Sleeping on a comfortable mattress is something we take for granted today. Mattresses should be replaced every seven to ten years, according to the Better Sleep Council, to ensure optimum comfort and support. Based on how you're feeling after a night's sleep, you'll know when it's time to buy a new one. However, mattresses weren't always the luxury items we know today. In this article, we take a look at the evolution of beds into luxury bespoke furniture.
When were mattresses first made?
Spare a thought for our distant ancestors, who slept on mattresses made of broad-leaved grass, mixed with layers of ash. Archaeologists made the remarkable find of the world's oldest bed at the Border Cave in the Lebombo Mountains of South Africa.
The primitive beds, dated by modern technology as being 200,000 years old, were clustered around a hearth. Ash was used as a base to inhibit the movement of insects such as ticks, according to the Evolutionary Studies Institute. The older grass bedding was burned to destroy pests and the ashes used as a base for new beds.
Prior to this incredible find in August 2020, the earliest known mattresses dated from 77,000 years ago. Made of alternate layers of rushes and reeds, with blankets of grasses and leaves, they were found in a rock shelter known as the Sibudu Cave in Kwa Dukuza, South Africa.
The ancient Homo Sapiens who used the mattress slept under plants that naturally repelled mosquitos and other insects. Even our primitive ancestors didn't want bed bugs!
When did people first raise mattresses off the ground?
In around 3000 BC, the most eminent civilisation in the Mediterranean world, the ancient Egyptians, made wooden beds that provided a raised surface for their mattress. People of many different cultures began raising their mattress off the ground, both for greater comfort and to protect themselves from pests, such as snakes.
Wealthy citizens had bespoke beds crafted from ebony and often decorated with precious jewels. By this time, the mattresses were usually made from wool, as sheep had been domesticated. The bedding was commonly made from linen. Some had a raised head support, made from wood or stone, as the base for early pillows.
When did comfort become a greater priority?
The evolution of beds into luxury bespoke furniture began around 2,700 years ago, in one of the most advanced societies in the world.
From around 700 BC, in Ancient Greece, people prioritised comfort above all else in the construction of beds and other furniture. They invented the kline, a sofa that doubled as a day bed. It resembled a couch with a raised headrest. People used them for reclining and sleeping.
Ordinary people would have one multi-purpose kline, but the wealthy Greeks had several for different purposes. They would lounge about on one, sit and dine on another and sleep on a third. They were upholstered with rich material for extra comfort and decorated ornately.
In Ancient Rome, from around 625 BC, comfort became a priority when it came to beds. Their raised bed frames, often made of ivory or metal, were so high they sometimes needed a ladder to reach them. The mattress was commonly stuffed with hay or reeds for poorer people. It was supported by string or rope so it wasn't lying on a hard bed frame.
Wealthy Romans often had bespoke mattresses, painstakingly stuffed with thousands of feathers or with wool. They had many layers of blankets and sheets for extra comfort. Beds served as a place to socialise, rather than just being used for sleeping. They were often the centre-piece of the room.
Did anyone still sleep on the floor?
Unlike the Europeans, people in the eastern world - including China, Japan and Korea - didn't raise beds off the floor at this time.
The Chinese invented the kang bed, with a base of bricks or clay. It had a fireplace at one end with a chimney. The bed also had built-in flues underneath. When the fire was lit, they conducted hot air under the bed to keep not only the sleeping person warm, but the room too.
What were Medieval beds like?
During the Medieval period, beds were relatively simple for the general population. People favoured wooden beds, consisting of a stuffed mattress either on top of a frame or in a "bed box".
In the 12th century, beds for the wealthy in mainland Europe and the UK became much more ornate. Ornate bed frames were decorated with carvings, paintings and inlay. The mattresses and bedding were often embroidered. Mattresses stuffed with down became more popular.
Four-poster beds were invented in Austria in the 15th century. People began to hang curtains round their bed to keep out insects and draughts. Initially common practice for lords and ladies, it spread to the general population later on. Curtains were useful for extra privacy when several people shared a room.
Product: Yaxham Wooden Bed Frame
The evolution of beds into luxury bespoke furniture
In the 16th century, beds became more decorative and larger. One famous Elizabethan bed in England is the Great Bed of Ware, measuring 10 ft 11 ins square. It is one of the Victoria and Albert Museum's finest treasures. It was made for an inn in Ware, Hertfordshire, to attract people travelling through
In the 17th and 18th centuries, true luxury beds peaked for the wealthy. They served as a status symbol and were draped in expensive, elaborate curtains. King Louis XIV of France, who reigned for a record 72 years, reportedly had 413 beds!
Mattresses were transformed in the 1870s with the invention of coil springs for added comfort. At this time, metal frames were more common. For the first time in history, beds were mass produced, making them more accessible for everyone.
More companies began making well upholstered beds with made to measure mattresses. Choosing a mattress became about preference and comfort, with people able to choose whether they wanted a firm mattress a soft one, or any variation in between.
This remains the case today, with customisable beds and mattresses using materials such as memory foam to give people the perfect sleep experience.
