While the mid-century bed from West Elm looks nice enough in photos and we’ve even seen some relatively positive “reviews” for it (mostly commenting on the appearance), our experience was a relatively poor one.
For starters, despite being West Elm “contract grade”, the bed did not seem particularly well constructed. The West Elm site states it’s made of a mixture of solid and engineered wood as well as a veneer. All of it is thin and light feeling, no one piece seems particularly dense or sturdy enough to be suitable for a bed that will carry the weight of a mattress and 1-2 people.
Like most beds in the price range, each piece is screwed together, and though there are quite a lot of decently sized bolts in the underframe, over time the bed manages to creak some. Worst of all is the headboard which is only bolted at the very bottom and will without a doubt eventually become a creaky, flimsy, and definitely not good for [you know what] unless you want to put a hole through your wall.
Outside of these issues, there are plenty of sharp edges for you, a child or pet to hurt themselves on. And to really seal the deal, we just didn’t find it that attractive in person. It does have the “mid-century” vibe to it, but it also looks boxy and a bit on the bland side. Like, “ok, yea, this is a bed”. This is a bed better suited for a catalog than a bedroom, and for that reason, at any price, we are a hard pass, let alone $799 for a twin and $1,199 for a king.
West Elm Mid-Century Bed Reviews Summary:
The West Elm Mid-Century Bed has garnered mixed reviews across various platforms. The design of the bed is commended for its classic mid-century aesthetics, having a streamlined headboard and gently tapered legs made of solid pine wood, exuding a 50s and 60s vibe1.
This design coherence extends to its acorn color, dowelled headboard edges, and tapered wood legs, which were praised by Apartment Therapy for being quintessential examples of Mid-Century Modern (MCM) design done right2.
The bed’s dimensions for a queen size are 64 inches in width, 84 inches in depth, and 46.75 inches in height, priced at $1,399, forming part of a wider Mid-Century collection available at West Elm3.
However, not all reviews are glowing. Furnished Reviews had a less favorable experience, mentioning that although the bed looks nice in photos, it didn’t quite match up in person.
They pointed out several drawbacks including a rickety headboard, sharp edges, and a construction that didn’t feel sturdy enough, despite being labeled as “contract grade” by West Elm. The bed was described as having a thin and light feel, with every piece screwed together, leading to some creaking over time, especially the headboard which was only bolted at the bottom4.
User reviews on the same platform were mixed, with one user loving their king-sized version after fixing a wobble in the headboard, while another found it a nightmare due to creaking and difficulty in assembly4.
On a more positive note, a review from Slumber Search gives the bed a good overall score of 8.7/10, highlighting customer satisfaction, material quality, design options, ease of assembly, and price value with scores ranging from 8.3 to 8.7 out of 105.
The West Elm Mid-Century Bed seems to fit well for those who are enthralled by the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic and are looking to match other furniture pieces in that style. However, potential buyers might want to consider the mixed reviews regarding the bed’s construction and assembly, and possibly view the bed in person before making a decision.
Own this product? Leave your review below and help a future shopper!
Not sold on this bed? Check out these similar highly rated beds we’ve found!:
S L - January 10, 2019 @ 00:49
We actually really love our king sized mid century bed. I will say that we had an issue at first with headboard not bolting it very well and it did wobble but we replaced the bolt and that helped. I love the way it looks and we haven’t had other issues with it creaking or anything. I will say that the king size frame has legs in the center as well which makes storing things underneath trickier.
We actually really love our king sized mid century bed. I will say that we had an issue at first with headboard not bolting it very well and it did wobble but we replaced the bolt and that helped. I love the way it looks and we haven’t had othe
Cheryl C - January 8, 2019 @ 05:30
omg this bed really is a nightmare I ordered it online and it took forever to come and then it took forever to put together and it just creaks and shakes! AVOID!