Dozens of Australians have been sitting on bean bag chairs as they wait to get their hands on the latest iPhone.

Queuing up since 04:45 local time, the Bendigo Advertiser reveals more than 80 people have waited outside Optus’s store in Bendigo, Victoria in order to see the new Apple device.

But despite the poor weather, they were able to wait in comfort, as Optus staff laid out bean bag chairs for people to sit on, as well as providing food and heaters.

And as they waited on the bean bag sofas Australian breakdancing champion Carlos Estigarribia and former Miss Universe finalist Erin McNaught were on hand to keep the crowd entertained and to sign autographs.

Those looking to purchase bean bag cubes may also be interested to note a recent Daily Mirror article which reported the Dome Garden campsite in Gloucestershire features a number of bean bags for holidaymakers to sit on.

The head of a public relations company in Florida has highlighted how redesigning her office saw a number of bean bag chairs installed, among other changes.

Speaking to Florida Trend, Christine Barney of rbb Publication Relations revealed that after she and her colleagues noted that they were not making the most of their physical workspace, they set about creating an environment that would help to improve productivity.

And it seems bean bag chairs played a role in this. In December 2007, a $300,000 (£191,813) refit saw an office ‘playroom’ created, giving somewhere for workers to sit on a bean bag and relax.

Meanwhile, private offices were eliminated with employees now doing their work in an open, shared environment.

“On any given day, 50 per cent of the office was empty because people were not in their offices. All that empty space made the office feel sleepy and was inefficient,” she states.

Earlier this week, the New York Times revealed that entrepreneurs in New York are meeting on a regular basis to sit on bean bag chairs to brainstorm and work throughout the night.

Plans to build a new school in Edinburgh could see children’s bean bags fitted in the library.

The Scotsman reports that the rebuilt James Gillespie’s High School in the Scottish capital will feature a number of informal areas, giving pupils the chance to relax and socialise between lessons.

And it appears that bean bag chairs could play a part in this, with such seating set to replace the traditional hard-backed chairs found in the library.

The publication notes that the educational institution, which is due to be completed in 2015, is being billed as the “school of the future” and will be the first in Scotland to be based around the new Curriculum for Excellence.

“We’ve started from scratch with big aspirations and we’re confident we’ll see truly inspirational learning spaces as a result,” Marilyne MacLaren, education leader for the city council, comments.

However, this is not the first instance that learning and children’s bean bags have come together. Earlier this month, the Georgetown Times revealed that a new reading centre in South Carolina opened its doors for the first time, providing somewhere that young people can relax in comfort with a good book.

Entrepreneurs in New York are stocking up on bean bag chairs, caffeinated drinks and laptops to get together and work through the night, it has been revealed.

An article in the New York Times reveals that every Tuesday night members of the New York Nightowls group – which includes entrepreneurs, freelancers and software developers – gather in an office in the city’s Chinatown district to work.

Starting work at around 22:00 local time, co-founders Amber Lambke and Allan Grinshtein reveal that people will often stay as late at 04:00.

“The goal is to come, get inspired, meet new people and get work done,” Ms Lambke claims.

And it seems that bean bag chairs play a role in these late-night creative sessions.

Ms Lambke points out that those who are in need of a quick nap can relax on a cosy bean bag.

“Maybe we’re a little bit insane. But it’s fun,” she states.

But this is not the first time that bean bag chairs have featured in an office environment. Sir Richard Branson recently told Business Day that staff at his first venture – Student magazine – sat on bean bags as they worked.

Those looking to go camping on this year’s summer holiday will be able to relax on bean bag chairs at one “futuristic” encampment in Gloucestershire.

A Daily Mirror article reports that even though people staying at the Dome Garden in the Forest of Dean will be camping out, there will be a number of “creature comforts” for them to enjoy.

And it appears that this includes comfy seating, as the publication notes holidaymakers will be able to relax on bean bag chairs.

In addition, the Dome Garden – said to be “a futuristic new encampment” – includes amenities such as a power shower and a wood-burning stove.

“The encampment has a wood-burning pizza oven, along with a chicken coop to provide your breakfast eggs,” the newspaper adds.

However, those not staying at the Forest of Dean but who are keen to relax on cosy furniture in order to make the most of the summer may wish to invest in outdoor bean bags.

