I Tested (and Rated!) Every IKEA Bed — Here Are the Best Ones for Every Style and Need

Buying furniture sight unseen is always a risk, but committing to a bed frame without trying it first is arguably even more so. It’s impossible to gauge the sturdiness and scale of a bed online, and they’re usually super expensive, which only deepens the heartache if it doesn’t work out. That’s why I went to IKEA for this installment of our Personal Shopper series. The iconic Swedish retailer is known for its stylish-yet-affordable furniture and decor, and happens to have an extensive selection of budget-friendly bed frames that offer something for just about every style and budget — I climbed in, checked for creaks, evaluated storage, assessed how much floor space each frame requires, and even put every model through my signature “plop test” to see how sturdy it felt.

Here’s how the Personal Shopper series works: I visit the stores you’re most curious about to test all the furniture IRL so you don’t have to, then report back with my honest reviews. I’ve visited stores like West Elm, Article, and Pottery Barn, and most recently, I headed to Red Hook, Brooklyn, to test every IKEA bed frame on the showroom floor. 

An IKEA Personal Shopper just makes sense: Apartment Therapy editors have long appreciated the store’s stylish, budget-friendly furniture and decor. That’s why it’s a fantastic place to shop if you’re trying to save on key investment pieces like a bed frame. IKEA has over 50 bed frame models that range from sleek, small-space wonders to statement canopy styles that’ll be the proud focal point in any bedroom. Navigating a selection this huge is easier with help, and that’s where I come in! 

IKEA has locations all over the world, but if you don’t have a location near you, the majority of the retailer’s assortment is shoppable online. Shipping is available at varying prices as long as you hit the $35 order minimum. Through its Click & Collect service, you can order items online and pick them up at a participating location nearest you for an extra fee (unless you’re an IKEA Family Member, in which case, it’s free!). All IKEA beds require assembly, but IKEA does offer professional assembly services for select items, starting at $52, if you’d rather skip that step entirely (no judgment here). 

I evaluated every IKEA 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? 

These IKEA beds were all 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, sofas, coffee tables, dining 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 spent the day at the IKEA store in Red Hook, Brooklyn, to judge every bed frame on display based on its style, space needs, sturdiness, and more. 

What impressed me: With the Malm Storage Bed, you’re getting the sleek, no-frills look of the original Malm bed – with one major perk: a huge storage compartment underneath the frame’s slatted base. The lift-up mechanism allows you to access your stuff in small spaces, without requiring additional floor space. And the compartment itself is essentially the size of your mattress, so you can fit everything from out-of-season clothes and shoes to bulky comforters and luggage without a problem. There’s also boards at the base to keep items from sitting directly on the floor and help keep them cleaner. 

Just be prepared to put a little effort in while lifting up the mattress. Once the lift mechanism reaches a certain height, it’ll go up on its own. But I personally still needed to put my back into it to lift it initially, even with the built-in pull tab.  

Specifications:

• Styles: The MALM line includes a bed frame and under-bed storage boxes
• Materials: Particleboard, fiberboard, steel
• Sizes: Full/Double, Queen  
• Finishes: White or dark-brown veneer

What impressed me: The amount of sneaky storage in the BRIMNES bed is genuinely impressive. First, there are four huge, smooth-gliding drawers at the base, then there’s a trio of shelves built into both sides of the headboard (making a nightstand optional). Even the top of the headboard can be used to store books or display decor, too. The headboard does add some bulk, but it’s worth all the storage you gain, in my opinion. 

Measuring 43 3/4 inches high, the BRIMNES bed is on the tall side (for reference, I’m about 5’5” and my feet dangled over the floor when I sat back) so it’s a great choice for taller folks, or anyone who strains to get out of low-profile beds. I saw the BRIMNES in the smooth white finish and it had a crisp, clean look that would fit right into any room. I also loved the recessed panels at the foot and headboard, they give the piece a subtle charm. 

