Review of leather beds, what to consider for a long service life

Luxurious red leather bed

A third of human life is sleep, so a person’s health, mood and even success depend on comfort and convenience during sleep. But for a modern bedroom, just a comfortable and non-creaking bed is not enough. Today, stylish and original models are in fashion, differing in design features and materials. Particular attention is paid to beds made of genuine leather, which should be regarded not just as a place to sleep, but as a worthy and stylish decoration for the room. A well-chosen, high-quality leather bed can become a central detail in the interior, on which the rest of the decor will be based.

Elegant leather bed in soft gray color

White leather bed in the bedroom

Exquisite snakeskin bed

A bed made of red leather looks elegant

Advantages and disadvantages

Furniture made of genuine leather can be chosen from domestic or foreign production. Designer furniture from well-known brands is distinguished by the highest quality, durability, reliability, and versatility. Leather beds are considered an exclusive interior detail; many of them are real works of art. Models are made in a classic rectangular, oval or circle shape. Beds with a leather headboard are an excellent option for those who like to relax in a sitting position, leaning back. The back provides ideal support for the spine and adds comfort and convenience. In addition, the material is pleasant to the touch, gives warmth in cool weather, and a feeling of coolness in hot weather. The backrest is a stable element and can easily support people of any weight.

When purchasing a product, you must carefully examine the material for authenticity!

Among the many varieties of models, the leader is sleeping places with a soft headboard, which is controlled by a lifting mechanism. Such models combine convenience and practicality. Headboards are made straight or curved.

Beds made of genuine leather fit harmoniously into any interior and bedroom style. In addition, the products have a number of undeniable advantages:

• practicality - due to the excellent strength and elasticity of the leather, the products easily return to their original shape after deformation. With proper care, leather products remain attractive for a long time;
• versatility - leather beds for the bedroom are great for both classic style and modern high-tech, loft and other styles;
• easy care - compared to textiles, leather is easily cleaned of various types of contaminants. To maintain cleanliness, the bed should be periodically wiped with a damp sponge;
• functionality - many models are available with spacious niches and drawers, allowing you to free the room from a large amount of furniture;
• wear resistance - after years, small abrasions appear on durable material, which not only do not spoil the appearance, but also make it presentable;
• style - a bed made of genuine leather is chic, rich, luxurious. She will add zest to any bedroom.

In addition to many advantages, leather beds also have some disadvantages. Firstly, it is high cost. In addition, the material is slippery, so the bed linen slides off it. It can also be easily scratched by pets' claws.

How to choose a bed with a soft headboard

The variety of models, colors of eco-leather upholstery, sizes and shapes of finished products can make choosing the right product difficult. An important factor when choosing is comfort during use: how a person feels lying in bed, whether the height of the head while sitting matches the headboard made of leather. The surface should bring a pleasant feeling of warmth and comfort.

Color solutions

A bed made of eco-leather can be chosen in accordance with the color of the surface covering, while complementing the decor with various accessories:

1. A cozy bedroom with cream walls, a white ceiling and a light brown floor will be successfully decorated with a white bed with a high soft headboard paired with white nightstands and small brown pillows.
2. A brown bed will look good against the background of gray walls and a dark brown or graphite floor. You can complement the decor with black and white pillows and a bedspread, and light transparent curtains.
3. A white bed with chrome legs will go well with a gray interior. The wall should be decorated with mirror slabs with additional lighting.
4. If the room is painted in rich, deep colors, then a bed of light colors will dilute the atmosphere. Curtains and carpet are also chosen lighter.
5. Coffee walls and a dark wood floor will create a successful tandem with a cream bed with a high headboard upholstered in eco-leather.
6. Supporters of bright red shades need to think about surface finishing in advance. To pair this bed, you can purchase black nightstands, and choose curtains with a red or black print.

Dimensions

The size of the sleeping place must fully satisfy a person’s requirements for comfort and space while sleeping. When choosing a particular bed, you should rely on the standard dimensions used by manufacturers:

• A single bed is intended for children or teenagers. Its width is 100 cm, length can be 180 or 190 cm.
• For one adult, it is enough to purchase one-and-a-half bed models, the width of which ranges from 140-160 cm.
• A double bed can provide quality sleep for two people. The width of such a product exceeds 160 cm, sometimes it can reach 2.5 m.
• When choosing a round model, you should be prepared for a piece of furniture with a diameter of at least 220 cm to appear in the room.

