‘New waterbed designs surprise customers’

The popularity of waterbeds is on the increase as new designs captivate consumers seeking a restful night’s sleep.

According to the Gazette, waterbeds have changed considerably since they were first introduced in the 1960s.

Current waterbeds are soft-sided, look like standard beds and use standard sheets, the publication reports.

Free flowing waves have been replaced by firmer surfaces while the new "sponge bed" uses only a small amount of water.

"People either loved or hated that free-flow product, but that is not the water bed of today, and they’re moving away from what were the biggest problems with water beds," said John Rush, manager of Better Rest, a bed and mattress shop in Colorado Springs.

"I don’t think the public knows how much they’ve changed. When they walk into a store they go, ‘Oh, my God, this is a water bed?’" he added.

Meanwhile, the Birmingham Evening Post has recently reported that Scandinavian-style furniture has an enduring popularity among UK consumers.