There has never been a greater choice of luxury bespoke beds and mattresses, ensuring comfort for everyone. Contact Endurance Beds to see our wide selection of beds, mattresses and other bedroom furniture to suit all tastes. We offer free UK delivery on all orders.
By Shane Cousins on
By Shane Cousins on
By Shane Cousins on
Kulala juu ya godoro lenye starehe ni jambo tunaloliona kuwa jambo la kawaida leo. Kwa hivyo, kila baada ya miaka 7-10 ya kulala, mattress inapaswa kubadilishwa ili kuhakikisha faraja na msaada bora. Kulingana na jinsi unavyohisi baada ya kulala usiku, utajua ni wakati wa kununua mpya. Hata hivyo, si mara zote vitanda vilikuwa vitu vya anasa ambavyo tunajua leo. Katika makala hii, tutazungumzia jinsi vitanda vilivyobadilika kuwa fanicha za kifahari zilizotengenezwa kwa ajili ya watu. Vitanda vilitengenezwa lini kwa mara ya kwanza? "Hata hivyo, kuna watu wengi ambao wanaamini kwamba ""wakubwa wetu walilala juu ya godoro lililotengenezwa kwa nyasi yenye majani mapana, iliyochanganywa na majivu.""" Wataalamu wa vitu vya kale wamegundua kitanda cha zamani zaidi duniani katika pango la Border Cave katika milima ya Lebombo nchini Afrika Kusini. Vitanda hivyo vya kale, ambavyo teknolojia ya kisasa imesema vina umri wa miaka 200,000, vilikuwa vimejikusanya karibu na moto. Mvua ya majivu ilitumiwa kama msingi wa kuzuia harakati za wadudu kama vile makapi, kulingana na Taasisi ya Mafunzo ya Mageuzi. Matofali ya zamani ya nyasi yalichomwa ili kuharibu wadudu na majivu yalitumiwa kama msingi wa vitanda vipya. Kabla ya ugunduzi huu wa ajabu mnamo Agosti 2020, godoro la kwanza la zamani lilitokana na miaka 77,000 iliyopita. Mimea hiyo ilitengenezwa kwa mbao na mianzi, na ilifunikwa kwa nyasi na majani, na ilipatikana katika pango la Sibudu huko Kwa Dukuza, Afrika Kusini. Homo Sapiens wa kale waliotumia godoro walilala chini ya mimea ambayo kwa kawaida iliwafukuza mbu na wadudu wengine. Hata mababu zetu wa kale hawakutaka wadudu wa kitandani! Ni lini watu walipoanza kuinua godoro kutoka ardhini? Karibu na 3000 KK, Wamisri wa kale, ambao walikuwa na ustaarabu mkubwa katika eneo la Mediterania, walitengeneza vitanda vya mbao ambavyo vilikuwa na uso ulioinuka kwa ajili ya vitanda vyao. Watu wa tamaduni mbalimbali walianza kuinua godoro lao juu ya ardhi, ili wawe na starehe zaidi na kujilinda dhidi ya wadudu, kama vile nyoka. Raia matajiri walikuwa na vitanda vilivyotengenezwa kwa mbao za mwaloni na mara nyingi vilivyopambwa kwa vito vyenye thamani. Kufikia wakati huo, kwa kawaida godoro zilitengenezwa kwa sufu, kwa kuwa kondoo walikuwa wamezaliwa. Kwa kawaida kitanda kilitengenezwa kwa kitani. Baadhi yao walikuwa na kifuniko cha kichwa kilichoinuliwa, kilichotengenezwa kwa mbao au jiwe, kama msingi wa mto wa mapema. Ni lini faraja ikawa jambo la kwanza? Mageuzi ya kitanda katika fanicha ya kifahari ilianza karibu miaka 2,700 iliyopita, katika moja ya jamii za hali ya juu zaidi ulimwenguni. Tangu miaka ya 700 KK, watu wa Ugiriki ya kale waliweka umuhimu wa starehe juu ya vitu vingine vyote katika ujenzi wa vitanda na fanicha nyingine. Walivumbua kline, sofa ambayo ilitumika pia kama kitanda cha mchana. Ilikuwa kama kitanda chenye kifuniko cha kichwa kilichoinuliwa. Watu waliwatumia kulala na kulala. Watu wa kawaida wangekuwa na kline moja ya matumizi mbalimbali, lakini Wagiriki matajiri walikuwa na kadhaa kwa madhumuni tofauti. Wangeweza kupumzika juu ya moja, kuketi na kula juu ya nyingine na kulala juu ya tatu. Zilikuwa zimefunikwa kwa vifaa vyenye kupendeza ili ziwe zenye starehe zaidi na zilikuwa zimepambwa kwa mapambo mengi. Katika Roma ya kale, kuanzia mwaka 625 KK, kitanda kilikuwa muhimu sana. Vipande vyao vilivyoinuliwa, ambavyo mara nyingi vilitengenezwa kwa pembe za tembo au chuma, vilikuwa vya juu sana hivi