From Bean Bag to Sensory Sanctuary: DreamPod

Bean bags have been around for more than half a century, yet many of us still remember the same two frustrations: the noisy rustle of polystyrene beads and the inevitable flat-spot within a few months. The DreamPod project began as an experiment to see whether a different filling could solve both problems at once. Here’s what we learned along the way.

Traditional bean-bag beads are small, round, and slippery; they tumble over one another rather than locking together. Shredded memory-foam behaves differently. Each irregular piece grips its neighbours just enough to create a gentle, slow-moving support network. When you lean back, the foam shifts, stops, and stays, allowing the product to be exptremely mouldable and personalisable. The absence of bead-on-bead friction also removes the characteristic “crunch” that can make reading, watching a film, or settling a child for a break a little harder than it needs to be.

Product that lasts – Foam rebounds after use, so the “re-fill” calendar stretches from months to years.

Minimal noise – A useful feature for shared spaces, bedtime stories, or sensory-sensitive environments.

Washable covers – Perfect for an easy to clean furniture piece, that does not just look luxe but also is easy to clean.

Vacuum packing keeps shipping emissions down, but it also means the first few minutes at home feel a bit like unwrapping a giant bakery croissant: the DreamPod expands before your eyes. A light shake or tumble helps the foam separate, and full expansion usually appears within a 24 to 48 hours. After that, care is largely about an occasional gentle fluff and a machine-wash when life gets messy.