Review of manufacturers

The largest and most popular company in our country for the production of upholstered and cabinet furniture, IKEA, has existed since 1943, created in Sweden. Today, supplies and production are carried out in many countries. Factories offer a wide range of products in different price categories. The product is of high quality.

The Dimitrov furniture factory “Aurora” dates back to 1931 and is still distinguished by high-quality products, qualified personnel, and state-of-the-art equipment. DMF “Aurora” furniture has served for many years without any complaints. Most breakdowns are due to improper operation.

Factory “Asgadr”, which has been producing all types of interior items since 1997. Located in Dedovsk, Moscow region. All these years, the manufacturer's products meet high European quality standards. Only the best raw materials are used (solid coniferous wood, holofiber and polyurethane foam), imported precision equipment. “Asgard” is a company that provides an individual approach to each consumer.

The Angstrem holding is one of the five largest furniture manufacturers in Russia. It sells its products in 120 Russian cities, as well as neighboring countries and Central Asia. Numerous groups of designers work on the development of beds and sofas. The emphasis is on comfort and aesthetics.

An important aspect is the use of exclusively environmentally friendly materials that do not lose their original appearance even after 4-5 years. Thanks to qualified employees, service occurs in the shortest possible time. The products are durable and reliable.

The Novgorod factory “Borovichi” has occupied a high position in the market of upholstered and cabinet furniture for 20 years. The main advantage of the manufacturer is considered to be its democratic pricing policy. According to reviews, the product meets the requirements for the quality of upholstery and filling. It has a simple and concise design.

The leader in furniture production in Russia is the Shatura company, which has existed since 1961. She has received many international awards. Fills the market mostly with goods in the mid-price segment.

The use of high-precision Italian and German equipment, along with strict control at all stages of production, virtually eliminates low-quality items coming off the assembly line.

Price

Beds made from eco-leather are popular. Along with excellent performance and aesthetic characteristics, they have an affordable price.

Additional raw materials used (wood or its derivatives, metal, filler, etc.), as well as equipment with a lifting mechanism and storage box or other functional additions make such pieces of furniture more expensive and luxurious.

Which skin is better

In addition to genuine leather, manufacturers use high-quality artificial material that is practically no different from natural material. But according to the characteristics, even a very high-quality leatherette cannot replace the original leather. After tanning, the leather has elasticity, softness, elasticity and resistance to mechanical damage and dirt.

Before becoming upholstery, leather goes through a difficult processing process. To make upholstery, you need cattle hide. The skin is divided into 3 layers. The best is the top layer, used for the most expensive and luxurious furniture. The next layer is the roughest and serves as upholstery for cheaper products. The third layer is not suitable for upholstery. For luxury beds, a top layer of leather is used.

Genuine leather is a material made from the skins of various animals. Not every type of leather is suitable for making furniture; it is important to remember this when choosing a quality bed. It is worth choosing models made from calfskin, as it is not only soft and smooth, but also quite durable, so that cracks do not form on its surface even after a long time. Models made from sheep and goat leather are also distinguished by their durability and practicality. This material is soft and at the same time durable, so it is suitable as upholstery for furniture.

If pigskin was used to make the bed, then you should not choose such furniture, since, despite the relative cheapness, the material looks unpresentable. In addition, such skin is not elastic enough, its surface is rough and hard. As for the material and finishing method, beds made of smooth leather are more practical. But models with an embossed texture that imitate the skin of reptiles or other exotic animals are also popular.

Types of upholstery materials

Material of natural origin undergoes serious preparation before being used in furniture production. Several types of leather are used as bed upholstery:

1. Veal. It is characterized by high strength, thinness, ductility and silkiness. The material is considered the most valuable and is suitable for covering complex design elements. The average thickness reaches 2 mm.
2. Sheep. Elastic and flexible, excellent stretch. In terms of strength, it is inferior to the veal variety.
3. Goat. Reliable material, very thin and delicate, it has a wavy pattern.
4. Pork. This variety is light in weight and has a porous structure; it is resistant to moisture. It is characterized by friability and fat inclusions, which limits its use.
5. Eco leather. It is considered a high-quality substitute for natural material. Made from cotton, artificial fibers, polymers. Among the advantages are resistance to wear, environmental safety, excellent imitation of a natural analogue.

