For true BIFL, you want jointed hardwood lumber. Amish furnature sellers are a reliable source, though expect to pay a premium.
But it'll be bombproof.
this post was submitted on 05 Jan 2026
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LOVE my thuma bed
Idk if the height is sufficient but it’s amazingly easy to take apart and transport. NO squeaking even with the most enthusiastic of aerobic activities
It’s only 13” tall though, 9” under bed clearance.
Idk if the height is sufficient
If you need a couple more inches, there are companies that make little stands that fit under bed legs. Can give you more room to stick stuff under the bed.
hits Amazon
"bed leg risers"
https://www.amazon.com/Utopia-Bedding-Premium-Adjustable-Furniture/dp/B073WFCV1L
Variety of shapes and sizes, but they normally have a lip so that a bed leg would have to come up to move off the riser.
From experience, these are also fantastic at mangling your toes when returning to your bed after a pee in the middle of the night.
Next frame I buy is either going to be the correct height, or have the legs recessed from the sides by a few inches.
I've thought about the Thuma a lot, the only thing stopping me is the thought "jesus that's a lot of cash to not even get hardwood.
Mines definitely hardwood, it’s “upcycled” rubber wood not fiberboard or composite.
Welp, i caved and got the classic with the headboard and i like it! Previously bought a Silk and Snow copycat version of it that was VERY disappointing (so wobbly, didn't feel safe let alone quiet, materials felt cheap as well), that i started the return on the same day i got it (i don't recommend even trying Silk and Snow, they screw you over on the return with shipping for half the cost of the damn bed).
Thuma is well packed, just as easy to assemble as it shows on the site (it genuinely took longer to unbox than assemble), and real damn quiet. It does have a little bit of movement and noise at the front end of it if you shake it from side to side but its pretty negligible. Headboard version comes with the non-headboard legs too
I’ve got a pretty heavy mattress on mine, so that might help contribute to the no movement of mine but mine literally does not move.
Sometimes, especially at 2am when I’m going to the bathroom and my shin connects with the bed I WISH it had a little movement…
I don’t have the headboard version, just the soft headboard. I got mine in 2021ish before they had anything else.
I’ve actually bought 2 of them now, and 4 of the side tables …. I really like their stuff.
I have a California king w/a temperpedic and a king w/a temperpedic and I think they’d stop a bus.
I feel like a local woodworkers guild could probably make us this exact type of furniture for ~the same price if not less …
Also, if you don’t talk about your thuma and say thuma the same way Arnold says “tumor” in kindergarten cop then you’re doing it wrong.
I'll tell you something not to get, Ikea, they certainly have a place but it's not BIFL. I've been a little disappointed recently in how quickly our Malm is deteriorating.
We just tried getting an IKEA mattress and it was NOTHING like the one in store. IKEA is great for furniture I'm ok with my toddler smearing banana on though
Lol, so much this, we've got two under 4 atm and I'm so glad we've got an IKEA couch they can beat on instead of some nice thing we'd be scared of them tearing up
That's disappointing to hear. We bought a Malm bed in the early 2000s, and it survived about 12 years and two moves (with disassembly), and was still in decent shape when we sold it. Not exactly BIFL, but surprisingly solid for the cost.
So much stuff out there is wildly overpriced laminated "wood". I'm shopping too...
We have a pottery barn bedframe. Crazy overpriced, but solid hardwood and they have white glove service and will assemble for you in place. It’s not shown any sign of wear in more than 5 years.
If you have a twin xl mattress and dont mind a LOT of height you can get a dorm bed. Benefit being you can put a dresser or mini fridge underneath and save a lot of space. Plus they tend to be pretty sturdy
I don't think my spouse toddler and self will all fit into a twin xl lol
The Amish make extremely good quality and completely customizable furniture. All of their catalog items can be modified because each one is made to order. And the prices are quite reasonable considering what you get,: hardwood, proper dovetail, mortise and tenon joinery, custom stain and finish, etc.
This is one such company I'm familiar with but there are others: https://bhfurnitureanddesign.com/ it's funny how modern their website looks considering the folks that sell them.
If you are not opposed to metal, there are metal bed frames that will be more durable then any wood, but have no character. The one I have is only 12" underneath but there are others. Very utilitarian, tho. No headboard, nothing like that.
I prefer one that could hold a mattress about 16in up (with or without board under, i can get a board separate). Do you have a suggestion for one that won't Creek? The reviews for the ones I've found say many have thin metal or the joints with screws aren't well done and they warp or creek so I'm not sure what to look at
As far as metal beds go, we've had this one for probably around 20 years and it's a very sturdy design with wood slats that were quiet for many years: https://isonair.com/products/min-bed-alualu-wood-headboard?variant=53409969799497
The Design Within Reach chain of furniture stores used to carry them, but don't appear to any longer. That link says they do free shipping to US, Canada, and Europe, but I'm not familiar with the site.
However, if I'm understanding your requirements correctly, it's not as tall as you're looking for. The mattress sits about 9.5 to 10 inches off the ground.
Either way, I have to tell you that wooden slats don't stay quiet forever. A few years ago ours started to creak a little sometimes when I get on and off the bed, but it seems to be worse on my side because I'm heavier than my wife. I think this is to be expected with wooden slats, wooden floors, etc. Perhaps replacing them with new ones would make it quiet again.