The Bedstar Advice Guide to Leather Beds

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Leather beds are sophisticated, stylish, soft, and comfortable. They are the business and fulfil the bed’s function of being the centrepiece of a bedroom fantastically, commanding your eyes’ attention when you first walk into the room.

Of course, leather beds aren’t cheap, but that doesn’t mean you have to do without one. Faux leather beds allow you to enjoy the comfort and sophistication of a genuine leather bed but with a lower price tag. They’re easy to look after as well.

Are you feeling tempted to invest in a leather bed? Then this guide is for you. We look at the different types of leather, why you might prefer a genuine leather bed or a faux one, and what to look for if you’re buying either. We also provide some care tips for leather beds.

Let’s begin.

Different types of leather for beds

Leather isn’t just leather: there are different types, and depending on the type you buy, the material will have a different look and feel. Below are some of the main types of leather used in beds:

Aniline

Aniline leather is soft and plush. It doesn’t receive much chemical treatment and, because of this, is one of the most natural-looking leathers. Aniline leather retains its original markings, and no two pieces of furniture wrapped in aniline look quite the same. The leather’s delicate nature causes it to damage easily, so if you ever own any aniline leather furniture, take exceptional care of it.

Semi-aniline

Semi-aniline leather is slightly stronger than aniline and has received a light treatment that protects it from stains and liquids. The dye is consistent, and the treatment coating slightly hides the leather’s natural markings. Unfortunately, semi-aniline leather doesn’t sport the same unique texture as aniline leather.

Full-grain

Full-grain leather is the real deal. Beds that enjoy the privilege of being wrapped in this leather do so in tough, strong, durable, and long-lasting leather. Full-grain leather isn’t pebbly like the name might suggest. In the case of leather, the term merely means that it’s the hide in its most natural form. Full-grain leather is smooth and luxurious. Beautiful.

Pigmented

Pigmented leather is one of the most common types of leather you’ll find in a leather bed. The leather receives a high level of treatment and, as a result, is one of the most durable leathers. Pigmented leather is resistant to fading and staining and is blemish-free. The appearance is consistent but not as natural because of the high level of treatment. Pigmented leather is easy to clean and maintain.

Split-grain

Split-grain leather is soft but not quite as soft as full-grain leather and receives a mild treatment level. Although you’ll find it on furniture, it’s not as robust as full-grain leather. It’s also less durable.

Leather cutting tools.

Why choose a natural leather bed

Real leather beds transform the appearance of your bedroom. The appearance and soft feel of the leather bring a sense of luxury to space. Here are some extra reasons why you might prefer a leather bed:

Durable

Most people don’t buy a bed to replace it just a few years later, so genuine leather is a good choice. Natural leather is in no rush to make it onto the junk pile and will keep your bedroom looking good for a long time.

Versatile and add texture

Leather has a timeless quality and works well with lots of other furniture and types of décor. If you want to make a statement with your bedroom, you don’t have to compromise on the other furniture in your room. The leather bed is likely to combine well with it.

Also, you can mix leather with other fabrics, bringing texture and depth to a bedroom. Want to add scatter cushions, throws, or other finishing touches to your bed? Go right ahead. A leather bed offers the perfect base for it.

Leather bed.
Mixing leather with other fabrics brings texture and depth to a bedroom.

Why choose a faux leather bed

Of course, for some reason, natural leather might not be entirely up to your street so you might prefer faux leather. Here are some reasons why you could choose a faux leather bed:

Affordable

Faux leather beds offer the same luxurious look as genuine leather but are more affordable. However, since it’s not real leather, it’s a little more susceptible to wear, tear, and marking.

Consistency

Since it’s artificial leather, faux leather is more uniform and consistent in its texture and feel. You’re less likely to encounter imperfections in a faux leather bed.

Easy to maintain

The treated surface of faux leather makes it easy to clean and maintain. Simple measures such as keeping the bed out of direct sunlight, which you’d do with a genuine leather bed, will also help. Cleaning is as straightforward as wiping it down with a lint-free cloth and warm, soapy water.

Distinguishing between faux and real leather

It’s not always easy to spot the difference between genuine and faux leather. Below are a few key elements that will help you determine whether you’re buying the “right” type of leather bed:

Real leather

  • More expensive
  • Made from animals, which some find controversial
  • It is often more durable than faux leather and will last longer.
  • Slightly fewer styles and colours because you’re working with genuine leather
  • Perception of being “high-end.”

Faux leather

  • Treated to acquire a more appealing look
  • Cheaper than real leather
  • Suitable for vegans because it’s made from a plastic, cruelty-free base
  • Manufacture makes it available in more styles or colours
  • Less prone to cracking or fading by sunlight
Leather Bed.
Pictured: Milan Bed Company Hollywood 4FT 6 Double Leather Ottoman Bed – Black

Buying a faux leather bed

If you’ve chosen to buy a faux leather bed, you should consider several details before you part with your cash. Importantly, it would be best if you understood about different types of faux leather – polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is a popular, non-porous leather, and polyurethane (PU), which is more breathable and sustainable – so that you don’t spend money on a low-quality bed.

Below are some of the most important aspects to keep in mind:

Budget

You’ve got to think about your budget before you start shopping. You can do this by looking at the prices of faux leather beds in brick-and-mortar stores. Decide how much you’re willing to spend, and then start browsing again. Keep your eye open for any deals.