Leather can be obtained from the skins of various animals, but not every type is suitable for furniture production. Experts recommend giving preference to calf, since it has a sufficient margin of strength and is not susceptible to cracking. Sheep or goat leather is also suitable for bed upholstery. Soft, pleasant to the touch materials are reliable and durable. You should not choose furniture covered with pig skins. Despite the lower cost, it does not look very presentable and quickly loses its attractive appearance.

Upholstery with an embossed structure, as well as imitations of reptiles and other exotic animals, are popular. But beds covered with smooth leather are considered more practical to use.

Veal

Sheep

Goat

Pork eco leather

Available colors

Beds made of genuine leather have a sparse color scheme. You can choose the following colors for a specific bedroom interior:

• white - this model will add light even to a very dark bedroom. It looks good in the interior of any newfangled style, for example, African. The white color of the bed in Provence or country style fits perfectly. Often these leather beds are decorated with original buttons;
• beige – a beige leather bed looks great in any bedroom. The product is made in laconic forms or with decorations made of delicate frills;
• black - strict black color is most harmoniously suitable for high-tech or modern styles;
• red - this color of passion is perfect for a youth bedroom. The product is usually made in the shape of a circle;
• with rhinestones - an exquisite bed looks great in the boudoir for a lady in the art deco style. Beds are decorated not only with rhinestones; pearl jewelry, stones, and embroidery are also used.

With your own hands

Leather headboards don't have to be expensive. Fashion expert Westwing knows how to add chic and luxury to your bedroom without breaking the bank. The following recommendations will help you make a leather headboard with your own hands. For the simplest option, the following materials and tools are needed:

• A square or rectangular piece of plywood;
• Furniture foam rubber (batting, padding polyester);
• A piece of leather;
• Construction stapler, staples, glue;
• Jigsaw, scissors.

At the first stage, you need to decide on the size of the headboard and give the plywood the required shape. Lay out the foam rubber on the finished base and secure it with glue. Depending on the desired thickness and softness of the headboard, several layers of foam rubber can be used. Next, you should lay out the piece of leather. Using a stapler and staples, carefully secure the structure from the wrong side, while carefully smoothing the skin away from the center. This will help prevent the occurrence of creases and assemblies. The product is ready for installation.

The carriage tie technique is more complex, for which you will additionally need decorative buttons, cords and a screwdriver. On the prepared sheet of plywood, you need to drill holes in the desired order, in place of which buttons will later appear. The further sequence of actions remains virtually unchanged. After the leather is secured with staples, all that remains is to stretch the buttons along the marked holes and secure them with laces.

It’s worth buying a leather headboard with a laconic rectangular shape if the design and decoration of the bedroom follows popular modern trends – high-tech and minimalism. The absence of additional drapery, exceptionally strict lines and contours in this case will be an excellent solution that will refresh the interior and allow it to look stylish and relaxed

. The Westwing shopping club's assortment includes incredibly comfortable and attractive solutions for decorating your bedroom, not only in a restrained modern style, but also in a more luxurious and spectacular design. We know what exactly you need!

How to spot a fake

Some manufacturers sometimes pass off artificial materials as natural. There are several signs by which you can distinguish the material:

• smell - you can immediately feel that artificial leather smells like synthetics, while natural leather has a faint odor;
• warmth - if when the skin touches the hand it heats up and retains heat, then the material is natural. Artificial does not retain heat;
• appearance - the natural material has a unique pattern, the fake is distinguished by the repetition of the pattern, although the leather can be printed with a uniform pattern;
• to the touch - natural leather has a uniform texture, the material is soft and at the same time elastic. If you press or stretch it, it immediately restores its shape. When folded, the artificial leather will have folds, but the real one will not wrinkle. The reverse side of the natural material is velvety;
• cut - natural leather has a fibrous structure when cut, artificial leather has a smooth surface;
• sample - a sample of the leather from which it is made must be attached to the product. A figured diamond means a natural material, a simple one means leatherette;
• fire test - when a flame is applied to real material, it contracts, but does not ignite. It can catch fire if the leather is coated with an aniline compound. When the fire is applied, the substitute will flare up and behave like a plastic bottle. It bakes and emits an unpleasant, pungent odor and even black smoke. But it is undesirable to carry out such experiments, since the product can easily be damaged;
• contact with water - if water gets on a natural material, it is absorbed and just a dark-colored speck will remain on the skin until the moisture completely disappears from the surface. Artificial material does not absorb water; the liquid will spread over the surface.