A recent entry on the Wasting Your Time… In Front of the TV blog claimed that bean bag chairs form part of the “perfect picnic” experience.

Those looking to make the most of the summer weather by having a family picnic may want to follow one blog’s advice and sit on outdoor bean bags while they eat.

An entry on the Wasting Your Time… In Front of the TV blog points out that “a perfect picnic” would be incomplete without the presence of bean bag chairs.

While some might consider taking blankets to a picnic, the publication indicates that using these “may cause discomfort for you and [make it] uneasy to relax”

However by using bean bag chairs while indulging in alfresco dining, people can feel “absolutely perfect” and “will be the envy of all who see your comfortable and stylish site”.

And as the blog reports that bean bags are available in a wide variety of colours and sizes – which may include large bean bags – picnicking families should take the time to select the seating that is best for them.

But bean bag chairs can also be used in garden. Writing for the Guardian in March, John Baron revealed that the Candle House development in Leeds has a roof-top terrace containing bean bags in various colours.

Those looking to create a sense of calm in their living room may want to follow the advice of one writer and consider the role that luxury throws and cushions can play.

Writing in the YourHome section of the Star, Debbie Travis points out people wanting a room that will "soothe the senses" should use colours such as browns, whites and creams.

"To complement and heighten the calm mood, add the irresistible charm of blue," she claims.

And it appears that the likes of faux fur cushions and luxury throws could help homeowners to create a sense of calm.

Ms Travis recommends that combining velvet cushions and woollen throws can "produce a restful living room vignette".

Earlier this month, interior design experts Raseel and Naveen Ansal told DNA India that people should adapt the cushions in their home in line with the changing seasons.

The pair claimed that during the winter, cushions in colours such as fuchsia and purple should be used.

A writer has revealed how she was able to relax on a bean bag chair while on a visit to a health spa in London.

Nikki Barr of the Daily Express notes that a visit to the Sanctuary Spa in Convent Garden provides “fantastic personalised spa treatments as well as several relaxation and exercise areas for those looking to spend a day simply relaxing”.

At first she had a Trim and Tone Body Wrap, an 85-minute treatment where people are scrubbed down, smothered in clay and “wrapped up like a mummy from the stomach to the knees”.

Upon being unwrapped, Ms Barr reveals she went to the Koi Carp Lounge to relax on large bean bags with a book and a plate of snacks, before starting her second treatment.

But this is the not the first time that bean bag chairs have featured in health spas.

Writing in the Daily Mail last May, Anna Melville-James revealed she had a massage at the Titanic Spa while sat on a bean bag while pregnant as part of “a weekend of ante-natal pampering”.

Those visiting a luxury eco-hotel in Cornwall will have the chance to relax on bean bag chairs as they look at the sea, if one writer’s review of the property is anything to go by.

In a City AM article, Zoe Strimpel notes that 37-bedroom hotel The Scarlet, located in Mawgan Porth, “is a nexus of cutting-edge green technology and style”.

And it seems bean bag chairs play their part in helping the hotel achieve such a level of chic.

Ms Strimpel points out that her room had “an extraordinary little look-out pod” in which she could take in views of the sea.

By going up some stairs in the room, the chamber not only offered “a startling sea view” but also a bean bag chair.

She goes on to claim that the hotel is the “ultimate grown-up’s retreat”.

But this is not the first time that bean bag sofas and chairs have featured in a hotel. During the World Cup, football fans at the Emirates Palace gathered on bean bags to watch Chile play Switzerland.

One writer has highlighted the numerous benefits of having children’s bean bags in kids’ rooms.

In an article for the Courier-Journal, Christine Brun notes that bean bag chairs are a “fun” piece of furniture for children to play on.

But if they are looking to spend a little quiet time reading, bean bag chairs – whether they are a bean bag cubes, large bean bags or otherwise – can also be great for young people to have, particularly in poor weather.

She states that during a thunderstorm, kids can curl up on a bean bag chair with a book.

As well as bean bag chairs, Ms Brun goes on to recommend various items of furniture that can be used in summerhouses where space is at a premium. She advises that soft area rugs can help to give “appeal to a porch area or room with hardwood floors”.

Meanwhile, Sheila Wayman of the Irish Times recently noted that bean bag chairs are an ideal item of seating to purchase for parents keen to ensure their kids continue to read while they are off school for the summer holidays.