Beds are an essential piece of furniture in the lives of many people. They have long had an association with sleep and relaxation. They come in all forms and sizes ranging from an infant’s crib to a king-sized bed for adults. There are many varieties of beds like sofa beds, bunk beds, and hospital beds, Murphy beds, to temporary beds such as camp cots and air mattresses and hammocks. Beds are made of wood, metal frames, wrought iron or ropes. Amongst them all, an upholstered bed has long been the epitome of the ultimate luxury and comfort.
An upholstered bed by definition is the one that consists of a foot and a headboard padded and covered with such rich materials as leather and velvet and mink. The upholstery is done over the padding and the spring mechanism of the bed. The cover or the upholstery is usually put into place or tufted with buttons, panels or grids, of various colors and designs. Many people also use precious stones and jewels to cover the tufts of the headboard upholstery for a luxurious and personalized effect.
Benefits of an Upholstered Bed Frame
1. Comfort.
With its extra padding and covers of soft, luxurious fabrics, an upholstered bed cannot be rivaled regarding comfort. Unlike a bare wall or a frame, metal or wood, an upholstered headboard provides not only the warmth and the comfort but extra support for your back if you love to read before going to sleep or watch a movie, scrolling on your iPad or just chatting with your partner after a long day.
2. Protects the wall.
A big sturdy headboard is part and parcel of an upholstered bed frame, and this has the extra benefit of protecting the wall from wear and tear. Walls that are often rubbed against a bare frame or beddings will naturally show signs of damage early. So an upholstered can serve this purpose of protection as it forms a barrier between the bed and the wall.
3. An array of choice.
If you are someone who likes color and varieties of materials for your sleeping arrangements, then the upholstered bed is the perfect choice for you. You get to choose from a wide selection of colors, materials, designs, shapes, and sizes. If you cannot find your ideal piece in the store, you can have it custom-made with the materials and fabrics of your choice and indulge in decadence as you sleep.
4. Aesthetic Appeal.
Aside from the comfort of sleep, an upholstered bed frame can be a unique centerpiece of your bedroom. It is most likely that your bed is the largest piece of furniture in the bedroom, so you might as well make it the center of attention.
Types of upholstered beds
- Sizes.
The size of a bed is singularly personal. It can be a single frame bed, usually 75/90×190 cm, for children and guests. A double bed, 120/135x190cm, perfect for grown-up children like teenagers to king and queen sized beds, 150x200cm, for couples. You may even have the choice of a 180x200cm super king sized bed if your heart so desires.
- Features.
Features of a bed no longer are confined to the traditional requirements as dictated. An upholstered bed today can have anything from a storage space to drawers, side rails or just a simple frame. You can choose to go without the headboard and instead incorporate a platform at the foot of the bed.
- Materials.
When it comes to materials for upholstery, the sky is the limit. You can have your choice of the most beautiful linens, wool, faux leather or real leather, velvet, suede and mink and fur. You may even choose to have separate parts of the bed in different materials. It only matters that they qualify for practicality, looks, or durability.
- Designs.
The designs can be anything from a single bed with a just the headboard or everything upholstered in red velvet-tufted with precious stones. The headboard can be wingback, fixed, straight, linear, and rectangular or any shape that is known to man. Legs of the bed can be rounded, squared or beautifully hand carved and exposed. When thinking of designs for the upholstered bed, you can be as lavish as you want or choose a minimalistic design. You can even go for an eclectic look by incorporating shapes and designs that complement the overall appearance.
- Style.
In this day and age, a bed of any type can be upholstered to suit your taste and needs. It can be anything from an ottoman bed, a sleigh, divan or a simple frame.
Who may need an upholstered bed frame?
Some decades ago, an upholstered bed or any furniture plush furniture for that matter, belonged exclusively to the wealthy and upper class who had the privilege to own mansions. That is not the case anymore. With improving economy, job opportunities with increased incomes, the number of young professionals getting their own homes have significantly increased. These lifestyle changes are coupled with newer companies offering good quality furniture at affordable prices making house furnishing an enjoyable experience. Now we see upholstered pieces of furniture in almost every household.
Most people add upholstered bed frames to their homes for their versatility in adding a touch of wealth and glamour. However, if you are a person who likes to read books or watch TV while lying in bed, an upholstered bed with a headboard can provide unparalleled comfort. It can also be a great option if you live in a cold and dry climate and you need the extra warmth from the padding of an excellent upholstered bed.
What to look for when buying an upholstered bed.
After you decide to invest in an upholstered bed frame, the primary deciding factor is making sure it fits precisely with your needs and sleeping arrangements. That being said, here are a few things you should look for before you make the purchase.
