The History of the Bed

I was pleased by the interest I received after writing a brief post about the history of the mattress recently. So in continuation of this idea I thought I would write some information on the history of the bed itself.

I think many of us know that mattresses have evolved over the years, but what about beds. Where did they start and how were they made? Here is a brief overview in the life of the bed:

8000BC

It is thought that the first “beds” were created in around 8000 BC with materials such as straw and palm leaves – people wanted more comfort from the ground and used whatever soft materials were available to them.

3200 BC

The earliest beds that are similar to the ones we see today were dated to this time after evidence of them was found in Scotland. By this stage people were trying to raise them from the floor in order to avoid drafts, pests and dirt. It is thought that stones were used with straw or other similar natural materials on top.

Egyptians

At first beds were only for the rich and it seems the Egyptians had the right idea and the money to make it happen! Their beds were made of stone or even wood and often had steps built in to ascend at bedtime. Sometimes these beds were decorated with ivory or mother of pearl making them very opulent – the ultimate bedtime luxury at the time.

Medieval Times

It is thought that in Germany they started making beds with similar materials to the first beds from 8000 BC. Around this time they also introduced carpets and curtains and laid on the bed with a linen sheet for warmth.

The Renaissance

By this stage beds were commonplace, but the Renaissance saw the boom of stunning beds with more decoration and ornate features than ever before.

18^th Century

Iron Beds as we know them today were first introduced at this time. They were popular as they decreased the risk of pests and wood based insects. Feather pillows also arrived in the 18^th century.

Faux Leather Bed

Of course, nowadays there are many options and styles available for the best bed (and night of sleep) that you require. 

When visiting a bed supplier, the wide range available makes it easy to find one to suit your home and comfort at a price that meets your budget (but don’t forget your mattress!). Beds designs include traditional and modern metal and iron, leather (real and faux), divan and wooden. Eco friendly versions of the wooden bed are now also available to purchase at a reasonable price.

Mattress Comfort Evolution

Mattresses are amongst the most important and expensive items that we purchase for our homes today. With so many styles and comfort options available it is no wonder so many people are picking the wrong mattress for the best nights sleep.

Looking into the history of the Mattress recently, I was amazed to find that historians believe the first (very primitive) mattress was used several thousand years ago. I have put together a short timeline with some of the most important information I could find:

New Stone Age: The first mattress was thought to have been fashioned or leaves grass and straw.

3600 BC: Goat skins filled with water are used in Persia

200 BC: Matresses start to look more like our own with Ancient Rome fashioning cloth stuffed with hay, wool or reeds for comfort.

1500 AD: The renaissance sees mattresses being covered with velvet and silk.

1800 AD: Matresses are being made with cotton and linen in both the stuffing and the outer materials.

1900 AD: Springs are used to help prevent lumps in the mattress.

1960 AD: The waterbed is invented.

1970 AD: NASA invent memory foam and it’s use is developed for consumer bed use.

Leather Bed King Size

Thankfully, we have come a long way since then with mattresses available from many specialist manufacturers such as Silentnight and Sealey and with a luxury bed design in Oak, Leather, Iron or Metal we can rest easy knowing that we are getting a much better nights sleep than our ancestors!

With beds available in a wide variety of colours, designs and finishes, there is no excuse for your bed not to fit in with your surroundings.

Metal beds come in a traditional and modern style – with antique looks still remaining popular, wrought iron beds are still en vogue. However silver metal beds look great in a modern home with their clean lines and stylish design most popular in silver.

Leather beds remain are now also available in faux leather, which is becoming more cost effective and realistic every day. Ottoman style storage is also available in these beds to make good use of the space underneath.

Wooden beds are most popular in Oak and Pine. Many bespoke bed manufacturers will design and create a bed to the requirements of your home.

For more information on purchasing a luxury bed and the most suitable mattress for you, contact a bed supplier.

Buying a new bed? Things to consider

Ecofern Orchard Guest Bed

When I was recently told I needed to find a new bed for my home, I was amazed by the various options available including size, style, colour and storage solutions.

A bed is an important purchase for any family, so I have put together a small list of things I had to consider along the way, that you might find useful too:

• Always look at buying a new matress with it.

Many people opt to purchase only the frame, but using an old matress can often be just as bad as using the old bed.

• What size is the space you want to put it into?

There are many size options available with the standard single, double and king size beds remaining popular, there are also small double beds available which can be really useful for a smaller room. These are 4ft wide - 6 inches less than a standard double, but still providing comfort for both people.

• If it is a guest bed, would a single that converts into a double be better suited to your space?

Guest beds are becoming more and more stylish, and fashionable single beds can now be purchased that cleverly hide the second "pull-out" bed. Styles available include leather, metal, wooden and divan.

• What are the colours that you need to match?

Leather beds are very popular, buth it can be hard to find a leather bed to match all colour schemes - normally Brown, Black, White and Cream are the easiest colours to source. Wooden and Metal Beds often fit in quite well around most decor and antique style beds are also available for the traditional look.

• Do you need to store anything in the bed?

With space at a premium in most homes, adding storage space to the empty space under the bed is becoming more and more useful. There are various storage solutions available for this purpose. Divans can still be purchased with drawer space underneath and some beds are also made so that the matress can be raised for storage. Many beds can also be purchased with matching units that can be placed at the foot of the bed for extra (matching) storage space.

• Make sure you leave enough room for bedside tables etc

Make sure you measure the space you will be putting the bed into - as I mentioned before, some people might find it more useful to purchase a small double bed instead of a full sized bed in order to accommodate surrounding furniture such as bed-side tables. You should also consider how you will get the bed into the bedroom - will it get up the stairs? Will it get through the doorways? Sometimes self assembly beds are more suitable for homes with less space.

Finally, whatever your requirements make sure you contact a bed supplier that offers a wide range of options so you can be sure to find the right bed for you.