This Crate & Barrel Bed Is So Good, It Might Just Be the Last One You Ever Buy

Before I left New York City for the suburbs, I hadn’t had a proper bed since I was a kid. From college to my first apartment (and second, and so on), I didn’t want to go through the hassle of lugging a huge bed from place to place. So I ordered an easy-to-move Amazon metal bed frame and called it a day.

In my last city apartment, though, I did finally invest in an upholstered headboard to add a little more polish to my bedroom. But what I really wanted was a sturdy but stylish bed with built-in storage — one that’d be comfy, sophisticated, and functional. And did I ever find that in Crate & Barrel’s Caldwell Camel Brown Oak Wood Upholstered Storage Bed by Jake Arnold. 

I’m not going to lie: I’m an aesthetics-first person (sometimes to a fault), so the look of this bed is what first drew my attention to it. I loved the frame’s solid wood trim, its gently sloped back, and the faux mohair upholstery, which is trendy right now but also timeless in terms of the color, which is the loveliest neutral camel shade. It’s fairly minimal in terms of styling, which means you can allow your bedding to take center stage if you’d like — and it goes with so many different styles of textiles, too, so you can always update its look. 

I knew I’d be putting this bed up against a window because the placement of my bedroom door mandates that layout. For that reason, I loved that the headboard dipped slightly in the center, so less of the window would be eclipsed (I love natural light, even in a bedroom — I have great blackout curtains!). That said, it’s tall enough to be supportive for leaning back to watch TV or read a book.

In terms of the built-in drawer, I was impressed by how concealed it was in the footboard — you can hardly tell it’s there! It’s certainly not a huge amount of storage, but it’s just right for me (I’m not depending on this compartment for storage the way a small-space dweller might be). I just wanted a little extra room for my sweaters (which is what I keep there), and it’s perfect for that.

I’ve lived with this bed for about two years now, and I can say wholeheartedly that it’s super comfortable and doesn’t really stain (and can be spot cleaned if you accidentally spill something … I occasionally enjoy my morning coffee here and have split before, and it’s 100% fixable if you act fast). The upholstery still looks like how it did on day one, and it’s easy to spruce up just by smoothing it out with your hand.

The storage drawer can be a little wonky to open and close. But that’s a sacrifice I’m OK with, considering how concealed it is (I really don’t like the look of storage beds that look like storage beds, if that makes sense). I’ve also been known to stuff drawers, and sweaters aren’t the flattest things. So, I think, if anything, what I’ve noticed is probably more of a user error on my part. And again, I’m OK with this anyhow, as I only really open the drawer to access my sweaters during the colder months of the year. To make the motion even easier, I put my sweaters in clear storage bags, which makes them a little less fluffy.

Finally, I will say my mattress is maybe a little thicker/taller than most, so getting out of bed is super easy. The Caldwell isn’t a super low-slung bed, but you might want something higher off the ground if you have back problems, as the slats make it so you can forgo a box spring. I’ve used box springs with prior beds, but I truly think they’re unnecessary with a bed like The Caldwell. It’s totally comfy and supportive without one. 

If you’re looking for a bed that balances style and storage, Crate & Barrel’s Caldwell Camel Brown Oak Wood Upholstered Storage Bed might be for you. Created by Jake Arnold (who’s one of Hollywood’s favorite designers yet is still down-to-earth in his approach and aesthetic), this bed toes the line between form and function beautifully. But if you want more recommendations, we’ve tested and reviewed several Crate & Barrel beds.

The Caldwell looks like it could be a vintage piece, but the comfort is all modern-day, thanks to a wood construction frame, soft upholstery, and foam and fiber-fill cushioning.