The 'hospital bed' gets a makeover

What was once known as the hospital bed has become one of the hottest products in the U.S. furniture industry. Bed makers have stripped off guard rails, spiffed up styling and attached such features as remote controls, USB ports and massage, along with the basic ability to raise or lower the head and foot of the bed. Companies such as Select Comfort Corp. and Ergomotion Inc. promise benefits including reduced back pain and snoring, plus a convenient perch for binge watching or working on a laptop. Urian Cofer, who manages a cellphone and laptop repair shop in Grand Rapids, Mich., expected to spend around $2,000 on a king-size bed when he went shopping recently. [Subscription Required]