It’s not every day that one gets invited to spend the night — or sleep over — at Ikea in Pasay City, the world’s largest Ikea store. Yes, Ikea Philippines is holding a Pajama Weekend right at its store, inviting everyone “to embrace the joys of better sleep” — and dream their sleep troubles away — during three days of fun and relaxation at Ikea’s newly reimagined Mattress Studio.
Mattresses matter
Did we say mattress studio? Yup, at this Mattress Studio, mattresses do matter when it comes to sleep. Dressed to impress in requisite pajamas and certainly not sleeping on the job, Paulo Peña, shopkeeper-beds & mattress, Ikea Pasay, welcomes us to Ikea on a balmy, sleepy afternoon. He tells us, “Before, this was just an extension. Now, we want our customers to have a simulated feel of how it really is when they use our mattress. Go ahead and lie down in our beds and find out what mattress fits you perfectly.”
Paulo certainly knows the importance of a good mattress for a good night’s sleep. “When I was newly married, we could not afford a mattress and I didn’t get enough sleep,” he relates. “It was tough because just waking up in the morning was already a challenge.”
Getting the right mattress changed Paulo’s sleeping habits and now, he wakes up lighter, brighter and happier.
Life is no bed of roses, but a good rest can make a difference. Paulo then shows us Ikea’s range of mattresses and “sleep solutions,” now at even-lower-price offers. For instance, there’s the Vestmarka spring mattress that offers supreme comfort and support. Pair this off with a jolly, good pillow — the Klubbsporre ergonomic pillow that’s perfectly adaptive and contoured to support side and back sleepers. Yes, there are side sleepers, back sleepers as well as stomach sleepers. Which one are you?
Don’t know what pillow to choose? You can always ask Ikea Pasay store manager Daniel Rivero, a really jolly good fellow. He shares, “We believe good sleep is essential to a healthier, happier life. That’s why at Ikea Pasay, we’re excited to offer a weekend of fun while also showcasing practical, affordable solutions to help people get the rest they deserve. A good sleep makes everyone smile in the morning.”
Paulo discloses, “Our mattresses are different because we actually use sustainable materials that are good for people as well as the environment. They’re very, very affordable and competitive, too, vs. the local market, and come with a 10-year warranty plus a 90-day return policy. Yes, you can take home the mattress and try it out. If you see it’s not perfect for you, you can bring it back to us, for as long as it’s in very good condition.”
‘Please try our beds’
Paulo notes that Pinoy shoppers are so used to seeing signs on store furniture that say, “Please don’t sit on the chair,” or “Thank you for not sitting down.” He elaborates, “We’d like to break that so we created this environment where people can try out our furniture — lounge on our sofas and nap or sleep in our beds. Instant gratification is the key to making you decide what mattress to get.”
We spot not a few families trying out the sofas, and couples snuggled up on a couch. Soon, shoppers, some in their cute jammies ready for bed (you never know who you’ll meet in your dreams), start streaming in.
Everybody sits up as Dr. Jun Dizon, president of the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine, talks about the importance of good quality sleep for mental, physical and emotional well-being.
Our now-drowsy eyes light up at the sight of info walls, like one that tells us the six elements of sleep that together create a base for a good night’s sleep or a well-deserved rest: comfort, light, temperature, air quality, noise (a quiet room), colors and accessories. At Ikea, you can have all this, like the Fornuftig air purifier designed to improve air quality for better sleep. Or the Majgull blackout curtains that can transform a space into a peaceful sanctuary.
Eye-opening sleep habits
At this snooze-fest, we unraveled some eye-opening findings about Pinoys’ sleep habits. The Ikea Life at Home Report, done with normal Filipino households, reveals that:
•Forty-four percent of Filipinos consider sleeping as the No. 1 main driver for nurturing at home.
•Twenty-three percent of Pinoys hit the snooze button more than once in the morning.
•Twelve percent of Pinoys have a chair or a similar piece of furniture in their bedroom that doubles up as wardrobe.
And the top sleep habits of Pinoys are:
1. Thirty-six percent sleeps with their favorite pillow.
2. Thirty-five percent likes complete darkness.
3. Thirty-five percent checks if their doors are locked.
4. Thirty-one percent listens to music/podcast/wellness app.
5. Thirty-one percent says good night to their loved ones.
6. Twenty-eight percent creates the right temperature.
And so to sleep. Have a good one, everyone!