While household chores are dreaded by many, changing a duvet cover has got to be top of the poll.
But thanks to Ben King, 30, from London, and Luke Gray, 30, who lives in Chicago, getting ourselves tangled inside the sheets could soon be a thing of the past – as they have designed the first duvet cover to make changing the bed easier.
The Koa cover, which starts from £69 and is set to launch in around a week, has a unique three zipper opening, with one central zipper on the top and two along the bottom.
‘This design allows you to fold the cover open for a simple, three step change,’ explained Ben. ‘You lay the open cover on the bed, drop the duvet on to the cover and tuck in the corners and then zip closed.’
Ben King, 30, from London, and Luke Gray, 30, who lives in Chicago, have invented first duvet cover designed to make changing the bed easier (pictured)
The Koa duvet features a unique three zipper opening, with one central zipper on the top and two along the bottom (pictured)
The product designers (pictured Ben and Luke) revealed they were inspired by Luke’s Grandma, who found changing a duvet cover too difficult
He added: ‘It is so quick and simple with no heavy shaking, climbing inside or fiddly buttons.’
The innovative idea was inspired by Luke’s grandma, who could no longer change the duvet cover because she found it too difficult.
‘Luke’s gran was the kick for us to make the Koa duvet cover,’ explained Ben. ‘She was having to wait for her daughter to visit, or ask her neighbours to help make the bed.’
‘We have had so many people in similar situations reach out to us, which has made the project really rewarding.’
The first step is to lay open the cover on the bed, before dropping the duvet onto the cover. Then, you tuck in the corners and then zip closed (pictured)
Koa, which will be sold on www.madebykoa.com, was set up by the duo just over 18 months ago to create inventive solutions to overlooked everyday problems.
‘Climbing into fresh, soft sheets is one of the best feelings – 77% of people in our survey said they sleep better on fresh sheets – but changing the bed is one of the most hated chores,’ explained Luke.
‘We’re on a mission to take the hassle out of changing the bed and make fresh sheets more delightful.’
Ben went on to explain how the invention process was about making up loads of ideas and testing them on friends.
‘I turned up to my friends 30th Birthday with one prototype and we had everyone making the bed,’ he joked. ‘We prototype loads of ideas, prototypes always inspire new ideas.’
‘We made most of the prototypes on a sewing machine in our lounge to start with and then started working with a local garment factory as we got closer.’
‘The final design has been made with our factories in Portugal, and between me and Luke we have slept in it for over a 1,000 nights.’
The duo told how the Koa duvet (pictured) will start from £69 and will come in a range of sizes, including Double and King (UK/Europe), Full, Queen and King (US)
Ben and Luke have tested and designed over 30 prototypes to ensure the cover isn’t just easy to change, but also soft and comfy.
‘We’ve tested, slept in and redesigned the duvet cover to create the perfect easy-change solution,’ explained Ben. ‘Even Luke’s grandma was able to change the bed for the first time in years.’
For the launch, Koa have partnered with British fabric designer Kitty McCall to create two exclusive and joyful patterns, landscape and fragment, which feature alongside Koa’s essential colours, white and slate.
The Koa cover will come in a range of sizes, including Double and King (UK/Europe), Full, Queen and King (US), with more sizes to be added.