It’s fair to say that many people, myself included, overlook the need for a comfortable, supportive bed. It’s where we spend half of our lives, yet how often do we consider if our beds are ‘looking after us’?
I am the first one to admit that I have never thought about whether my bed was right for me. It was a bed, the mattress was reasonably comfortable, so what more did I need? This thinking went out the window when I came across Better Living Australia at this year’s Melbourne Leisurefest RV show. I lay on one of this company’s infinitely adjustable beds and… I had to have one.
If you find your home or caravan bed uncomfortable or just ‘not right for you’, read on…
BETTER LIVING AUSTRALIA
Better Living Australia builds beds suitable for the home and the caravan. The Caravan Bed offers the same features as the home bed; however, it is built with weight in mind, using aluminium instead of steel for the support structure where possible.
Following my experience at Melbourne Leisurefest, I purchased the queen-sized Better Living Australia bed for my home. And let me tell you, it is the best bed I have ever slept in. I can honestly say it has given me the most restful night’s sleep that I have ever had.
Let’s go over its many features.
First, the bed is designed as a ‘split system’, which eliminates the ‘partner disturbance’ with which we are all familiar. At the push of a button, the head and foot of both sides can be raised and lowered according to your preferred sleeping position. I have found that watching TV or reading in bed has become so much more comfortable. Instead of being supported by three pillows, my back is now supported by the incredibly comfortable mattress.
Each side of the bed has its own remote control. It’s just a matter of pressing a button until either your back/head, and your legs, are comfortable. You can raise the head or the foot of the bed separately, or at the same time.
Each side also has a built-in USB A and C port, allowing you to charge your devices overnight or while using them in bed, and let’s not forget the built-in LED ambient lighting. It’s just a matter of pressing the button on the remote!
But one of my favourite features is the massage function. You can select either the head of the bed, or the legs, for a massage, or both at once. Like the LED lighting, the massage function will switch off after 10 minutes, but you can set it to a 20 or 30-minute timer instead.
And what happens if you find that perfect sleeping position but someone comes along and changes it? Well, that’s why Better Living Australia has incorporated two ‘memory’ functions on the remote, along with a pre-set ‘zero gravity’ position.
It is available in king, queen or ‘Californian king’ sizes, comes with washable bamboo covers, can support up to 240kg on each side, and both the bases and mattresses will sit inside most commercially available bed frames, should you wish to do that.
DESIGNED FOR CARAVANS
As mentioned, this bed is readily available to suit caravans. Each base and mattress is available in a standard size measuring a total of 76x194x23cm (WxLxH). Each side (mattress and base) weighs 39.5kg (79kg total).
Obviously that’s something to factor in, regarding the overall payload of the van, but you could subtract from these weights the weight and support structure of your van’s existing mattress.
The Caravan Bed also comes with rounded shape at the end, similar to what you’d find on a standard caravan mattress.
For caravans or even motorhomes with a unique or non-standard bed space, Better Living Australia can provide a free quote on a custom build to suit.
THE MATTRESS
The ‘Pure Fusion’ mattress is made of a special memory foam that, in my experience, offers support and comfort without additional heat or pressure. There’s also an active charcoal layer to help kill bacteria and keep the mattress smelling clean and fresh.
And then there is the ‘dual core zone’, which is designed for support and alignment whether you sleep elevated or flat.
My favourite part: if you prefer a softer mattress, flip it to the ‘soft’ side. If you prefer a firmer mattress, flip it the ‘firm’ side.
At the end of the day, it is just extremely comfortable. Hands down, it is the best mattress I’ve slept on.
SUMMING UP
To be clear, I bought my bed for home use with my own money. As I was trying the bed at Melbourne Leisurefest, caravanners who had fitted these beds to their vans excitedly told me to buy it.
“It will be the best bed you ever buy and you won’t regret it,” one assured me. And they were right. I absolutely love it – and my kids are a little jealous!
Now, these aren’t cheap and cheerful beds. They are a serious investment in your sleep. However, they come with a full 10-year warranty, and my impression is that they are built extremely well, using quality parts.
In case you can’t tell, I am thrilled with my purchase and happily recommend Better Living Australia if you’re in the market for a new bed at home or for your caravan.
The Caravan Bed has an RRP of $6800, but mention this article for an $800 discount!
More info: www.betterlivingaustralia.com.au