Specifications:

• Styles: The BRIMNES line includes a daybed, bed frame with storage, headboard with storage, and a nightstand    
• Materials: Particleboard, fiberboard, paper foil, steel 
• Sizes: Full, Queen, King 
• Finishes: White, black, gray

What impressed me: The RÅDMANSÖ was an obvious standout among the other IKEA bed frames I saw, given its textbook mid-century modern look. The bed’s warm walnut finish, angled headboard, and unique mixed-metal accents are especially stylish — I was genuinely surprised that it’s under $300, it looks like a retro find! The angled headboard is actually more ergonomic than it looks, too; leaning back on it feels more comfortable compared to a traditional headboard at an upright 90 degrees. 

What the bed lacks in built-in storage, it makes up for in underbed storage space. You’re getting 7 7/8 inches of clearance here, so there’s plenty of room for storage bins. I did notice some slight creaking while performing my “plop test” (where I essentially throw myself onto the bed to gauge its sturdiness), but that could be attributed to the amount of traffic it gets on the showroom floor. 

Specifications:

• Styles: The RÅDMANSÖ line includes a nightstand, 5-drawer dresser, 3-drawer dresser, and a 6-drawer dresser       
• Materials: Particleboard, paper foil, steel 
• Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King 
• Finishes: Brown walnut effect

What impressed me: I know, budget-friendly furniture is IKEA’s specialty, but the TARVA bed is the most cost-effective of the bunch at only $179. It has a simple, small-space-friendly silhouette with a slatted back; and it’s crafted from solid pine, so it’s a bona fide bargain, if you ask me. The wood is unfinished, so you can stain and lacquer it to your liking, or leave it as-is for a natural look — it’s the blank canvas of bed frames, basically. 

Despite the TARVA bed’s lower profile, getting in and out of it wasn’t a struggle. There’s also about 7 7/8 inches of underbed clearance — perfect for stashing a few extra storage bins. It felt sturdy and solid, and creaked ever-so-slightly when I threw myself onto it. Plus, its pared-back design makes assembly pretty straightforward, according to IKEA shoppers. 

Specifications:

• Styles: The TARVA line includes a nightstand, 5-drawer dresser, 3-drawer dresser, and a 6-drawer dresser       
• Materials: Solid pine 
• Sizes: Full, Queen, King 
• Finishes: Unfinished pine, white 

What impressed me: I was immediately drawn to the TONSTAD bed’s soft, rustic appearance. The rounded cylindrical bed posts and the lightly textured oak veneer give it a modern, farmhouse vibe. It felt sturdy and expensive, like something you’d see in a light-filled mountain cabin. I saw the storage bed version of the TONSTAD in-store, which includes two spacious, soft-closing drawers at its base — a game-changer for anyone who doesn’t have room for a dresser. And the fact that the drawers are built nearer to the bed’s footboard as opposed to the headboard is brilliant, so you don’t have to worry about the drawers bumping into your nightstand (so smart!). 

The TONSTAD passed my plop test with flying colors. It felt super stable, as if it were made of solid wood. And because it’s taller, it’s a bed I could feel good about offering to my parents, for example, without causing them any strain.

Specifications:

• Styles: The TONSTAD line includes a bed frame, nightstand, 4-drawer dresser, and a 6-drawer dresser       
• Materials: Particleboard, fiberboard, oak veneer, paper foil, solid wood legs 
• Sizes: Full, Queen, King 
• Finishes: Off-white, brown-stained oak veneer, oak veneer

What impressed me: If you’re looking for something classic that looks like it’s been in your home for years, then I’d steer you toward the SONGESAND. The brown-finished bed I saw in-store appears almost cherry in person, and paired with the cutouts on the headboard, it boasts a warm, familiar feel. 

It’s also easy to customize. You can buy the SONGESAND bed frame as is, or purchase storage boxes that gently wheel right under its base like a regular drawer. The model I looked at had four extra-deep ones that were so deep, it was like they extended to the other side of the bed. And because the boxes are set on castors, you don’t have to worry about them getting caught in their tracks, though I imagine wheeling them out may be tricky on a carpeted surface. 

