These days the world operates 24/7, and it’s not just medical personnel and first responders who work all night and try to sleep during the day. This contributes a severe risk factor to human health and wellbeing, with the disruption of circadian rhythms and sleep/wake cycles. Sleep disorders are the most frequent complaint of shift workers and is one of the main causes of intolerance to shift work.  (sources: Saf Health Work. 2010 Dec;1(2):112-23. G Ital Med Lav Ergon. 2008 Jul-Sep;30(3):280-2.)

One solution to this is the Frisian sleeping cupboard, called a “bedstee.” Bedstees have been popular for centuries in European countries, particularly Denmark and the Netherlands, and in areas of the US where Frisian immigrants have settled, such as Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Built into a cupboard, these retreats provide a comfortable, sound- and light-controlled environment within which to sleep peacefully. Bedstees can take up less room, can be out of sight when not used, allow space above and below for storage, and provide an energy efficient micro-environment for heating and cooling. Perfect for night shift workers to create a midnight atmosphere at noon, bedstees are also a great answer to the search for privacy in a studio apartment or dorm room, or for cozy space in a loft home. And night shift workers are not the only ones who have trouble sleeping. Before you down yet another chemical sleeping aid, consider the bedstee. It offers complete control of your immediate environment; no more arguing neighbors, train traffic, car alarms, or detestable music. Inside the bedstee, you won’t even hear the bass beat. And no more unexpected cat paws in your face.

Climb into a bedstee in the depths of a long winter or on a hot summer night and close the door. Set your music agenda, or white noise, or silence; soft light or darkness; temperature cool or warm, air flowing or not, as you wish. Peaceful sleep awaits, no matter what the time of day, no matter who lives next door.

There is infinite untapped design potential for this heretofore neglected furniture piece. The traditional European design of the bedstee tends to be somewhat rustic, so the territory for exploring fine workmanship and beauty as expressed in the bedstee remains as yet unexplored.