Thus, simple steps will help you determine the material from which the bed is made. It should be remembered that leather products have characteristics that depend on the type of material, its processing and dyeing. For this reason, there is no need to get carried away with experiments so as not to damage the product! It is best to entrust the inspection to professionals who understand such issues, since leather beds are an expensive product and it is extremely undesirable to spoil it.

With or without decorative trim

A headboard with decorative trim is the opposite of simple headrests. Even in gray tones it attracts attention. We'll tell you why.

• The capitonné technique, or carriage screed , gives the bed a royal look. Previously, carriage screeds were used to decorate furniture and carriages of noble people, so this decorative technique serves as an indicator of luxurious life.
• Square, diamond-shaped and other types of picks “break” the headboard into elements of the correct shape. Straight lines give the furniture a strict look and help play with the geometry of the bedroom. If the board is “broken” into vertical lines, then the ceiling can be made visually higher.
• Brass inserts are another decorative technique that helps give furniture a noble look, and at the same time the bedroom. Most often, designers use inserts in the form of vertical and horizontal stripes of different widths.
• Gold piping and furniture studs around the perimeter of the headboard continue the theme of refined furniture. These decorative elements help to highlight the headrest against the wall and make it more attractive.
• An additional “side” along the edge of the headboard creates a more comfortable environment. In addition, this decorative technique helps to retain heat if the bed is located near a cold wall.

If the interior requires laconic solutions, choose beds with simple-designed headboards

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Bright upholstery is a practical solution for a bedroom whose windows face north

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The red color of the upholstery in combination with the carriage screed makes the model in the photo relevant for classic interiors

A carriage screed can decorate a headboard of any color

If you choose a bed with upholstery that matches the color of the walls, the interior will be as laconic as possible.

An additional “side” with a edging made of furniture nails may seem pretentious, but in a classic interior these details look harmonious

Practicality and care methods

Leather furniture is one of the most practical and hygienic materials. Dust does not accumulate on the products, and all dirt is easily removed. Also, when you touch it with your hand in the winter, it retains heat and, conversely, in the summer it creates a feeling of coolness. In order for furniture to last a long time and retain its attractiveness, it is necessary to properly care for it.

Perhaps the most important rule is the inadmissibility of placing leather beds in close proximity to heaters, radiators or fireplaces, as the product will become covered with cracks over time. It is also not recommended to install in places exposed to direct sunlight. If the leather surface becomes dirty, clean it with a sponge or soft cloth using a solution of soap or leather cleaner. It is better to use special products, as they are produced taking into account different types of material.

Although leather furniture, unlike textile coverings, does not accumulate dust, dust still accumulates on horizontal surfaces. Therefore, you should periodically wipe the bed with special napkins or soft material. You can use dry wipes or slightly moistened ones. It is good for care to have special mittens made of different materials on both sides: the rough part is used for rubbing detergents, the soft side is used to remove dust. To properly care for leather beds, it is preferable to use products from trusted manufacturers.

Beds made of genuine leather are expensive products, but with proper care they will last for a long time, will suit any bedroom interior design, will create maximum comfort for a healthy, sound sleep and will give a luxurious look to the room.

Peculiarities

Eco-leather is a type of artificial leather that is based on cotton fabric. The top layer is an environmentally friendly polyurethane coating. According to its characteristics, the material is equal to natural, and in some even surpasses it.

Thanks to the polyurethane layer, eco-leather is highly durable, elastic, and odorless. The microporous structure allows the material to breathe. It does not deform or crack. In hot weather, the coating does not heat up, and in cold weather it does not harden.

Furniture items made from eco-leather are inexpensive, and a bed with a headboard made of leatherette with a polyurethane top layer can last for many years, while maintaining its original appearance.

Before purchasing furniture, you should carefully study quality certificates.

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