Upholstered Sleigh Beds: A Frame of Mind

A popular alternative to the traditional wood and metal frames for sleigh beds is upholstered frames. Upholstery is the art of providing a bed, chair, or sofa with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather covers. Upholstery takes an already comfortable and desirable piece of furniture or bed one step further. Upholstered sleigh beds offer a lavish look and a warm feel to a seemingly rigid bed frame. The frames can be upholstered with a variety of materials. The most popular is leather, but faux leather and other fabrics are used regularly. An upholstered frame on a sleigh bed is certain to make the bedroom more welcoming and the bed plush with extra comfort.

Fabrics and Leathers One thing to consider when purchasing an upholstered sleigh bed is whether you will choose fabric or leather for the frame. Leather is a beautiful, durable, and easy-care natural material that gets softer and better with time. Depending on the tanning and dying process, leather can come in a variety of hues. The color of the leather does not determine its durability. The choice is yours to choose what color will accent your bedroom the best. Fabrics, another choice, are versatile in that you can choose from a variety of materials and colors. Originally, cotton, flax, wool, and silk were the most widely used fabrics. However, the 20th Century introduced many synthetic fabrics like polyester and rayon. Most of all the upholstered fabrics today will be a blend of the natural and synthetic materials. Caring for Upholstered Materials So you've brought style and sophistication to your bedroom by adding a leather upholstered frame to your sleigh bed. Here some tips for keeping the leather healthy.

• Although leather is a very durable material, there are some care instructions you need to know. You can have your furniture finished (extra buffing, moisturizing and waterproofing). This is important if you have children.
• It's also a good idea to keep leather furniture out of direct sunlight, or if that's not possible, choose a leather conditioner with a UV protector.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for conditioning and cleaning your leather furniture.

If your upholstered sleigh bed's frame is fabric, it is best to consult the manufacturer's instructions to determine what the best method of care and maintenance would be for the specific fabric.