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Thuma Underbed Drawer review: My new favorite space-saving bedroom storage solution

Large bed with white bedding sits between two wooden nightstands with lamps in a bedroom. Visible underneath the bed are the Thuma Underbed Drawers.
The Thuma Underbed Drawers fit seamlessly under the Thuma Classic Bed. Emily Hochberg/Business Insider
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One of the best pieces of furniture I ever added to my home happened by chance. Years ago, my husband and I decided to make the upgrade most couples dream of: a king-size bed. Unfortunately, the frame we purchased, which looked so aesthetically lovely online, was actually flimsy, creaky, and cheap.

We had to replace it, and doing so introduced me to what has become one of my favorite "worth-it" brands: Thuma. Their Classic Bed is crafted from gorgeous upcycled hardwood and uses interlocking Japanese joinery techniques to assemble in minutes without tools. Seven years later, I'm such a fan that I now have a second Thuma bed in my guest room.

When I realized I could upgrade our sleep setup further by adding Thuma's underbed storage drawers, I was intrigued. At $295 each, they are a hefty investment. After three months of living with them, I know they are the perfect finishing piece to a bed I already loved. Here is a closer look at why.

Wooden platform Thuma bed with white bedding and an open under-bed storage drawer in a minimalist room.
Thuma Classic Underbed Drawer

The Thuma Classic Underbed Drawer fits seamlessly under the Thuma Classic Bed, with hidden wheels for easy access and a seamless wood grain.

What we like

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No assembly required
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Seamless finishing touch to the Thuma Classic Bed frame
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Large capacity

What we don't like

con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Expensive
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Can shift underneath the bed when being opened
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Using 4 drawers could block nightstands

The ultimate Thuma upgrade: Design and value

An open wooden under-bed storage drawer extends from a bed frame onto a patterned rug.
The Thuma Underbed Drawer sits on wheels on the floor and closes flush with the Thuma Classic Bed.  Emily Hochberg/Business Insider

Made from 100% upcycled wood, the Thuma Classic Underbed Drawer is designed to match the exact stain of the Classic Bed. The seamless aesthetics are undeniable. Each drawer measures 35 × 19.25 × 10 inches and features an overlapping drawer face that hides the gap between the storage unit and the bed frame.

The value proposition here is simple: you are paying for durable, lifetime-quality craftsmanship. I've learned my lesson about cutting corners for cheap furniture, and the solid, upcycled-wood construction of these drawers easily justifies the steep upfront cost. They bring a built-in, cohesive look to the room — transforming the minimalist bed into a high-end storage solution.

Related: I'm obsessed with my modular dresser from Thuma


Small space savior: Storage capacity and everyday use

Open wooden bed drawer filled with folded clothes, socks, shoes, and pants beside a rug and wood floor.
In my Thuma Underbed Drawer, I keep clothes, small blankets and wraps, a heating pad, and more socks than any one person probably needs. (My husband works for Bombas.)  Emily Hochberg/Business Insider

Up until using these drawers, my under-bed storage method consisted of sliding random boxes beneath the frame and promptly forgetting they existed (alongside a collection of dust bunnies). Switching to these drawers freed up my overflowing dresser.

The 9-inch internal clearance is surprisingly generous. In my drawer, I comfortably fit seven pairs of shorts, three pairs of jeans, a heating pad, and a massive pile of socks. The hidden metal caster wheels glide like butter over my bedroom carpet. It's important to note that these drawers sit on the floor — they don't align with a metal track attached to the bed. While they occasionally shift slightly because of this, they are heavy enough (26 pounds each) to stay relatively put.

Bedroom with a wooden Thuma bed frame and under-bed drawer, beige bedding, nightstand, lamp, hardwood floor, and patterned area rug.
We opted for two drawers at the foot of our bed, as our nightstands would block the path of a four-drawer setup.  Emily Hochberg/Business Insider

Zero assembly required

Open cardboard packaging contains a white furniture panel with a black THUMA envelope centered on top.
The Thuma Underbed Drawer comes fully assembled.  Emily Hochberg/Business Insider

A hallmark of a Thuma purchase is knowing you won't feel frazzled during setup. In the case of these drawers, there is zero assembly required. They arrive fully put together in a box. You simply take them out and slide them under the bed. Just be warned: The box is incredibly heavy, so grab a partner to help carry it to your bedroom if you can.

Wooden furniture piece turned on its side with black caster wheels attached on a patterned rug.
The wheels on the Thuma Underbed Drawer sit on the floor, not on a track, and can occasionally slide askew.  Emily Hochberg/Business Insider

Related: Thuma vs. Silk & Snow: A premium bed frame compared with a more affordable alternative


Trial and warranty

If spending nearly $300 on a single drawer has you feeling uneasy, know that Thuma offers a 30-day trial period on this item—but only for your first purchase.

