Wallbeds usher in a new era
- Details
- Published Date
Temporary beds conjure up some horrible memories – we've all been there. Beds on castors that roam around the room with every body movement (surprisingly mobile when the sleeper sneezes), camp stretchers with a bar strategically placed across the lower lumbar area to cause immobility the following day, air beds that mysteriously deflate overnight...
Okay, temporary beds today are not that bad. There are a host of alternatives to select from: foldaways, rollaways, blow ups, trundles, stowaways, sofa beds... the list is endless.
There are now a few companies taking the concept of temporary beds to new levels. For example, the latest rollaway beds have real mattresses that are on a well-sprung steel frame that stores away in a vertical position to maximise space saving but offers the guest normal bed sleeping arrangement.
The epitome of temporary beds, however, must be the wallbed. These are full real beds – single, double, even king size – with a real innerspring mattress, box spring base and padded headboard. When these beds are not needed, they simply fold into a recess in the wall or into a stylish cabinet fixture, like a TV wall unit or bookcase!
In the past, fold down beds have used a stretched spring arrangement that assists in lowering a bed. Over time the springs stretch and make folding down the bed even more onerous than it would be without spring assistance. One company has got around this by creating a compression power pack system that allows the bed to be truly adjustable even after years of use. This compression power pack system makes it easy to lift any size bed up and down with the touch of a finger.
Another feature of the wallbed concept is that the accommodation provider can use any brand of mattress (up to 28cm thick) allowing a consistent bedding experience for all guests, even the ones on a temporary bed. The ease of folding away makes it really easy for housekeeping staff as well. No back strain or muscle injury. No lumping the whole bed into a storage area. Just a simple one-finger lift!
And, when folded up, the whole device is camouflaged to be part of the room furniture or wall.
As most fold up systems are vertically mounted, a reasonably high ceiling is required but there are horizontally mounted concepts available where space is at a premium.
One such system, The Room Makers by Sico, is the master of illusion when it comes to the disappearing temporary bed. The company offers two styles of temporary bed camouflage using faux cabinets and its patented compression power pack system for easy lifting.
Models include both upright and side fold units. Cabinet makers can include handles and lacquered trim complete the illusion of faux drawers and doors, totally hiding the concept of a temporary bed.
