I’m a Style Editor, and I Splurged on This Upholstered Bed That Looks Twice the Price (It’s on Sale!)

Some might say you’ve hit the New York City jackpot when you find a home with a dishwasher, in-unit laundry, and/or central air. But for me, the pinnacle of apartment luxury was moving into a space that could fit an actual (queen-sized!) bed frame for the first time. In all my previous rentals, I could essentially only fit a mattress and box spring or a super-compact headboard. Right after signing my lease in 2020, truly the first order of business was buying a new bed.

I initially got Urban Outfitters’ popular Marte platform bed plus the nightstand from the same collection (and yes, I basically had a matching bedroom set, don’t @ me), but I wanted to redecorate after over three years of the same setup. I started looking for new bed styles that I presumably wouldn’t get sick of in another three years, and my Pinterest saves kept steering me toward a common theme: colorful, patterned upholstered headboards. 

My biggest inspiration, though, came from a stopped-me-in-my-scrolling Instagram post of the striped beds at the Hotel Les Deux Gares in Paris, designed by Luke Edward Hall. I loved the timeless blue-and-white pattern against a fun curved headboard, and I wanted my own French-inspired, straight-out-of-a-hotel striped bed ASAP — but under $1,000.

Come to find out, that doesn’t really exist; even most decent-looking striped headboards alone cost well over $1,000. On a whim, I ordered a few striped swatches from The Inside, whose Camelback bed I’d been eyeing, just to see. Unsurprisingly, their Navy Classic Ticking Stripe swatch looked perfect, but I couldn’t justify spending $1,100+ on a queen bed…until it went on sale for around $800 during Memorial Day.

The Inside had already been on my radar for a few years (I have their striped storage ottoman), and the brand operates almost like a personalized upholsterer, with 100+ fabric options you can apply to its existing furniture silhouettes. The beds are all honestly fairly reasonably priced compared to similar styles from big-box home brands — starting at $1,165 for a queen — especially since you can essentially customize whichever style and color you want. I couldn’t resist the Memorial Day pricing and ended up getting the curved Camelback bed, which is now 25 percent off through September 2 during The Inside’s Labor Day sale.

I also ordered a box spring — which you can probably find cheaper elsewhere, TBH — and both pieces arrived within three weeks. I put the bed together myself (please clap); it’s incredibly hassle-free to assemble, whether you’re solo or not. From day one, it satisfied my decor vision and, three months later, still makes me feel like I’m sleeping on a hotel bed. I also love that the fabric pattern shows not only on the headboard, but on the sides of the bed, too.

I gravitated toward a navy striped upholstery because it’s a classic look that I can easily style around — even if my design tastes evolve. The Inside has something for basically every aesthetic, though, whether you’re looking for a traditional wingback bed in a simple light-toned linen fabric or a graphic floral print paired with a modern platform bed. It’s honestly fun to just play around their website and visualize different options, but you also don’t have to make a split decision — the brand lets you order up to five fabric swatches for free, or additional for $1 each, so you can get a glimpse of how it would look IRL.

Going back to the Camelback, the only downside is that you can see part of the box spring foundation from the side of the bed, pictured below (although it’s highly likely that I built it wrong). It’s also not tall enough to fit under-bed bins, so keep that in mind if you’re someone who banks on the extra storage space. 

Otherwise, I’m so happy I splurged on this piece — and, don’t get me wrong, I know that with the sale price it’s definitely still an investment. But even a striped upholstered bed from Target almost costs just as much, and you’re limited to just one colorway. It’s also harder to come by uniquely shaped headboards versus just the standard rectangle or square. Mine contrasts all the other boxy furniture in my bedroom, and it’s so comfortable to sleep on plus lean against if I’m reading or working. 

If you want a durable, personalized piece without a true made-to-order price tag, you can’t go wrong with The Inside’s Camelback bed in any fabric pattern, specifically tailored to your own design taste and bedroom style. Act fast while it’s still on sale for $873!

Looking for more great deals? Check out our complete Labor Day sale coverage, and be sure to sign up for our Deals & Steals newsletter for the latest sales and budget-friendly finds.