Specifications:

• Styles: The SONGESAND line includes a bed frame, nightstand, bed frame with 2 storage boxes, 6-drawer dresser, wide 6-drawer dresser,  3-drawer dresser, and a 4-drawer dresser    
• Materials: Particleboard, fiberboard, paper foil, steel 
• Sizes: Full/Double, Queen 
• Finishes: Brown and white

What impressed me: The RAMNEFJÄLL bed has a certain cozy, storybook charm with its arched headboard and fabric cover that flares into a cute bedskirt around the base. Designed with rounded corners and piping details, it has a soft, tailored look that’s still plenty relaxed and inviting. I saw the bed with the Kilanda Dark Blue cover while I was in-store, and to me, it had an almost denim-like appearance that could go coastal or cottagecore depending on the styling. Even better, the headboard has light padding and a soft, textured finish, so you can lean on it without feeling scratchy. 

Height-wise, I’d say the RAMNEFJÄLL bed is pretty standard. It gives you 8 ⅝ inches of underbed clearance, which is conveniently covered by the skirted bed frame cover — so you can pack it full with storage bins and no one would know. It’s also relatively slim for an upholstered bed: the side rails and headboard are on the narrower side, so you don’t get the same bulk that you would with a traditional upholstered bed. 

Specifications:

• Materials: Plywood, fiberboard, laminated veneer lumber, steel, polyester 
• Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
• Finishes: Kilanda dark blue, Kilanda light beige, Klovsta gray/white

 What impressed me: The YTTERVÅG canopy bed makes a dramatic first impression with its four towering bed posts. I saw it in the black-wood finish, which definitely has a modern vibe, but could just as well complement rooms of any decor style — whether you lean contemporary, maximalist, or farmhouse. 

The YTTERVÅG is also made of solid pine, and the  craftsmanship shows. It barely made a squeak when I threw myself onto the mattress, and the sturdy, paneled wood headboard reveals the slightest hint of textured wood grain through the black paint. There’s no storage built-in, but the bed frame has a decent amount of underbed clearance, so you should be able to stash a storage bin (or several) underneath without any issues. 

Specifications:

• Materials: Solid pine 
• Sizes: Queen, King 
• Finishes: Black/wood, brown/wood

What impressed me: The BJÖRKSNÄS bed frame speaks to my Scandinavian design-loving soul. The airy birch bed frame is full of design-forward details, like the slightly angled, shaker-inspired spindle headboard and softly rounded bed posts. But the best thing about it has to be the detachable headboard pillows — they’re practically begging you to cozy up in bed with a book or a movie — and the leather straps give it an elevated touch. 

In terms of underbed clearance, the BJÖRKSNÄS has tons; you’re getting over nine inches of space for storage bins and bulkier items like spare bedding or luggage. The frame itself is also on the thinner side, so it’s slim enough to fit in a small bedroom without requiring much floorspace. The only tiny con was that the bed did creak a fair amount during testing. Which could be attributed to the amount of traffic it gets in-store, but is something to keep in mind as the creaking could get worse over time. 

Specifications:

• Styles: The BJÖRKSNÄS line also includes a nightstand 
• Materials: Particleboard, birch veneer, solid birch, polyester, steel
• Sizes: Queen, King
• Finishes: Birch/birch veneer 

• Malm Storage Bed
• BRIMNES Bed with Storage & Headboard
• RÅDMANSÖ Bed Frame
• TARVA Bed Frame
• TONSTAD Bed Frame
• SONGESAND Bed Frame 
• RAMNEFJÄLL Upholstered Bed Frame
• YTTERVÅG Four-Poster Bed Frame
• BJÖRKSNÄS Bed Frame
• NORDLI Bed with Storage Headboard
• MALM Bed Frame
• SLATTUM Upholstered Bed Frame
• SAGESUND Upholstered Bed Frame