Bed Nomads, There Is a Perfect Mattress Just for You

Koala Mattress
Photo by Koala

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] With increased interest in immunity due to COVID-19 and more time spent at home, the importance of sleep is naturally growing. Accordingly, the so-called 'Sleeponomics,' where people invest generously for a good night's sleep, is becoming a hot topic.

Sleeponomics is a compound word combining 'sleep' and 'economics,' referring to the growth of industries related to sound sleep as busy modern people spend significant amounts of money to achieve deep rest. According to the Korea Sleep Industry Association, the domestic sleep market size was estimated at around 3 trillion KRW as of 2019. This marks an increase of over 500% in eight years from 480 billion KRW in 2011.

The industry expects the trend to continue due to Koreans' insufficient sleep duration and low sleep satisfaction. In fact, according to the '2021 Koala - Korea Sleep Status Survey' conducted by Australian home furniture company Koala in July, only 42% of 1,058 adult respondents nationwide reported being satisfied with their current sleep. Those dissatisfied with their sleep were found to be sleeping up to two hours less than the ideal sleep time.

As the importance of sleep quality rather than absolute sleep time emerges, mattresses, which form the basic sleep environment, are gaining significant attention to improve sleep quality. Accordingly, the furniture industry is expanding options by launching mattresses made of new materials that complement the shortcomings of existing mattresses to meet diverse consumer needs. Since mattresses are spaces where one starts and ends the day, have an average usage period of over five years, and account for one-third of daily time, it is necessary to select a mattress tailored to the user's personal constitution, lifestyle, and preferences before purchasing a new one.

One Stone Three Birds: Foam Mattress Combining Softness, Elasticity, and Support

Foam mattresses gently support the body, evenly distributing pressure and closely fitting body contours, reducing the burden on bones and joints when lying down and supporting the spinal line evenly. According to recent research from Gachon University’s Department of Nursing, foam mattresses made of polyurethane, commonly used in medical settings, increase the contact area with the body and redistribute pressure. Additionally, studies supporting the benefits of foam mattresses are being published one after another, increasing demand for foam mattresses.

The foam mattress introduced by Australian home furniture company Koala consists of high-density foam certified for radon safety and CertiPUR-US®, along with functional layers, providing firm body support without sagging and boasting excellent durability that maintains the mattress shape for a long time. It is designed to be comfortable and soft while compensating for the shortcomings of other mattress materials, offering support tailored to different body parts without sagging.

Queen Maekbanseok Isle Easter Modern Stone Bed
[Photo by Jangsu Stone Bed]

Stone Bed Targeting Koreans’ Ondol Preference

The emergence of stone beds, which combine Korea’s ondol culture with Western bed culture, allows consumers to enjoy the traditional warmth of the heated floor even on a bed, expanding options to satisfy consumer desires for sound sleep. Developed to suit Koreans accustomed to ondol, stone beds scientifically replicate traditional ondol, maintaining optimal body temperature and promoting blood circulation to aid deep sleep. They are highly favored by middle-aged and elderly consumers who prefer the hard and warm ondol floor.

Health bed brand Jangsu Stone Bed, which promotes a healthy sleep culture, is continuously releasing functional stone beds applying its proprietary 'Heating Floor Method.' This method applies the traditional ondol principle, creating a 20mm air layer between the heating element (special carbon heating panel) and natural stone, allowing far-infrared radiant heat to warm the air and deliver heat deeply into the user's body. The radiant heat is emitted directly from the heating element without a medium, distributing uniform heat across the natural stone to evenly transfer warmth to the user.

Monje Deep Sleep Mattress.
[Photo by Monje]

AIRNET™ Material Mattress Boasting Excellent Breathability and Support

Mattresses made from special materials are also being released one after another to provide consumers with high-quality sleep. Daily&Co’s sleep specialist brand Monje introduced the Monje Deep Sleep mattress applying AIRNET™, a material that firmly supports the waist during sleep.

The Monje Deep Sleep mattress is made entirely from baby bottle material for its internal components, using a single material to manufacture the mattress, attracting great interest from those sensitive to mattress material safety. Additionally, AIRNET™ with its 3D mesh structure offers high breathability, preventing heat buildup and facilitating moisture management, minimizing concerns about mold and dust mites. Its water-permeable structure allows the entire mattress to be washed, enabling hygienic use.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.