The best part of a long day is definitely the moment when you can finally slip into your bed and rest. Whether it is a state-of-the-art natural response mattress, or a good old coil-springs one, it feels like a cloud. Most of us have a solid idea what a bed should look like. However, there are some types of beds that challenge that notion. Listed below are some of the more unorthodox sleeping contraptions.
Rocking bed
The design is familiar from rocking chairs. It is just extrapolated onto a bed. Instead of legs, this bed has arched rails which enable it to rock gently. Presumably. However, the design itself might be detrimental to a peaceful night of sleep, as any motion by the sleeper would cause a response from the bed. It seems fun, but consider it carefully before purchasing one of these.
Water bed
The classic of unusual beds, the water bed (in its modern form) has been with us for decades. Their origins date back to the 19th century when they were prescribed as a solution to people who suffered from back pains, since it was very soft. The modern version dates back to 1970s, with their popularity skyrocketing in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, however, only a small percentage of new purchases are water beds. Even though they have the advantage of being hypoallergenic, they are lumbering, heavy things and moving them is a long and complicated process, not to mention the possibility of a leak.
Vertical bed
This strange concept is just that – a concept. It has been created by several different inventors or designers. All of them have different ideas how to achieve the vertical support to the sleepers even when they are in deep sleep. One such design uses a kind of an exoskeleton which fixes the sleeper, with the neck region as the point of most stress. You can probably tell that this is the design flaw with this particular concept. However, some other designs are far less strenuous to the sleeper. Another vertical design includes a foam block of sorts with an indentation in the shape of a human. The sleeper immerses himself into this indentation and is supported from all sides by the foam bed. However, we are built to sleep in a more horizontal position.
Bed of nails
Even though they are best known as a magicians’ trick prop, these strange beds do serve a purpose. First of all, a bit of a spoiler for all those magic tricks you may have been amazed by. The bed of nails is actually very unlikely to cause any damage to the person lying in it. Due to the even distribution of weight over the whole surface of the bed, the pressure is never strong enough to pierce the skin at any single point. These beds have never been used for actual sleeping. However, they do have a purpose. Many Indian mystics have used this contraption for meditation. Furthermore, it has also been used for medical purposes as well, as an acupressure mat. In the Western world, it has been used for research purposes into back pain relief as well.
If these unorthodox sleeping options have sparked your curiosity, you can learn a bit more about them online, or check out Part two of this amusing list. If, however, they’ve made you happy you have a conventional bed, consider upgrading your old mattress for a natural response mattress in Mattress Makers’ showroom. Mattress Makers also offer a variety of other mattress option. Contact us today to learn more.