The Bedroom

Abstract

The bedroom has hitherto escaped systematic human factors examination. In summarizing design-related research and development to date, this article first reviews each of the major and minor activities of bedroom users, particularly sleeping (including lying behavior), sexual activity, housekeeping, sitting, and observing. Then in similar fashion it looks at design characteristics, first of the bedroom environment, then of the bed. The former include size, sound, illumination, temperature, ventilation, decor, furnishings, and interroom relationships. Among the latter are bed coverings, length, width, height, space underneath, weight, capacity, location, construction of bedsteads, construction of mattresses, inclination, and of particular interest, firmness. Most of the research reported has been completely unknown to those in the human factors field. Needs for more research and development are obvious.