Firmness controlling apparatus for a bed or seating arrangement

A firmness controlling apparatus for use in a bed arrangement or a seating arrangement is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a rigid frame having two opposed sides, and at least one non-elastic flexible elongate element extending between the two opposed sides. Each end of the non-elastic flexible elongate element is directly or indirectly connected to one of the opposed sides, and at least one of the ends is indirectly connected via an elastic flexible elongate element. A plurality of elongate springs are provided and extend in a flat or curved plane, the ends of each elongate spring being attached to one of the at least one non-elastic flexible elongate elements at two separated connections. A retraction device is arranged to tighten and slack the non-elastic flexible elongate element(s) between the two separated connections, thereby adjusting the distance between the two separated connections of each non-elastic flexible elongate element, and thereby controlling the curvature and height of the elongate springs.