Most people think of a “custom-made bed” as just choosing the color of the cover. However, the Slovak manufacturer BERNUSS defines this term completely differently. We talked to Ján Nehéz, owner of the BERNUSS brand, about where the boundaries of design extend, how a custom-made mattress is created for two people with different needs, and why a bed is a lifelong investment.

Ján Nehéz, owner of the Bernuss brand

When you say “custom-made bed”, what does that mean for you at BERNUSS? Where are the real limits to what you can customize?

For us at BERNUSS, a custom bed is first and foremost a personal project. We don’t look at what we currently have in stock, but at who will sleep in that bed. Our philosophy is to build a bed from the ground up exactly according to your imagination.

We do not follow any catalog or tables that would dictate the height of the bed or the number of springs in the mattress. We can customize everything, from the structure and height of the legs to the features of the mattress, down to the last detail, such as the color of the thread. Any atypical design is not an obstacle for us, we can produce with millimeter accuracy.

PLet’s break it down into small pieces. What do you ask a customer to “hit” the perfect mattress?

First of all, we are interested in your preferred sleeping position. This is a key piece of information. If you sleep on your side, we need your shoulder to sink deeper, but if you prefer to sleep on your back, your spine needs firm support.

We also consider body weight so that we can adjust the spring stiffness correctly, and we don’t forget about health aspects. If you have lower back or cervical spine problems, we can sensitively adjust the mattress to suit your needs. Our goal is not to sell just “any” mattress, but to make one that will make you wake up in the morning truly rested.

How can you adjust a double bed to suit both partners if they have completely different comfort requirements?

In regular stores, this is often solved by two separate mattresses, which creates an uncomfortable gap in the middle. At BERNUSS, we can make one common mattress in one piece, but with two different cores.

On the outside, the bed looks uniform, but under the cover, each half has an individual stiffness and layer composition. It’s more aesthetically pleasing and much more comfortable for the couple.

The bed is the focal point of the bedroom. When you say you coordinate every detail, what do you mean by that?

We really go in depth. Together with the customer or their interior designer, we choose the material, the color of the upholstery, and the shape of the headboard. However, you can also choose the exact shade of the trim or the style of the stitching, whether it should be minimalist or create a dominant pattern.

We had a client who matched the thread color and stitching of the headboard to his curtains. We also match the type and shade of the wooden legs. All of these little things ultimately create the feeling that the bed simply belongs in your bedroom, because it was made for it.

How long does the process take from design to the moment the customer falls asleep in bed for the first time?

Since it is an honest craft and not mass production, the time horizon from design to finished bed requires patience. Production must be booked sometimes several months in advance.

We need this time to order your specific fabric and for our masters in the workshop to pay due attention to each component. We do not make compromises and do not want to speed up production at the expense of quality. However, a huge advantage is that all our artisan production is located in the village of Nová Dedina near Levice, so we do not waste time on international transport.

Will a BERNUSS bed still be in good condition after ten years?

That’s the biggest difference. When you make things to measure, you can’t afford to skimp on materials that aren’t visible. We use only natural materials such as horsehair, wool, cotton, silk or cashmere. They have long-lasting properties and high health benefits. Our goal is that even after ten years, you will have the same feeling of joy in the evening as on the first day. Our products can be called “generational beds”.

What if the owner’s taste or health changes after years?

Life changes and BERNUSS takes this into account. Our beds are not a closed system. If after years you decide to completely redesign your bedroom, we can literally “dress your bed in new clothes”. Completely reupholster it or replace the headboard and legs.

We can also reconfigure the inside of mattresses. If your weight or physiology changes, we will adjust the mattress to provide you with a 100% experience again. At BERNUSS, you are not buying a product for today, but a solution for all your “future selves”.

Do you take care of clients even after the bed is delivered?

Yes, our care includes after-sales service. Our natural material mattresses are massive and can weigh over 140 kg. That’s why we come to our customers’ homes to professionally check and turn the mattresses, allowing the natural materials to “breathe” again.

Where can clients try out BERNUSS beds in person?

You can’t choose a bed by looking at it on the internet, you have to experience it for yourself. You can find our showrooms in Bratislava, Prague, Brno and Ostrava. We recommend booking a private consultation in advance so that we can reserve time exclusively for you and your undisturbed selection experience.

Showroom Bratislava, Atrium – Dom nábytku, Einsteinova 3616/9, Bratislava, 851 01

We thank Ján Nehéz for the pleasant interview.

Thank you too.

Jana Moravská spoke with Ján Nehéz, ProWide. You can also watch this interview on Youtube: