Minecraft finally lets players sit after nearly 17 years, adds craftable cushions and straw beds

After nearly 17 years, Minecraft is finally introducing an official way for players to sit down. Mojang Studios has added craftable cushions and temporary straw beds in the latest Preview build, expanding the game’s decoration options while introducing a new survival mechanic. Both features are currently available for testing and are expected to arrive in the main game later this year.

Cushions and disposable beds arrive in Minecraft

The main addition in Minecraft Preview 26.40.30 is the cushion, a placeable item that allows players to sit anywhere in the world. Available in 16 different colors, cushions are designed primarily for builders and role-playing enthusiasts looking to create more detailed homes, villages, and public spaces. Crafting a cushion requires three Wool Slabs of the same color, making it a relatively inexpensive decorative item.

The update also introduces straw beds, a new type of bed designed with exploration in mind. Unlike standard beds, they let players skip the night without changing their respawn point, making them useful during long expeditions far from a permanent base. The tradeoff is that straw beds are single-use items and cannot be used in either the Nether or The End. They are crafted using three Hay Bales and produce four straw beds.

Beyond the new furniture, the preview also adds abandoned camps to the Pale Garden and Flower Forest biomes, alongside additional tweaks to Dappled Forest world generation.

The update arrives amid Microsoft’s restructuring

The preview launches during a challenging period for Mojang’s parent company. Microsoft will lay off a total of 4,800 employees, 30% of whom are from the Xbox division. In addition to affecting the company’s gaming division, this also marks the departure of four of the studios under its umbrella.

These aren’t the only layoffs at Xbox, as this round of cuts will affect about 1,600 employees, representing approximately 8% of the division. According to an internal memo, the layoffs are expected to continue through FY27, affecting approximately 3,200 employees.

Follow MeriStation USA on X (formerly known as Twitter). Your video game and entertainment website for all the news, updates, and breaking news from the world of video games, movies, series, manga, and anime. Previews, reviews, interviews, trailers, gameplay, podcasts and more! Follow us now!