If you're buying these drawers, chances are, you're an existing Thuma customer who already has the bed at home.

Thuma's warranties also vary based on the item purchased. Many have limited warranty policies, however, the Classic Underbed Drawer, is not listed at all, and therefore not protected by one at this time.


The elephant in the bedroom: The dust debate

An open cardboard box contains a wood furniture component wrapped in clear plastic printed with THUMA branding.
The Thuma Underbed Drawer does not come with a cover or lid but closes flush against the underside of the bed.  Emily Hochberg/Business insider

One of the biggest concerns buyers have (which is often heavily debated on Reddit) is the lack of a lid. Since the only cover is the bottom of the bed itself, does your clothing get dusty?

Living in a desert prone to exorbitant dust, I can honestly say it hasn't been a major issue for us. Because there's no protection on top, you do need to be mindful of overstuffing the drawers so they clear the frame. As long as you are opening and closing the drawers regularly — say, a few times a week — there isn't much buildup. If you plan to use the Underbed Drawers for long-term storage, you might want to use packing cubes inside the drawer for extra protection.


What are your alternatives?

If $295 a pop isn't palatable, a popular Reddit hack suggests using the IKEA Malm Under-bed Storage boxes, which cost around $100 for a set of two.

Wooden IKEA MALM under-bed storage drawer pulled open with folded bedding inside beside a matching bedside cabinet.
The IKEA MALM underbed storage box fits neatly under a Queen or King bed.  IKEA

However, the durability issues with cheaper alternatives are significant. The IKEA boxes are made of particleboard, plastic, and melamine foils — materials that are notorious for sagging and peeling over time. Plus, their larger dimensions mean they won't sit perfectly flush under the Thuma frame, and the colors won't be an exact match. Sure, you could opt for a cheaper hack, but when the drawers fail after a year or two and you spend just as much to replace them, you might wish you had just made the investment in the Thuma Underbed Drawers in the first place.


Is Thuma a good brand?

Based on years of testing, Thuma is one of my favorite "worth-it" home brands. They have built a strong reputation for crafting high-quality, eco-friendly furniture that is designed to last. Their use of solid, 100% upcycled wood and traditional Japanese joinery means their pieces are incredibly durable and can be assembled in minutes without a single tool. Additionally, Thuma products are Greenguard Gold certified, ensuring cleaner indoor air quality.

While the price point is an investment, you are paying for premium materials and a seamless, minimalist aesthetic that doesn't rely on cheap particleboard or flimsy hardware. The BI Reviews team has extensively tested the brand's growing ecosystem to see if the prices match the value.

• In our original Thuma bed frame review, we found the Classic Bed to be a stellar, squeak-free investment that justifies the cost.

• If you prefer an upholstered look, our Thuma Signature Bed review breaks down the brand's premium padded frame.

• We also explored the brand's organization pieces with our Thuma Modular Dresser review, which is one of our favorite storage solutions and can be assembled without a single tool.

• If you're weighing your options against more affordable competitors, our head-to-head Thuma vs. Silk & Snow comparison can help you decide which solid wood frame is right for you.


The bottom line

Spending nearly $1,200 for a full set of four under-bed drawers is more than some people spend on a new mattress. The real value add here is the unmatched quality and seamless integration into the Thuma ecosystem. These are stunning, well-made luxury drawers that will last for years to come.

Related: I tried Thuma's first easy-to-assemble upholstered bed

If you've already invested in a Thuma bed, the Underbed Drawers are the ultimate upgrade to complete your space. The aesthetics, quality, and usefulness far outweigh the minor downsides, and the long-term use will eventually offset the cost.

Wooden platform Thuma bed with white bedding and an open under-bed storage drawer in a minimalist room.
Close-up view of an open Thuma Classic Underbed Drawer  Thuma

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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@bjinnox.com.

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Emily Hochberg was Business Insider's Travel Editor and shaped coverage of the best places to travel including top hotels and Airbnbs, trending destinations, great deals, and much more. She has traveled extensively across six continents and some of her favorite hotels in the world include a decadent urban oasis in Bangkok, a small island villa off the coast of Cartagena, a posh eco-friendly luxury hotel in Miami, and a sprawling beachfront resort in Mexico. She has extensively reviewed hotels in New York City, Miami, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Thailand, and many more, and has also written about safe travel, incredible Airbnbs, and travel planning tips.Prior to joining Business Insider, she was the Managing Editor for the travel app Porter & Sail, a hotel booking platform and portal to uncover unique properties, insider recommendations, and city guides. She has written and edited content covering travel, lifestyle, and entertainment for outlets such as MTV, Scott's Cheap Flights, FabFitFun, Xfinity, Secret Escapes, People Magazine, Redfin, and many more.