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After dropping out of fashion in the 1990s, the humble waterbed seemed to vanish entirely.
So where did waterbeds go?
Why did they disappear from the mainstream market?
And should these once sloshy sleep solutions make a comeback?
To the uninitiated, waterbeds are (you guessed it) mattresses filled with water.
So with talk of there being a next-gen waterbed revival, are these mattresses a necessity?
Or just a novelty?
Let’s take a closer look.
What is a waterbed?
As you might have already guessed, a waterbed is a mattress thats filled with water.
Sometimes referred to as a floatation mattress, generally speaking, there are two types of waterbeds available.
The traditional hard-sided waterbed and the soft-sided waterbed.
The former is a water-containing mattress inside of a wooden rectangular frame.
Its designed to fit most frames.
Where did waterbeds go?
Its a valid question.
But to discover where they went, we have to find out where they came from.
Then, in the 1880s, hospitals used rubber pockets filled with water to prevent bedsores and ulcers.
High maintenance needs and the risk of leaks are cited for their demise.
Plus, at the same time, we saw the introduction of the memory foam mattress.
6 reasons why waterbeds disappeared
1.
But note maintained is the operative word.
Another reason why waterbeds drifted down the stream is because they launch the risk of splitting.
They were incredibly heavy
Your average queen-size memory foam mattress weighs anywhere between 70 to 100 pounds.
The same goes for a queen-size innerspring mattress, which weighs between 60 to 100 pounds.
They needed waterbed heaters
Did you know waterbeds had (and still have) to be heated?
To avoid a chilly nights sleep, this is another part of their upkeep.
Temperature regulation has a big part to play in how well you sleep.
Too hot and you fire off the risk of spending the night kicking the covers off as you sleep.
Too cold and you may struggle to get to sleep entirely.
And this rings true today.
The 21st-century mattress market is full of fresh sleep innovations.
Seasickness
Another reason why waterbeds fell out of fashion?
Well, with waterbeds being filled with the free-flowing liquid, you had to expect some gentle rocking motion.
Some say the constant swaying was relaxing.
The noise
Its no secret that noise can negatively impact your sleep quality.
But sleeping on a bed of water?
Theres likely no way to drown out the amount of sloshing the old school waterbeds used to make.
Are there any benefits of waterbeds?
By way of their unique design and the calming properties of water, these beds can be therapeutic.
And, due to them being heated, they can be a form of heat therapy.
So, should waterbeds make a comeback?
Well, the latest research fromVerified Market Reportsstates that the tides are turning.
One reason given for the growing wave of interest?
The increasing desire for alternative sleep products that combine functionality with comfort.
We cant argue with research.
Were a world addicted to good-quality sleep.
But whether waterbedsshouldmake a comeback is an entirely different story.
In their first-gen form, floatation beds dont meet the demands of the modern-day sleeper and manufacturers know that.
But is it enough to stand up to todays (already thriving) mainstream mattress market?
When youve got access to thebest luxury mattressesat your fingertips, were not swayed.
