Sub-Saharan Africa

Bedding dated around to 3600 BC was discovered in Sibudu Cave, South Africa.
[9]
The bedding consists of sedge and other monocotyledons topped with the leaves
of Cryptocarya woodii.[9]
Ancient India
In ancient India bed was both on ground and hung to ceiling or stands. Swanswing
bed called 'Hamsa Toolika Talpa' was made of wood hung free. The mattress and
pillows used a special stuffing made of a dried orchid called 'suppatige'(Kannada). It
is still considered the best form of stuffing. They also used cotton stuffing which is
used even unto this day.
Europe

These stone boxes in Skara Brae are thought to have held

bedding. The stone-built settlement was inhabited between c. 3180 BC to about c. 2500 BC
Beds found in a preserved northern Scottish village, which were raised boxes made
of stone and likely topped with comfortable fillers, were dated to between 3200 BC
and 2200 BC.[10]
The Odyssey, an ancient Greek epic poem, describes the bed of its
protagonist, Odysseus, and explains that he crafted the bed for himself and his
wife, Penelope, out of a huge olive tree trunk that used to grow on the spot.[11] The
poem's author, Homer, also mentions the inlaying of the woodwork of the bed
with gold, silver, and ivory.[11]
Ancient Roman mattresses were stuffed with reeds, hay, or wool. Feathers were
used towards the end of the Republic, when custom demanded luxury. Small
cushions were placed at the head and sometimes at the back. The bedsteads were
high and could only be ascended by the help of steps. They were often arranged for
two people, and had a board or railing at the back, as well as the raised portion at
the head. The counterpanes were sometimes very costly,
generally purple embroidered with figures in gold; and rich hangings fell to the
ground masking the front. The bedsteads themselves were often of bronze inlaid
with silver, and Elagabalus had one of solid silver. In the walls of some houses
at Pompeii bed niches are found which were probably closed by curtains or sliding
partitions. Ancient Romans had various kinds of beds for repose. These included:

 lectus cubicularis, or chamber bed, for normal sleeping

 lectus genialis, the marriage bed, it was much decorated, and was placed in
the atrium opposite the door
 lectus discubitorius, or table bed, on which they ate—for they ate while lying on
their left sides—there usually being three people to one bed, with the middle
place accounted the most honorable position
 lectus lucubratorius, for studying
 and a lectus funebris, or emortualis, on which the dead were carried to the pyre[12]
[13]

The Greeks and Romans were also having their meals in bed. They would recline on
one side and reach out to pick up food from a nearby table.[14]
Near East
The Egyptians had high bedsteads which were ascended by steps, with bolsters
or pillows, and curtains to hang around.[15] The elite of Egyptian society such as its
pharaohs and queens even had beds made of wood, sometimes gilded. Often there
was a head-rest as well, semi-cylindrical and made of stone, wood, or metal.
[16]
Ancient Assyrians, Medes, and Persians had beds of a similar kind, and frequently
decorated their furniture with inlays or appliques of metal, mother-of-pearl, and ivory.

Headrest with two images of the god Bes, c. 1539–1190

BC, Brooklyn Museum
The adjacent image showcases a headrest. Headrests like this were used in life to
support the head while sleeping. They are also found supporting a mummy's head in
the coffin. This headrest perhaps was made specifically for the tomb, since the
offering prayer has been inscribed on the supporting column, although the prayer
may have been added after the death of the owner.[17]