- The Right Size.
When deciding which size to pick for the bed, it is a no brainer to consider the size of the room where the bed will be designated. For obvious reasons, you cannot pick a king sized bed for a medium-sized room or a small sized bed for the master bedroom. It is also essential to choose the right height and weight of the headboard in corresponding with the elevation of the ceiling. It is also equally important to select the right sized features that might come along with the bed frame.
- The Right Materials.
When you step into the store to finalize your purchase, it can be enticing to get carried away by the vast array of materials in all their colors and textures and designs. However, it is critical that you first take your health and your living conditions before you make a decision. If you live in a place that is hot and humid, you do not want to sleep in a bed covered with fabric that is sweat-absorbent. Consider if investing in real-leather upholstery is a good choice if you live with pets that like to sleep on your bed. There are chances of their claws ripping the leather. If you have health problems like asthma, dust allergies, or sinusitis, fury and velvety covers will aggravate your condition. Therefore, making the right decision about the upholstery material may be detrimental to your health and overall lifestyle.
- Design.
It is more than likely that you have your house decorated in a certain theme if you are shopping for an upholstered bed frame. Consider the designs, architecture and color scheme of the house and the room that will house the bed. A pink headboard tufted with diamonds will look out of place if you have a pastel color scheme in the house.
- Comfort.
Every individual has a unique style of sleeping. Whether you sleep sprawled out, on the left side, on the right side, or on the belly, your comfort is vital while buying a bed. Even if you have the prettiest bed, it is of no use if you cannot sleep in it because it is not comfortable. So check properly before buying. It is suggested to try sleeping in different positions before you make the final decision. Yes, it might seem a little odd trying out a demo sleep in a busy store, but it is so much better than to try it out now than to take it home and realize that the bed was not what you had in mind.
How to care for upholstered bed
Upholstered furniture of any kind needs regular maintenance. This is one of the main complaints of people who are proud owners of upholstered beds. But the fact you are investing in one of them is a testament to your rather affluent lifestyle. Given that beds come in regular contact with sweat, hair products, makeup, pet hairs, dust, and grime, taking care of an upholstered bed frame will depend mainly on the type of materials that make up the upholstery. Let us take a look.
1. Leather Upholstery.
To begin with, it is a good idea to check with the store or company for cleaning instructions. Most business establishments and company include a label with care instructions for the furniture to retain shape and durability. In the rare event that your furniture did not come along with cleaning instructions, this is how you can clean the leather upholstery.
- A soft cloth dipped in water mixed with a mild soap can quickly clean the grease and grime. Make sure to use dabbing motions and not rub as it can damage the leather.
- For dust and pet fur, vacuuming is always the best way to clean your leather.
- Distilled water can also be sprayed on and then dried off with a soft cloth.
- For premium leather, it is always good to use a leather spray just before polishing.
- Aside from the regular cleaning and polishing, it also helps to keep the leather out of direct sunlight as it may cause fading.
2. Velvet and Suede Upholstery.
- Regular cleaning of the whole bed can be done by vacuuming with a handheld vacuum.
- Liquid stains from food or drink items can be cleaned by a mixture of soda and lemon juice. Gently wipe the area with the above mixture with a blotting motion. After it is dry, use a hair drier in medium heat setting to fluff up the material. However, suede is known to react differently to different cleaning agents so conducting a spot test may be required.
- Regular dust and dirt can be easily cleaned with an upholstery brush or a soft cloth brush using circular motions.
- Upholstery that is made of velvet or suede in bright colors should be kept away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and discoloration.
3. Linen and Wool.
Linen and wool are both made from natural fibers so their cleaning procedures may require extra gentle care as they both absorb and retain water.
- Steam cleaning is considered the best method for wool and linen upholstery.
- For spot cleaning, water mixed with a mild soap or detergent can be applied with a soft cloth using blotting motions. Use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process.
- Dry vacuuming is also an option for cleaning wool and linen upholstery.
- After an episode of cleaning, switch on the fans or keep the windows and doors open for a while to discourage molds from forming anywhere near the upholstered bed or the room due to humidity.
If you enjoy the comfort and appeal of an upholstered bed but do not want to keep up with its high maintenance upkeep, you can opt to go for a microfiber. It will not require the regular cleaning like velvet or leather but will give you the experience of an upholstered bed frame.
It is said that humans spend a third of their lives in bed sleeping or otherwise. So having a comfortable bed which you can look forward to every night should not be a luxury but rather, a necessity. Upholstered beds are not for everyone, but if you decide to invest in one, you will not be disappointed.