kwamba nyakati nyingine ilibidi watumie ngazi ili kuzifikia. Kwa kawaida godoro hilo lilifunikwa kwa nyasi au mianzi kwa ajili ya watu maskini. Ilikuwa ikiungwa mkono na kamba au kamba ili isiweze kulala juu ya fremu ngumu ya kitanda. Mara nyingi Waroma matajiri walikuwa na godoro zilizotengenezwa kwa ajili yao, zilizojaa maelfu ya manyoya au sufu. Walikuwa na vitambaa na vitambaa vingi kwa ajili ya starehe zaidi. Vitanda vilitumiwa kama mahali pa kuwasiliana na watu, badala ya kutumiwa tu kulala. Mara nyingi walikuwa sehemu ya katikati ya chumba hicho. Je, bado kuna mtu aliyelala sakafuni? Tofauti na Wazungu, watu katika ulimwengu wa mashariki - kutia ndani China, Japani na Korea - hawakuinua vitanda kutoka sakafuni wakati huu. Wachina walibuni kitanda cha kang, chenye msingi wa matofali au udongo. Ilikuwa na jiko la moto kwenye mwisho mmoja lenye chemchemi. Pia kitanda hicho kilikuwa na vijia vilivyojengwa ndani. Wakati moto ulipowashwa, hewa moto ilifanywa chini ya kitanda ili kuhifadhi joto, si kwa mtu aliyelala tu, bali pia kwa chumba. Vitanda vya enzi za kati vilikuwaje? Wakati wa Enzi za Kati, vitanda vilikuwa rahisi kwa watu wa kawaida. Watu walipendelea vitanda vya mbao, vilivyofanyizwa kwa godoro lililopakwa vitu juu ya fremu au katika "sanduku la kitanda". Katika karne ya 12, vitanda vya matajiri katika bara la Ulaya na Uingereza vilikuwa na mapambo mengi. Viunzi vya kitanda vilivyopambwa vilipambwa kwa michongo, michoro, na vitambaa. Mara nyingi godoro na vitanda vilikuwa vimechongwa. Vitanda vilivyofunikwa kwa udongo vilikuja kuwa maarufu zaidi. Kitanda cha juu cha gorofa kilibuniwa katika Austria katika karne ya 15. Watu walianza kunyongea mapazia kuzunguka kitanda chao ili kuzuia wadudu na mvuke usivuke. Mwanzoni ilikuwa zoea la kawaida kwa mabwana na wanawake, lakini baadaye lilienea kwa watu wote. Pazia lilikuwa muhimu kwa ajili ya faragha zaidi wakati watu kadhaa walipokuwa katika chumba kimoja. Kwa mfano, kama vile Yacham Wood Bed Frame, kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda cha kitanda. Kitanda cha kifalme cha Uingereza kinachoitwa Great Bed of Ware ni kitanda cha kifalme cha kifalme cha kifalme cha kifalme cha kifalme cha kifalme cha kifalme cha kifalme cha kifalme cha kifalme cha kifalme cha kifalme cha kifalme. Ni mojawapo ya hazina bora zaidi za Jumba la Makumbusho la Victoria na Albert. "Kama vile ilivyotarajiwa, hoteli hiyo ilijengwa katika mji wa Ware, Hertfordshire, Uingereza, ili kuvutia watu waliosafiri huko, na katika karne ya 17 na 18, vitanda vya kifahari vilikuwa vya thamani sana kwa watu matajiri.""" Zilikuwa ishara ya hadhi na zilikuwa zimefunikwa kwa mapazia ya bei ghali na ya kifahari. Mfalme Louis XIV wa Ufaransa, ambaye alitawala kwa miaka 72, aliripotiwa kuwa na vitanda 413! Mattress ilibadilishwa katika miaka ya 1870 na uvumbuzi wa spring coil kwa faraja ya ziada. Wakati huo, viunzi vya chuma vilikuwa vya kawaida zaidi. Kwa mara ya kwanza katika historia, vitanda vilitengenezwa kwa wingi, na hivyo kila mtu angeweza kupata vitanda hivyo. Kampuni zaidi zilianza kutengeneza vitanda vilivyofunikwa vizuri kwa kutumia godoro zilizotengenezwa kwa vipimo. Kuchagua godoro ni juu ya upendeleo na faraja, na watu wanaweza kuchagua kama wanataka godoro laini au laini, au tofauti yoyote kati ya hizo. Hii bado ni kesi leo, na vitanda customizable na godoro kutumia vifaa kama vile kumbukumbu povu kutoa watu uzoefu kamili ya usingizi. Hakuna wakati ambapo kulikuwa na chaguo kubwa zaidi la vitanda na godoro za kifahari zilizotengenezwa kwa ajili ya kila mtu. Endurance Beds ni kampuni ya kitanda, mattress na fanicha ya chumba cha kulala inayofaa kila mtu. Tunatoa utoaji wa bure wa Uingereza kwa maagizo yote. Kwa Shane Cousins juu ya Kwa Shane Cousins juu ya Kwa Shane Cousins juu