complement grown-up rooms, too (it’s that versatile). 

While the Faydra doesn’t have any built-in storage, there’s 7.5 inches of underbed clearance, so there’s space to tuck slim bins or baskets underneath. And if you’re not a fan of a low-profile silhouette, you’ll appreciate Faydra’s standard height, getting in and out of it was totally effortless for me. Even more, it passed my patented (not really) flop test: It’s so sturdy and well-made, it didn’t make a sound when I threw myself onto it. 

Specifications:

• Styles: The Faydra line includes a nightstand, 6-drawer dresser, and more  
• Materials: Solid ash, MDF, veneer, steel
• Sizes: Twin, Queen, King 
• Finishes: Natural Ash and Black 

What impressed me: Between its enveloping wingback headboard and textured bouclé upholstery, the Kayra bed looked downright dreamy. The model I saw in the showroom was a king size, which definitely contributed to its grand appearance. What’s more, it’s upholstered all over (save for the solid acacia legs), which makes the bed look even more plush. This does make the bed a bit bulkier than other models I looked at, so that’s something to consider if you live in a small space. 

Luxe as it looks, the Kayra bed isn’t overly precious — the ivory upholstery is abrasion resistant, so you can lean against it night after night without worrying about the fabric. It’s also available in felted upholstery fabrics for a smoother, velvety feel. And while the model I saw in-store didn’t have any built-in storage, you can add on upholstered underbed storage drawers for an extra cost. If you opt out of drawers, you’re still getting 7 inches of clearance for bins. 

Specifications:

• Styles: The Kayra line includes an upholstered storage bed and a sofa   
• Materials: Frame: solid acacia, eucalyptus, oak, plywood, MDF, steel hardware; Filling: foam, polyester fiber; Fabric: 78% polyester, 22% acrylic
• Sizes: Queen, King 
• Finishes: Four fabric options 

What impressed me: If you want the luxe look of an upholstered bed without the bulk, then the Tessu bed is for you. It’s all clean lines and classic, contemporary style in taupe, tweed-like upholstery and slightly in-set tapered wood legs. It’s lightly cushioned and surprisingly slim for an upholstered bed, with narrow sideboards that won’t require much extra space — perfect for small bedrooms! Plus, there are 12 upholstery options to choose from, so you can still make a style statement. 

As the name suggests, the Tessu bed is low, but not low enough to make getting in and out of it uncomfortable in my experience (though it might be if you’re a lot taller). There’s 6 inches of underbed clearance, so you may be able to fit a storage bin underneath, but only if it’s very slim. 

Specifications:

• Styles: The Tessu line includes an upholstered storage bed and a sofa   
• Materials: Frame: solid rubberwood, solid pine, engineered wood, steel; Filling: high-density foam, polyester fiber; Fabric: 80% polyester, 20% acrylic
• Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King 
• Finishes: 12 fabric options