We Tested (and Rated!) Every Bed at CB2

It’s easy to play it safe when it comes to choosing a bed frame. The market seems to be saturated with simple silhouettes and materials — which is great if you’re a minimalist, but not as fun if you like a little pizzazz. If you’re looking for a bed frame that makes a statement then one of the best places to shop is CB2, which is full of beds that have unique shapes, bright upholstery, and gorgeous detailing.

That’s why we visited the retailer for our Personal Shopper series, where we test out products in person at our favorite brands’ storefronts. Our visit to CB2’s New York City-Soho location focused on bed frames, of which there were four in store (with many more online). All of the models we saw are part of a CB2 collaboration with a top designer, and they all stand out for their modern appearance and gorgeous materials. 

CB2 is a sister brand of Crate & Barrel, and is known for its contemporary, trendy aesthetic. Its furniture and decor offerings are bolder than what you’d find at Crate & Barrel (think: clean lines, sleek finishes, and eye-catching silhouettes). The brand is also known for its Designer Collective, which is made up of top designers who launch exclusive collections with CB2. We’ve completed several other Personal Shopper trips to CB2 focusing on sofas, dining tables, and coffee tables, and our editors have tested a range of CB2 products. 

We judged every CB2 bed frame based on the following criteria:

• Customizability: Does it come in different varieties? How many colors, finishes, materials, or sizes is it available in? How granular can you get when customizing the bed frame? Does it require a box spring?
• Space needs: How much space does the bed frame require? Does it have a canopy or an extra-wide frame? Is it particularly bulky or does it stay close to its appointed mattress size?
• Platform height: How high off of the ground is the bed frame? Would it generally require bending down or reaching up to get into?
• 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 style of decor does the bed frame suit best? Does its design lean warm and rustic or sleek and modern? Is it classic with upholstery and detailing or contemporary with clean lines and versatile minimalism?
• Sturdiness: Is the frame made from durable, high-quality materials? Does the bed wobble or creak when you’re on it?
• Assembly: Does the bed require tools for assembly? Can it be taken apart and put back together fairly easily?

All four CB2 beds in this article were tested by Lizzy Francis, Apartment Therapy’s lifestyle editor. Lizzy covers real estate, living, and cleaning/organizing content, and was previously an editor at Fatherly. She has been with Apartment Therapy since 2024.  

Lizzy’s thoughts: This bed was designed by Evan Jerry of Studio Anansi, and it is stunning! It has a very unique appearance, thanks to the fluted design, curved headboard, and thick frame. It’s almost sculptural in appearance, and would definitely make a statement in whatever bedroom it’s in. I really love the wraparound wood design — the wood looks darker in person than it does online, but I actually prefer it that way. The wood is smooth with a little bit of texture, which gives it a more natural feel. It’s made from pine and poplar, so the slightly grainy feel makes sense.

Because of the bulky frame and taller height, this bed looks bigger than it is — although I still found it very easy to get in and out of (I’m 4’11”). Plus, the model I saw in store had built-in nightstands, which made it truly massive. I think that this is the kind of bed you buy for your forever home, and not for a rental — once it’s built, it’s there forever. 

The nightstands provide extra storage, which is one thing the bed on its own does not have. There’s zero under-bed clearance and no option to add a storage drawer, so if you’re lacking closet space you’ll probably want to splurge on the nightstands. One other thing I did notice was that there were some imperfections in the floor model I saw, which did make me a little nervous. Still, a showroom is quite different from a bedroom, so I don’t think that’s a dealbreaker.

Specifications: 

• Styles: Also available as a canopy bed and with built-in nightstands 
• Sizes: Queen, king
• Dimensions: 84 x 64 x 48 inches
• Material: Pine, poplar
• Box Spring: Not needed

Lizzy’s thoughts: This is another warm, dark wood bed, which I love. Similar to the Davison, it has a wraparound frame that looks very regal and statement-making, but it’s more classically mid-century in appearance. I like a dramatic headboard moment, and this one doesn’t quite fit the bill, although it does have some detailing that makes it more eye-catching than a plain wood headboard.

Unlike the Davison, the Montero makes use of the extra-large frame with a roomy storage drawer. It takes up the entire footboard, so you could easily fit a whole extra bedding set or out-of-season wardrobe in there. I wouldn’t keep anything in there that you need to access every day, though, as the drawer is quite heavy and takes some effort to pull out. 

You can tell that this is a solidly made bed, and it feels super sturdy and durable. The wood grain is smoother than the Davison’s, with a little less texture. It fits well with the overall streamlined appearance, as well as the luxe wood finish. It’s a gorgeous bed, and it makes sense that it was designed in collaboration with German designer Jannis Ellenberger.

Specifications: 

• Sizes: Queen, king
• Dimensions: 83 x 63.75 x 44 inches
• Material: Black walnut, acacia, engineered wood 
• Box Spring: Not needed

Lizzy’s thoughts: Bouclé is not for me, but I really love the organic shape of the Diana! It’s much more fun than the average bed, but not so unusual that it feels like a big risk. And happily, it comes in a grand total of 68 upholsteries, so there are many other options beyond bouclé, like chenille and velvet. If you do like bouclé, then you’ll be glad to know that I had no complaints when examining it myself — it felt nice to the touch and looked durable.

This bed has the lowest headboard height and the second lowest overall profile of the four I saw at CB2, but I didn’t think it was that noticeably different. I was still able to get in and out of it easily, although taller people and those with mobility issues might have a different experience (again, I’m 4’11”). It sits almost flush to the ground so there’s zero room for under-bed storage; instead, there are really cute solid wood legs that look like little nubs. 

Overall, I think the Diana bed (which is designed by Ross Cassidy) is great for contemporary spaces. It leaves an impact without being too attention-grabbing, and I love the curvy, blob-like headboard. I think it would be a great anchor for a smaller space, especially if you choose a more unique upholstery color or material.  

Specifications: 

• Sizes: Queen, king
• Dimensions: 92.5 x 68.5 x 40.25 inches
• Material: Upholstery, wood
• Box Spring: Not needed

Lizzy’s thoughts: If you’re looking for something luxe, then you’ll love this velvet-upholstered bed designed by Ross Cassidy. Unlike the Diana, which comes in dozens of fabrics, this one is only available in velvet — and in just two shades, to boot. I saw the sage green version in the store, and I think it’s really nice and calm for a bedroom, but the other option is “pearl” if you prefer something more neutral.

While the Jackson admittedly isn’t my style, I was still impressed by how nice the velvet upholstery and wingback-style headboard looked up close. The velvet is very soft to the touch, and the frame is filled with foam for an extra-cushy feel. The overall effect is luxury meets cozy, which is a great combination for a bedroom with glam vibes.

This bed has the lowest profile of them all, and again, I had no trouble getting in and out, although taller people and those with mobility issues might have a different experience. Similar to the Diana, there’s no room for under-bed storage. The legs are interesting, though, with a cerused finish that really shows off the grain. The combination with the green velvet is gorgeous! 

Specifications: 

• Sizes: Queen, king
• Dimensions: 88.25 x 70.75 x 46 inches
• Material: Pine, engineered wood
• Box Spring: Not needed