The bed frame itself

Faux leather beds today aren’t just stylish; they’re also convenient. Some, like ottoman leather beds, feature storage options to add sophistication to your bedroom without foregoing more practical considerations. Others, such as platform beds, look the part. Think about what you want from the bed so that you can choose the right type of faux leather bed for you.

The colour of the leather

Consider the design of your bedroom. Think about the curtains, the theme of your room, and the furniture and ornaments. You can get faux leather in plenty of different colours, allowing you to be bold with your bed if you wish to.

The warranty

When you least expect it, a scratch or a tear can appear on a faux leather bed. Check your warranty covers you for a long time so that if there are any issues, the manufacturer or retailer can address them.

Buying a genuine leather bed

If you’ve decided to buy a natural leather bed, think about the things below before you buy it:

The design of the bed

What are you looking for in the bed? Do you prefer classic designs, such as those of a sleigh bed, or are you more about the practicality and looking for storage? Whether aesthetics or practicality takes priority for you will determine what type of bed you choose. That being said… something like an ottoman leather bed allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds.

The bed materials

Do you want the whole bed frame to be in leather, or do you want it to be part wood? Remember that genuine leather is more expensive, so that you might prefer the part leather option. Consider the quality of the material. If you want your bed to last for a long time, you might be willing to pay more.

Find out about the materials the manufacturer has used. See who the manufacturer is, how they make their leather, and where. Ask about the different types of leather they make. Good leather manufacturers can talk about leather until the cows come home!

The manufacturer

Do some research into the bed’s manufacturer. How long have they been operating? Check the guarantees, what they include and whether there are any extras in the price. Make sure you know how long the bed is under warranty.

Of course, whether you’re buying a genuine leather bed or a faux one, buying the right size is fundamental. Ensure you measure your bedroom and get an idea of how much the bed itself will take up.

Styling with a leather bed

Since leather is so stylish, we couldn’t possibly write a piece like this and not comment on ways to style your bed or your bedroom with one. Here are a few suggestions:

Leading with a leather headboard

A bedroom that blends traditional style with other elements is incredibly inviting. Why not lead with a leather headboard for your bed? Black is sublime, and the headboard can serve as an anchor for the rest of the space.

Adding a fireplace

One of the joys of a leather bed is its versatility, but it doesn’t have to go with everything in the room. A leather bed does, however, work well in a bedroom that has a fireplace in it. The fireplace will complement the bed significantly. This is especially true if the fireplace is built into a stone-covered wall. Be aware, however, that if the bed is too close to the fireplace, the heat can dry out the leather.

Working with brown

Black isn’t the only colour to lend a sophisticated touch to your headboard. A brown headboard will also perform its duties perfectly in this regard. You can find brown headboards in various shades, from caramel to dark brown.

Combine the brown with light, white or off-white accessories. This creates a soothing blend of neutral hues. The palette opens the room to combinations with a wide choice of accent colours.

Looking after a leather bed

After spending money on a leather bed, you want to take care of this exquisite piece of furniture. It’s easy to make a mistake, though, so here are some things you should do, as well as some you shouldn’t:

Research the type of leather

Before you start cleaning any leather, you should research the leather type and check how authentic the leather is. This will give you an idea of how to clean it.

Use a damp, wrung-out cloth.

Whenever you’re cleaning leather, always use a damp cloth that you’ve wrung out, and you should vacuum the bed every week.

Never soak the leather.

Never soak or saturate leather materials. If you do, they’ll shrink.

Avoid using any harmful products on the leather.

The chances are the leather bed will come with some guidelines or labels that indicate how you should care for your bed. Please don’t ignore them.

Avoid positioning your leather bed somewhere that will harm the leather.

When buying your bed or any other type of leather furniture, always consider how the bedroom layout might affect the bed’s condition. Placing the bed near a radiator, under the air conditioning, or beside the fireplace will dry out the leather. Positioning it right next to a window or by a glass door will allow sunlight to fade, so keep it out of the sunlight and/or hang up some curtains to block it and protect the bed.

Don’t let pets on or near the bed.

Cats will use the leather as a scratching post. Sometimes, dogs will, too. That’s the very last thing you want. Teach them to stay off the bed. Keep an eye on them and make sure they do.

How to clean faux leather

When cleaning faux leather furniture, it’s best to vacuum your bed at least once weekly. If you have to give the bed a little more attention because of a stain or a spillage, here’s what you should do:

  1. Wet a non-abrasive cloth in lukewarm water.
  2. Wring the cloth out.
  3. Add some washing-up liquid to it.
  4. Attack the stain in a circular motion. Don’t rub the cloth against the stain. Otherwise, you’ll likely crack the faux leather.

If you’re apprehensive about whether the cleaning method will damage the leather, try it out on a small area of the bed that’s not visible first.

A few final words on leather beds

Leather beds offer you the chance to get stylish and convey sophistication. The availability of faux leather beds means that even if you don’t have quite the budget for the real thing, you can still enjoy that chic sense.

Best of all, perhaps, you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice style for practicality. Some leather beds feature storage options to save space and allow your bed to work its aesthetic magic in your bedroom.

Since you’ve gone out to spoil yourself, you should take good care of your leather bed. Doing this isn’t especially hard, either. A few simple measures can help you preserve your bed for longer, allowing you to get all the pleasure a (faux) leather bed can offer.

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